Page 58 of Once Hidden
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The SwiftUnified Parcels depot sat on the industrial outskirts of town, a squat concrete building flanked by rows of brown delivery trucks.Riley studied the facility as Sheriff Rich’s cruiser pulled into the employee lot.Loading docks lined the eastern wall, the wide bay doors raised to reveal workers shuffling packages onto conveyor belts.
“Sandra should be in her office,” Sheriff Rich said, killing the engine.“I called, so she’ll be expecting us.”
Inside, the depot hummed with the organized chaos of a logistics hub in motion.Workers in brown uniforms wheeled carts loaded with packages, barcode scanners beeped in a steady rhythm, and the conveyor belts whirred as they carried parcels toward their designated loading zones.
Sheriff Rich led them through the warehouse toward a small glass-walled office in the corner.A woman with close-cropped gray hair and the straight-backed posture of someone who’d spent decades in military service looked up from her computer as they approached.She rose immediately, extending a hand to the sheriff.
“Walt,” she said, her grip firm as they shook hands.“You said this was about Dana.Is she alright?”
“Sandra, this is Special Agent Riley Paige and Agent Ann Marie Esmer from the FBI,” Sheriff Rich said, bypassing her question for the moment.“As I said on the phone, we need your help with a situation.”
Sandra’s gaze shifted to Riley and Ann Marie.“FBI?What’s happened?”
Riley stepped forward.“Ms.Beckett, we have reason to believe that Dana Beaufort may be the target of a dangerous individual.We’ve secured her safety, but we believe this person intends to make his move today, during her delivery route.”
Sandra’s expression hardened.“It’s about that package from five years ago, isn’t it?The one that never made it to that poor kid who died.”
Riley was impressed by Sandra’s quick connection.“Yes.We believe the killer has been planning this for a long time.He’s methodical, patient, and he’s chosen to act now.”
“So, what do you need from me?”Sandra asked, her tone businesslike despite the gravity of the situation.“You want to cancel her route?”
“Actually,” Ann Marie interjected, “we want to run it as scheduled—but with Agent Paige taking Dana’s place.”
Sandra’s eyebrows rose as she looked between Riley and the sheriff.“Undercover?As a delivery driver?”
“Dana and I share a resemblance,” Riley explained.“From a distance, wearing her uniform and cap, I could pass for her.If we’re right about the killer’s plan, he’s expecting her on the route today.If we disrupt that expectation, he might disappear, only to try again later when we’re not watching.”
Sandra studied Riley’s face more carefully now.“You do look similar.Enough to fool someone who’s only seen her from a distance or in passing.”She paused, thinking.“What’s your plan once you’re out there?”
“Agent Esmer will hide in the cargo area of the truck,” Sheriff Rich explained.“I’ll have an unmarked unit following at a safe distance.If these individual approaches or makes any move, we’ll be ready to apprehend him.”
Sandra turned to her computer.A few keystrokes later, she swiveled the monitor toward them.“This is Dana’s route for today.”
“Any deliveries that stand out as particularly isolated or vulnerable?”Riley asked, peering at the screen.
“These three here,” Sandra highlighted stops on the digital map.“Rural properties, set back from the main road.This one especially—the mailbox is about 200 yards from the house, at the end of a long drive.Dana usually leaves packages in a lockbox at the gate unless a signature is required.”
“Do all these deliveries happen in sequence, or is there flexibility?”Ann Marie asked.
“The system optimizes for efficiency, but drivers have some discretion.The scanner provides turn-by-turn directions and updates as they complete deliveries.”
Riley straightened.“We need to familiarize ourselves with the truck and equipment.How much time do we have?”
Sandra checked her watch.“Loading starts in an hour.Route begins at noon.”
“Perfect,” Riley said.“Can you show us Dana’s truck and walk us through the procedures?”
Sandra led them out to the warehouse floor, where a line of identical brown delivery trucks waited.She stopped at one with “Route 17” stenciled on the side.
“This is Dana’s regular vehicle,” Sandra said, unlocking the cab.“GPS system built into the dash.Scanner hooks here.Packages get loaded in sequence—first deliveries at the rear doors for easy access.”
Riley climbed into the driver’s seat, familiarizing herself with the controls.The seat needed adjusting—Dana was just a little taller—but otherwise, it felt manageable.She noticed the blind spots, the limited rear visibility that would make it harder to see someone approaching from behind.
“Does Dana typically lock the cargo area between deliveries?”Ann Marie asked, inspecting the rear of the truck.
“Company policy says yes, but in practice, on residential routes with frequent stops, most drivers leave it unlocked for efficiency,” Sandra admitted.“Especially in areas like this.”
