Tainted Waters

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"And?"

"You ass. You told me she wouldn't be a problem. Not only was she a problem, but I've been singing soprano for the last hour. And I have one hell of a headache. Never mind having to cut myself out of the ties she used on my hands."

Harry sat up a little straighter, moving the receiver away from his mouth as he snickered, not something he wanted this man to hear. He'd kick the crap out of him, just like he had when they were youths hanging out.

"What happened?"

"Don't ask. Let's just say that, yes, you still have to pay me, but it will be done. She'll suffer for what she did to me." He called her several names. "Earlier, I did as you asked and snuck into that old lady's place."

"You never left a trace though, right? Or remove anything?"

"Don't insult me. No one would even know I'd been there. I've got some great pictures though. Guess what I found?"

"Something useful, I'm assuming?"

"Yeah, a letter from a lawyer, representing some company wanting to buy up the old broad's place."

"What organization? And whose is it?"

He rattled off the name of the business. "No idea who owns it. I did some looking, but the name of the owner is buried deep."

Harry cracked his knuckles. "Which means someone has something to hide. Find out who owns it."

"Sure. For double the price. The broad is a real pain. And she has help. Something else you forgot to mention."

"Leave her for now. She's not going anywhere. I want some answers on that company. And why it's trying to buy Cora's land." Harry was barely paying attention. If he could find out who was behind wanting to buy Mrs. MacNeil's place, he might be able to swoop in and steal it for a deal and then sell it for a fortune. Mr. Ozz would probably want that land. There was a lot of stuff happening at the lake. Or he could find out who it was, tell Ozz who might just pay him a hefty fee.

If he made enough, he could get out of town. Never see any of them again. He'd never have to worry about what strike two was likely to bring him.

"Fine. Just get me some information."

~~~~

His fists tightened so much that the force shook the rest of his body. His breaths were choppy and short. He knew he had to get it together and fast. He couldn't go out like he was. It would ruin everything. Several minutes later, he finally had himself under enough control to pick up his cell phone and dial.

"Have some news for me, Jaico?"

"Uh …" There was a long silence. "We lost her. We're looking for her. We'll find her."

"Isn't that interesting, because I know for a fact she just paid George Assenby a visit. How's that possible?"

"Sorry, Mr. Ozz. It won't happen again."

"You better locate her and quick. Keep an eye on her. I can't have you grab her yet. But soon." His thoughts went to the meeting he was having later. If things worked out, he'd be able to solve two problems that night.

"I'm depending on you, Jaico. I don't have time for screw ups." He hung up. It was time to do some housecleaning. It made him pause, but only for a minute, as he thought about the fact that three of his main men had screwed up, all in the last week. Time to replace them. He'd start with the least helpful. He quickly dialed another number.

"H-hello."

"I need a list of employees at the paper. Are there any who have a background in media or management."

"Yes sir, Mr. Ozz. I'll email it right away."

"And I know I can count on your discretion to keep this to yourself or you can kiss goodbye that luxurious hotel room that you're billing to the paper. The one you love to bang Jaico in."

The audible gasp, followed by a teary, "I promise," let him know he had nothing to worry about from this source. Since he was thinking he'd need a replacement immediately, he figured he could use someone internally, at least temporarily. Once he got his new business secured, he'd find someone he could groom for that position. Ten years was obviously too long to trust someone to keep doing that job.