Gustavo stroked his chin as his men bickered over another hand of poker. He seemed to be breaking up more of their stupid fights since Talia disappeared. Interesting. Even men of war seemed to need the presence of women to temper their default mood of being ready to go. And for more than a few hours a month.
"Grayson, sorry but he's right. A straight is a hand, and it beats what you got."
"Seriously? C'mon, he's always talking shit."
"It is, I should know. Saw old Dashwood lose with it last week." He didn't need to mention his own shambolic performance.
"Oh fuck off," Grayson conceded the argument and kicked the table leg as he pushed his cards into the middle.
"And an apology for those awful things you said earlier, if you please," Johnny mocked while scooping the caps to his side.
"I'm sorry that you're such a jammy little bastard," Grayson sneered.
Gustavo appreciated the time he stole with Ann-Marie a lot more, anyway. "Boys, boys," he shushed them with a gesture, "what is this music? Is this the radio?"
"Oh yeah. We got Galaxy News again. Just started workin' earlier today."
"Is that right? Well turn it up. Haven't heard anything we've not played to death for months, and let's see what they have to say about the Enclave. You know everything Eden says is sugar-coated."
They continued playing and listening a while until eventually a news break began.
"People of the Capital Wasteland, this is Three Dog, your friendly neighborhood disc jockey. What's a "disc"? Hell if I know. But I'm gonna keep talkin' anyway.
For those of you at the back, we had some technical problems for a long while, but that's all fixed thanks to one Brotherhood of Steel hero, as generous as she is deadly. We at GNR are once again beaming our message of hope and truth directly into your brains wherever you happen to be in this corner of Post-Apocalyptia. So if you've been missing me, dry off your tears, I'm back.
"Now, if you live in what was until recently a GNR deadzone, you might be wondering what has become of the kid we love to hate: the Lone Wanderer.
"'But Three Dog,' I hear you say, 'the kid from the Vault was working on the water purifier. She can't be all bad!'
"Well, children, life is complicated. Maybe she was trying to atone for her sins. And it might've worked if the Enclave didn't show up. Don't be fooled, they aren't here to help you, and you shouldn't trust that machine now they've got their dirty paws on it.
"Now, get this: the Lone Wanderer has wandered herself right into the Enclave's sinister clutches. My deep cover super secret agents tell me she was an unwilling passenger on a Vertibird that flew out of the mountains to the west, but… I can't be the only one that finds the timing a little convenient.
"If Eden declares this kid Vice President I swear to God I will swallow this microphone.
"And that's all I have for now on the Vault 101 saga. I'll bring you more as soon as it happens. In the meantime, let's hope the kid is as good as I know some of you believe. Maybe doin' time with the Enclave will help her see the light… or maybe she'll join the dark side. Let's hope she chooses right. The Good Fight needs all of you.
"And now… some music."
"Shit." Gustavo shoved his drink into Grayson's hand and shot to the lobby. He had to tell Burke.
Burke returned from Dashwood's apartment disappointed but a little more clear headed. They'd spent a good part of the evening searching his adventuring notes and memoirs for any mention of military forts and bunkers that weren't completely derelict. Anything that could actually still be in use today by the Enclave. If he could rule out those that were definitely abandoned he might have a handful of potential sites. Send some mercs to investigate. Maybe he'd find where they had taken Talia. But they'd found nothing, and Three Dog on the radio was being no more specific than a general compass direction.
He opened the door to his own suite and stepped over broken glass. The tumbler was unlucky to be the closest thing to him when Gustavo came up to give him the news. He grabbed a fresh bottle of water and paced while draining it. But it would be little use even if he discovered another Enclave base. Now they were no longer hiding their presence they would be guarding the perimeter. He wouldn't get close. He certainly couldn't storm the place even if he hired every Talon agent he could afford.
The only way he could influence Talia's situation was to make contact with whomever was in charge. If nothing had changed that would be Colonel Autumn. Or of course the President. But he had no leads on presidential links and he'd burned his Enclave contact after he acquired the fusion pulse charge. It would take weeks at best to gain another, and even then that had been out east with a focus on their technological manufacturing capabilities. It was no certainty he could gain the attention of the specific people who now held Talia captive somewhere to the north.
He launched the water bottle into the wall, careless of the flying shards of now useless glass. But he had to make contact! He racked his brains for every person with whom he'd ever exchanged names. Who were their friends? What were their histories?
