Randy Orton knocked on the door of Hunter's suite then slowly opened the door. When Hunter waved him into the room, he entered and closed the door behind him. "We have a problem. A big one."

"What kind of a big problem?" Hunter asked, looking up from the papers on the table in front of him.

"I just found out that a decomposed body's been found in the basement of Rollins' Deli," Orton reported in an even tone of voice. He saw Hunter's face harden and braced himself.

"How?" Hunter growled, his eyes narrowing.

"Anonymous tip."

A glass thrown at the nearby bar shattered into crystalline pieces and brought Stephanie running from another room.

The verbal explosion was what Orton expected.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Mox, we're here!"

Mox was in the back of his building, storing supplies in a cabinet when he heard Kendrick call out. He closed the cabinet door and turned around to see Kendrick and Ryder entering the work area.

"Wow, floor looks almost too clean to step on," Ryder joked.

Mox half-grinned. "Considering the work that I put in to get it clean, I'd tell you to take off your shoes. But it would violate a hell of a lot of safety rules." He looked past the two men. "Where's Nikki? I thought she was coming with you."

"She's in the front, reassuring her baby," Ryder answered.

Mox blinked. He didn't miss Kendrick's smirk. "Nikki has a baby?"

Ryder solemnly nodded. "Kind of a homely looking thing, if you ask me. Not that I'd ever tell Nikki that."

"Not unless you want a lengthy stay in the hospital." Kendrick poked his friend in the shoulder.

Mox started for the front area. "New carpet's not installed until next week. She can't put a baby down on that dirty carpet," he muttered. He didn't hear the stifled chuckle from Ryder.

"It's okay, baby," Mox heard Nikki croon. "See, there's plenty of sunlight. You love the sunlight even if too much isn't good for you. And there's a lot of room, and you can see outside. And I'll be right here."

"Nikki, you didn't tell me…" Mox looked around. He didn't see a baby on the floor and Nikki wasn't holding anything. "Who were you talking to? The guys said you brought your…baby?"

Nikki grinned and happily nodded. "I knew you wouldn't mind, and he'll brighten up the place."

"Who'll brighten up the place?" Mox asked in total confusion.

"Mitch. My ficus plant." Nikki moved slightly so Mox could see the potted plant sitting on a ledge next to one of the front windows. "He's just a baby right now. But he'll grow and look wonderful in the front office. I just have to make sure he doesn't get too much direct sunlight." Nikki stroked the leaves of her plant with loving care.

Mox looked over his shoulder at Ryder and Kendrick. Ryder mouthed the word 'homely' even as he grinned. Kendrick's face was turning red as he held in his laughter.

Mox inwardly sighed and walked to where Nikki was standing. "Mitch, huh?" When Nikki nodded, he smiled. "Well, welcome, Mitch. Don't stay too long in the sun. Do what Nikki tells you so you'll grow big and strong." He saw Nikki nod in happy agreement.

Both Ryder and Kendrick quickly left before they began laughing out loud.

"Meeting in the conference room!" Mox yelled after them, then turned to Nikki. "When you get Mitch settled in, join us in the conference room."

Mox found Kendrick leaning against the sink counter, holding his stomach. Ryder stood next to him with a wide grin.

"Better get all that under control before Nikki gets here," Mox warned with a grin. "She'll yell, and it'll upset Mitch."

Fortunately for Kendrick and Ryder, they'd stopped laughing by the time Nikki joined them.

"Okay, security system has been installed," Mox began. He handed keys to the other three. "Keys for front door and back door. There's a panel beside the doors where you'll enter the security code. Four numbers, and it's the date of our opening." He grinned at them. "Everybody know when that is?"

"Of course!" Nikki eagerly nodded.

"Okay, there are security cameras in the parking lot and in the alley over the loading dock areas along with cameras inside the front and back doors. There's also a security camera over the front door outside that'll hopefully be somewhat camouflaged by the sign that'll be over the front door." Mox looked at Ryder and Kendrick.

"You guys concentrate on finishing up at school," he continued. "When I get a confirmation of the equipment and tools arriving, I'll let you know so you can be here. Nikki and I will continue to work off her many lists." He grinned when Nikki snorted.

"Organization, boss. Organization."

Mox sighed. "Nikki…"

"Oh, I picked up some brochures from local businesses that deliver lunches!" Nikki turned to leave the room. "I'll get them. And my lists! And bring Mitch in for a drink! Be right back."

