The Contract Of Revenge

Chapter 2

Henry Thompson point of view

I was in the restroom of Sam's office, Olivia's boss, when I heard him fire her in front of Jenny Lee. I had come to see Sam, who was my close friend, to get some information about a rival company that was threatening the Reynolds Industries, Alexander Reynolds' company. I had known Sam since college, and we had helped each other out in our careers. Sam was a well-connected and influential editor, who had access to confidential information and sources. I was a smart and loyal advisor, who had helped Sam with his legal and financial troubles.

I wondered what was going on. I wondered who Sam was talking to. I wondered if I should intervene.

I decided to listen for a while, hoping that the situation would calm down.

I heard Sam say:

"Moore, you're fired."

I heard a female voice reply:

"Fired? But why? What did I do wrong?"

I heard Sam say:

"You did everything wrong, Moore. You disobeyed my orders, you jeopardized your safety and the reputation of this magazine, and you wasted my time and resources on a hopeless case. You're a liability, Moore. You're out of here."

I heard a folder being tossed.

Sam's voice continued:

"Here's your severance pay and your termination letter. Now get out of my office and don't come back."

I heard the female voice say:

"Sam, please, don't do this. Please, give me another chance."

I heard Sam say:

"No more chances, Moore. You blew it. Now go."

I heard the female voice say:

"Jenny, please, help me."

I heard another female's voice say:

"I'm sorry, Olivia. I can't go against Sam's decision. He's the boss."

I heard sobs and then silence.

I felt anger.

I felt anger towards Sam for being so cruel and unfair to the lady.

I felt anger towards myself for being so cowardly and passive.

I felt anger towards the world for being so harsh and unjust.

I decided to act.

I decided to act on my anger and my conscience.

I decided to act on my compassion and my curiosity.

I decided to act on my impulse and my instinct.

I dried my hands and walked out of the restroom into Sam's office.

But I was too late.

She was gone.

She had left with Jenny Lee.

She left with the folder in her hands and with tears in her eyes.

I felt a pang of regret and sadness.

I had missed my chance to help her.

I looked at Sam and saw him sitting at his desk, looking smug and satisfied.

I felt a surge of disgust and resentment.

I said:

"Sam, what the hell did you just do?"

Sam looked up and saw me. He smiled and greeted me.

"Henry, my friend, what a pleasant surprise. I didn't know you were here. Come in, come in. Have a seat. We have a lot to talk about," he said.

I ignored his smile and his greeting. I stared at him with a cold and angry expression.

"Sam, I asked you a question. What the hell did you just do?" I repeated.

Sam frowned and looked confused.

"What do you mean, Henry? What are you talking about?" he asked.

I pointed at the door.

"I'm talking about her. I'm talking about the lady who just left.

You just fired her.

You just fired her without any sympathy. You did not even give ear to her plea.

Why did you do that?

How could you do that?" I asked.

Sam shrugged and looked indifferent.

"Oh, that.

That was nothing.

Just a minor staff adjustment.

Nothing to worry about," he said.

I shook my head and looked incredulous.

"Nothing to worry about?

Are you kidding me?

You just destroyed a young woman's life and career.

You just crushed her hopes and dreams.

You just treated her like dirt.

And you call that nothing to worry about?" I said.

Sam nodded and looked calm.

"Yes, Henry, I call that nothing to worry about.

Because it's not my problem, it's hers.

She was not a good fit for this magazine, so I had to let her go.

It's as simple as that," he said.

I clenched his fists and looked furious.

"It's not as simple as that, Sam.

It's not as simple as that at all.

You can't just fire someone like that, without any warning, without any reason, without any respect.

Not someone like her who is dependent on this job," I responded.

Sam raised his eyebrows and looked curious.

"Dependent on this job?

What do you mean by that, Henry?" he asked me rhetorically.

"Well, a lot of people are dependent on this job. If I am to manage staff based on dependence, we won't get anywhere." he said.

"You know this Henry. You're a seasoned businessman," he chuckled.

I sighed and looked at the door and then turned and looked at him earnestly.

"I have to tell you that you made a big mistake today, Sam," I said.

Sam leaned back and looked surprised.

"A big mistake?

What do you know about that?" he asked.

I looked at him firmly.

"Nevermind, I am here for something important".

Sam readjusted himself on his seat and replied:

"Now we're getting somewhere.

I have information on a spy working for Daniel Jones in your company.

I looked at him shocked.

"At Reynold Industries?" I asked bewildered.

Sam nodded and looked at me smugly.

"Yes, Henry, her name is Maria Walker. She works for Jones Enterprises as a senior reporter. She works for Daniel Jones as his personal assistant.

She works for our enemy as his spy," he said.

I looked at him incredulously.

"His spy?

What do you mean by that, Sam?

What do you mean she's his spy?" I asked.

Sam looked at me triumphantly.

"I mean that she's been spying on your boss's company, Henry.

She's been spying on Alexander Reynolds," he said.

I looked at him confusedly.

"Spying on us?

Spying on Alexander Reynolds?

How, Sam?

How has she been spying on us?" I asked.

Sam looked at me smugly again.

"By using her journalist credentials, Henry.

By using her journalist skills.

By using her journalist access," he said as he gestures on his desk.

I looked at him puzzledly.

"Her journalist credentials?

Her journalist skills?

Her journalist access?

What do you mean by that, Sam? Be straightforward." I replied.

Sam looked at me patiently.

"I mean that she's been using her journalist credentials to get into places where you wouldn't expect her to be, Henry.

She's been using her journalist skills to get information that you don't want her to have, Henry.

She's been using her journalist access to get close to people who you don't want her to know, Henry," he said, looking at me intently.

I looked at him worriedly.

"What places, Sam?

What information?

What people?" I asked.

Sam looked at me gravely.

"Places like your offices, your factories, your warehouses, Henry," he said.

"Information like your plans, your strategies, your secrets, Henry," he said.

"People like your employees, your partners, even Alexander Reynolds himself, Henry," he said.

I looked at him horrified.

"She's been spying on all of that, Sam?

She's been spying on all of that for Daniel Jones?" I asked.

Sam nodded and looked at me proudly.

"Yes, Henry, she has.

She has been spying on all of that for Daniel Jones.

And I have proof of it, Henry.

I have proof of it right here," he said.

He opened a drawer and took out a file. He handed it to me.

I took the file and opened it. I saw a series of photos and documents. I saw photos of Maria Walker entering and exiting various buildings owned by Alexander Reynolds, buildings that required authorized access. I saw documents with Maria Walker's signature and handwriting. I saw documents with confidential information about Alexander Reynolds' business. I saw documents with Daniel Jones' logo and address.

I felt a shock of disbelief and betrayal.

Disbelief and betrayal towards Maria Walker and towards myself.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

I couldn't believe what she had done.

I looked at Sam and saw him nodding.