Chapter 3: Blackmailing the bodyguard
"Say what now!" He looked shocked and he gripped his steak-knife so tight his knuckles turned white, he seemed ready to use it to cut my throat then and there too.
"What do you know?" He tried to hide it but I could clearly hear the panic in his voice.
"That you have a son, say about 6 years old. Living with his adoptive parents somewhere here in New York. Cute kid, is a diabetic though, but his parents take good care of him."
"How do you know that."
"Sands... We've been over this."
If I thought he looked menacing before, he now looked livid. I could see the murder in his eyes and I thought it might be better to shush him now, before he went of the rampart.
"On second thought... I think you can probably appreciate the sentiment that at least none of your old teammates betrayed you."
"Then how do you know." I could hear still rage in his voice, even if it was slightly less than before.
"You really can't think of anyone else who would know Sands? He did have her killed, wasn't that the the reason you turned against him?"
"You work for Tanner." He said through gritted teeth. It was hard to tell because of his natural dark skin colour, but I would say he was looking awfully pale.
"What ridiculous conclusion is that Sands?" I said faking an annoyed tone.
However it seemed that he wasn't listening any more as he seemed ready to jump over the table and stab me with the knife.
"What have you done with my son?" He raged.
In a slight panic and in attempt to regain his attention to my words I stood up.
"Weren't you listening? I have done nothing to your son. He is safe at home with his parents. I would never hurt a child." I said with anger. Offended that he thought I would. I grabbed my own fork and stabbed it in his steak as to accurate my words.
The surprise motion and force of my statement finally seemed to force his emotions down a bit and his pale face seemed to become a bit more normal again. I sat back down out conversation continuing a bit more peaceful again.
"Then what are you planning?"
"You really have trouble listening, don't you? I already said I detest scum that would endanger a child. I don't work for Tanner, I don't even like the guy. I don't plan to do anything to you or you son."
He sagged a little, trying to hide his relief. But he was just that easy to read, which made me want to make fun of him a little.
"Even if I did plan on blackmailing someone, I wouldn't pick you, but Mr. Morra instead." I said smiling.
"But you are blackmailing Mr. Morra." He said in a deadpanned voice and I snorted.
"So if you're not working for Tanner, nor planning to blackmail me, why bother looking into it?" He finally asked.
"Oh, please you really call that little chat over the phone blackmail? That was just me saying hi... Tell me honestly was Mr. Morra really that concerned?"
It seemed that I was spot on, as he looked to be debating with himself on whether to answer that.
"If that's true, what I don't understand is why you're picking on me then?"
"I was curious, I wanted to know if you really were as stone cold as you made Mr. Morra believe, or if there was more to you and if there was, to maybe form an alliance? In a, I help you, you help me kind of way."
"If you're not going to blackmail me, why should I agree?"
"A legit question, then how about this? You do me a favour once in a while, and I will help you keep your son safe. I'll even help you meet him without raising any suspicion. It must've been tough to stay away all those years, unable to meet him, see him grow up. You stayed in New York, not just for Huston, didn't you? You stayed to be close to him."
"As a bonus I'll even keep the fact that you have a son a secret from Mister Morra. So how about it? Do we have an alliance?"
I could practically hear the cogs in his head churning. It was an amusing sight. I didn't have a real plan with what I wanted to do with this alliance yet, if he said yes. But maybe this way he wouldn't try to kill me when he started his legion of Whom, or would at least give me the curtsey of a warning like he did with Brian.
"If everything goes how I want it to go tonight, and I expect it will, making up an excuse to go to a school and befriending a little diabetic kid. Won't be too hard at all."
"Why would you help me, you hate me. You've done nothing but try and make me miserable all day. I think this is the first conversation where you've given me at least some straight answers."
"Really? I thought I was taking it pretty easy on you though. But no, I don't hate you. I don't particularly like you and you are kind of impassive and boring most of the time. However, the right incentive does make you amusing to watch."
"Hmm."