This time Mox didn't even try to stop Ryder and Kendrick from laughing.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"And our final story for this evening, a decomposed body has been found in the basement of a local business. The Rollins Deli is scheduled to open soon. However, an anonymous tip alerted police to a potential crime scene in the basement of the business. Our own Wade Barrett in on the site. Wade, what can you tell us?"

"Thank you, Charli." Barrett grimly smiled into the camera lens. "Behind me is Rollins Deli, scheduled to open soon. However, police were sent to this business by an anonymous tip claiming a body was buried in the basement." He turned slightly so the camera could get a good picture of the front of the deli, now blocked by police crime tape. A few people stood nearby on the sideway watching and talking.

"Police did, in fact, find a body buried under the concrete floor in this building," Barrett continued, turning back to face the camera. "The body was removed only a few moments ago. The police are refusing comments at this time, but I can confirm the body was decomposed although I could not ascertain to what degree. While it would be reckless to speculate on the identity of the person found in the basement of Rollins Deli, if anyone has reported a friend or loved one as missing, I would urge them to call the police department and provide whatever information possible to aid in the identification of this poor individual. Back to you, Charli."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hunter was tempted to throw something at the television set, but Stephanie's hand on his arm calmed him down. Instead, he grimaced and walked to stare out the window at the street below. He hadn't meant for the man to be killed…just warned off…scared. But the imbecile who called himself Rhyno had allowed things to get out of hand. And a body had to be disposed of quickly. Purchasing the empty building so soon after the man's disappearance would've just drawn attention to themselves. But every time he'd thought it was safe to tell Mizanin to buy the building, the missing person case would be brought back into the public eye.

Then John Rollins has bought the building, and Mizanin had botched the effort to buy it from the old man.

Fortunately, no one was going to find Rhyno's body. It had been dumped in the deep waters of Lake Michigan. He had a low tolerance for screw ups.

Hunter took a deep breath and turned back around. Orton had turned off the television set, and Stephanie warily watched her husband.

"It won't take long to identify him," Orton quietly pointed out.

"A couple of days at the most," Hunter grimly admitted. "Less if that anonymous tip told them who was buried in that basement."

"Who could've made that call?" Stephanie quietly asked.

Hunter looked at Orton. "The Elite are the only ones who were involved in the cleanup."

The Elite served as roving fixers…men who cleaned up mistakes. By lucky happenstance, they'd been in Davenport after fixing a problem in Chicago. Hunter had been briefing them before intending to send them to Atlanta on another job.

"Would one of them have made that call?" Stephanie demanded.

Hunter and Orton stared at each other for a few seconds before Orton shook his head. "I'd say not. There's no reason for any of them to do so. Matt and Nick Jackson are totally loyal to Kenny Omega. And while Adam Page might be a bit of a maverick, he wouldn't betray any of the others. Especially Omega."

Hunter slowly nodded. "I agree. Their last assignment put them in Los Angeles. Check to make sure they haven't gotten into trouble there. And where they are now."

Orton nodded and left the room.

"Somebody made that call," Stephanie muttered.

Hunter frowned. He started to speak but was interrupted by his phone ringing. Irritably, he picked it up then froze at the name on the display. He answered the phone and pleasantly answered, "Vince. How are you?"

Stephanie's blue eyes widened as she rose to her feet and walked to stand at Hunter's side. He put the phone on speaker but put a finger on his wife's lips to keep her silent.

"Fine. But this isn't a social call." Vince McMahon's voice was crisp and businesslike. "There will be a meeting in one hour. I understand there is an executive conference room in the hotel where you're staying. You'll be meeting with someone. He'll bring three of his people. You bring three of yours. I'll call in and explain then."

Hunter saw Stephanie nodding at him. "No problem, Vince. One hour." He didn't even blink when Vince disconnected the call. He looked at Stephanie with concern. "What the hell?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Once the body is identified, the police will be back to ask you questions," Regal quietly advised. "I suggest you use this time to gather documentation to prove that your Uncle didn't do any renovations in the basement. I believe you said you had the construction logs?"

Seth nodded and pointed to the bookcase in his uncle's office.

"If you permit, I'll take them and have copies made in my office," Regal offered with a slight smile. "It would be more confidential than having it done at Staples."

