Martin McGray was doing pullups in his third story office at Wolfpack Logistics located in West City when he received the call from his assistant Sebastian. 

“Hello Mr. McGray sir. Mr. Gardner has arrived and is currently seated at the front lobby. Should I send him up.”

“Ahh he showed up 30 minutes early. Classic Ricky. How’s he acting today?”

“Hmm… I’m not quite sure you mean sir.”

“Come on Sebastian..” Mr. McGray said smiling. He always loved toying with his subordinates.

“What do you think I mean? Like what kind of mood is he in. what’s his demeanor?”

“Well, sir. Mr. Gardner seems pretty ordinary today. Well not quite ordinary, but how he usually holds himself.”

“Oh, so he’s sitting up straight and staring? Being all distant and such?” Said Mr. Mcgray

“Yes sir. You pretty much hit the nail on the coffin with that one. Oh, now that you mention it he seems more still than usually I believe.”

“Still? What the fuck does that mean Sebastian?”

“I don’t know sir.” Sebastian said a little more flustered this time. “Like something is on his mind. Something he doesn’t have control over.”

“Aha. That’s good Sebastian. Very good. See now that’s how you read a person. I’ve taught you well. You’ve got a ways to go though.”

“Well thanks for the compliment, sir. I’ll try my best to improve on reading the guests.”

“Don’t try, Sebastian! Do! I’m sick of you trying to get better. Just be better!”

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

“Well, Sebastian. I still have to do one thing. Make Ricky wait around for 10 minutes. Maybe try to crack him a bit and then send up.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Thanks Sebastian.”

“Oh Sebastian. You know I’m not being mean to you, man. God knows where I’d be without you.. I just see a lot of promise in you and I know how to push you to be great.” Said Mr. McGray

“I know sir. I trust you completely.”

Click.

 

Mr. McGray finished his last set of pullups. Then put on a clean shirt. A purple shirt with black stripes and sat at his desk before his computer. Rick Ricky Ricky. Ricky ratty poo. Mr. McGray said to himself as he flicked a gum wrapper off his desk and into his golden trash can. What did you fuck up this time? He hadn’t seen Mr. Gardner in well over a year and when he did it wasn’t good news. He knew they worked extremely well together, but only from a distance. Mr. Gardner took care of his end and he took care of his side of the coin. Although Gardner’s fuckups were a nuisance, McGray knew how to spin them in his favor. So he wasn’t that pissed off Gardner was here. If anything, he was excited or curious would be the better word.

 

He heard the door handle turn and watched as the glass door to his office slowly opened. A tall slim man with perfect brown hair and a freshly tailored navy blue suit gracefully entered.

“Mr. McGray.” Mr. Gardner said quietly and gently nodded. 

“Ricky Buddy! How have you been?” McGray shouted in glee as he got up from his chair and greeted Mr. Gardner with a hard pat on the back. Mr. Gardner looked slightly disheveled after the interaction and then took a seat opposite his associates Desk.

“Things could be better, Martin.” Mr. Gardner said.

“Could be better eh?” McGray said laughing. “I missed you, buddy. I forgot what you’re like in person. You’re so.. You’re so you. Ricky. One of a kind.”

“Aren’t we all, Martin.”

“Ha! Here why don’t we have a drink.” McGray said he poured 2 glasses of Johnny Walker whiskey, his freshly pumped muscles rippling through his tight shirt.

“Sorry Martin, I don’t drink.”

“I know, I know. But I insist. My office, my rules.” Mr. McGray said cooly. Mr. Gardner nodded slightly, took a small sip of whiskey and set the glass down before him. Mr. McGray took a large gulp from his drink and loudly clinked his glass with Mr. Gardner’s.

“Alright Ricky, spill the beans. Why’d you have to come all the way from Oakwood. What is it this time?”

“Well, Martin to avoid unnecessary backstory. We were finally able to locate the box, but before it came into our possession it was stolen.”

“Ha ha. I knew it. Exactly what I thought. You know what that means Ricky. It’s my turn now. I’ll help you out with whatever you need, but when we find it, it’s my turn.”

“I’m well aware with the arrangement, Martin.”

“What about your key. Don’t tell me you didn’t lose that too.” Said Mr. McGray.

“We did not lose the key, Martin. It is secured at the usual location.”

“Alright. Everything’s not gone to complete shit yet, I suppose. Well, do you have any leads? How the fuck did someone find out about it?”

“Well Martin, we do have a couple of leads. And my best people are on it. I’ll most likely be able to handle everything myself. But in the off chance I won’t, I’m safe to assume you will assist?”

“Yeah Yeah. I’ll assist you with whatever you need. Don’t worry about that. So, who took it. You figured that out, right?”

“Yes. It appears a woman, Jasmine Bashir and another unknown accomplice. We do not believe they know of our existence, but we think they are aware of the box. And had plans to obtain it for their own use.”

“Alright, so you figured out this woman, Jasmine Bashir took it and I assume you know where she lives, right. So why do you need me, Ricky? You should be able to handle this easily.”

“Yes, given that information I should. However… When we obtained her license plate number from the security footage, we traced it back and found out the car was purchased by a man by the name of Johnny Timberland.”

“Timberland? Johnny Rocket, the basketball player? Why the fuck is Johnny Rocket involved in this.”

“We do not know yet, Martin. But we will most likely figure that out in the coming weeks.”

“You think this Bashir woman is working for Timberland?”

“We believe that may be the case. He’s a relatively high-profile person with a multitude of resources, so we have been treading lightly thus far.”

Yes yes. I see. So that’s why you came, huh?”

Well, sir there may be a time when your uh… skills may be useful.” Said Mr. Gardner

“Alright, alright. Just give me a call when necessary and I’ll send my men in to finish the job. Is that all Ricky?”

“Yes, Martin I believe so. We most likely will be fine, but I just wanted to fill you in on the situation.”

“Yeah, the situation…” Mr. McGray seemed lost in thought as he sipped his drink.

“Well, I must be off Martin, good luck with the current project and have a good night. Oh, and  give Leanne my best.” Mr. Gardner said as he turned towards the door leaving his glass of whiskey mostly full.

“Hey Ricky. You have one month to get that box, then I’m sending my men in. Got it?”

“That seems understandable, Martin.”

“Oh and Ricky…. You’ll give it to me immediately after you get it back, understood?” Mr. McGray said as he glared at Gardner with his piercing brown eyes.

Mr. Gardner turned and nodded. “You have my word, Martin” 

“Alright, Seeya later bud. You got this!”

Mr. Gardner left the office and closed the glass door without leaving the slightest sound.

Mr. McGray picked up his phone and hit the number 5.

“Hey, Sebastian! What are you up to?”

“I’m arranging your schedule for the upcoming week. Would you like me to go over it with you?”

“Fuck no! I’m starving! How about me and you go down to Eddie’s and get some steaks!?”

“Ready when you are, sir.”