Chapter V

"Mr. Crawford? Sir? Your five o'clock appointment has arrived." The intercom had announced, distracting him from his computer.

Crawford gave a moment to himself. Gathering the plan and preparing for the meeting ahead. The hour finally arrived. "Thank you, Felecia. Send him in." He spoke back into the intercom.

"At once, sir."

Convoluted and calculated wasn't enough to describe how tactful Aldrick Crawford carried himself. He was always quite the busy man. Others often considering it a blessing if they could be in his presence and he knew this. There had been a satisfying grin that formed on his face. His competition was finally going to know their prime weakness.

Aldrick stood up from his desk, walking over to his personal bar. Not only mere seconds later hearing his double doors open to his office. He opened his best whiskey, placing ice and pouring him and his guest glasses. "Second chances are never free, Mr. DeSanta." He turned to see Michael with his arms crossed. "Please. Join me for a drink." Crawford insisted, handing him one of the scotches poured. "I have an offer you may not want to refuse."

Michael had kept his silence, reaching for the spare glass given and sat on the available chairs provided in Aldrick's office. Crawford joined him. Sitting just across from Michael. "I thought you brought me here to kill me. Now you're offering me a deal? Quite unusual for someone like you. Hiring your enemy."

"Tell me something, Mr. DeSanta. Your obvious taste for a higher score is fascinating. Especially with someone of... open wealth such as myself. Posting to tabloids is a very back idea when being interviewed. The public clearly needs a rich role model such as myself. They know not how to obtain from such... talents."

"Speak for yourself. May I remind you that you're the one who ran me out of Los Santos? Targeting me until I would die?"

"Yet here you are, Mr. DeSanta. Alive. Alive and well might I add."

"You're the one who wanted me dead. Have you brought me here to kill me? Yes or no?"

"For an intelligent man such as yourself you know that wealth is acquired by the savvy. Business savvy. This doubles for people like myself or dare I say my competitors: The Vercetti Family. I am of high reputation here in Los Santos. Everything had been quiet until Evan Marston insisted that he partner with Garett Vercetti."

"Get to your point." Michael wasn't bothered by the details.

"I have connections with the military and others of interest. If you take the job offered. I pay double what you were after from me. I pull a few strings. People won't suspect you were an accomplice."

Michael had given a laugh at Crawford's offer. "So the man who wanted me dead now offers me a job against his own competition? There are no rivals, Aldrick. Only business offers."

"I'll spare you the pleasantries. How about I offer two million upon every heirloom you can steal? Upon these receipts. I can make you a wealthy man."

"Two million per each heirloom? What exactly makes them so... unique?"

"There are certain components in modern technology that could benefit. There are a few heirlooms I've locked my eyes upon... John Marston's Cattleman Revolver and his specially modified Carcano Rifle. I'll even give you a bonus if you can also retrieve his Double Barrel Shotgun and Winchester Rifle."

Michael generously downed the remaining scotch, placing the glass onto the table between him and Crawford. "All right. Since you already knew how to tie up loose ends. I'll consider your offer, Mr. Crawford. Send my affiliate the details."

"Don't linger on this opportunity for too long. You have one month. Remember: The opportunity is yours, Mr. DeSanta." Crawford concluded as Michael stood up from his chair. Michael had shook his hand upon the deal. "I'll explain everything in depth through the e-mail Felecia will send. First we meet at one of the Vercetti's Famous Dinner Parties at the Diamond Casino and Resort. The Vercetti Family have always more than considerate with their guests.

"You could have obtained anyone off the streets, Mr. Crawford? Why find interest in someone like me? Someone who failed a heist against you?"

"You're a cockroach Mr. Michael DeSanta. You survived my bodyguards. Miraculously. You could have turned me into the authorities. I'm certain that you're a wanted man. The LSPD are on the lookout with someone of your... description."

Michael swatted Crawford's description. His details of him didn't take Michael's interest. "If you don't hear from my accomplice in a few days. Find someone else."

With that Michael had departed from Aldrick's Office. While Crawford himself joined the side of his Secretary: Felecia. Nothing had been said until Michael was clearly out of earshot. "Felecia. Please remind Sasha Vercetti I have a dinner date with her tonight. Important matters need to be discussed."

"Certainly, sir. Right away."

Returning to the City of Los Santos made Sasha greatly uneasy. Having parked her Pegassi Vacca in the VIP Penthouse Garage. She had the dread back in her mind having been a few minutes late. Her business affiliate: Aldrick Crawford was always a precise man. He had been anticipating Sasha's arrival.

