The Father's Reckoning

Chapter Nine: A Growing Interest

The following morning, Tyson woke up earlier than usual.

For the first time in days, he had managed to get a little sleep. But even as he prepared for another day, his mind remained fixed on one thing.

The money.

He checked his banking application.

The balance was higher than it had been a few days ago, but it was still nowhere near the amount the hospital required.

Tyson locked his phone and sat at the edge of the bed.

"Fifty thousand dollars," he muttered.

He rubbed his face.

There was no time to complain. He had to keep moving.

After getting dressed, he picked up his keys and headed out.

At the hospital, Sandra was awake when he arrived.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said.

Tyson smiled.

"Good morning to you too."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead before taking the chair beside her bed.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Better. The nurses have been checking on me."

"That's good."

Sandra studied his face.

"Did you sleep?"

"A little."

"Tyson."

He looked at her.

"You need to rest too. I don't want you getting sick while trying to take care of us."

He smiled reassuringly.

"I'm alright. Besides, I have another delivery today."

Sandra's expression softened.

"Another one?"

"Yes. Dominic's office contacted me."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"I suppose."

She reached for his hand.

"Just be careful. I know we need the money, but I don't want you getting into trouble."

Tyson squeezed her fingers.

"I'll be careful. I promise."

He stayed for a few more minutes before visiting the neonatal intensive care unit.

Through the glass, he watched the nurses attending to the babies.

Then he saw Zeri.

His little boy lay quietly inside the incubator, surrounded by the equipment helping him breathe and grow stronger.

Tyson placed his palm against the glass.

"Hey, little man," he whispered. "Daddy's working on it."

He watched him for another moment.

"I'll get you out of here. Just give me a little more time."

His phone vibrated.

A message from James.

Mr Swagger expects you at the office. Your next assignment is ready.

Tyson looked at the message and took one final glance at his son.

"I have to go, buddy."

He turned and walked away.

At Dominic Swagger's office, James was waiting near the reception area.

"Good morning, Mr Alan."

"Good morning. Is Mr Swagger available?"

"He's expecting you."

James led him down the corridor and opened the office door.

Dominic was standing near the window, speaking on the phone.

He raised one finger when Tyson entered, signalling for him to wait.

"Handle it before the end of the day," Dominic said into the phone. "I don't want another delay."

He ended the call and turned towards Tyson.

"Mr Alan. Right on time."

Tyson offered a polite smile.

"Good morning, sir."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

Dominic pointed towards the chair.

"Have a seat."

Tyson sat down.

Dominic returned to his desk and studied him for a moment.

"James tells me you completed yesterday's delivery despite someone trying to interfere."

"Yes, sir."

"Most people would have abandoned the assignment."

"I couldn't afford to."

Dominic smiled.

"That's what I like about you. You're determined."

Tyson remained quiet.

Dominic opened a folder on his desk.

"I have another assignment for you. This one is slightly different."

Tyson leaned forward.

"Different how?"

"You'll be delivering to someone who doesn't appreciate delays. I expect you to be punctual."

"That's not a problem."

Dominic slid a sheet of paper across the desk.

The delivery details were printed on it.

Tyson examined the information.

"When should I leave?"

"Immediately."

Tyson nodded.

"Alright."

He stood, but Dominic raised his hand.

"One more thing."

Tyson turned.

"Yes, sir?"

"How is your family?"

The question caught Tyson off guard.

"They're fine."

"Your wife and your little boy, correct?"

Tyson's expression changed slightly.

"Yes."

Dominic nodded.

"James mentioned that your son is receiving treatment."

Tyson looked at him.

"You asked him to investigate me?"

Dominic leaned back.

"I prefer knowing who I do business with."

Tyson didn't respond immediately.

Dominic continued.

"There's nothing unusual about it. Before I trust someone with important assignments, I like to understand their circumstances."

"I understand."

"Good. How is the boy doing?"

"He's stable, but he still needs treatment."

"And the money?"

Tyson lowered his eyes briefly.

"I'm still trying to raise it."

Dominic nodded slowly.

"Fifty thousand dollars is not a small amount."

"No, sir. It isn't."

Dominic closed the folder.

