Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
“No.” He looked back at his computer.
“You two fall out? I noticed he wasn’t at my party.” Inner Circle’s Reggae classic, ‘Sweat,’ was now playing.
“…There’ve been some disagreements. Overstepping boundaries.”
“Honey doesn’t like him. She didn’t say that directly, but I can tell. Just said he wasn’t her cup of tea, but I know it’s deeper than that. What the fuck did he do, James?”
“Not in the mood to get into it right now.”
“I’ll get it out of you sooner rather than later. Anyway, back to this ride thing. How can I get around if you won’t lend me a car, huh? Am I supposed to float on air?”
“You can ride the B.U.L.L.”
“The Bull?”
“Bus. Uber. Lyft. Lawnmower.”
She picked up a pen from his desk and threw it at him.
He burst out laughing and ducked behind his desk. When he popped back up, she had both hands on her hips, her face twisted. If looks could kill.
“Remember in the movie, “Water Boy,” Adam Sandler rode a lawnmower to and from work? I could see your ass on the riding lawnmower on Interstate-70, cars behind you honkin’ to get your ass outta the way! HONK! HONK! ‘Move, bitch!’” He could feel his face getting hot as he cracked himself up. Irish shot him the middle finger and left, slamming his office door behind her. After that, he continued to laugh for quite some time, until he gathered his wits and got back to work…
Billy tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the doctor. The instrumental version of ‘Maria Maria’ by Santana drifted from the speakers. He wasn’t in the waiting room but in a strange, sterile lobby of sorts, with an armed Armenian man by his side. It was in the back of the building, away from the medical office. A framed poster from the Broadway musical, ‘Moulin Rouge’ was hanging on the wall next to him.
The elevator doors opened and out came Dr. Mark Bannon, clad in his white doctor’s coat, his greying temples, and thinning dark brown hair slicked back to expose a broad, sun-bathed forehead. Deeply hooded light brown eyes met his own.
“Hello, Dr. Bannon.”
“William Natori…” Dr. Bannon simply stated as he regarded him.
“You can just call me Billy.”
Dr. Bannon nodded, pointing the way. He led him down a narrow hall, into a conference room. The music became fainter and fainter until eventually, he couldn’t hear it anymore. “Have a seat.”
Billy sat down across from the doctor and the armed man. He cleared his throat, and stroked his beard, while checking out some of the trappings. Big window. Coffee station. White board. It smelled like rubbing alcohol and markers in the room.
“So,” Billy leaned forward, “I first want to tell ya, thank you for seeing me.”
“You can skip all of the small talk, you piece of shit. I don’t need an acknowledgement or introduction from the likes of you. My time is limited. You and your boss have caused me enough lost time and resources over the years. I’m tempted to have you beaten, just for the fun of it.” Dr. Bannon laughed and the guard grinned.
Billy sat in silence while they enjoyed themselves at his expense. The gun jammed in his sock felt like an old friend that might make an appearance soon.
“Now, let’s get down to business. You said you had some important information for me, but,” the doctor leaned back in his seat, “I find it curious that you’d come here, when you still technically work for James Wilde. Obviously he’s unaware that you’ve paid me a visit, or is he? This may be some Archer branded scheme.”
“Well,” Billy cleared his throat, “I can promise you that this isn’t a scheme, and Archer and I are no longer in agreement on the business model, if you will.”
“Hmmm, you and he were like peas in a pod, but again, why should I trust anything you say?”
“Because I have something you want, and right now I’m offering you helpful information for your own protection. Information that can be corroborated.” Billy opened his jacket, and the Armenian guy got to his feet and pointed a Glock 22 at his chest. “Cool it. No gun. Nothin’.” Billy pasted on a friendly smile and slowly raised his hands in the air. “I’m getting out my phone.” The guard kept his eyes on him as he slowly lowered his arms and slipped his phone out of the inner pocket. He pulled up what he needed and passed it across the table. “That is a video. I think you should know that I found out that his sister, Irish, has been released from prison.”
Bannon blinked several times, then chuckled. “You’re mistaken. That was an armed robbery she was a part of. She had a twelve-year sentence. No parole.”
“Not true. Archer paid for some big-time lawyer for her. This landshark found a loophole in her sentencing, a clerical error upon her arrest, and something to do with her rights not being read. Now she’s a bird… free as can fuckin’ be.” Billy grinned and nodded. He then instructed the doctor to play the video.