"Don't talk to me in a loud voice. Do you understand?"
He realized then that he had pushed too far. He had tried to get Philips to kill Adam before. He had used his blackmail to try and force him to do his dirty work. But even with the threat of exposure hanging over his head Philips had refused. He had to be more careful. He had found Philips's line a line he could not cross.
"Okay," he said his voice a little softer now. "At least bring me five thousand dollars."
Philips was relieved. If he had asked for ten thousand again he would have killed him right there and then damn the consequences. He took a deep breath. "Okay," he said. "I'll get it right now."
But James needed the money and he also needed to get rid of Philips so he could do Adam's work. He had decided to do what Adam had asked. But he was not going to tell him about the five thousand dollars. That would be his little secret his own personal reward for his troubles.
