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Fox knocked on Ross’ door. “Yeah?” “It’s Fox.” “Come in.” Fox entered and immediately went for a chair. “A little presumptuous aren’t you Fox?” “Everyone answers to Walker, Ross.” Ross looked up from his desk. He’d owned the Lion for just about ten years. He bought the property from Berquest, a suit, who had owned the whole city then. The business had survived Stanton, Jordan and now Walker. Ross was shrewd. He survived because he never officially got involved but he knew when to say no and when to accept things. Today had been relentless for him he hadn’t even taken off his jacket all day. His armpits were damp from perspiration. He didn’t want to meet with Fox, but he already knew why Fox was calling and it was not an occasion to say no.
“What’s the dope, my Heeb friend?” “Fox, it’s goddamn good thing I like you.” Ross now dropped the papers he held and gave Fox his undivided attention. “Alright, I’m sorry for the Heeb comment.”
“Not that, the knife you cretin.”
”I said I’m sorry.”
“The Fat man was my agent.”
“Well I didn’t fucking know.”
“You pull this all the time, Fox. Learn some goddamn diplomacy. You don’t have to go for your guns every time.”
“How was I supposed to know he was working for you? I didn’t think you went for stuff like that.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s arbitrary that he was my agent. I’m telling you to lay off your guns or you’ll break the peace and then we’re all Stanton-ed.”
“Right well that’s not why I’m here.”
Ross perked up in his chair, “Fox, the whole town probably knows why you’re here by now.” Fox leaned in, “Well, what do you know Jew man?”
“Someone took a stab at Walker.”
“How long you know?”
“Seth came in earlier and told me and that’s all I know.”
“Seth?” Fox took note, “Got any theories?”
“I tell you the first thought I had was a faux friend.”
”What the hell are you talking about? One of my friends?”
“No not fox, faux, false. Someone on the inside went for their boss.”
Fox feigned full comprehension, “That’s the best answer I got, too.”
“Well?”
“Right,” Fox stood up, “Thanks Ross.” Fox went out the back so he wouldn’t have to face another scornful glance from Susan.
“What’s the dope, my Heeb friend?” “Fox, it’s goddamn good thing I like you.” Ross now dropped the papers he held and gave Fox his undivided attention. “Alright, I’m sorry for the Heeb comment.”
“Not that, the knife you cretin.”
”I said I’m sorry.”
“The Fat man was my agent.”
“Well I didn’t fucking know.”
“You pull this all the time, Fox. Learn some goddamn diplomacy. You don’t have to go for your guns every time.”
“How was I supposed to know he was working for you? I didn’t think you went for stuff like that.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s arbitrary that he was my agent. I’m telling you to lay off your guns or you’ll break the peace and then we’re all Stanton-ed.”
“Right well that’s not why I’m here.”
Ross perked up in his chair, “Fox, the whole town probably knows why you’re here by now.” Fox leaned in, “Well, what do you know Jew man?”
“Someone took a stab at Walker.”
“How long you know?”
“Seth came in earlier and told me and that’s all I know.”
“Seth?” Fox took note, “Got any theories?”
“I tell you the first thought I had was a faux friend.”
”What the hell are you talking about? One of my friends?”
“No not fox, faux, false. Someone on the inside went for their boss.”
Fox feigned full comprehension, “That’s the best answer I got, too.”
“Well?”
“Right,” Fox stood up, “Thanks Ross.” Fox went out the back so he wouldn’t have to face another scornful glance from Susan.