Holomos' private office was larger than a regulation-sized basketball court. ​Again, all polished wood, floor to ceiling. Victor Holomo sat at a desk in front of a picture window twenty feet high by sixty feet across. It looked out over the south end of his vast compound, some dozen warehouses, along with plenty of tanks and jeeps and marching soldiers.                                                                                     It took Adam a long time to cross the huge, nearly empty office.  

     Holomos did not look happy. He did not rise when Adam finally reached his large, wooden block of a desk.  

     "You were not invited," Holomos said, his voice low and menacing. "I am a busy man. I do not want to be bothered over the course of my usual business day. When I have time to see you, I will let you know."  

     "Funny. It looks to me like you're ready to see me right now." 

     Two bodyguards entered the office through the door closest to Holomos' desk.​ They took positions on either side of Adam, both huge, muscular men, and they both wore shoulder holsters with handguns in them.  
     "My lieutenants will see you out," Holomos said.  

     "No no, not until we're done with our business," Adam said. He took no notice of the men who now flanked him. He kept his focus fully on Victor Holomos. "Our agreement was simple and concrete. For a billion dollars, I find Carter Paul and bring him to you."

     "Which I appreciate."

​     "I get half the fee up front."    

     "500 million dollars. Yes, it's been paid."  

​     "And the other half the moment the mission was accomplished. That would be now, this moment." 

     Holomos smiled as he sat back in his heavily cushioned leather office chair. He put his fingers together to make a steeple. "The money is yours. That's not the problem."  

     "Well, you see, you and I disagree on that. I don't believe the money is mine until I have it in my possession."

     "What, you think I have it in my desk? You think I can just reach into one of these drawers and pull out 500 million dollars?" 

     "Well, that's what you're going to have to do if you expect to live through the next five minutes."

                                                  CONTINUE

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