“The Plan B, where we have an actual backup plan? Or Plan B where we’re making it up as we go along?”
“I’m shocked that you have so little confidence in me.”
“Not you, Fargo, Bonnie and Clyde. This whole blaze of glory thing—”
“Forget that. Once they get the Ghost off the ferry, we’ve got to be ready. We might not have a lot of time to make our move.”
* * *
—
IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR for the truck and cargo to clear customs.
What Sam didn’t expect was that the truck and container would be moved onto a train. Fifteen minutes later, they were rolling down the tracks.
“Do we have a signal yet?” Remi asked. “Selma’s bound to be worried.”
Sam took out his phone to check. With the container now in the open, Sam found one and called, putting it on speaker.
“Mr. Fargo? Is that you? Your voice is cutting out. Where are you?”
“In a container on a train. With the Ghost. Just leaving Dover.”
“Container? Dover? To where?”
“We were hoping you’d know,” Sam said. “Long story short, we got locked in the shipping container with the Ghost, which is supposed to be on its way to Oren via ferry from Calais.”
“Hold on . . .” The silence lasted for several seconds until she came back on the line. “Oren has industrial property in Manchester, but Lazlo thinks he might have something outside of London. We’ll see if we can’t narrow it down.”
“Let’s hope it’s London,” Remi said. “We haven’t eaten since breakfast. I don’t think I can do four more hours locked in here.”
“Hate to say it, Remi. It’s possible we’ll be shuttled into some warehouse where we’ll be stored until Oren’s crew comes.”
“Cheery thought, Fargo,” she replied. “We still need to figure out how we’re getting out of here when we do land somewhere.”
“Blaze of glory, Remi. Blaze of glory.”
“Pardon?” Selma said.
“We’re planning on driving the Ghost out of the container and making our getaway,” Sam said.
“A bit hasty, aren’t you, Sam?” Lazlo chimed in. “I’m afraid the Ghost isn’t as easy to start as the Ahrens-Fox. Eleven years of technology between the two.”
“While Lazlo was researching the events of ’06, he learned a little about the workings of automobiles back then,” Selma added.
“Yes, you see, there are thirteen steps to starting the Ghost. The automobile was not designed for your fast getaway. I think this will take more than a little planning on your part,” Lazlo continued. “I’ll have Selma send you a list that will take you through the steps so that you can get the car running.”
“And you’d better be sure that there’s a battery, it’s charged, and there’s fuel in the tank,” Selma added.
“Done, done, and done,” Remi answered.
“We’d better get going. Sounds like we have a lot to organize before we’re on firm ground.”
Sam ended the call, the dim light from the screen fading to black.
Shortly, Sam’s phone signaled Selma’s text had arrived. Reading through the complicated procedure, Remi said, “Right now I wish the ’06 Ghost came with a phone charger.”
Sam and Remi divided up the thirteen steps, trying to streamline their jobs, to make the process move as quickly as possible.