"Well, perhaps I can help you reach that target faster."

Tyson looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"More assignments. Better payments. Provided you continue proving yourself."

Tyson's expression brightened.

"Thank you, sir. I won't disappoint you."

Dominic smiled.

"Let's hope so."

The delivery took Tyson to a large private building outside the busy commercial district.

This time, the recipient was already expecting him.

A security guard checked his identification before allowing him inside.

Tyson handed over the package and waited while the recipient confirmed its arrival.

Everything went smoothly.

There was no argument, no interruption and no one attempting to take the package.

When he returned to his car, he received a message confirming that his payment would be processed.

He let out a relieved breath.

At least this assignment had gone well.

He drove back towards the hospital, hoping to spend some time with Sandra before returning home.

But his phone rang before he reached the hospital entrance.

It was James.

"Hello?"

"Mr Alan, where are you?"

"On my way to the hospital. Is something wrong?"

"No. Mr Swagger would like to see you."

"Now?"

"Yes. He says it's important."

Tyson glanced towards the road ahead.

"Alright. I'll come over."

He ended the call and changed direction.

Back at Dominic's office, James entered carrying a file.

Dominic was seated behind his desk.

"Have you completed what I asked?"

"Yes, sir."

"Tell me."

James placed the file in front of him.

"Tyson Alan. Thirty years old. Originally from a modest family. Currently living in Las Vegas with his wife, Sandra, and their newborn son, Zeri."

Dominic opened the file.

"Continue."

"His parents are deceased. He has no significant family connections that we could identify. He's been working as a delivery driver and has no known criminal record."

Dominic turned a page.

"And the hospital?"

"His son was born prematurely. The doctors have recommended an urgent bone marrow transplant. The estimated cost is fifty thousand dollars."

Dominic looked at the photograph attached to the report.

It showed Tyson standing beside Sandra outside what appeared to be their apartment building.

He studied it for a moment.

"He's desperate."

"Very."

Dominic closed the file.

"That makes him useful."

James nodded.

"Should I arrange another assignment?"

"Not yet."

Dominic stood and walked towards the window.

"People like Tyson are interesting. They don't usually enter our world because they want power or influence."

He paused.

"They enter because they have something to lose."

James waited.

Dominic turned around.

"Find out how much money he has earned from the assignments so far."

"Understood."

"And prepare something more substantial for him."

James raised an eyebrow.

"Something more substantial?"

Dominic smiled faintly.

"He's proven that he can follow instructions. Now I want to know whether he's ready for greater responsibility."

A few minutes later, Tyson arrived.

James escorted him into the office.

"Mr Swagger."

Dominic looked up.

"Tyson. Come in."

Tyson took a seat.

"I was told you wanted to see me."

"Yes. How did the delivery go?"

"Everything went smoothly."

"Excellent."

Dominic folded his hands on the desk.

"Tell me something, Tyson. How long do you think it will take you to raise the fifty thousand dollars at this rate?"

Tyson hesitated.

"Honestly, sir, I don't know."

"Are you prepared to continue working?"

"Absolutely."

Dominic smiled.

"Good. Because I have something bigger in mind."

Tyson leaned forward.

"What kind of assignment?"

Dominic opened a drawer and removed a thick document folder.

He placed it on the desk between them.

"This could be an opportunity to earn more money than you've made from all your previous deliveries combined."

Tyson stared at the folder.

"How much are we talking about?"

Dominic didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he looked directly into Tyson's eyes.

"Enough to change your situation."

Tyson swallowed.

His thoughts immediately returned to the hospital.

To Sandra.

To Zeri.

"What's the job?" he asked.

Dominic slowly pushed the folder towards him.

"Before I tell you, I need you to understand something."

Tyson looked up.

"What's that?"

Dominic's expression became serious.

"Once you accept this responsibility, things may not remain as simple as they are now."

Tyson stared at the folder.

He thought about walking away.

But then he remembered the doctor's words.

Four days.

Fifty thousand dollars.

And a little boy who needed his father to save him.

He reached for the folder.

"Tell me what I have to do."

Dominic smiled.

And for the first time, Tyson began to understand that the money he desperately needed might come at a price far greater than he had imagined.