Stunned, Patrix’s eyes widened, only for the shutters to come down fast – but not fast enough.

‘My partners and I are regrouping and merging with another firm under a new banner,’ he said carefully.

‘And what part will you play in this new company?’

‘More of an advisory, behind-the-scenes role,’ came the reply.

More like a permanently-left-the building role. He’d been bounced out for helping himself to company funds. Oh, they’d kept it very hush-hush, but not hush-hush enough.

‘Patrix, you’ve got seven days to pay me back every penny you owe me plus fifty per cent interest or I will do what must be done to recover my money. And, what’s more, I’ll do it as publicly as possible.’

‘What?’ If Patrix was shocked before, it was nothing to the panic now scrambling over his face. ‘You can’t do that. Where am I supposed to come up with that kind of money in seven days?’

‘Not my problem. You have seven days or I will show the whole world exactly what a crooked lawyer looks like.’

‘You don’t want to do that,’ said Patrix slowly. ‘I was your lawyer for quite a few years. I know all about your business dealings—’

‘And I know where your wife and sons live,’ I countered.

Patrix stared at me. Was he finally beginning to get the message regarding exactly who he was dealing with? If so, it had taken long enough.

‘Patrix, you have seven days.’ The phone on my desk began to ring. I checked the caller ID. ‘I need to take this. See yourself out.’

‘Dan, please. J-just give me six weeks. Can we talk about this some more after dinner?’ Patrix pleaded.

‘Yeah, yeah.’ Whatever. The message wouldn’t be any different, but I wanted him gone. I waved him away with one hand as I picked up my phone with the other. ‘Just a moment, Jarvis,’ I said.

Eyebrows raised, I waited for Patrix to get the unsubtle hint and leave. It took a few seconds, but he finally caught on. I shook my head as he closed the door behind him.

‘It took you long enough to get back to me.’

‘I was driving. What d’you want?’ Jarvis’s tone was surly, to say the least.

‘Kellan Bruemann has someone ready to stump up enough money to buy back his company and his home from me. I want to know who that is and I want to know tonight.’

‘On it.’

The call was disconnected. I replaced the phone on my desk. I didn’t know who it was – yet – but the person funding Kellan had just made a very powerful enemy. When I brought down Kellan once and for all, I was going to make sure I included his new friend. No one worked against me and got away with it.

No one.

eight. Tobey Durbridge