"If we can't solve this problem, Pittsburgh will have to declare bankruptcy."
"Daniel, if that happens, we're finished. For this year's midterm elections, Pittsburgh will be a wasteland. We won't have a single cent to support other candidates in the party, and we won't even be able to manage basic mobilization."
Murphy finished and held his breath.
Leo also leaned forward, staring intently at the phone.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
BEEP—
He had hung up.
The buzzing from the receiver was particularly jarring in the quiet office.
Murphy's hand, still holding the phone, froze in mid-air. The expression on his face shifted from tension to disbelief, then quickly slid into fear.
"He hung up?" Murphy muttered, unable to believe his ears. "He didn't say anything? Just hung up?"
Leo's face darkened as well.
'This didn't match any of their prepared scenarios.'
