Fallen From Sight (A Mountain Mystery) by Shoultz D.R

Author:Shoultz, D.R.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing
Published: 2020-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

- 8.1 -

JAMES RIGBY STRODE past his assistant seated at her desk, his eyes focused straight ahead.

“Marge, no interruptions this morning,” he barked before disappearing into his office and slamming the door.

He took his cellphone from his pocket and slid it to the center of the desk before removing his jacket and flopping into his chair. After two nights with little sleep, he looked like an inmate awaiting execution. His furrowed brow protruded over sunken, red eyes.

He sat staring at his cellphone as if it were a time bomb ready to explode. The call from his blackmailer could come at any second. Too nervous to wait, Rigby reached for the phone and dialed Jack Spathe.

At the other end, the greasy-haired loan shark pulled the cigar stub from his mouth and looked at the caller ID. Before answering, he took a final sip from his coffee mug.

“First you call me on a Saturday, and now you interrupt my Monday morning coffee,” Spathe said. “This better be good.”

“Jack, you gotta come through for me on this! I need the money today.”

“Today? I told you Wednesday was the best I could do, and frankly, I’m not sure that’s possible. One mil in unmarked bills is no easy errand. I’m calling in favors with my Vegas contacts to pull this off.”

“I’m telling you this business deal will go south if I don’t have the money today,” Rigby pleaded.

“Jimbo, we both know this ain’t no bidness deal. My guess is you either have your tit in a wringer wit one of your ex-wives, or someone’s dug up dirt on one of your development projects. Either way, you’re not gettin’ no cash today.”

“How much could you get today?” Rigby asked, his voice dripping with desperation.

The line was silent for a long moment.

“Maybe fifty G’s. That would be the most,” Spathe replied. “And it’ll cost ya thirty percent, not twenty.”

“Fine. Where can I meet you to pick it up?”

“You’re gonna need ta come ta Charlotte. I don’t have time to drive up ta the mountains,” Spathe replied.

“How about one of your guys meeting me halfway? Maybe at the rest stop on I-77. We’ve met there before.”

“Yeah. I guess I could arrange that. Be there at noon, and don’t be late!”

Rigby placed the phone on the desk and leaned back in his chair as his office door cracked open and Marge’s fretful face appeared.

“I know you said no interruptions, but Ryan Nelson says it’s important that he see you. He’s with Sarah’s sister.”

Rigby glanced down at his Rolex. It was 9:35.

“Tell them I’m swamped. Maybe later in the week.”

“Okay,” Marge replied, backing out of the doorway.

“Wait!” Rigby called. “I can spare ten minutes, but no more.”

He surveyed the tops of his desk and credenza. Finding everything in order, he pulled a random file from his drawer, placed it on the desk, and began leafing through it.

“Mr. Rigby, thanks for agreeing to meet with us,” Ryan said as he and Beth stepped into the office.

“I only have a few minutes, but please have a seat,” Rigby said.

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