A Quick Trip Back Home

Thinking he had just read a chapter out of a Tom Clancy novel, Kris slowly walked back to the Sentinel office. Always suspicious as a reporter, it seemed to Kris as if Lonnie had been well-trained to tell the Syndicated Delivery Services story. Lonnie's explanation had been far too poised and precise. Another question was on Kris' mind. Why would anyone trust Lonnie Jackson with sensitive information about a massive covert operation that had worldwide implications? In high school, other guys quickly learned not to share their date details with Lonnie. He would have it broadcast over the entire campus before the end of sixth period. Kris doubted Lonnie's confession was truthful, but if it wasn't, then what was the truth? It all sounded preposterous, but Kris knew the U.S. government, military and intelligence agencies were involved in all sorts of meddling and subterfuge around the world, Kris had the sickening feeling that it was going to be all but impossible to find out anything meaningful about Syndicated Delivery Services and what they were doing. Despite Lonnie's warning, Kris' catlike curiosity wouldn't let him back away. Back at the Sentinel, Kris retrieved a Coke from the refrigerator in the break room, went to his desk and leaned back in his chair. He started researching Syndicated. Kris took a deep swallow of his soft drink and started making phone calls. Locally, he did learn that Syndicated had purchased a Fort Phillips business license but had not joined the County Chamber of Commerce or civic clubs which was the first requirement in corporate civics 101. Water and power services had been paid a year in advance with no more than a company name and post office address provided to the utilities. Kris could find no information about the company on the Internet and the Georgia Secretary of State's office had no information on an incorporation for Syndicated Delivery Services. When he dialed the phone number on the notice on the front door, a recording of a male voice said, "we are unavailable at this moment." There was no cordial "your call is important to us" or instructions to leave a message. Just "we are unavailable at this moment." "That's interesting," Kris said to himself. "They definitely don't want to be bothered."