Page 43 of Rhet

“Banner,” I answer. I reach across the seat and open a file. I begin to pull out some documents that needed my signature

“Rhet, we have a problem,” Joe says.

“We?” I adjust my Airpods once more.

“I have a big investment in Nereus. The new shipping company in the district,” he says.

“You’re the majority shareholder?” I ask. I wait patiently, looking forward through the windshield.

He pauses as if he’s thinking about the answer he should give.

“I don’t have the time for this shit, Mackey.”

“Yes, I am, Banner.”

Julian already gave me the heads up with the wordsNereusin his email to Zeeta. That means this weasel Joe Mackey, the owner of Nereus shipping is in bed with the Senator.

“Talk.”

“Senator Barrett is in bed with Kozlov shipping,” the weasel stutters the lie.

“What the fuck does that have to do with me?” my temper is raising slowly. I have a low tolerance for liars.

“I’d rather have you as the winner than Kozlov. I don’t have the backing for this bid.”

The way he says Kozlov, I can picture the spit coming out of his mouth. Should I tell him Kozlov and I are great friends? No, I shouldn’t.

“What do you have against Kozlov?”

Zeeta takes the corner a little too hard and I slide in the backseat. The rearview mirror shows her eyebrow raises but she doesn’t look back.

“Kozlov is a Russian snake. He acquisitioned two companies he knows I wanted to purchase.”

I roll my neck to release the tension. “I’m still trying to find the problem. This sounds like normal business to me.”

“I had already signed the contracts. My money was to be transferred in a day or two. He came in a day before with cash and a deal bigger than mine.” I can hear the anger coming off Joe.

“When I called him, I told the fucker the deal had already been signed. He told me money talks. The fucker has no concern for anyone. I lost millions.”

I look up into the rearview mirror and meet Zeeta’s eyes. I wink at her and instantly her eyes are back on the road. I chuckle to myself.

“Rhet, with you buying the premium Waterfront, I know all my shipments will be looked after at an affordable cost. You would never screw me over like Kozlov.”

“Who told you that fuckery?” I sign two more documents and close the folder.

I can picture his bald head turning red.

“Just like your father always the jokester,” he mutters.

“If there is nothing else, Joe. I will see you around.”

“Oh I—”

I end the call. Not bothering to finish the conversation. Zeeta parks the car in front of the Senator’s office.

“You can leave the car running. A valet will be here to park it.”

She nods. We both get out of the car. I look up at the great stone Georgian style office.

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