"Fine, I agree to this alliance or whatever this is. But if you go against your word and touch a hair on my sons head, I will make sure you will die a more painful death then you can possibly fathom."
I couldn't help but smile at the, oh so similar way as when he threatened Brian on the show.
"I wouldn't expect anything less from a parent."
Thanks to the avid conversation we both had left our food forgotten for most of it. Neither seemed to be interested in it after we finished it either though. With some impeccable timing the waiter came to our table and asked if everything was to our liking. I complemented the chef somewhat, even though I'd been focussed on other things the food had been really good, if slightly outside my preference zone. I guessed I would have to get used to the more sophisticated taste. I asked the waiter to bring me some dessert and the best single malt they had for Sands, who at least this time seemed to appreciate me knowing his taste.
After finishing I told Sands I wanted rest in my room for a while. While it was already 8 pm there was still more than an hour to go before my meeting Morra at the bar. He nodded and walked with me to the elevator.
"Oh, and Sands, I'm relying on your discretion, you don't need to tell the senator about anything we talked about."
"If you're not planning on blackmailing him, wouldn't it be in your best interest if I told him that?"
"No need, I'm sure he already knows."
"Then what was the point of the phone-call?"
"Just to get his attention, nothing more, nothing less."
"Really all that trouble, you could have just made an appointment, you know?"
"Sands... Did you.. Did you just make a joke?" I said bursting out laughing.
But he remained quiet after that. He walked me to my door and I plopped on the bed. I set another alarm for 8:45 pm and took another nap. Feeling refreshed when the alarm went, I fixed my hair, make-up and changed into the black cocktail-dress. but it was still a bit early to head down yet, so I spend another 5 minutes to clear out the rest of the shopping bags and putting the rest in drawers and the closet. It was still early, but I couldn't sit still any longer.
I texted Sands I was ready and heading back to the restaurant.
But all I received back from him was an: ok.
It was 8:55 pm when I took a seat at the bar. Within a few seconds a handsome bartender in his late twenties or early thirties swooped in and asked if he could pour me anything.
"A margarita please, chilled no ice."
"Of course, a moment." He proceeded making me the drink and poured it in the classic coupe glass for it, placing it neatly on a coaster in front of me.
I finished the drink quicker than I usually did. Bored, I looked on my phone again: 9:03.
I let out a sigh, and looked around. I saw Sands sitting in a corner with a paper with some more Scotch. If he noticed me staring at him, he firmly ignored it. For a moment I contemplated going over and bother him some more. But then the bartender got my attention again.
"Would you like another one?" He asked, and I wondered if all the men in New York looked this good in this universe.
"Yes, that would be nice."
"Would you like some salt rimming too?"
"If it's not too much trouble." I said, trying to play it a bit coy.
"Not at all." He said with an ingratiating smile.
"Thanks for the daisy." I said as he placed the second margarita in front of me.
He smirked briefly before walking away to clean up the other glass. In no time I finished the second margarita and I sighed as I looked at the phone again: 9:06. The more time passed the more my nerves grew. I started looking around again, noticing the rest of the people still in the restaurant, but other than a Japanese family of three. There were few noteworthy. I was getting desperate for some distraction when the hottie-bartender came back.
"How would you like to pay for the charge? Are you paying by card or should I put it on the room?"
Thinking for only second, I grinned.
"See tall, dark and handsome over there." I motioned to Sands.
"I'm staying in a room under his name and all drinks can be charged to the room. The name is Sands and the room-number is 17B." I said and he scribbled the info down on a note.
"Alright. I take it you're waiting for someone? Would you like another drink while you wait?" He said pointing at my empty glass again.
"Yeah, just make it an Old-fashioned, no whiskey, brandy instead please."
"You know your drinks better than I gave you credit for."
"Well thanks, I was a bartender in another life, just didn't work out."
"You were? What happened? If you don't mind me asking?"
"Not at all, I was doing a course when I was asked to come travel Asia. Kind of gave up after."