His thoughts were interrupted by the slamming of a door. Tenpenny was returning to his suite, likely having finished another balcony night shoot. Then it hit him. Tenpenny could know somebody. He'd been around long enough doing business with all manner of shady characters. And his most ambitious raid was a well kept secret of an old fort; his connections had brought him knowledge of the high tech weapon stored within. Perhaps where these connections got their insight would be of interest. Everybody thought the Enclave had been in hiding, completely isolated, but things were never that neat. There were always leaks. Burke himself had known a former Enclave agent, before the wasteland claimed them. Exile or deserter, he never found out.
He crossed the landing and rapped on Tenpenny's door, entering without particularly waiting for an answer.
"Sir, I thought I might catch you before you retire for the night. Something urgent."
Tenpenny jumped and then scowled at the impetuous interruption. "Mr. Burke, uh… urgent? So urgent that you can't bloody, knock!"
"My apologies, but yes," Burke replied brusquely. "I need your assistance."
"My assistance! Huh! What for? Can't you deal with it? You do most things."
Burke bit his tongue. "Sir… I'll deal with the rest, I assure you. I just need to know one thing from you. If you have any contacts that are or were members of the Enclave. Or any that might know one."
"The Enclave? What do you want with them?"
"Tenpenny-" Burke pinched between his eyebrows. "It really is imperative I make contact. For the good of the tower. Is there anybody you've worked with that might be connected?"
Tenpenny grumbled and shuffled around, lowering himself into a chair by a side table on which he had placed his sniper rifle. "Ugh… I uh… there was one fellow… died years ago though. But no.. no, what do you mean? Are they coming for the tower? What are you planning with them? I want to know the reason for this. Everything. I demand to know!"
Burke ground his teeth. The man was unusually irascible lately. He really didn't have time for this. "Sir, as you know, our VIPs are very important to the tower. Now we really don't have time to go over every detail- the Enclave is out there right now after all. They're not taking over the tower but it does concern one of our VIPs, and what is this place without them?"
"VIP, VIP," the old man clucked with a wave of his hand. "You mean that girl don't you!"
Burke blinked in annoyance. "What?"
"Don't play dumb, man. Talk to me straight, damn it!"
Burke paced further into the room, discarding the last veneer of servility. "Talia. I mean Talia. Next door. Cleared Megaton for you. The only VIP that's worth anything around here, yes."
Tenpenny smiled thinly. "Of course, of course. Yes, Megaton. That was interesting, wasn't it? Very fortunate how all that came about, wasn't it? I'm still not quite sure myself, really…"
Burke sighed tersely. "Tenpenny- this is not relevant. I need to know if you know any Enclave people. Now."
"I don't like your tone, Burke-"
Burke cut in, raising his voice. "I don't care. God damn it they have her, now make yourself useful and tell me who you know."
Tenpenny sat forward in his seat. "Oh I know they have her, Burke. I've heard all about how she's made a deal with these people. Now is she stringing you along too? Or are you in on it?"
Deal? The man must have spent all day listening to the radio and letting his senility run away with what he heard. "Tenpenny, you're not making any sense. Just answer my question and then get some rest-"
"No, Burke! No more! I know all about you and her. I've seen your letters. 'VIP'. VIP indeed. I'm not an idiot. You've barely worked with me on anything for… for ages now. Then she shows up, you're barely around... she's involved with the purifier… and now, the Enclave. It's quite obvious you're expanding without me! After all these years! I didn't think you would betray me, Burke."
Burke was dumbfounded. The old drunk had lost his mind. "Tenpenny- no- you really ought to get some rest-"
"No Burke! I know you're game. Trying to make me, disbelieve my own gut. My own mind! You've fooled me long enough, but I knew something was funny. The only question is, are you committed? Or does she have you twisted around her scheming little finger?" He sat back and wafted the question away. "Oh it doesn't matter anymore. She'd have ruined you, Burke. And me."
Burke stared as he tried to tease any sense out of the old man's rambling. "What do you mean?"
"Women can't be trusted. She was going to ruin everything! I couldn't let it happen. Now you can tell me what you were plotting, and we continue together. Like before. But no more of your shite!"
"What do you mean?" Burke repeated more slowly.
"No more of your lies, Burke. Not to me!"
"Not that. You couldn't let what happen? What have you done?" Burke stepped forward.
Tenpenny squinted up at him, wetting his lips. "Well, she went to the Enclave anyway, but it still stands. I won't help you contact them. Your plans are dead. Let it be a lesson to you. Don't try to plot against me."
