Chapter 13
Love and War
Before Chris and Maria left, Chris grabbed a loose, burned chunk of wall. As he left, they saw that they had six jet black Sentinels waiting outside for him. They took the only one that had an unobstructed path. They sped off, fishtailing and weaving around town as they screamed down the streets to Asuka's estate. Chris and Maria, before stepping out, surveyed the area heavily to make sure no one had followed. They proceeded into Asuka's estate, not bothering to knock (or close the door, for that matter). Asuka was in her dining room, eating and carrying on with a group of Japanese businessmen. Chris felt slightly awkward, but walked up to Asuka. He bent over, and whispered in her ear.
"We have major problems."
Asuka regarded the businessmen, set her silverware down and excused herself in Japanese. Chris and Maria strolled out of the room, and waited for Asuka.
* * *
Asuka sat down on a white leather couch. Asuka set her purse down on the glass table in front of her. Maria sat next to her, exhausted and scared. Chris walked to the wall opposite Asuka. He folded his arms across his broad chest. He blew the hair out of his eyes, and sighed.
"Asuka, the house is done for." He tossed a chunk of the burned wall onto the table. "Somebody got a hit squad after us. And it ain't no Mafia."
"How do you know this? What did these assailants look like?" No emotion breaking her stern face, even though she had acknowledged the cost of repairing the guesthouse.
"Uh, Asian, Whites, Blacks, Hispanics. Everybody, I think." Chris said with a smile.
"Then it may or may not be the work of the Cartel."
"The Cartel?" Chris knew this must have been it.
"We should not wave accusations at the Cartel just yet. I have connections. I'll have you meet a family friend. It is Donald Love. You've heard of him before, I'm sure."
"The Love Media guy? What can he do?" Chris unfolded his arms, walked over to the recliner next to the couch, and sat.
"Donald Love is an affiliate of one the top investigators in the world. He's got many connections. I suggest you meet him. I'll phone ahead." Asuka picked up a portable. Chris looked at Maria, and tilted his head to the door. She nodded, calming down but still edgy.
They left as Asuka began to talk. Chris hung around long enough to make sure the meeting was even on. When it was confirmed, they entered the Sentinel again. The drive was short, since Chris knew where the Love Media Corporation Headquarters was.
They headed inside, and were first confronted by a secretary.
"Mr. Love is currently in a meeting. His room is on the top floor. We need confirmation of an appointment, however." The secretary was an elderly brunette.
"Uh, yeah..... Let me find that." Chris turned to Maria, smirking. Maria rolled her eyes and gave him her cell phone.
"Press two, then send." Maria said. Chris pressed the two button, and then the send button. The phone rung once, then Asuka answered.
"Asuka, yeah.... tell this nice lady we need to see Mr. Love NOW." Chris handed the cell to the secretary.
"Hello, Mrs. Kasen. How has your day been? I see. Well, your friends here..... ah, okay. I will send them to the top floor immediately," She set the phone down. "Mr. Graves, Mrs. Leone... Mr. Love will see you immediately. I will notify him of your coming, so his doors should be unlocked. "
* * *
Chris entered the room with a certain confidence, of which he was unsure where it came from. He walked inside, and saw a tall, dark-haired man looking out the large windows. The man looked over his shoulder, and turned completely around with a smile when he saw Chris and Maria enter.
"Mr. Graves. I am glad to meet you, even if you come on short notice. Asuka phoned ahead, and said where you had had difficulties earlier. My top investigators from the Liberty City Police Department are on the case, and I'm expecting a call any minute. Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you." He stuck out his hand proudly.
" Yeah." Chris walked up and shook his hand with a tight grip.
"My lady." Donald took Maria's hand and kissed it. Chris's hand made a slight motion for his gun, but he stopped himself. The high tech phone on Love's desk rung.
"If you'll excuse me, that should be our investigator friends." Donald smiled and walked over to the phone. He picked it up. "Hello? Yes.... I understand.... The Casino? Are you sure of this? What's the proof?" There was a long pause. "Alright then, thank your for your time. Yes. Good bye."
