"Yes, could you please connect me with Assistant Director Marston?"
"Your name, please?"
"Douglas Fenn-Creighley."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Fenn...?"
"Fenn-Creighley. Rhymes with daily. He'll know who I am."
"Just a moment, please."
A man's voice came onto the line. "Why are you calling me at the office?"
"Gee, it's nice to chat with you, too, Brad!" Douglas replied dryly. "It's been a long time."
"What do you want, Doug?"
"I just wanted to say 'hello', Brad!"
"You didn't call me to say 'hello'. What is it?"
"Well," Douglas admitted, "I could use help with a small favor."
"I don't owe you any favors."
"Geez, Brad! You won't help out an old friend? After all we've been through together?"
"Alright, I've got a meeting in a few minutes," Marston said. "Can we make this quick?"
"I'm looking into a guy named Francisco Mela."
"Never heard of him."
"The family's in the oil business."
"Lots of people are in the oil business," Marston argued.
"Yeah, but they're from Texas, not Venezuela," Douglas countered. "This guy also raises race horses, which could suggest links to organized crime."
"What are you trying to do, Doug? Shake this guy down?"
"Come on, Brad! I'm just researching a potential business partner. I don't want any surprises after we sign a contract."
"Then use Google. Are we through, here?"
"No, Brad, we're NOT thorough. You might remember that some critical files went missing during my trial. If that evidence were to turn up suddenly..."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that it could be embarrassing for people in high places if certain papers were leaked to the press."
The line was silent for a moment. Assistant Director Marston assessed the likelihood that Fenn-Creighley was bluffing - or whether he had information that could be damaging. "Look, if you're saying what I think you're saying, you'd better be very careful. Threatening someone is a felony."
"I've already been to prison, Brad. My record is shot. I have nothing to lose."
"Oh, you do have something to lose, Doug! Including the few friends that you have left, plus any chance of ever getting back into the game!"
"And what do you have to lose, Brad? A nice house? Lovely wife?"
Marston thought for another moment before replying. "Okay, I'll look into this Francisco Mela character."
"And if he has connections with the mob or the Venezuelan government?"
"I'll make sure that the appropriate agencies are informed."
"Excellent!" Douglas Fenn-Creighley now exuded the charm that had made him an effective political operator before his conviction on felony fraud charges.
"Don't call me again!"
'The Horse Farm'
Copyright © 2015 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
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