The Mortal Maze by Ian Richardson

Author:Ian Richardson [Richardson, Ian]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: thriller
Publisher: Preddon Lee Limited
Published: 2015-08-22T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

The next morning, on his way to work, Jackson goes to an ATM and draws another $500 from the Roger Smith account. He tells Dick he wants to see a contact and would like Yassin to drive him there, as it is a dodgy part of town. In truth, he wants to be taken to Archibald’s gambling den to pay off his debt. Dick agrees.

Yassin and Jackson arrive outside the gambling den. From the outside it appears to be a poorly maintained and nondescript office block. “Wait here. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Jackson tells Yassin.

Jackson enters the den and goes to Archbibald who is smoking a cigar in his glass-enclosed office. “I’ve brought your money,” he tells the den boss as he reaches into his pocket for the cash he has drawn out over the past 48 hours.

“Good,” says the den boss. “Let’s see it then.”

Jackson counts out $700. “Where’s the rest?” demands Archibald.

“What do you mean? That’s your $500 back, plus your interest.”

“Don’t get clever with me! That’s not enough. It’s not straight interest on the loan. It’s compound interest, plus an administration fee. I make that out to be $1,100.”

“No, no! That’s not right. It’s robbery!”

Archibald pushes a button on his desk and there is ringing at the entrance door where his two heavies are standing. They hurry over to Archibald’s office and stand menacingly with arms crossed at the door.

“Now look here, Jackson, I’m a businessman and when I make a loan I expect it to be honoured. There is no argument to be had. You owe me $1100.”

“But I don’t have that much on me and I can’t draw out any more from my bank account before tomorrow.”

Archibald changes tack. “I’m a reasonable man, so give me what you’ve got and I will allow you to pay the remaining $200 tomorrow. There will, I regret, have to be a late payment fee.”

“Eh? What do you propose that be?

“Oh, I think $50 is reasonable.”

“That’s outrageous! You’re a fucking loan shark!”

“Now, don’t be so offensive or I might get angry. I am merely a businessman trying to earn an honest living.”

Jackson knows he is beaten. He hands over another $200. “If you or your boys can meet me at the ATM near our bureau, I’ll give you the balance then. I can be there at 9am.”

“Okay. My boys will meet you then, and because you are such a valued client of my establishment, I will reduce the late payment to $25 as a gesture of goodwill.”

“You’re all heart, Archibald,” says Jackson sarcastically.

“Yes, I’m often told that,” he smirks. “My boys will now see you safely outside.”

The two heavies escort Jackson from the den. As he goes out into the street and approaches the BBC car, he leans against the car, gasping for breath. Yassin jumps from the car and goes to him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just short of breath. Take me home please.”

Yassin opens the front passenger door and Jackson flops into the seat, still gasping for breath.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.