They were trying to rope him in out of sheer panic.
"David."
Leo spoke again, his tone now laced with a cold edge.
"I seem to recall you saying this was a mess I made myself."
Stern was clearly taken aback on the other end of the line.
"That… that was a misunderstanding, Leo."
"It was a misjudgment caused by a lack of information. We didn't know the situation would get this bad. Things are different now. We're allies in the same foxhole."
"Allies?"
Leo glanced at his heavily bandaged left arm.
"I'm still bleeding, Mr. Stern."
"They still haven't gotten all the shrapnel out of my shoulder. The anesthetic just wore off, and it hurts so much I can barely catch my breath."
Leo's voice grew cold.
"And you're talking to me about campaign ads right now?"
"Do you think I'm in any mood to care about the President's approval ratings?"
"Leo, you have to look at the bigger picture!"
Stern sounded panicked.