"What's going on?" Chris sat down on some neo-art chair.
" The assailants have been identified through an ID check." Donald sighed. "Every one of them works at the Kasen Casino down the street."
"Wait, Kasen?" Chris interrupted.
"Yes, Kasen. It's run by Asuka's older brother Kenji Kasen. Apparently he hasn't taken too kindly to you moving in. He mustn't trust you. He may think you have Mafia ties still."
"What a dickhead! I killed the fuckin' Don, and took his wife. What the hell is he thinking?" Chris threw his hands up in the air. Maria leered at him, as if thinking his words were slightly inappropriate.
"My intuition tells me he thinks it has to do with your new love life. He may think she's trying to do something." Donald said this, and Maria opened her mouth to talk, but was stopped by Chris.
"Bullshit. The Mafia's done." Chris stood up.
"Well, he's heard something that he thought necessitated an act of war. I believe a pre-emptive strike, under the right circumstances would be vital for your cause."
"My cause?" Chris paused.
" Yes. Chris, I've done my share of research on you and your business. Very promising, I must say. Chris, I'll have you know that in my mind it would be best that you pose as a member of the Cartel to kill Kenji Kasen. That is how I propose you exact your revenge, Mr. Graves. You would not be blamed for the death of Mr. Kasen, and you will start a war which will only hurt the Cartel. The Yakuza have much more influence, if you have not noticed."
" How can I pose as a member?" Chris sat back down, listening intently.
"Oh, it's quite simple. Catalina Rodriguez, the Cartel's connection in Liberty, has a right hand man, named Miguel. Your and his resemblance astounds me, only he has about an inch on you. They know of him, and will immediately jump to that conclusion. Take a Cartel drug-running truck, and head to the multi-story car park. Kenji is having a meeting with me there in 15 minutes. Dispose of him how you wish, and make sure it is done within the next half-hour. Yakuza Policy is to leave a meeting a half-hour after it is scheduled if the other party does not show."
"Okay. Maria, let's go." Chris walked out of the room, fearful, yet confident.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, they were outside Asuka's place.
"Maria, stay here for now. I'll be back when it's over." Maria stepped silently out of the car. Something was wrong with her, Chris knew. It had to be the guesthouse ordeal.
After another fifteen minutes, Chris saw a truck identical to the ones outside the boat just outside the car park. He meandered, more or less over to it. He stepped inside. Some idiot had left the keys in. Easy pickin's, Chris thought. He revved the engine, and drove silently up every story up the car park till the one just under the roof. He parked the truck, got out and... ever so silently... crept up to look on the roof. Three limousines, fifteen or so Yakuza men. He recognized Kenji. He was short, and, to Chris's muffled chuckle, bore a strong resemblance to his sister. Chris ran to the truck, and turned it on. The adrenaline began flowing. He gunned it onto the roof and turned left on a dime. Gunfire rang out into the noon air, but not even a rocket could stop Chris. The gunshots ripped through the hood, and Chris shut his eyes. But Chris was happy when he heard the a loud bump on his hood. He saw Kenji, broken and twisted sprawled across his hood. Kenji's dying image was of the man he expected would be bad news for the Yakuza, smirking at his death. But that was not as the Yakuza thought.
"Miguel! Get Him!" They screamed, but Chris had hit a ramp, and landed noisily on the ground level below, and Kenji's crumpled body was dragged under the car and crushed. Chris sped away, and the Yakuza continued firing.
* * *
The Yakuza and the Cartel were now at war. Chris told Maria time and time again not to tell Asuka what he had done. Chris saw the streets stained with the blood of both sides, but he knew the Yakuza were winning this war. This was good. This was very good. Chris and Maria's house was repaired in the next week, and Chris had a week off. He heard that he Donald Love wanted him back, and the Yakuza were hoping to deal a paralyzing blow to the Cartel. He knew that he would be integral to this. He just didn't know when or how.
