Family Ties Chapter 55 Normal Business
It wasn't unusual to get left out of the loop even for an op you were assigned to. But it was slightly odd for such ignorance to be due to a high workload rather than a cunning strategy. Cass, along with Babs and Steph, had spent the last two days and nights trying and failing to locate the firearms used by Riddler and Cluemaster's gang, which had somehow gone missing on the way to the GCPD's evidence lockers. So it was understandable that she was a little behind on the Far East smuggling case.
The private jet was waiting to take off as soon as school ended, and Cass and Tim had a suitcase packed before they left the Manor that morning. Cass waited until they were in the air before opening the conversation. "You have a briefing?" she asked.
"Yeah," Tim nodded. "We have two objectives. I have meetings with various people at WE Tokyo regarding the microcomputer. In the eyes of the public, you are escorting me. What you'll actually be doing is assessing eleven companies that use Swift Transport. We need to know if their shipments include smuggled goods, who in the company is involved, to what extent the corruption runs, and preferably, which if any front companies could remain solvent without the smuggling, but with lower shipping costs. That's something that would boost our revenues, not fight crime, so it's not a priority. Also, we'd like you and Mr Unknown to find some way to keep the Yakuza out of it. We don't think they've been involved so far – maybe a little protection racketeering, but nothing else – but they might try to take Swift Transport's place. Obviously, we don't want that to happen."
"What are we expecting?" Cass asked.
"I'm expecting most of the businesses to either be legit, or capable of becoming legit, maybe with a bit of investment." Tim paused for a moment. "We might want to invest even if we don't see much return, just to protect the workforce. The Yakuza might be more difficult. I'd suggest you explain the situation to Mr Unknown and collaborate. He knows them better than we do."
"Anything else?" Cass mused.
"Tim and Cass Wayne might have to put in an appearance at some social function or other," Tim grunted. "Alfred packed one of your dresses. Accessories, too."
"Which one?"
"The gold with silver highlights."
Cass hmm'ed. "Do you think anyone's noticed that I never wear heels?"
"Unlikely," Tim shrugged. "If someone pulls you up on it, blame it on being a street kid."
"Babs has her paralysis; what's Steph's excuse?"
"I like her at just the height she is?" Tim suggested.
Cass giggled. "You'll find something. Where's my paperwork?"
"Aside from the eleven in Japan, there are three companies in Malaysia, seven in Indonesia, two in the Philippines, four in Thailand, five in Hong Kong, one in Cambodia and one in Papua New Guinea. Luckily the Vietnamese don't work with Americans."
Tim sighed. "Yeah, I know. I think we'll be ruining everyone's Sunday morning again. But it's the Yakuza we're worried about at the moment."
Cass stretched in her seat. "I know it's necessary, but this sort of data gathering is so boring."
"Arguing with executives and marketing managers isn't exactly fun either," Tim grumbled. "Nor as rewarding."
"Didn't you spend all the R&D budget?" Cass teased.
"Of course not," Tim retorted, mock-offended. "It's just most of the rest has already been set aside for the Secret Annexe refurbishment. Damian just won't release the funds until we've upped revenue."
"Whatever you say," Cass said, rolling her eyes. "Mind if I get some sleep?"
"No, I'll probably join you soon enough."
Tim glanced out the window as Cass grabbed the suitcase. "Someone sicced the paps on us," he commented. "Don't let them bother you, smile, look pleasant, give non-answers, usual stuff."
"I know the drill," Cass answered. She took Tim's arm as the jet's door opened and they gracefully descended, paying the camera flashes no mind until they were within earshot. Then they heard the babble of voices, mostly Japanese, but some in broken English.
"One at a time, please," Tim said, smiling pleasantly, sticking to Japanese.
"Mr Drake-Wayne, Miss Cain-Wayne!" The first journalist yelled, making Cass wince at a pair of surnames that did not suit double-barrelling. "What's the reason for your visit to Tokyo?"
Tim kept his smile plastered on his face. "I have business with WE's Tokyo branch," he answered. "Due to my injury, Bruce insisted someone come with me, and Cass volunteered."
"Is there a little romance in the air?" another journalist called.
"Between us? He's my brother!" Cass said.
"As much as I cherish my beloved sister, our relationship is strictly platonic," Tim added. "I do already have a girlfriend."
"And she isn't jealous?" someone laughed.
"No more than if I was with one of my brothers," Tim said firmly.
"Any other plans for while you're in the city?"
"Might have dinner in one of the restaurants," Tim mused. "I think…Cass, didn't you want to do some shopping?"
"While you're in your meetings, yes," Cass nodded.
"Any truth in the rumours that the Wayne family is expanding?" another person yelled.
Tim paused. "I haven't heard those rumours. As far as I'm aware, there's nothing going along those lines. I suppose it's possible Bruce or Dick got a girl pregnant, but I don't think so." There was a bit of laugh among the journalists, and Tim smiled. "I don't keep track of whose beds they sleep in, but we're not trying to increase right now."
"So it isn't true that Richard gave his girlfriend a ring for her birthday?"
"It was a necklace," Cass corrected.
"Considering that Bruce seems to like adoption, is he looking for another child that way?"
"Looking? No," Tim said, rolling his eyes. "Believe it or not, it just tends to happen. If he finds someone who needs him, then we'll end up with another sibling. If not, we won't. Now if you'll excuse us, no further questions."
