Pay Up and Die by Chuck Buda Read Free Book Online Page A

And customers. You just can’t treat people like that regardless of how much money they owe you.” He pulled to a stop in front of Murph’s house and put the car in park.
    “Threatened him, huh? I thought all the banks were shady like that. That’s why I stuff my money in a coffee can and bury it in the backyard. Don’t look for it though. I got claymores hidden around the property to deter the bad guys.”
    “I don’t know. I just don’t feel right about how all this is going down. And then to top it off he hints that my loan won’t get approved if I don’t play ball. I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. But none of it matters because it is all about getting money for Allison. I would do anything to take her pain away.”
    “So your boss is a dick. Buck up, man. All bosses are dicks. You’ll get through this. Listen, I got some money stashed away which I can, you know, make a little under-the-table, wink-wink loan to you to get you by. I would do anything for you, man. You’re good peeps and if I can help you help Ally then it is worth getting grief from my old lady.”
    Embarrassed at Murph’s extraordinary generosity, Michael looked down in his lap. He didn’t know if he wanted to cry again or run away before Murph saw his red face. “Thanks, but I can’t take your money. You’re a real friend, Murph. I appreciate all your support.”
    “It ain’t for you, believe me. I just want to ensure I keep getting rides to work until my cherry car comes back from the shop. Then I’ll dismiss you like a skid-marked pair of tighty whiteys.” Murph opened the door and started to step out of the car.
    “Gee, I feel so lucky to be your prom queen.” Michael sassed back. “You know, I’m going to talk to one of the corporate attorneys tomorrow. Someone who owes me a favor and might have a solution to scare Derrick off a bit about his underhanded practices. Maybe that will quiet him down. And he won’t know where it came from so he might feel obligated to approve my loan just in case it was me that ratted him out.”
    “Good plan, Einstein, but it IS you who is ratting him out.”
    “You know what I mean. Derrick will feel the pressure to change his ways so he won’t want to make any waves around the office since this promotion is so important to him. He’ll probably put his head down and hope everything blows over until he gets what he wants. By then he won’t give a crap about me or my loan or anything else.” Michael felt somewhat resigned with his new plan.
    “Just be careful, Mikey. These stuffed shirts can be real pricks when they get push back. They ain’t used to getting their hands slapped and when they do they tend to act like rotten kids. You may defend your position but still take flack in the battle, know what I mean?” Murph slammed the passenger door shut and leaned down into the window. “Take care, Mikey. Go get some rest or your body will start looking as bad as your face.” He took two steps up the walk when he paused and turned around. “And don’t be late tomorrow morning. I’ll give you some PT if you ain’t here by oh-seven-hundred hours.” He spun and went into the house. Michael just snorted at Murph’s attitude. The guy was a real trip. But he knew his way around people and hostile situations for sure.
    Michael checked the side view mirror to make sure the coast was clear before he pulled away from the curb and headed home. The evening sunset causing him to lower the visor.

Chapter 11
     
     
     
     
    Michael looked impatiently at his watch. The coffee shop was fairly busy for a mid-afternoon. He scanned the crowds of stay-at-home mothers and young professionals that kept entering for their afternoon caffeine fix. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had made the right decision about reaching out to Larry this morning. Murph had supported his choice to “rat” Graves out but it didn’t make this process any less stressful.
    Last night, Michael avoided