15
Maverick
I study the mug of piping hot coffee on my desk and the note beside it in disbelief.
“Something’s not right here,” I mutter to myself, dropping into my desk chair.
Yesterday, I walked in to find Jackson at my desk, eager to talk business. And today, he’s dropped off a cup of coffee with an accompanying note.
I grab my phone and call Ollie. He picks up on the first ring.
“I think Jackson is trying to kill me.”
“Ah, yes. Good morning, Mr. Peterson. Thank you for returning my call about that very important matter.”
“What?”
A few seconds pass. I hear some muffled noises, what sounds like a door closing, and then, “Yes. Sure, Maverick. Please feel free to call me during business hours with what I’m guessing is a Jackson-related drama.”
“Business hours? It’s not even seven.”
He sighs. “We’re in meetings with London.”
“Meetings? People still do those?”
Another sigh. “I’ve stepped out of the room, but I can’t talk for long. What’s up, man?”
“And what makes you think I’m calling about Jackson?”
“What are you calling about, then?”
“Jackson.”
A soft chuckle. “Right. How can I help? Please know, if you’ve committed a felony, it’s probably best you don’t confide in the person you want to represent you.”
I put Ollie on speaker, lift the coffee mug, take a whiff, and repeat. “I think Jackson is trying to kill me.”
“Well, I wasn’t expecting him to win employee of the month after how he spoke to you when I was out there. But murder? Really?”
“He made me coffee.”
“Case closed. Lock him up.”
“And he left a note.”
“Go on.”
I pick it up from my desk and examine it. I didn’t think anyone could have worse penmanship than me, but Jackson’s scrawl is almost illegible. “‘Morning, boss. Have a great day!’ There’s an exclamation point after day.”
“Well, I was on the fence, but the exclamation confirms his murderous intent without a shadow of a doubt.”
“Can you be serious for a moment, please?”
“Canyou? I’m saying this with love, but this whole thing with Jackson has got you acting crazy. He runs hot and cold. One moment, he’s flipping you off; the next, he’s making you coffee.”
“It could be a plot to kill me. TBD.”
“Maverick.” Ollie sighs. “You need stability right now in your life. Put your big boy pants on, have a proper conversation, and figure this shit out.” He pauses. “And maybe don’t drink the coffee untilafteryou’ve talked to him.”
