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“That goes with the territory I guess”

I needed another drink I eyed the bartender He nodded and poured me a second bourbon He knehich bottle I had selected for the night

I liked expensive smooth bourbons that took decades to distill The Titan ihts like this

“It’s been a few months, hasn’t it?”

“Six,” I answered “Sutcliffe has been a bastard lately”

Ashford

laughed “I’lad I don’t have to deal with that shit I don’t kno you do it”

Was I supposed to answer? Tell hi? That sometimes the walls closed in onunder a ball cap and hopping aboard one of the cata the hell out of here Ashford was one of hts

“Do you have the tally?” I changed the subject

Ashford reached in his back pocket, withdrawing a narrow but thick sheet of paper He handed it to me

“Not ht,” he added

The bartender walked around the edge of the counter, carrying the aged bourbon “Here you go, sir” He nodded

“Thank you”

I scanned the tally “Why is the bottom blank?” I looked at my friend

“Hell if I know,” Ashford huffed “And they’re late I’e He can’t expect us to co run”

I gripped his upper arm firmly “We’ll just take our investments elsewhere” I eyed him

Ashford’s nodded slightly “It’s a shame Freychon needed a place like this”

“I agree We all needed it But he’s not up to the task Come on My driver can drop you somewhere”

I was prepared to leave Ad to feed my dark habits

Ashford followed hts flickered

“Wait” I stopped him

“Want to turn around?”

I handed the tally back to him “Let’s take a look” I nodded toward the black door

“I’m just a loyal follower,” he ribbed

I silenced hilare No one could speak totone Friend or not