CHAPTER 22
FURY
Green’s voice carried down the hall as soon as I opened the door to the building. His loud voice had risen to an angry shriek.
“I don’t care what you have to do, Andrew! Get it fucking done! Those contracts need to be signed today or else you’re fucking fired? Do you understand?”
Pearl greeted me with a shaky smile.
“Good morning, Mr. Phillips.”
“Call me Fury, please, Pearl,” I said.
“I don’t care what it costs!” Green yelled. His office door was open and I hesitated at Pearl’s desk, not sure if I should go in or not.
“Fury it is,” she said. “Wait here and I’ll let Mr. Green know you’re here.”
I nodded and sat down in a nearby chair.
“There was another break-in last night. I’m pretty sure it was Antonio’s men looking for information and I know they’re behind the delay. Fix it, Andrew! Fix it now!” Green yelled, before I heard a loud thump that I was pretty sure was a phone being hurled across the room.
I’d worn a suit today, something Grace obtained from the clothing store on the corner, my gun hidden in the holster at my waist. The heaviness of it comforted me. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this job, from this man that I knew was dangerous, at least to his family. Grace and Ryder had given me a small lecture before I’d left, reminding me that little Molly’s life was on the line. Staying undercover was essential for getting her to a safe place, no matter what I found out. Ryder insisted that I never try to handle anything dangerous alone and to call them first if I saw an opportunity to remove Molly from the house.
I assured them I’d follow their rules, no matter how hard I found it to keep my cool around Green. I’d instantly disliked him yesterday.
He was older than me, at least by ten years, maybe fifteen, but I was much larger than him. I knew I could take him if I had to. What I didn’t really know for sure is if I would be able to restrain myself from blowing his head off if I actually witnessed him hurting his daughter.
I’d try.
For Grace and Ryder, and for Molly, I’d try.
I might have made a promise to Solid Ground to always consult with them, that was part of the agreement, but that didn’t make it any easier.
After a moment, Pearl walked out with a nervous smile and nodded at me.
“Mr. Green is ready for you,” she said, softly, a stark contrast to the raving lunatic in the office behind her.
I walked in, tentatively knocking on the open door.
“Fury!” Bodhi greeted me enthusiastically. “So glad to see you!”
“Hello, Mr. Green,” I nodded. “I’m happy to be here.”
“Call me Bodhi,” he said. “We’re going to get to know each other very well, you and I.”
“Bodhi,” I nodded, standing in front of his desk. “How can I help you today?”
“Close the door,” he nodded. I turned and closed it, walking back to him. “Have a seat.”
I sat down facing him and smiled.
“I’ve never had security,” he quipped, with a proud smile. “Never needed one. But things are changing, the world is changing, isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“People aren’t nice anymore, they don’t follow the rules,” he continued. I nodded in agreement. “I mentioned I’ve had a few break-ins. So has my partner, Will. Have you ever done any investigative work, Fury?”
“Sure,” I nodded, lying.
“I need to figure out why they’re breaking in. They never take anything or disturb much at all.”
“How are they breaking in?”
“They come right through the door, I think. When I came in the office this morning, the back door was open.”
“Do you have surveillance, sir?”
“Stop calling me ‘sir’, that’s my father. And he’s dead as a doornail.”
“Will do, Bodhi,” I replied.
“Surveillance is another thing I haven’t needed. Don’t think anyone in this town has surveillance, actually. But I was going to suggest that.”
“That would be the first thing I would suggest, too.”
“Okay, we can do that.”
“Excellent,” I replied. “Do you have any idea who might be trespassing?”
“I’m doing this deal in New York,” he said. “Big project. A hotel in Manhattan. I had to venture out of this stupid town to make any real money. My lawyer has been working on acquiring the land and the permits necessary to start construction, but he’s running into a few problems with the locals. They want affordable housing built instead of a boutique hotel, but I have no interest in building some low-rent housing project. What a headache, can you imagine? Anyway, I suspect the previous owners of the land are trying to discredit me in some way. Trying to find some dirt on me, or something. So, I think it may be them.”
“Anyone else that might have a reason?”
“Not that I know of,” he replied.
“And you said your home was broken into as well?”
“Yes, and that’s harder to explain. My estate is well-secured.”
“Do you have cameras there?”
“No. Like I said…”
“No need, right.”
“Right. So, I need your help.”
“How can I help?”
“I’d like you to check everything out, head up this project to make everything more secure. Pearl can find a surveillance company to install all the cameras but look over my home and business and tell me how to make it more secure. Install new locks, that kind of thing.”
“I can do that,” I replied.
“Excellent. Work on the office today and then you can go home with me later. My wife is having the maid cook up something special for dinner tonight, you can join us.”
“That’s not necessary,” I replied.
“Nonsense, I insist.”
“Alright,” I agreed, standing up. “If there’s not anything else right now, I’ll get to work.”
“Fantastic,” he said. “I met with the Sheriff this morning to report the break in and he insists it’s bored teenagers that are breaking in. I don’t agree.”
“Either way, sir — I mean, Bodhi — we’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“Thank you, Fury,” he said, flashing me a smile. “I think I’m going to like having you around.”
I nodded back and left his office to find Pearl.
“Leaving so soon?” she asked.
“No. Mr. Green would like you to find a surveillance company to install cameras here and at his home. I’ll be looking around the premises for a while.”
“Alright,” she nodded. “But that’s going to be difficult around here.”
“Why?”
“Everyone in this town leaves their doors unlocked twenty-four seven. There’s no security company in town.”
“I see,” I said. “You know what? I know a guy. I’ll give him a call.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do,” she said. “I can always call a company from the city.”
“Thank you, Pearl,” I said. “Do you have any idea who might be breaking in?”
“No,” she said. “Although, I’d imagine it could be any number of people.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Mr. Green isn’t the most liked figure in town,” she whispered. “Sometimes people get petty and lash out.”
“I see,” I said. “Has he upset anyone recently? Can you give me a list of names?”
Her laughter echoed throughout the room.
“Just pick up the white pages and point.”
“I see,” I said. “Thank you, Pearl.”
“Certainly,” she said. I turned and walked to the front door, a smirk on my face. Green evidently had many enemies. Figuring out who was doing this probably wouldn’t be too difficult. Pearl might not have given me names, but I suspected they were on the tip of her tongue.
I just needed to loosen her up a little and get her talking.
After all, loose lips sink ships and Green’s ship was taking on a whole lot of water.
I walked outside and pulled out my phone. Ryder answered on the first ring.
“How’s it going, Fury?”
“So far, so good,” I said. “He wants me to find someone to install security cameras at his house and business. Think you can take care of that?”
“Sure can,” he said.
“You’re hired!” I laughed.
“Should be easy enough,” he said. “I’ll make a quick trip to Portland for the supplies and install everything tomorrow.”
“Perfect,” I said. “Thanks, brother.”
“Any other news?”
“Not yet.”
“Keep your chin up.”
“Will do, brother. Let me know if Riot uncovers anything.”