Officer Olmstead

Roy Olmstead was no novice. He had worked on the Police force for almost 10 years and he was savy. He watched the streets. He always asked himself, "what is this mans purpose?" If a man's purpose was clear to him he seldom pulled him over. But if a man's purpose seemed vague or undetermined then Roy felt there was a reason for that and it was often because some misdeed or delinquency. Olmstead had seen the Lavrey moving truck running a similar route. To this place over to that and back to the other. This seemed odd for a moving company who's pattern ought to be irregular depending on it's patronage. But there ought not be a patterned route for a moving company truck. What purpose might a moving company have for a patterned route, he could not fathom. His curiosity piqued and forced him to find cause for inquisition. A tail light? A swift pace? An illegal turn? For the Lavery Brothers Moving Company it was an illegal left turn, the kind that was made in a hurry after the light had turned red. Olmsteads light went on, this was his chance. Olmstead walked to the Lavery moving tuck cab. "What can I do for you officer?" was the response of Dan Lavery. "Please come out of your truck, sir" Was Olmsteads response. "May I ask why?" Inquired Dan. "I think you know why." This was a trick of Olmsteads to which Dan did not fall for. Assume guilt and the guilty will reveal all. Dan was not so naieve. "I can't thnink of a reason officer." Olmstead pressed, "What are you moving with this rig?" "Oh, Furniture and personal items." Replied Dan. "Personal items? Yes. Why don't we open the back?." The two share a breif moment of pause. Dan takes a chance, "There's no need officer." Olmstead is revolted "There is a need if I say there is a need! Open the back. Now!" Daniel walks to the back of the truck. He pauses for a moment before throwing the back wide open to reveal an empty rig. All that is inside is empty boxes. it seems a delivery has already been made. "As I said, there is no need. It is an empty truck." Olmstead adjusts his collar, deflated. "Still, you can't be too careful. Lotta booze runners. I'd hate for your services to be taken advantage of for illegal purposes. After all, it's you would be liable for illigal cargo, not your patrons." Dan raises his brow in surprise. "Thank you for your conscern. The thought nrver crossed my mind. I suppose I'll have to be more careful." With that Dan pulls the back shut, a draft rolls out of the truck. Olmsteads nostrils flair with suspicion, detecting a familiar odor. He is Speechless as Dan Walks back to the cab of the truck and pulls away. We are left looking at a truck pulling away. We focus on a reserve tank of gas bolted to the bottom of the truck. It's liquid sloshing about as it pulls away.