2 – A meeting of epic proportions
The plane landed in Layman during the afternoon and was met by heavy rain. Miguel stretched when he got outside and once Roxy had joined him, they ran for cover. Once everyone was assembled, Miguel began issuing orders.
"Franco, you are to find us cars. Buy one, rent one, whatever. You two are to go with him. Once you've done that, find us a place to stay."
"Yes Boss" said Franco. He turned and left, two of the guards following him.
"You two are on recon. Scout out the city, the populace, whatever's going on. Use your initiative. Send reports regularly. I want to know the player's in this town."
"And what are we doing then?" demanded Roxy.
Miguel turned and kissed her hand. "We, my dear, are going shopping" he said smiling…
x
"Are we on?" the voice crackled over the telephone.
"Yes, they took it."
"Do you have the money?"
Yen looked at the briefcase on his coffee table. Not a bad little two week holiday after all.
"Yes. I have the money. Where's the drop-off?"
"In time my friend, in time. You have more pressing concerns on your hands."
"What do you mean?" demanded Yen.
"You have a few visitors in town. I will say no more. Watch you back friend." The phone cut out. Yen through his receiver down to the floor, he knew he should have killed that bent bastard of a cop. Simple twist of the neck. Must clear up any loose ends next time…
x
Rafa banged on Conway's door and entered into his office. The inspector was busy scribbling things down in a file he had on his desk. He did not look up at Rafa.
"Sir, surveillance reports that Miguel De Fidio has left Liberty for Layman City to the north. His girlfriend phoned the airport under an alias."
"Are they being followed?" Conway said, not moving.
"Yes sir. Our source has been alerted."
"Good. Well done."
"Sir" Rafa said as he shut the door behind him.
Conway looked up from his file and sighed. He was getting too old for this. He pulled off his pin stripe jacket and removed the gun from his braces. Rubbing his aging face he looked at the photo frame on his desk, his wife and two daughters staring back at him. How he missed them. He could see his wife's green eyes stare back at him, telling him what he must do. He nodded and swung round in his chair. Pulling out his mobile he dialled the number he had feared for so long.
"It's me. I need help…"
x
Miguel shifted the Cheetah up a gear as it sped through the wet streets of Layman. The rain had ceased only an hour before. Miguel began to slow it down, flashing Roxy a smile.
"Franco did good didn't he?" he said.
"He did. But I did better with the clothes" she laughed.
Both of them had gone out and bought new gear. Miguel had changed into a blue shirt which he wore with no tie. His suit jacket was a deep black and was as comfortable as it was luxurious. Roxy had changed into long black trousers which she wore with a white blouse. Both wore sunglasses. Both needed to make an impression.
Miguel's scout mission had revealed that if anyone was to know what was going on in this city, Jack Madden would know. Problem was, Jack Madden was the most respected and powerful business and political leader, not only in the city, but in the state. Roxy had secured a meet but both were apprehensive. The recon had brought nothing else to light. It was an incredibly quiet city, magnificent in it's own power but silent in its stature.
"Madden is a major player across America. He has highly profitable ventures across several states" said Roxy, reading from her laptop. "There are rumours of dodgy connections but nothings ever stuck. Guy seems invincible. There are many controversial decisions and actions taken by Madden but there isn't anyone with the balls to take him on."
"Sounds like my kind of guy. We'll try to negotiate with him first. Possibly align ourselves with him for the short-term. If this proves impossible, someone might just have to have the balls to take him on" Miguel grinned. Roxy knew exactly what he meant.
"Take a left here, the building should be just around the corner…"
Roxy gazed in amazement as the building came into view. There was nothing like this in Liberty. The building was huge and beautiful. Exceptionally modern it was more like a work of art than architecture. Huge white pillars supported thousands of glass panels as tiny people could be seen in there offices. Roxy was stunned.
Miguel drove around the fountain that stood in the entrance to the complex and pulled up outside. Two men were waiting for them; one was a parking valet, the other must have been a chaperone.
"Mister De Fidio, welcome" said the chaperone, "I'll be looking after you on your visit. I am Jean Paul" he turned to the valet, "Take the car to the lot."
"Miguel please," he said shaking hands. "Shall we go in?"
"Certainly sir, after madam?" the chaperone suggested.