Love and War
Before Chris and Maria left, Chris grabbed a loose, burned chunk of wall. As he left, they saw that they had six jet black Sentinels waiting outside for him. They took the only one that had an unobstructed path. They sped off, fishtailing and weaving around town as they screamed down the streets to Asuka's estate. Chris and Maria, before stepping out, surveyed the area heavily to make sure no one had followed. They proceeded into Asuka's estate, not bothering to knock (or close the door, for that matter). Asuka was in her dining room, eating and carrying on with a group of Japanese businessmen. Chris felt slightly awkward, but walked up to Asuka. He bent over, and whispered in her ear.
"We have major problems."
Asuka regarded the businessmen, set her silverware down and excused herself in Japanese. Chris and Maria strolled out of the room, and waited for Asuka.
* * *
Asuka sat down on a white leather couch. Asuka set her purse down on the glass table in front of her. Maria sat next to her, exhausted and scared. Chris walked to the wall opposite Asuka. He folded his arms across his broad chest. He blew the hair out of his eyes, and sighed.
"Asuka, the house is done for." He tossed a chunk of the burned wall onto the table. "Somebody got a hit squad after us. And it ain't no Mafia."
"How do you know this? What did these assailants look like?" No emotion breaking her stern face, even though she had acknowledged the cost of repairing the guesthouse.
"Uh, Asian, Whites, Blacks, Hispanics. Everybody, I think." Chris said with a smile.
"Then it may or may not be the work of the Cartel."
"The Cartel?" Chris knew this must have been it.
"We should not wave accusations at the Cartel just yet. I have connections. I'll have you meet a family friend. It is Donald Love. You've heard of him before, I'm sure."
"The Love Media guy? What can he do?" Chris unfolded his arms, walked over to the recliner next to the couch, and sat.
"Donald Love is an affiliate of one the top investigators in the world. He's got many connections. I suggest you meet him. I'll phone ahead." Asuka picked up a portable. Chris looked at Maria, and tilted his head to the door. She nodded, calming down but still edgy.
They left as Asuka began to talk. Chris hung around long enough to make sure the meeting was even on. When it was confirmed, they entered the Sentinel again. The drive was short, since Chris knew where the Love Media Corporation Headquarters was.
They headed inside, and were first confronted by a secretary.
"Mr. Love is currently in a meeting. His room is on the top floor. We need confirmation of an appointment, however." The secretary was an elderly brunette.
"Uh, yeah..... Let me find that." Chris turned to Maria, smirking. Maria rolled her eyes and gave him her cell phone.
"Press two, then send." Maria said. Chris pressed the two button, and then the send button. The phone rung once, then Asuka answered.
"Asuka, yeah.... tell this nice lady we need to see Mr. Love NOW." Chris handed the cell to the secretary.
"Hello, Mrs. Kasen. How has your day been? I see. Well, your friends here..... ah, okay. I will send them to the top floor immediately," She set the phone down. "Mr. Graves, Mrs. Leone... Mr. Love will see you immediately. I will notify him of your coming, so his doors should be unlocked. "
* * *
Chris entered the room with a certain confidence, of which he was unsure where it came from. He walked inside, and saw a tall, dark-haired man looking out the large windows. The man looked over his shoulder, and turned completely around with a smile when he saw Chris and Maria enter.
"Mr. Graves. I am glad to meet you, even if you come on short notice. Asuka phoned ahead, and said where you had had difficulties earlier. My top investigators from the Liberty City Police Department are on the case, and I'm expecting a call any minute. Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet you." He stuck out his hand proudly.
" Yeah." Chris walked up and shook his hand with a tight grip.
"My lady." Donald took Maria's hand and kissed it. Chris's hand made a slight motion for his gun, but he stopped himself. The high tech phone on Love's desk rung.
"If you'll excuse me, that should be our investigator friends." Donald smiled and walked over to the phone. He picked it up. "Hello? Yes.... I understand.... The Casino? Are you sure of this? What's the proof?" There was a long pause. "Alright then, thank your for your time. Yes. Good bye."
