The Shadow Tycoon
Copyright© 2026 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 14
“That’s better. We’re civilized people,” William took a step back, straightening his collar. “Anything else? If not, I’ll be on my way. I’ve got plenty to do.”
Michael stepped forward again despite himself, his voice dropping into a low growl. “This is between you and me. Leave my family out of it. You’re breaking the rules.”
“Rules?” William looked faintly puzzled. “I’m not in your line of work. We’ve never had any dealings before. Are you sure your rules apply to me?”
He gave a small smile. “Of course, I’m a law-abiding citizen. I don’t need you to remind me of that. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”
He met Michael’s gaze. They held it for three, maybe five seconds. Then Michael stepped aside.
William gave a slight nod and brushed past him.
Watching his back recede, Michael flicked open his coat again, briefly showing his badge, then reversed the car off the sidewalk and drove home.
He parked, got out, and went inside quickly. His wife was in the living room, watching her usual afternoon show. He crossed the room and pulled her into a sudden embrace.
She looked startled.
“Did anything happen just now?” he asked.
“I mean, did anyone knock on the door? Did anyone come into the yard?”
His wife was several years younger than him, one of the many reasons people fought to get into the IRS. High salaries, excellent benefits, a comfortable work environment, and the unspoken privileges that came with the badge.
It made every IRS employee a prize on the marriage market, man or woman.
Most men chose younger women. Three, five, even ten years younger was nothing unusual.
Michael’s wife was six years younger than him. He cherished her.
“No, no one came,” she said. “I’ve been sitting here watching TV all afternoon. If anyone had come, I would have noticed.”
The front door opened straight into the living room. Anyone approaching would be visible through the large windows. The afternoon had been quiet, quiet enough to make her drowsy.
Michael sat beside her, an arm around her shoulders, unsure how to bring up his sudden trip, even less sure how to warn her about William.
Elsewhere, after circling the streets and picking up some electrical supplies, William returned to his temporary lodging.
He had just taken out his key when someone came up behind him.
Something sharp pressed into his lower back.
A voice, sour with bad breath, whispered in his ear. “Where’s my money?”
William paused for a fraction of a second, then continued unlocking the door.
He pushed it open, stepped inside, and said calmly, “If you don’t want this to end badly, you’d better come in with me. Whatever the problem is, we can talk it through.”
In less than five seconds, William had already identified the man behind him.
Years of experience from his previous life, now paired with a body in its physical prime, twenty years old and brimming with strength, gave him a sharp, almost intoxicating clarity.
Everything was under control.
The man hesitated, but followed.
Two thousand dollars was not a small sum to him. What unsettled him was that this young man showed no fear of the knife.
The room was cramped. A single space combining bedroom and entrance, and a washroom beyond. There was a faint smell in the air, something sour, something ... human.
The boss frowned slightly. He had expected something cleaner.
That night, William had spent a long time washing, trying to scrub away what had soaked into his clothes. Still, the smell lingered, no matter how much water or scent he used.
“You and Michael, that’s your business,” the boss said, gesturing with the knife. “It’s got nothing to do with me. Give me back my money.”
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