Seth grimaced and nodded. He walked to the bookcase and found the two books with the construction logs and other documentation for the Deli. He handed them to Regal then said, "That realtor who was murdered…Mizanin…he harassed my Uncle John to buy the bookstore. Uncle John finally threw him out and threatened to have him arrested if he returned. He came up to me at Uncle John's funeral and said he and Uncle John had reached an agreement to sell the bookstore. But my Uncle's attorney, Damien Sandow, told me the truth." Seth paused for a moment, then continued. "What if it was the Deli he was actually interested in? And the Study Hall?"

Regal shrewdly studied Seth for a few seconds then slowly nodded. "Buy the middle property then get the ones on either side of them. It's a fairly common tactic. Interesting idea."

Seth grimaced, then shrugged. "Probably doesn't mean anything."

"Possibly," Regal admitted. "We'll keep that idea on the back burner for now." When Seth nodded, Regal formed his own silent opinion. 'You know something more about this, don't you, laddie?' He tucked the books under his arm. "The police have my card so they should contact me if they wish to speak with you. However, if they contact you first, answer no questions until I or one of my associates arrive." He smiled. "I take great pleasure in reminding law enforcement of how things are supposed to be done."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hunter believed in dealing from a position of strength. He, Stephanie, and Orton arrived in the hotel executive conference room ten minutes before the time when Vince would call. Cesaro met them at the door and indicated the side table where snacks and drinks were arranged. Then he left, leaving his chief of security behind.

Sheamus pleasantly spoke with Hunter and Stephanie then exchanged a slight nod with Orton. Then he went to the side table and popped a few grapes into his mouth. Five minutes later, Sheamus felt his phone vibrate and took it out of his pocket. He glanced at the screen then replaced the phone in his pocket.

"Cesaro says they're on their way up. Three men. One woman."

"Did he recognize any of them?" Hunter asked.

"He only saw the face of one of the men," Sheamus answered. "Didn't recognize him but warned he was a huge muscular man."

Hunter shrugged. Cesaro had come from operations in Europe and worked primarily in New York before recently coming to Davenport. It was disappointing but not surprising that Cesaro hadn't recognized anyone.

Sheamus and Orton took their positions to the back and slightly to one side of both Hunter and Stephanie. Seconds later, the door opened; and a man stepped inside the room.

Stephanie's blue eyes widened as Hunter clenched his fist. "You!" she hissed.

"Hi, Stephanie. How ya doin'." Shane McMahon smiled at his younger sister. "Hunter, you look good. Randy, I see you're still alive." Shane looked at Sheamus and politely nodded his head. As the door closed behind him, he walked forward and sat at the opposite end of the table. "My associates. This is Braun Strowman." He indicated the giant of a man who protectively stood behind Shane. "And I believe you already know Asuka and Shinsuke."

Hunter coldly nodded. "I do. And thought loyalty meant more than it apparently does."

Shane mockingly smiled. "Apparently you mistakenly thought loyalty could be so easily transferred from one person to another." He glanced at the conference phone on the table that began ringing. "Do you want to answer that or shall I?"

Hunter controlled his anger and reached towards the phone. He pressed a button and spoke, "Everyone is here."

"Good." Vince approvingly spoke. "To make this short and sweet. Shane's back. He will be taking care of new business. With the exception of the new hotel that will be built to support the casino, that is. That remains under Stephanie and Hunter's control."

"Dad, are you saying we can't expand our operations?" Stephanie quickly asked.

"Not at all," Vince assured his daughter. "But Shane will be working on some new projects. If your…expansion runs counter to those projects, Shane's projects take precedence. Is that understood?"

"Completely. Except that it could be that our expansion would be more profitable," Hunter smoothly pointed out, his eyes never leaving Shane's.

"Possibly," Vince admitted. "Shane's projects are extremely important. So, if any…problems arise, I'll settle the matter. But you'd better have a good reason for matters to reach that point. Further, there are to be no conflicts and no reprisals. If there are any conflicts that require police intervention or their involvement in any way, I'm going to be very displeased and will resolve the situation to my satisfaction. Is that understood?"

Everyone in the room was reminded of two things. First, even if Vince was in Europe, he was still running the operation. Second, Vince McMahon was still a very dangerous man to cross.

"Completely, Dad," Stephanie confidently assured him.

"Crystal clear, Vince," Hunter added.

"Absolutely, Dad," Shane agreed as he smiled at his sister and brother-in-law. "We're all adults. I'm sure we can all just…get along."