Page 106 of Broken Wheels
Chalmers leaned in. “I think they’re trying to pin something on Josh, hoping it will stick.” He told Grady about the alleged poison found in Josh’s old place. “They’ve also tried to kill him multiple times. Even if it’s not Spencer, someone is after Josh. The why of it doesn’t matter right now. Having him safe does. Being with Dixon is definitely helping, but it’s not going to stop until Spencer—or whomever—is caught.”
Grady rubbed a hand over his smooth chin, obviously deep in thought. “Okay, listen. I don’t agree it’s Spencer, but if you bring me proof….” He gave a resigned shrug. “Then I’ll go to a judge who owes me a favor and see if we can’t get a wiretap or warrant.”
That was enough for Dix. He would do whatever he had to in order to protect Doc, and if that meant going up against Spencer, that was cool.
If nothing else, Dix would be able to take “punch a rich man in the face” off his bucket list.
Chapter 31
Aaron Spencer prided himself on his decisiveness. Once he selected a path to follow, he moved swiftly, removing any obstacles in his way. But he was also capable of being honest when faced with an obstacle that proved difficult to budge. It didn’t matter what he did: a bomb at CrossBow, one in a mall, one in his car, a sniper attack…. And so far nothing had worked. The man was still walking around, a threat to Spencer’s plans.
In order for him to become a truly irresistible force, he needed to remove that damned immovable object—Dr. Josh Malone.
It was time to change the game.
To change the rules.
His personal assistant buzzed him. “Foxton from R&D to see you, sir.”
“Send him in.” Spencer leaned back in his chair. He vaguely recalled Foxton from earlier briefings, a twitchy, nervous man. That was no bad thing.
One should always be wary when standing in front of an apex predator.
Foxton approached the desk, and before he could open his mouth, Spencer launched first. “Report.”
“Y-Yes, sir,” he stuttered. “We got the toxin to be lethal within fifteen seconds, as you requested. The only problem we’re having is that it loses some efficacy when not transferred to the body within ten minutes or so. After that, it essentially becomes nothing more than illness-inducing, but no longer lethal.”
Excellent news.
“That won’t be a problem,” Spencer told him with a smile. “In fact, that fits well within the timeframe. What else?”
He listened as Foxton rattled off facts and figures, all of it good—except for that perpetual thorn in Spencer’s side. Malone wasn’t dead, and the plan couldn’t move forward until he was.
Unless I revamp the whole thing. That wasn’t as onerous a task as someone with lesser vision might imagine. Considering the failures and setbacks Spencer had been dealt recently, that might be in his best interest.
That would also be something to discuss with the board, except Spencer didn’t plan on a long discussion.
He’d heard enough. He had things to do.
“Thank you. That’ll be all.”
“Yes, sir.” Foxton scurried out of the office.
Spencer got up from his chair and went to the window, gazing at the bustling world below.
We’re so close. Too close to let something—or someone—interfere.
He returned to his desk and pushed the intercom button. “Kathy?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Do me a favor. Call the board together for this afternoon.”
“Of course.”
He retook his chair, pulled up a file on his monitor, and opened it. Five faces stared back at him, all of them chosen because they played a part in this grand vision that was a work in progress, if only to let him bounce ideas off them.
And now the end was in sight?