"Asia huh.. Beautiful continent, been to some parts myself. So you came here after Asia?"
"Not exactly, went on to study in Europe after that."
"Quite the globetrotter, doesn't quite explain how you got here though?"
"Hmm, want to take a shot at guessing? I know, sage advice 's usually reserved for after midnight, but we both know you got time and bartenders are the best profilers after all."
"Are you sure? I might say something rude?"
"Not to worry, I am not easily offended."
"Well then if you're sure..." I gave a nod.
"You look classy, but those clothes are not the excessively expensive brands really rich people buy, same goes for nearly all your jewellery. You know your drinks, but you mostly choose to buy cheap. You're checked in under a man's name and don't pay for it yourself. You're waiting for someone and you're nervous, since you keep chipping at your manicure. But your hands don't tremble when you hold your glass. You're a high class escort and it's your fist time with a real big shot, and as you put it, tall, dark and suspicious enough, is your pimp."
"Pfffft..." I bust out laughing so hard I nearly dropped my glass. I put my hand over my mouth to keep the noise to a minimum. holding my stomach with the other. It took me a full minute before I could breathe normally again.
"Oh my god... pffft."
"Me a hooker that's a really good one... A pimp... I've got to tell him that one later."
"Missed the shot, I assume."
"Yeah, like way, way off. Like you shot the person behind you."
"Oof, that hurts my pride a little, but that makes me all the more curious then, What's the real story?"
"Well, since you mentioned tall, dark and slightly intimidating, I am in fact blackmailing his boss, he's a bit angry about that, as you could understand. To also make matters worse, I've been having fun bossing him around all day. He's been ordered to act as my bodyguard. So, not only does he need to keep an eye out for me, he as to keep one on me. It's why he's scowling so much, he's not very happy... and the one I'm meeting in is in fact said boss."
"I'm not sure if you're joking, but if you aren't, is it wise to share that with me?" He asked with a half raised eyebrow.
"It's fine, for one thing, you don't even know who I am. Second, you don't know who I'm meeting and even if you do, you don't know what I'm blackmailing him with. And third, for all you know I could've lied and I really am just a high end hooker."
"Point."
"So I suppose you're nervous about this going sideways?"
"No, nothing so negative, more like excitement to meet him." I said with a wink. It was the truth after all. I did have some concerns, but I basically already had Sands in my bag. Even if Morra didn't want my deal, at least I was fairly certain that Sands would now refuse to kill me. Heck the way I made it seem, was like I would actually join his legion of Whom if he asked.
"So... hypothetically speaking, what are you blackmailing him with? Did you have an affair with him?"
"Egrr..." I wish.
I did think Eddie Morra had been very handsome in his movie, and I still though so even on the show. But to go as far as to actually sleep with him... Eh, I couldn't really rule it out, if I did have a chance. Point was that even though he sort of loved Lindy, he did sleep around quite a bit, so it wasn't completely impossible. On the show it was never even mentioned what he did in his private life though and/or whether he was still even with her. But the though alone already caused a slight blush.
"No, as far as I know he has a girlfriend. Maybe he's even already married." I sputtered out just a second too late.
"For some reason I doubt that a band of gold would stop you though."
"Au contraire, I take love very seriously." I said obviously faking my offence.
"That statement means little if the other party loves you." He prodded.
"Ah, well yes, whatever form or name a relationship takes, does indeed matter little to me. But I do think that true love is not just falling in love. It's falling in love one day, and the next day, and the next, to fall in love with that same person everyday, until your last day. It's not just falling in love that makes it true, it's staying in love."
"A beautiful sentiment."
"Thank you, I think so too."
"So that's a no on the affair then?"
But we got interrupted as another customer walked to the bar and he had to get back to work. But not more than a few seconds later I saw someone walking up to Sands, Sure enough the man of the hour had come.
A/N: That was it for chapter 3, hope you all enjoyed it, don't forget to R&R.
A/N 2 : Margarita is Spanish for daisy.
