Bob raised an eyebrow at Tyrell’s use of his first name. Bob supposed Tyrell thought of him as one of the boys, being in the insurance game and all. The informality amused him. Tyrell seemed insincere, so Bob
thought he’d be playful.
“You see, it’s like this, Dexter.” Bob placed a lot of topspin on Tyrell’s name. He smirked and paused.
“Yes,” Tyrell said, stretching the word out.
“I have a client who made a viatical settlement eighteen months or so ago. And I’m inquiring whether it
would be possible for him to reverse the settlement.”
Tyrell didn’t answer. The question hung in the air, turning stale.
I’m not sure that’s possible, Bob.” Tyrell seemed embarrassed by his unfortunate answer.
“Any reason?”
“Obviously, you understand the process of a viatical settlement.”
“Obviously.”
“Then, you understand the costs incurred by Pinnacle Investments with the cash settlement and the existing monthly dues, et cetera.”
“Yes.”
“It isn’t in our interests to reverse the settlement.”
“My client would be prepared to return the cash remuneration and any other costs involved,” Bob offered.
“Why is our client doing this?”
Bob shifted uncomfortably in his chair. His mind
raced for an answer. “His financial circumstances have changed and he’s interested in getting his life insurance policy back because of its sizeable face value.”
“How much?”
“Five hundred thousand dollars.” A nervous tone
crept into Bob’s voice. The source of his anxiety was clear. He had the distinct feeling he was conversing with a spider while he was the fly that trembled on the web.
“Who is our client?”
“His name is Joshua Michaels.”
A pregnant pause intervened, a pause in dire need of inducing.
Does he know? Is he the one? In the silence of the telephone line Bob wondered if Tyrell was the man sanctioning the murder of his clients. Contact with this man frightened him. It made sense for the order to come from up high. It was unlikely a minion of Pinnacle Investments would have the corporate clout to order people’s deaths. Also, it would be possible for a top executive to hide the excessive expenses needed to hire a
professional killer. Chipped ice ran down Bob’s collar; Tyrell knew his name.
“I don’t remember his file,”—Tyrell paused again—
“but I don’t think I can accommodate your friend this time around.”
Bob’s mouth went dry. Friend? Who said Josh was
my friend? The insinuation Tyrell knew Bob and Josh were friends only reinforced his fear that Pinnacle Investments’s vice president was killing his viatical
clients. Bob couldn’t be sure whether Tyrell was aware of his slip or not. Either way, he was scared.
Tyrell continued. “Even if he did reimburse Pinnacle Investments for monies paid, it wouldn’t provide the company a return on its investment. We do have investors to think about. As you can understand, we are a
profit-making organization, not a charity.”
“Thank you for your time, Dexter.”
“Thank you for your call. And I hope we can do
business again. On behalf of Pinnacle Investments, we do appreciate the business we receive from our agents.
Good-bye Bob, it’s been a pleasure.”
Bob had only seconds to decide. He knew a killer
pursued Josh. He knew it was more than likely someone at Pinnacle Investments was at the heart of it. He had the feeling Dexter Tyrell was the man giving that order. But he couldn’t be sure—it was all supposition.
In a moment, the connection would be broken and
contact lost and it was unlikely Tyrell would take further calls. Should he bluff Tyrell and risk his own life?
He couldn’t hesitate any longer.
“I know what you’re up to, Mr. Tyrell.” Bob’s voice trembled. He had just stepped into the ring and sized up the opposition. He feared his decision and hoped it was the right one.
“What do you know, Bob?”
Tyrell’s coldness trickled down the line and Bob
shivered.
“I know what you’re doing to your clients.”
“Providing them with first-class service at reasonable prices?” Tyrell mocked.
Bob composed himself before asking the five hundred thousand dollar question. “You’re killing your viatical clients, aren’t you?”
Tyrell roared with laughter. “Bob, Bob, Bob, where did you come up with that cock-and-bull story? The X- Files} Or Days of Our Lives maybe?”
Instead of being embarrassed by Tyrell’s mockery, Bob took strength from it. The evidence to support his belief was in front of him and what he and Josh knew made a compelling story, even if it was all circumstantial.
He took a deep breath and let the executive have
it, both barrels.
“Pinnacle Investments is the most successful viatical company in the industry.” Tyrell tried to interrupt, but Bob spoke over the vice president. “You are the only successful viatical company in the industry, especially with an AIDS client base as big as yours. AIDS
patients are living longer. Yours are dying quicker. So are your other clients. A number of my colleagues have had their viatical clients with Pinnacle Investments die from unusual accidents, just as their health
improved.”
“This sounds like a crank call to me. I’m putting the phone down,” Tyrell said.
“I think your next two targets are Josh Michaels and Margaret Macey. Both of them are my clients, Mr.
Tyrell.” Bob said Tyrell’s name like he chewed sour lemons. “And Margaret Macey is dead.”
Bob had nothing left to say. He waited for Tyrell to respond. He didn’t.
“Dexter, I don’t hear you putting that phone down,”
Bob said.
Dexter Tyrell said nothing.
Bob felt he was on a roll. He’d rattled Tyrell. The executive would be weighing his options. Bob decided to
push until he left Tyrell no option. “There is a man passing himself off as an employee of Pinnacle Investments called James Mitchell. I think he’s your hired gun.”
“What do you want?” Tyrell asked.
“I want you to stop.”
“What if I don’t?”
“I’ll go to the cops.”
“With what you’ve got?” Tyrell snorted. “They’ll
laugh you out of the precinct or lock you up.”
“Maybe, but I’ll give them enough to make someone look into Pinnacle Investments’s operations, and that wouldn’t be good for business, would it now?” Bob smiled.
Tyrell was silent for a very long time. Bob was happy to wait. He could almost hear Tyrell squirm.
“I have an offer to make to you, Bob.”
