Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
“Just about anything you want, except for his physical harm or death. I need him workin’ for me, and in tip, top shape, and he needs to be alive to do it,” he chuckled. “I tell you what though, friend, once he’s under my command, I can have him do many jobs for you, and he will continue to moonlight for you, until we agree that he’s even, his debt paid in full. We can work out the details.”
“I like the sound of that! A true negotiator you are, Cyrus. If you have some time today, please stop by because I actually do have some work I wouldn’t mind him joining in on, as well as a lucrative opportunity for you. Kage will pay off the debt of killing my nephew, and you can benefit with a finder’s fee, so to speak. But I know we have some kinks in the deal to work out first. More importantly, I know of a shipment coming into town, with our names written on it. Liquor. High quality liquor. The security is lukewarm. Our guys together can seize it and split it fifty-fifty. You bring the muscle and lay of the land. I bring the strategy. What do ya say?”
“Sounds promising. I’d like to hear more.”
“Sure thing, swing on by. Let’s bury the hatchet and hatch a new plan!” The man laughed gregariously.
“I can do that.” Well, well, well… the tide has turned. “Are you at home? Still on Cluny Court?”
“Yes, I am. You’ll be let in as soon as you pull up to the gate.”
“Fantastic. See you soon.”
He placed his phone back in his pocket, made his way outside the office building, then lit his own cigar. Today is turnin’ out better after all! He shook his head as his thoughts drifted, just like the smoke from his cigar. Before he took off, he looked back at the office building. A wave of dread washed over him, and Tina came back to the forefront, dampening his chipper mood.
I was interviewed by The Youth Ministry of St. Claire Chapel, in Augusta, Georgia recently. One young man, ’bout sixteen years of age, looked at me and said, “Mr. Wilde, you’re a successful businessman with many companies. What’s your biggest advice for young fellas comin’ up?” I thought to myself, ‘Never fuckin’ fall in love, son.’ I wanted to say it… but I didn’t. It would’ve been the truth. Then I could have avoided this misery.
He began walking to his car, one of many in his fleet. Today, he’d chosen his cranberry red Infiniti QX55 Luke. He opened the door, slipped inside, and started the engine. Still clutching his cigar, he cracked the window and let the bluesy tunes of Albert King’s, ‘Crosscut Saw’ lead the way…
Electric Light Orchestra’s, ‘Evil Woman’ played on low volume while Poet looked over the paperwork in her office. Her half eaten peanut butter and apple jam sandwich sat in its wrapping paper, forgotten, turning stiff, for she was too focused on the matter at hand. Picking up the phone, she dialed.
“Good afternoon, this is Dave of the BC Preservation of Houston Wildlife. How can I help you?”
“Hi, Mr. Lanore. This is Poet Constantine returning your call.”
“Ahhh, yes. Did you get the email which included a copy of the contract?”
“I most certainty did. I also looked over the attached files you provided me.” She smiled as she grasped the printed copy in her hand. “After this is signed in front of a notary, when is this agreement effective?”
“The certification? Oh, that’s effective as soon as it’s entered into our records, and let’s see, if you turn it in soon, it’ll be about two days max from now.”
“That’s great timing, but would it be possible to get that expedited to within a twenty-four hour window?”
“Hmmm, that’s a pretty tall order, but not impossible. The next step would be scheduling the surveyors to come by to confirm your report, but if everything looks on the up and up, we can proceed. Let’s see here… well, we do have a slot for tomorrow mornin’ ’round nine, but—”
“We’ll take it. I promise to have this taken care of today and sent back to you before five.”
“Okay, great. Now, everything has to be paid in full and all duties up to date before it can be confirmed. The only thing that concerns me is that I did see an overdue tax bill. You stated that it was an error, but that needs to be substantiated. I just need the verification correspondence from both parties.”
“Yes, that was a mistake on the city’s part, not the owners. A misunderstanding, I suppose you could say. The proof is available, and I will forward that over to you right away. His accountant is fully aware of the situation, and it has been handled. In any case, thank you for advancing this on such short notice. I greatly appreciate it.”