Page 77 of Mob Queen

“If you don’t negotiate with them, and you do get rid of the union, that’s when you’ll single-handedly paralyze this state. People won’t be able to get to work, companies will be losing millions, if not billions because they can’t get staff. Not to mention, when you go back to the unions to negotiate because with no transportation ? everything stops ? then they’re going to ask for more than ten percent because they’ll have us at their mercy.”

“We can’t let them control us.”

“Why are you here, Alex? To me it seems that you’ve made your mind up.”

“I need you to back me on it.”

“No.” I shake my head. “That’ll cause chaos and anarchy, and I’m not prepared for that.”

Alex stands in a huff, and shakes his head. “You have no balls,” he spits toward me.

“Negotiate, Alex, or I’ll do it myself.”

“Fucking hippy,” he murmurs under his breath as he advances toward the door. “Fucking pussy hippy.”

“I’m more than happy to find your replacement. Matter of fact, I already have someone in mind.” I don’t, but Alex is an old asshole who thinks he can push people around. “Should I expect your resignation by close of business?”

When he turns to look at me, his face is a crimson red. Fury and anger radiate off his porky body. “I’ll negotiate,” he spits and slams my door shut.

Within a few moments Zac is in my office. “The attorney general is here.”

“Show Emma in please.” I stand and button my suit jacket. Emma is a force. She’s sharp and she doesn’t mince her words. I have the utmost respect for her. “Emma,” I say as I shake her hand.

“Jeremy, I have a sensitive subject I need to speak with you about.”

This can’t be good. “Of course.”

I gesture for her to sit but she shakes her head. “This won’t take long.”

“How can I help?”

“It’s been brought to my attention that your house burnt down.”

I pause, not sure where she’s going with this. “It has,” I say slowly. “Why is the attorney general interested in my house?”

“Because the house was cleared before proper investigation could be completed.”

“It was.” I hold firm, not giving anything away.

“Why was that?” Emma opens her notepad, takes her fancy pen and waits for me.

“I don’t see why this is a problem. My house was my personal property that was bought years before I became governor.”

She runs her tongue over her teeth as she stares at me. “I need to protect the state, even from you. So, if something has happened that could come back and be detrimental to the party, to you, and to the state, it’s my job to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“I can assure you, it won’t.”

“That’s not an answer I like, nor one I can work with, Jeremy.”

“It’s the only answer I have. My home has nothing to do with anyone, nor am I asking for anything. Whatever the cause, it’s done.”

“Did you set fire to your house for the insurance?”

“I’m not claiming it on my insurance.”

“Which leads me to my next question.” Great, I should’ve seen that coming. “How are you planning on rebuilding without the insurance money?”

“My personal finances were vetted when I took office. I have nothing to hide. You can see I have the funds to rebuild my house ten times over.”

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