The man was either being purposely obtuse or his deteriorating mind couldn't follow a straight path through the conversation. Burke spoke slowly and quietly. "What lesson? What did you do?"
"She's a dead woman, Burke. You haven't walled me away completely, despite your efforts. I still have friends, despite your betrayal. I have other people I can talk to if I want somebody dead. Bear that in mind from now on before you go making any secret plans behind my back."
Burke could hardly believe what he was hearing. "It was you?"
"Was it me what?"
"You put the contract out for her?"
"Well technically I didn't, I know someone who knows some- wait, how do you know about it? Huh! Already had a go have they?"
Burke observed Tenpenny coldly, while a roiling heat distended from the pit of his stomach to the tips of his fingers. "Oh, I know about it," he clarified quietly. The amusement on the old man's face drained away beneath his gaze. "What? You really thought I don't run in those circles? How did you think I did half the things you asked of me?"
Tenpenny blinked rapidly. "Wha… well… well it doesn't matter. It's done!"
"No it isn't." Burke stepped very deliberately toward Tenpenny, who reached for his rifle. Burke grabbed the barrel and ripped it from the old man's weaker grasp easily, flinging it to the ground behind him. "You're going to take it back."
Tenpenny rose to his feet in defiance. "I'll do no such thing!"
Burke grasped the silk lapelles of his velvet jacket. Such finery to dress up an odious wretch. "Retract it."
"Unhand me! Now, and I might let you live!"
Burke pulled him away from the table and slammed the old man into the wall. "You're in no position to be making threats. Retract it you stupid old fool."
"Never!" Burke tried to shake some sense into him but he just grew more defiant, ranting about revenge. "I have friends! You'll pay for this!"
The stupid old man tried to fight him off. Burke grappled with him briefly, taking little more than a few scratches. There was no bargaining with him. He got him back under control and pinned the delusional old fool to the wall by his throat. "You have no friends. Just people who haven't finished taking your money yet. You're nothing to anybody but a payday and a headache."
"Traitor!" Tenpenny spat. All the old man had left was to try to kick Burke between the legs.
He avoided the strike from the tough leather riding boots, but it took him away from the wall and Tenpenny lurched forward in an attempt to free himself. Burke swung him around, dragging him sideways into the four poster bed that dominated his suite. Tenpenny tumbled at the edge and found himself being very purposely and forcefully buried face down in the pillows.
Burke leant his whole weight into his hands that laid on the back of Tenpenny's head. He shifted a knee into his back to stop him squirming. "This is my tower Tenpenny. I built this place up from nothing. Without me you wouldn't have any of this. You dare call me a traitor. Have my people killed."
He forced him another inch deeper, ignoring the muffled cries that were neatly captured by the sumptuous filling of his bedding. Burke's eyes seared a hole in the back of his jacket until he swore he could smell singed velvet. He liked to think he was pleading for his life, making a last ditch attempt at a deal. But it was more likely his last breath would be spent cursing Burke for perceived treachery. He'd barely shown an inkling of fear and that only added insult to injury. Burke may not have broken the old Brit's stiff upper lip, but Tenpenny had learned the truth and lost. He could sleep knowing the old wretch had realised his whole position was all thanks to him- both at the top as a successful wasteland entrepreneur and here, suffocating in his own bed.
He stopped screaming. His vain writhing grew weaker and more erratic, gradually ebbing to nothing, and Burke felt the tower's figurehead go limp beneath him. He held him a second more, but he knew it was no trick. He stepped back from the lifeless body of one of the wasteland's most infamous men and took a deep, cleansing breath. "You should have talked to me, old man."
But damn it, this was a mess he didn't have time to clean up. He'd have to think about this.
Burke poked his head into Cafe Beau Monde early in the morning, before Miss Primrose had opened up for breakfast. She was behind the counter preparing ingredients.
"Ah, Miss Primrose, good morning." He ambled inside to where she could see him. "I'm just stopping by to tell you not to bother Mr. Tenpenny today. He's been sick since last night and told me he doesn't want to be disturbed."
"Oh dear. Nothing too nasty I hope. Well, thank you for telling me. Um… I already made his breakfast though… should I take it up in case he feels better? I don't like to waste it."
"Oh, allow me. He's exceptionally ill-tempered at the moment, I'll save you the experience."
"Oh, you are a dear. Thank you. Have a nice day now."
Burke returned her smile and collected the breakfast tray from the counter. He dumped the whole thing in a bin on his way to the lobby.
