The job offer came as an email with no company logo, no sender information beyond a string of numbers,

and a subject line that just read, Conductor position, private contract.

I'd been out of work for months, barely scraping by, and scam emails were nothing new.

But when I opened it, the details made me pause.

The pay was astronomical.

Six times what I'd ever made running freight trains for a single ride.

The hours were vague, but the message emphasized discretion,

reliability and the ability to work alone. There was a number at the bottom. I called,

however expecting a disconnected line or a robotics scam message.

Instead, a man answered on the first ring.

He introduced himself only as a recruiter for a private client and asked if I was available to meet the next day.

No company name, no office address, just a location, a roadside diner off

a highway. I went off course. The diner was nearly empty when I arrived. The man was waiting

for me, sitting at a booth near the back.

He wore a black suit, a crisp tie to match, and a dull expression.

He didn't even introduce himself properly, just gestured for me to sit.

There wasn't any small talk.

He slid a contract across the table.

You'll receive a list of instructions, he said, voice flat.

Read them on your job site.

They are non-negotiable.

Ah, all right.

...