"What's going on?" Chris sat down on some neo-art chair.
" The assailants have been identified through an ID check." Donald sighed. "Every one of them works at the Kasen Casino down the street."
"Wait, Kasen?" Chris interrupted.
"Yes, Kasen. It's run by Asuka's older brother Kenji Kasen. Apparently he hasn't taken too kindly to you moving in. He mustn't trust you. He may think you have Mafia ties still."
"What a dickhead! I killed the fuckin' Don, and took his wife. What the hell is he thinking?" Chris threw his hands up in the air. Maria leered at him, as if thinking his words were slightly inappropriate.
"My intuition tells me he thinks it has to do with your new love life. He may think she's trying to do something." Donald said this, and Maria opened her mouth to talk, but was stopped by Chris.
"Bullshit. The Mafia's done." Chris stood up.
"Well, he's heard something that he thought necessitated an act of war. I believe a pre-emptive strike, under the right circumstances would be vital for your cause."
"My cause?" Chris paused.
" Yes. Chris, I've done my share of research on you and your business. Very promising, I must say. Chris, I'll have you know that in my mind it would be best that you pose as a member of the Cartel to kill Kenji Kasen. That is how I propose you exact your revenge, Mr. Graves. You would not be blamed for the death of Mr. Kasen, and you will start a war which will only hurt the Cartel. The Yakuza have much more influence, if you have not noticed."
" How can I pose as a member?" Chris sat back down, listening intently.
"Oh, it's quite simple. Catalina Rodriguez, the Cartel's connection in Liberty, has a right hand man, named Miguel. Your and his resemblance astounds me, only he has about an inch on you. They know of him, and will immediately jump to that conclusion. Take a Cartel drug-running truck, and head to the multi-story car park. Kenji is having a meeting with me there in 15 minutes. Dispose of him how you wish, and make sure it is done within the next half-hour. Yakuza Policy is to leave a meeting a half-hour after it is scheduled if the other party does not show."
"Okay. Maria, let's go." Chris walked out of the room, fearful, yet confident.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, they were outside Asuka's place.
"Maria, stay here for now. I'll be back when it's over." Maria stepped silently out of the car. Something was wrong with her, Chris knew. It had to be the guesthouse ordeal.
After another fifteen minutes, Chris saw a truck identical to the ones outside the boat just outside the car park. He meandered, more or less over to it. He stepped inside. Some idiot had left the keys in. Easy pickin's, Chris thought. He revved the engine, and drove silently up every story up the car park till the one just under the roof. He parked the truck, got out and... ever so silently... crept up to look on the roof. Three limousines, fifteen or so Yakuza men. He recognized Kenji. He was short, and, to Chris's muffled chuckle, bore a strong resemblance to his sister. Chris ran to the truck, and turned it on. The adrenaline began flowing. He gunned it onto the roof and turned left on a dime. Gunfire rang out into the noon air, but not even a rocket could stop Chris. The gunshots ripped through the hood, and Chris shut his eyes. But Chris was happy when he heard the a loud bump on his hood. He saw Kenji, broken and twisted sprawled across his hood. Kenji's dying image was of the man he expected would be bad news for the Yakuza, smirking at his death. But that was not as the Yakuza thought.
"Miguel! Get Him!" They screamed, but Chris had hit a ramp, and landed noisily on the ground level below, and Kenji's crumpled body was dragged under the car and crushed. Chris sped away, and the Yakuza continued firing.
* * *
The Yakuza and the Cartel were now at war. Chris told Maria time and time again not to tell Asuka what he had done. Chris saw the streets stained with the blood of both sides, but he knew the Yakuza were winning this war. This was good. This was very good. Chris and Maria's house was repaired in the next week, and Chris had a week off. He heard that he Donald Love wanted him back, and the Yakuza were hoping to deal a paralyzing blow to the Cartel. He knew that he would be integral to this. He just didn't know when or how.
