The welding torch hissed, then, amid a clatter of hammering, an electric stove was removed from the van and tossed aside.
Dren, the heavyset mechanic, lowered his protective mask and let out a labored breath. "Fuck. If I'd known, I never would've welded it on for fifty bucks."
He patted Li Jie beside him. "Sheriff, are you leaving the department?"
"Huh?"
Li Jie, who was checking the inventory list, turned around in surprise. "What makes you say that?"
"Look at this van." Dren pointed at the E-350. "The heat-resistant tires you want fitted, and... this..."
He pointed at Rongke, who was welding a machine gun mount onto the roof. "You guys must've been requisitioned by the US military to join the peacekeepers in the Congo."
"It's not that simple." Li Jie sighed, took an envelope from his bag, and handed it over. "Raven was abducted and trafficked. I'm going to bring her back."
"Reverse trafficking? I don't think anyone over there could afford her..." Dren took the envelope, felt its thickness, then opened it and looked inside. His eyes widened. "Holy shit! How much is this?"
"Ten thousand dollars for labor. Materials are extra. If Raven comes back safely, you'll get another ten thousand."
"What the fuck..."
Dren stood stunned for a moment, then shouted up at the roof. "Hold off on the welding. Go get a 3116 Engine."
"What the fuck are you talking about? We don't have one in stock!" Rongke stopped welding, took off his mask, and shouted down. "Quit fucking dreaming. That thing's a pain in the ass to install."
"Call someone and have them find one, or steal one!" Dren shouted back, slapping the envelope in his hand. "The sheriff gave us ten grand, and there's another ten if we do a good job."
"FUCK!"