Murder Inc.: A Sci-fi Thriller: Book 1 by Owen Baillie

Author:Owen Baillie [Baillie, Owen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Phalanx Press
Published: 2015-12-09T05:00:00+00:00

Central Tower, Janefield Complex

Upper East Side, New York

Friday 7:23 pm

The black Mercedes sedan pulled into the underground car park and rolled up to a set of wide glass doors. Fox climbed out and stepped through the entrance, buttoning his black suit jacket. The AI vehicle would wait for his return. Tom would battle with the news of Charlie’s death; it might lead to a discussion about the company, and beyond that, their futures.

Fox had lost another loyal supporter. Charlie didn’t have the strength of character that Tom or Johanna possessed, but he’d been reliable and honest. Along with Bryce Adler, Charlie had been part of the next wave of executives meant to serve the Company under the guidance of the subsequent CEO following Fox’s retirement.

He took the elevator to the fifth level where his watch guided him to the correct apartment using a series of voice commands. Fox stood outside, strengthening his resolve, and pressed the buzzer.

After a moment, the door slid open and Tom stood before him. “Hello, sir.” Tom wore a slight frown of puzzlement.

“I’m sorry to bother you on a Friday night, Tom. Do you have a moment?”

Tom stood aside. “Of course.”

Fox entered and they went into the living room where glossy gadgets peered out from shelving: virtual reality headgear and the latest gaming device from Apple. Tom kept a neat apartment with modern, white, polycarbonate furniture and several artificial hair rugs. It didn’t suit Fox’s taste, but reflected Tom’s generation’s preference for simplicity.

“Can I get you something? A drink?”

“No, thank you.” Tom sat, directing Fox to the other sofa chair. “Tom, have you spoken to Charlie today?”

“No. Not for a couple of days.” He narrowed his gaze. “But now that you mention it, Tabby called earlier and asked me to check in on him. But I…” Tom’s words drifted away as he caught the hard glint in Fox’s eyes. “What is it?”

“Charlie passed away this evening, Tom.”

Tom’s mouth fell open. He stared at Fox for a long moment, glanced away and then back. “Passed away? As in, died?”

Fox nodded. “The paramedics took a blood sample and think it was probably Charlie’s heart. His cholesterol was quite high. You know he didn’t… eat as well as he should have. The extra weight may have contributed.” Tom fell back against the sofa, his brow knotted in thought. “I really am sorry, Tom. I know you two were close.”

Tom put his face in his hands and rubbed his eyes. Fox reached out and gripped his shoulder. It had been a harsh blow for Fox, too; he viewed the younger executives as an extension of his own family.

Tom dropped his hands and stared at Fox with glassy eyes. “Surely his yearly check-up would have flagged a problem?”

It was a good question. “Yes, it should have. Robert told me he’d missed his last few.”

“Missed them? I thought… ” His expression froze. “Are you sure? I’m certain Charlie went to last year’s medical. We joked about the result… ” His voiced faded, before rushing on.

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