2058.04 The Calls, Part 2: Erwin Wardman

[Trebro]

The Calls, Part 2: Erwin Wardman

McMonigal stood up after his call with Valerie, deeply troubled. He stared at the broken door in his office, watching it creak on the one remaining good hinge.

He really should get it fixed, but right now, he needed the time alone. Davies' vague comments at the end about another story brewing wouldn't get out of his head. What could she possibly mean?

Was it another case of loose lips from Duggan, who'd caused issues with his crass comments about Mikki Manning on that stupid local show (which McMonigal had subsequently banned any member of the team from appearing on)? That might track, but the PI paid to keep an eye on Duggan (money well spent!) hadn't reported anything recently.

Maybe there was something going on with An, the manager of the Spartans? Lessman had warned McMonigal the guy had some secret to hide. Maybe the award-winning farm reporter had found it at last? That would suck; he was one of the better managers and McMonigal was looking to promote him.

Or perhaps it was McMonigal's old nemesis in London, Niles Standish, here to cause trouble.

That might be the worst case scenario.

Before he could either get a splinter by futzing with the door or think about what else could go wrong, McMonigal's phone started ringing again.

"You're No Good, You're No Good, You're No Good…"

Oh great, he thought, it's Wardman.

Unlike Davies, Wardman didn't the get courtesy of an immediate reply. McMonigal let him call three times before picking up.

Juvenile? Yup. But McMonigal didn't care. That ass was lucky he was even going to answer.

"Hello Erwin," said McMonigal.

"You know why I'm calling."

"Because you forgot the number to dial the operator?"

"Funny. You won't be laughing for long."

"So you keep saying, Wardman. This is the off-season and I'm really busy. What do you want to allege that I need to deny?"

"How's the retirement party for Thum going?" Wardman sneered.

"You know the answer to that."

"Any comments?"

"We acknowledge that Mr. Thum is not retiring and regret the confusion among our fans."

"How about the rumor Thum is demanding a trade to the Krill?"

"Denied."

"What about his refusal to speak with you?"

"Denied."

Come to think of it, that might be true. Oh well, I'm not giving this man anything to work with, thought McMonigal.

"What about Jordan telling you if you make one more mistake, you're out of a job?"

"Denied. Bo has complete faith in me, even through our recent struggles."

There was a pause. It was so long, McMonigal thought Wardman had hung up.

"How sure are you of that?" Wardman asked, his nasal tone really drawing out the vowels even more so than usual.

"Very sure," McMonigal lied.

"Okay, then. I guess the next few weeks are going to put that to the test, aren't they?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, nothing. Just be sure your subscription to the Journal is paid up. You'll want to read it for yourself." Another pause. "In time."

"Damn it, Wardman, that's unprofessional of you!"

"You want a hint?"

"Yes," McMonigal said, cursing himself for falling for the bait.

"Be careful who you pin the blame on. You never know what they know."

"Cut the crap. Either you have something to tell me or you don't, Erwin."

"Oh, you want me to tell you something?"

"Yes!"

"What's that saying again? Oh yeah...I believe the correct term is 'suck it.'"

With that, the line went dead.

McMonigal put the phone down carefully (it was new). Then he went over to the door and kicked it as hard as he could, right on the remaining hinge.

It fell with a satisfying clatter.

The only satisfying thing that had happened that day so far.

[RonCo]

I'm thinking this will need more than three parts.

[Trebro]

I'm thinking this will need more than three parts.

Oh this is just a trilogy of terror before the main event! If i get the time this is going to be a long form story. I just hope y'all enjoy the ride!

[Jwalk100]

You get demoted to scout and travel the world as a scout by day and a low rent manwhore by night?

[Trebro]

You get demoted to scout and travel the world as a scout by day and a low rent manwhore by night?

Hahaha! No but I'm filing that one away for another day for sure...