Baited Trap

“Get the boxes and take them to the van,” Albert repeated to himself. “Fernando will be mad if anyone sees me!”1

The door to the telecomm room open easily thanks to the tape Albert had placed over the door jam yesterday. There would be no record of his entering. Albert had followed Fernando’s instructions exactly. Fernando said that Albert was a good worker, but Fernando was the thinker. Albert had always been happy to leave the thinking to his older brother.2

Albert made his way to the back corner without turning on the lights. “Fifth floor tile from the left against the back wall,” he reminded himself. 3

Albert counted carefully before slowly lifting the floor tile and laying it aside. As he lifted the boxes, he sensed more than heard someone come up behind him. He couldn’t drop the boxes. Fernando was always telling him how important it was that they didn’t get damaged. His brother would be mad if he dropped them.4

“What are you doing here?” demanded Albert his entire body clenching with fear. He felt trapped with his back against the wall, crouched there like an animal.5

Bates laughed. “I’m watching you steal, Albert. Just like I watched your cousin Leo put those boxes under the floor. I’ve been watching your little gang for a while. I just needed to catch you in the act.”6

Albert knew they were in trouble but he didn’t know what to do. Fernando will know what to do, he thought. I’ve got to get away and tell him. Without another thought Albert sprung up and ran towards the door. Bates tried to step in front of him but Albert pushed him away with all his considerable strength. Albert looked back when he heard a crash. Bates was lying on the floor.7

“Oh no, don’t let him be dead!” prayed Albert and grabbed the gold crucifix hanging on a necklace around his neck. “That wouldn’t be good at all. Everyone would be really angry at me if Bates were dead.” He inched back slowly and noticed the blood on Bates head where he’d hit the rack, but his chest was rising and falling. “I know! I’ll tie him up then he can’t tell anyone. Fernando will know what to do with him.” 8

Placing the boxes carefully on the floor, Albert grabbed a couple of network cables from a storage bin. He pulled Bates up into a sitting position against the rack and started to tie his hands. Just then Bates began to stir. 9

“No!! You can’t wake up now. You have to wait for Fernando.” Albert whispered, “I have to make him fall asleep again!” he thought frantically.10

Looking around he spotted a toolbox, reached in and grabbed whatever came to hand and hit Bates over the head. Bates grunted but didn’t lose consciousness. Panicking now, Albert slipped the cable around Bates neck and squeezed. After a while, Bates stopped moving.11