Roxy nodded and headed up the steps to the door, her trousers hugging her legs.
"Stare at her ass and it will be the last thing you look at" whispered Miguel into the guide's ear. Miguel smiled at him and followed Roxy. Jean Paul swallowed and overtook the couple, leading them through the lobby.
The lobby was decked out in smooth white marble, the furnishings made of polished wood. Jean Paul went to the desk and was given a key card by the gorgeous blonde receptionist. Miguel stroked his chin, playing with the small block of hair under his lip. The view was good in here.
Jean Paul led them to the elevators and typed in the destination, swiping his key card. They eventually hit the top floor.
The board room was circular, with a panoramic view of the surroundings through the windows that hugged the walls. In the centre was a giant blue tinted table made of a glass. Miguel was noticing a theme. On the far end of the table sat three people. One was clearly Jack Madden, who sat in the middle. He sat with a straight back, his broad shoulders and heavy stature combined with the aged and experienced face of a vetera, gave him dominance over everyone in the room.
A woman sat to his left, her blonde hair tied up in a ball. She wore glasses and stared at the newcomers fiercely. She meant business. She was thin, almost half-starved but made an attempt to look official wearing a tight, pinstripe suit. She had eyes like a hawk, catching each little movement, each little twinge of her prey.
A younger man sat to Madden's right. He had a noble look about him and seemed quick, sharp. He had flowing black hair and pure skin wearing a suit of the finest material. He radiated power. Madden spoke first.
"Mr De Fidio. Take a seat. I didn't think there were men like you left in Liberty."
Miguel stopped for a second; the guy had done his research. Roxy had been told not to give any details away. Seating Roxy and then sitting himself, he began his reply.
"Just because the streets are filled with scum, doesn't mean the roads and highways are."
"And which are you Mr Fidio, road or highway?"
"Me? I'm like you. I'd say spaghetti junction, all over the place."
An uneasy tension broke across in the room. It was Madden who broke it with a chuckle.
"I like you" he said, still chuckling. "I am a little puzzled though as to why you're here. I'm a very busy man Mr Fidio."
"Call me Miguel. Something of mine has been stolen. I was setup by someone who originates in this town. I need to find him."
"I see. And what do you need me for?"
"I hoped you could help me find him."
"It is an interesting proposition but one that Mr Madden is not interested in" spoke the blonde women, her accent was eastern European.
"There are benefits in this for you, Mr Madden" said Roxy.
"This meeting isn't a place for some escort to bring about her views in a bid to elevate her position. Stay out of it girl" interjected Madden's other associate.
"That is no way to speak to a guest" said Madden, "Especially when it is the wife of our guest. You should have more manners Paul."
"I am sorry father, I did not know" replied Paul, his gaze piercing Roxy. He licked his bottom lip.
"She is right though. We do have an offer for you" said Miguel straining his voice, fists clenched. Roxy put her hand on his, making them instantly relax.
"We propose several joint ventures in Liberty, running a trial-run partnership between our organisations. It would provide us with the chance to redeem ourselves, and you the opportunity to open up on a new front." He said, calming his voice.
"Interesting, interesting," Madden mumbled. "You clearly think I'm some sort of… crime boss? Is this true?"
Miguel was stumped by the question. He looked at Roxy for an answer.
"We thought we might have… common interests? Values should we say?" she said.
Madden chuckled again and whispered in the blonde women's ear.
"She is good Miguel, definitely a keeper. A decision like this requires time though. There is a ball in the Theatre Grande tonight; I'll have Lucie here get you on the guestlist." The blonde nodded at the couple. "Until then my friends, let us part amicably."
Miguel shook hands with the three and, arm around Roxy, headed for the elevator. Jean Paul quickly followed.
Once outside, after bidding farewell to their chaperone, they began to discuss the meeting.
"Could have been worse" Roxy said as Miguel fired up the engine of the Cheetah. He tipped the valet and accelerated down the boulevard.
"Fair point. He seems a cunning man and his son clearly has a problem. And the girl thinking about it."
"Protective of his assets maybe. After all, he does have a clean reputation to look after. There is one way to speed things up." Roxy said, looking disgusted at her own idea.
"True. Too true. We need to move quickly or this Yen might move on. We need to find him now. It'll have to be done."
