Page 33 of Mile High Ruin

“Then I suggest you explain to them why your chairman decided twelve percent was worth losing everything.”

Sorin’s hand comes down on the table.

Not hard. Still a mistake.

“You think you can simply shut us out?”

Anton moves before I need to. One step. Nothing more.

Sorin notices him and slowly removes his hand from the table.

I lean back. “Yes.”

He stares at me.

“Leave,” I say.

Sorin looks at the others. Nobody moves at first.

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” I say quietly. Moments later, there’s the sound of chairs scraping as the room empties. The door closes behind them.

Marek waits approximately three seconds. “That went well.”

I open another file. “They wasted my time.”

“They also lost access to two terminals because Sorin asked for twelve percent.”

“He asked three times.”

“Ah. Then obviously death was the only proportionate response.”

“He is alive.”

“For now.”

Anton returns to his seat.

Marek says, “You were distracted.”

I look at him. “No.”

Marek smiles. “Right.”

“What exactly are you trying to imply?”

“The problem.”

“I have no problem.”

“Dark hair. Approximately this tall.” He holds one hand somewhere below his shoulder.

I stare at him.

Anton looks away. Coward.

Marek continues. “Very calm voice until she’s pouring champagne on expensive clothing.”

“Do you have work?”