Chapter 52: They Started It. We’ll Finish It
George Agnew stood in his office with his phone pressed to his ear. The tone of his voice was low and cautious...
"I’m so sorry, sir," he said quietly. "Truly. I didn’t mean for things to go this way."
But the voice on the other end wasn’t having it.
Henry Ashford. A man whose influence reached deep into places most wouldn’t dare go.
"Sorry?" Ashford’s voice thundered through the phone. "This is exactly what you and Raymond did the last time. The same careless, sloppy moves that made me have to step in and clean your mess."
George winced. He hated being scolded, but there was nothing he could say to defend himself. Not now.
"You think I have time to keep putting out the fires you light?" Ashford continued. "You’re circling the same mistakes, George. Is that man really so difficult for you to handle? Or must I do everything myself?"
George closed his eyes and swallowed hard. His throat was dry. He looked out the window of his high-rise office, searching for words, any words, that would calm the storm brewing on the other end of the call.
"No, sir. I understand," he said, steadying his voice. "I really do. Raymond gave us all a scar... I admit that. But this time... this time, I have a plan. A clean one. No noise, no mistakes. We’ll take him out slowly, carefully. I promise."
Ashford was silent for a moment. Then he laughed, a cold, disappointed laugh.
"You always have a plan, George," he said bitterly. "That’s all you’ve ever had. Plans. Promises. Excuses. How long have you been feeding me the same old story? And what has worked? Nothing."