Neil Hargrove Novels & Stories

Hargrove shook his head, “I don’t know about you, but I smell foul play.” I didn’t say anything about that because I didn’t want my opinions to reach any wrong ears. I just smiled wryly and moved the topic towards the newest contract Mr. Hargrove would be signing with me. After we’d on terms and conditions, Mr. Hargrove motioned the server for the bill. “Let me settle this quickly. I have an appointment in twenty.” As he opened his wallet, a card caught the light. Black. Metallic sheen. A tiny crest in the upper corner, almost invisible unless you knew where to look.

Theo’s voice was shaky, thin with a terror he was trying to hide for our sake. "There," Hargrove smiled, pocketing the phone. "He’s fine, for now. Now, I believe you have some wiring to fix.” I swallowed hard and forced my voice to stay steady. “We’ll finish the job. For Theo. But if anything happens to him even if a strand of hair on his head is touched, I swear you won't like the outcome.” Hargrove’s smile widened, at that point he looked satisfied. “Smart choice. I’ll be back in a few hours to check on your progress. Do it right, and the boy comes home tonight, simple.”

Her stomach dropped. Because she knew him. Everyone knew him. Mr. Hargrove. Senior Executive Director. Twenty-two years with Whitmore Consortium. Trusted by Alexander personally. Respected across the industry. The last person anyone would suspect. ***** An hour later. The meeting approached its conclusion. Executives gathered documents. Assistants prepared summaries. People relaxed believing the difficult work was over. Mr. Hargrove smiled comfortably from across the table. A respected veteran among respected veterans. Elena looked at him.

I said. “Louder than anything else.” “Yes,” I said. The word came out quieter than I meant it to. I pressed my palms harder against the warm cardboard. Nicolas looked at me then. Not long. Just enough. The same look from my first day, that direct, undemanding check-in that asked nothing back and somehow said more than most people managed in full sentences. “You’re working from somewhere real again,” he said. “You can see it in the Hargrove concept. The whole thing came from somewhere real.”

He dropped to his knees, "Please. I have a family. I have served this Pack for thirty years. I beg you—show mercy." Cedrick watched him for a long moment. The silence stretched until it became unbearable until the elders shifted in their seats and Hargrove's breathing grew ragged with desperation. Then Cedrick spoke. "The chance was already given," he said. "You chose to waste it." He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. "Captain," Cedrick said. The guard at the door moved swiftly. Hargrove barely had time to scream before the blade came down. His body crumpled forward, and his head rolled once before settling against the base of the table.

Hargrove occupied the edge of the table, his confidence evident as his thumb clicked through a cascade of slides awash, with numbers and forward‑looking projections. He articulated his thoughts with a timbre, the sort of polished intonation that assumes every ear is waiting. Yet I’d known for ages that such syrupy speech often masks an insidious rot. When he finally wrapped up I offered a smile. "Thank you for the report Mr. Hargrove. There's one point I'd like to raise before we go further.” His eyes lingered on me, curiosity evident. "Of course ma’am.” I leaned forward a touch. Said, "It’s about Vincent Calloway.”

“David Hargrove, CEO of Hargrove Tech. How long have you been friends?” “Luke, please excuse Mr. Hargrove. I think he wants to discuss some business. He doesn’t need to know your entire life or resume. Did your fiancée get on her way to manage the Belgrave funeral arrangements? He’s engaged to Sabrina Vines. The Belgrave daughter.” I wished my lunch was something hot and messy instead of a simple salad without dressing. Because I want to have an accidental spill on his lap. “Well, I can’t stay. I’m needed upstairs. I’ll call you later and we can arrange an evening when it’s good for everyone. Nice seeing you.” Luke all but fled.

"GeeTech is looking for a partner company for their next big project. I want to collaborate with them, but we have never partnered before. I’d like you to find a way to make it happen." My stomach dropped. That sounded impossible. "And secondly, I need you to convince Nathaniel to agree to the partnership. I know he and David aren’t on good terms." Oh great, just an easy little task like fixing a corporate rivalry. I swallowed hard. "I… I’ll try my best." Mr. Hargrave nodded, a satisfied look in his eyes. "That’s all I ask." A brief silence fell between us. Mr. Hargrave leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in thought.