“Yeah?” the older voice chimed quizzically through the line.

“Mister Osprey, it’s Falcon.”

“Hello there, Oliver. How have you been holding up?”

“Not too well, sir. That’s why I’ve called.”

“I see. And the project?”

“Getting out of hand, to say the least. The Chief isn’t playing ball.”

“So, I’ve heard. We spoke earlier. He told me you were tying up loose ends?”

Falcon gulped.

“Don’t worry, son. You’re not in any real danger, yet. You just better be more forthcoming.” Osprey paused, speaking to his driver in the background. “Why did you call? We’ve got the meeting in five minutes.”

“I wanted to submit a proposal to you that I do not want others to hear.”

Osprey cursed, and then said, “Why? Are you sure you want to discuss this over the phone? Now? “

Falcon sighed, working up his courage. “Well, you did give me the green light to go ahead with my program. Don’t you think it’s about time we’ve had a change in executive leadership, sir? With Bosak completely out of the picture, who will slow VirCorp’s progress? No one! You could step back down and lead us into a new era!”

Osprey cursed yet again, “Hank stays, you know that. There are reasons he is CEO and reasons you and I are not. Good reasons. He is the most influential man in the world next to President Harris. It’s not a question of progress, it’s a question of respected influence—something you lack.”

“But he’s going to queer the deal! He already told me that if—“

“Look,” Osprey cut him off. “Henry Bosak is at the top of his game. I should know: I’ve been his mentor for the past twenty years! What you’ve done is put us all in a precarious position. And now you’re trying to go over your boss’s head. I am going to forget this conversation ever took place, Oliver. I suggest you do the same—it’s time to think about your survival.”

Falcon slammed the phone down in disgust, chipping the mouthpiece on the cradle. “Idiots!” he hissed as he stomped into the elevator to Bosak’s office. “Both of them!”