Chapter 23
Bands of light streamed through the blinds as Scott opened his eyes. He got dressed quickly, remembering that his friends were leaving today.
When he got to the lobby, Tom, Chris, Samantha, their kids, and Blaine were all piling into a van bound for the airport.
Blaine rolled down the front window and grasped Scott's hand like an arm-wrestler, pumping it once. "We'll find ourselves a new place to get together when this old beauty closes."
Tom wrapped his arms around Scott. “Take care of yourself, brother.”
Samantha wiped tears from her eyes as she bear hugged Scott. “Take care, honey. We’ll see you real soon now.”
Marjorie and Jerry waved from the back window as the van rumbled up the hill and disappeared.
After a coffee at Café del Mar, Scott headed back to his room. Soon there was a knock at his door. Carlos and one of his Dogs were standing there.
“I was just about to call you, Carlos,” Scott said.
“Scott, whatever it is can wait.” The Hyena and his man walked past Scott and shut the door. “Tell me about my investment. The Midas coin is up 100 percent since we spoke. That means I doubled my money. Let’s see the results.”
“The coin doubled?” Scott said, his eyes wide.
“Yes, and I may have had something to do with that.”
“Carlos,” Scott said, his heart quickened. “I didn’t invest the money. I’m sorry but I changed my mind.”
“Didn’t invest the money?” His face became as hard as stone. “You gave me your word, Scott.”
“I know, but I changed my mind. Your money is all there. All ten million.” He handed him the hard drive.
“It’s not that simple, Scott. By my calculation, you owe me at least 10 million more.
I fixed that market so that it would double—and used up a lot of favors to do so!
” He slammed his hand against the desk. “You lied to me, which is the biggest sin of all. If word got out, others might do the same. Now you’re going to find out why they call me the Hyena. "
“But…but…I won’t say anything,” he stammered. “And…I can pay you back.”
“Ten million dollars?” he said shaking his head.
“No, I need to make an example of you. You’ve broken our trust—your word—and now you must pay the price.
” Carlos looked at Miguel. “Take care of him.” Miguel pulled a black bag from his back pocket and approached Scott, who put his hands up to defend himself.
Miguel slapped his hands away, put the bag over Scott’s head, and threw him on the bed.
The first punch stung. The second made Scott’s ears ring. The third knocked him out cold.