Having been eager to greet her, Aldrick had escorted her out of her Pegassi. "Sasha! Darling! You look extravagant! A stunning example of her mother!" Crawford had even been a gentleman, kissing her left hand. "You're all dressed up for me."

Maybe for something of this occasion. Her appearance had Aldrick in awe. An aquamarine silk dress accompanied her diamonds. Even her hair had curls, held back by bobby pins. "The pleasure is all mine, Aldrick. It's nice to see you again."

"You're one of the best Ambassadors of the Vercetti Family. You most certainly could have more if you just inherited your Grandfather's Empire. You could rule the world. How is Tommy might I ask? Is he well?"

"Tommy has been wonderful." Sasha had lied, knowing well she was hiding away in Paleto Bay. "I'll remind him that you extend your pleasantries. Vice City has been bustling as usual."

"That's excellent news, Sasha. Garett and Tommy must be proud. Join me. Shall we discuss more shipments of product of this meeting? This could be another expansion offer for your Family's Empire."

Having entered the elevator onto the Casino floor, Aldrick and Sasha had enjoyed on another's company. The Casino may have been crowded, but the tables said otherwise. During a few games of Three Card Poker, one of the hosts offered a drink. Drinks being free as long as you played.

"I have a special order for you. That's if you can make it." Sasha had flagged down a host. "You might want to write this down." She joked. "Three ounces of gin, one ounce of vodka, half ounce of dry vermouth, and finally a lemon peel for an appealing garnish. Got all that?" The host had nodded. "Wonderful. Please remember to shake it. Not stir."

Crawford rose an eyebrow at Sasha's order. "That's one hell of an order, darling. How does it taste exactly?"

"Strong." Sasha responded back. "But that's what makes it good."

"Make that two, if you may. Add a few more to that order." Aldrick tipped the host. Returning back to his game at the table.

Sasha had returned her attention towards Aldrick. "So tell me, Crawford. Besides discussing business. What honor do I have for this meeting?"

"For your upcoming Dinner Party, I have a new business associate that I would love for you to meet. He has quite of a lot potential. Could be a benefit to ease your stressful work hours. One I'm sure Tommy would be delighted."

"That's wonderful, Aldrick! I knew I could depend in you! Thank you."

"You're only kidding yourself if you think you can work an empire like Tommy's solo. You're a descendant. Automatic respect is given to you just with your last name. Do you fathom the power that you inherited?"

"There are some days I most certainly can't... I know many would call me a legacy. An investor to the trade. Yet it's just not my calling. I have responsibility over something I have little knowledge regarding."

The evening carried on as they finished their drinks and won 50,000 in chips. Satisfied both Aldrick and Sasha disappeared up top the Roof Terrace knowing it was a beautiful evening. There had been a private alcove reserved for them. The skyline of Los Santos accompanying them. The scene had been set and everything was almost perfect with a candle lit dinner.

Light conversation turned into a serious matter as Aldrick had changed the topic. "The City of Los Santos could benefit from the Vercetti Family." He remarked.

"There's a reason why the Vercetti Family, especially Tom has limited contacts and those he can trust, Aldrick. He has a tight leash. Especially these days when everything is accessible through the internet and Life Invader's Social Media site."

"Let's get real, Sasha, darling. You and I both know that the 1980s have become a forgotten past time."

"Tell me you joke, Crawford." Sasha threw a little bit of her attitude back. "I think what our current generation is going through is a version of the 80s. People can obtain your information... Take sides. Not to mention Cancel Culture. I'm not into all that, but we're all somehow involved with unusual drama more than ever these days. It's just all too... eerily familiar."

"You and that imagination of yours." Crawford laughed. "You sound overwhelmed. You could do for a few days off, darling."

"The cocaine and druglords haven't gone away, Aldrick. We've all just become the corruption of this world."

"Did you ever explain your concerns with your Grandfather? You should be taking your birthright with greater care than your doubts."

"We just need more improvements in the right places. Not the backstabbing traitors. Expansion is always good, but trust and loyalty?" Her eyes met with Crawford. "We just had a wonderful family friend pass. Lance Marston? Of course you remember him? Cancer finally took his life. Unfortunate events. Completely out of our control."

There had been nothing that Aldrick could say that could comfort Sasha. He drew her in and kissed her forehead. "How about this then? We announce more expansion regarding Tommy's Empire at the dinner party? With proper means, everything will work out as intended. Don't stress. What I have to present could be a welcome change. All you would have to do is trust me."