The truck coughs against the bay lights, and the engine vibration rattles the tally in Dallas Fontaine’s hand. The Driver leans from the cab, wrench ready, eyes cutting from Dallas to the open doors like he’s choosing which exit costs less.
The Driver
That paper stays with the load, detective. Hand it over and nobody gets hurt.
From the hallway shadow, The Unknown Figure in Hallway steps just enough to catch the light. Their breath is tight, but their voice comes out clear, aimed at Dallas and the driver alike.
Julian
He’s lying. That tally routes straight to Pier Nine, and Pier Nine leads to Voss. Take the plate number, Dallas, before it rolls out.
Dallas Fontaine
The route correction matches the cleaner stamp. Someone is trying to erase a transfer to Voss.
Dallas holds the dock tally up to the cab light. The fresh stamp, the corrected route number, and the handwritten initials line up like a confession. The Driver sees it, and his grip tightens on the wrench.
The Driver
You don’t know what you’re walking into. Tate, Bell, all of it, it’s above me. I just move freight.
The Unknown Figure in Hallway points down the lane, where the truck’s plates are plain as day. One more clean read, one more name, and Dallas has the bridge from the dock paperwork to Voss’s operation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get the plate number
✓ Quest Accepted
Reach Pier Nine
“Does the driver have any other documents hidden in the cab?”
YES (Likely, rolled 15)
As the driver shifts his weight, a corner of a thick, leather-bound envelope slips from beneath the driver's seat, catching the harsh overhead light. It is tucked away with a care that suggests it holds more than just routine shipping manifests.
Dallas Fontaine
That envelope is too thick for a simple route slip. It looks like a ledger.
“I take the ledger and question the driver about it”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Dallas slides in fast, one hand darting under the driver’s seat before the wrench can come down. The thick envelope comes free with a clean rip of leather and paper.
Dallas Fontaine
This isn’t a route slip. Tell me what you’re hiding.
The Driver
Easy, detective. That packet stays out of the harbor books, that’s all.
Dallas turns the envelope toward the light. A dock tally, a carbon copy stub, and a short handwritten list stare back from inside, clipped to a marina office code.
Julian
That code matches Pier Nine. Same hand, same route, same cleanup crew.
The Driver
You don’t understand what’s in there. If that leaves this cab, I’m finished.
The Driver jerks his chin toward the cab door, but his grip tightens only on the wrench. Murderbone shifts at Dallas’s side, bristling at the threat.
Dallas Fontaine
Then start talking. Who wrote the list, and who gets the envelope at Pier Nine?
“I press the driver for Pier Nine names”
SUCCESS (Legendary Interrogation, rolled +2)
Dallas leans in, close enough that the driver can see the papers in his hand. The wrench hesitates midair. Murderbone holds the cab line, silent and hard.
Dallas Fontaine
Start with the names. Who’s on this list?
The Driver
I only carried the envelope. Harlan Tate signed the drop, and a clerk named Carter Vale handled the reroute.
The driver swallows, then nods toward the handwritten slip inside the packet.
The Driver
Pier Nine names, too, if that’s what you want. Bell, Pryce, Tate, and the office code. I never saw past the paper trail.
Julian
That’s enough to pin the harbor books to Voss’s people. Take the plate while the cab is still open.
Dallas shifts the envelope under the loading bay light and reads the plate number from the carbon copy stuffed beneath the list. The truck cab stays open, its seat kicked loose, as the driver recoils and Murderbone watches for any sudden move.
Quest Complete
Get the plate number
New Gift: Automotive Surveillance Specialist