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.
The Unknown Figure in Hallway
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.