Number 06 │ A Leverage Fanfiction

The Two Horse Job │Part 5

<Owner's Office>

The tension in the room thickened as Sterling strolled in, his demeanor all too confident. "You know, I couldn't believe it at first," he began, his voice dripping with disdain.

Nate straightened, maintaining his cool façade. "Sterling, welcome."

Sterling continued, his smirk unwavering. "Then again, you did drink yourself right out of a job. Lost your house, your wife, plenty of money troubles."

Nate took a deliberate sip of his drink, letting the burn settle in his throat. "Keep talking. You'll get to the point eventually."

Sterling's eyes glinted with malice. "You crossed the line. Nathan Ford is a common criminal."

Nate raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Oh, 'common'? Well, that's just hurtful."

Sterling leaned in, his tone shifting to something more sinister. "I spoke to my client tonight. Do you want to know what I told him?"

Nate shrugged, a nonchalant gesture. "I don't think you told him anything, 'cause if you had proof that Foss started the fire, you'd be gone already. I don't think you'd risk a $2 million payout just to stick it to me. No, I think you probably did what you always do. You gave your client just enough rope—just enough to hang himself. Am I right?"

Sterling's smile widened, a predatory glint in his eye. "This time, Nate, I think there's just enough rope for two."

<Paddock>

Hardison threw up his hands in frustration. "There's no way to fake the numbers on that chip."

Nate shot him a pointed look. "You faked it before."

Hardison shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no. I faked the information on the database. Okay? Now, when Foss scans that chip, if it's not the same number that showed up before—"

I couldn't help but chuckle, leaning back against a nearby wall. "Hah, we're screwed."

"Basically," Hardison conceded, "Now, either we cut the chip out of the horse and insert it into another one—"

"Or we deliver Kentucky Thunder," I interjected, raising an eyebrow.

Nate frowned, his expression serious. "No, we're not a library. We can't just take horses in and out as we like."

Just then, Eliot and Aimee strode in, their faces taut with urgency.

"Kentucky Thunder's gone," Eliot announced.

Nate's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"

"Racing?" Sophie asked.

Aimee grimaced. "Worse. Stud farm."

"Oh." Hardison groaned, "no, no, no, no, no!"

Nate shook his head, frustration building. "All right, we're not gonna get Foss to write a $12 million check for an empty horse trailer. This doesn't work without Kentucky Thunder. So we're gonna stall."

Eliot cut in sharply. "No."

Nate frowned, his patience waning. "What do you mean, no?"

"Sterling's gonna catch on. Foss is gonna get cold feet, man. No. We have a chance. We got to get this horse," Eliot insisted, his tone firm.

Nate pulled Eliot aside, Sophie trailing behind them, her eyes narrowing in concern. "Okay, listen. I am not gonna jeopardize the rest of the team because you have something to prove to your high-school sweetheart. It's just not gonna happen."