He retrieved his hat and coat from where he'd left them on Gustavo's desk and headed outside to look for the security chief. The sun had not yet risen but his team was already rostered on given the uncertain situation with the Enclave.
He found Gustavo at the gate. He beckoned him away with a twitch of his head and waited for him to draw near. "Gustavo… I need a favour," he said quietly while leading them round the side of the building away from prying ears.
"It's early… what is it?"
Burke said nothing until they had reached the outdoor seating area, conscious of how his voice carried in the cold twilight air. "Smoke?" He offered his case to Gustavo. "I think you'll need one."
Gustavo frowned and took a cigarette but declined a light. "Maybe later. What's this about?"
Burke took his time lighting up and looked around them to make sure they were alone. He beckoned Gustavo closer for good measure. "In a day or so, you're going to find Tenpenny has been rather ill. And unfortunately he… succumbed. I need you to control how this gets out. And make sure the doctor doesn't find anything… unnatural about his passing. He's an old man and a drunk, after all."
Gustavo blinked and laughed nervously under his breath. "Am I… am I reading correctly between the lines here?"
Burke nodded. "Told you you'd want that cigarette."
"Yeah… sure… yeah, right." Gustavo rummaged for his own lighter.
"I'm sorry to drop this all on you, old friend, but you see, I need to leave for a while as well."
Gustavo got lit up and took a long first drag. "Not like you to hide?"
Burke shook his head. "No, I'm not. It's this Enclave situation. It's almost certainly linked to the purifier. I'm going to go over there, Rivet City, Citadel, wherever. Try and make contact. Work out a trade. Get Talia out."
Gustavo nodded in approval. "Right. Good. Yeah, you should do that. Don't worry about this, I'll take care of it."
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
They stood quietly a few moments until Burke continued. "There's another thing… If I succeed, I can't bring her back here."
Gustavo cocked his head to one side. "Why not?"
Burke smiled a lopsided smirk. "If you ever make a deal with the Devil, Gustavo, don't expect it to work in your favour forever. It might not be obvious but somehow, someway, he will fuck you. Maybe even just for fun."
Gustavo scoffed. "Do I even want to know?"
Burke stared darkly at the faint glow of daybreak creeping into the sky. "Best not."
"Shit… I don't believe I've ever heard you swear, it must be bad."
Burke sighed curtly. "She's mixed up in it now, and it's my fault. Took my eye off the ball."
"Well, she's mixed up in a whole lot more besides. You've got your work cut out but if anyone can get her out of this you can. I mean, I assume."
Burke scoffed and took another drag. "Your confidence is noted, Gustavo."
"Yeah, well."
"So," Burke chirped, drawing himself up. "How does it feel to be a Fat Cat?"
Gustavo stifled a laugh. "Ha..! I don't know yet, you tell me."
"It was never my money, Gustavo. Always Tenpenny's. I just managed it. Now he's gone, this tower and his fortune is officially yours." Burke saw Gustavo's eyes widen and smirked. "And I know how terrible you are with money, so I advise getting someone you trust who isn't a reprobate to handle that side of things."
"Right. Good idea." He smoked slowly while gazing into what Burke could only assume were visions of his future self rolling in caps.
"You'll find all the information to do with rents and anything else in my desk. Gustavo?" He clicked his fingers in front of the Chief's face.
Gustavo jumped. "Right! Yes. Your desk. Alright, I'll keep everything under control."
"I'm sure you will. You've run half this place for years, old friend. Now I… really ought to go."
"Right."
Burke threw his cigarette to the ground and extended his hand. Gustavo took it.
"It's been a pleasure, Chief."
"Likewise. Don't worry about this place. You go get your girl. And say hello from me. She'll look after you."
Burke nodded slightly in acknowledgement as their hands parted.
"You're going to need the help, old timer."
Burke scoffed. "These tenants are going to eat you alive."
"Do I care? I'm rich."
Gustavo watched Burke go as he smoked the rest of his cigarette. "Hey, Burke," he called after a few seconds, jogging closer so they could keep their voices down. "What, uh… what was it exactly that ailed Tenpenny? Just out of curiosity?"
Burke looked him dead in the eyes, a fire burning behind them like he'd never seen. "He wanted Talia dead, Gustavo. He took steps to make it happen. He tripped."
Gustavo nodded and let him go, a grin slowly blooming across his face. He finished his smoke and snuffed it out under his boot, whispering to himself. "Fucking romantic son of a bitch. I knew it."