3 – It takes two to tango

The Theatre Grande was located a mere three miles from the Madden building. It was old and had been restored many times during its years of service. The interior was nearly as exquisite as the outside. Everything was neat and clean, boasting antiquity and beauty.

Miguel grabbed two champagne glasses as the waiters floated by.

"There you are my dear," Miguel smiled.

"Why thank you Mr De Fidio. Where is your wife tonight?" asked Lucie, her accent playing on her words.

"Unfortunately, she could not attend. But I feared offending Mr Madden would be of great stupidity."

"You rank yourself high enough to be of a concern to Mr Madden? Do you always think so highly of yourself?"

"Only when I'm with great company." He answered.

Lucie couldn't help but smile, her checks turning red.

"Madden said he would see you at the end of the night" she said, "He has to meet the mayor for the moment."

"Who's more scared I wonder?" teased Miguel.

"The mayor if he had any sense. The things Madden can do… I shouldn't have said that. Forgive me."

Miguel put his hands on her bare arms and looked into her eyes. "It's fine. I thought as much"

The hall was filled with very highstanding members of the community dressed in their finest. The music was quiet and only seemed to heighten the mood in the room.

The night dragged on as Miguel waited to meet Madden. Getting to know Lucie though had proven useful. Miguel had met many colourful characters in the room.

"She see that guy over the there with the model with the fake breasts? He's Leroy Hispanenza, head of the Downtown Roses. He's full of shit, always wasting Madden's time. And ooh, there's Quentin Trenlock. He's a major player, known as Knockout from where he's from. Name explains it all. And oh…"

"What? What is it?" asked Miguel.

"You see the oriental guy over there? He's Japanese, founded a yakuza division over here."

"Great…" said Miguel. The Yakuza, just what I needed he thought.

"What's his name?"

"Kaido. They just call him Kaido. He's been going up in the world. He broke his organisations down into sub cultures, each headed by a well rewarded and respected leader."

"Really?"

"Oh yes. He'll be the next big test for Madden. Yakuza aren't wasting time setting up business. There shooting there way to the top. If they take down the infrastructure, rather than rival it, they figure they can take over."

Lucie's phone began to ring as she spoke, "Sorry, I have to take this." She gave a sheepish smile as she turned.

"Don't be long" Miguel called.

Miguel was glad of the quiet for a second. If there was already Yakuza in this city, surely they should have known Yen was bent? Unless they orchestrated it. Internal fighting wasn't uncommon.

Lucie quickly returned and blushed.

"Madden will see you now."

x

Lucie led Miguel up a flight of stairs behind the hall of the Grand Theatre. From there, they headed down a corridor into a sizable room. This was the director's office. The walls were covered in expensive paintings and the room was decked out in the finest furniture money could buy.

Miguel looked around the room, several men were sat in leather seats around the fireplace in the room.

"Take a seat Mr de Fidio." Miguel recognised the voice being Maddens.

Grabbing a chair, he looked around at the men who were in the room. A couple he recognised. Madden was once again flanked by his son who was smoking a cigar. The man known as Kaido was also in the room, fingers pressed as if he was waiting for something. Lucie sat down next to balding man. The guy was hefty and drenched in sweet.

"Miguel, have you met he mayor of Layman yet?" said Madden, gesturing to the man.

"No, I haven't. Nice to meet you?" said Miguel, extending his arm for a handshake. The mayor quickly grabbed it, shook it and withdrew.

"Me and the Mayor have just finished a nice chat" chuckled Madden. "Anyway, I've been also having a good talk to Li Cheng here."

"Kaido, please" said the oriental man, shaking Miguel's hand.

"Kaido is interested in assisting our plans. We've been discussing your exploits in Liberty. You and the Liberty Yakuza seem to have been badly burned by recent events."

"An associate of there's may have been the wrong choice" said Miguel, not giving anything away.

"Yen was good man; loyal, reliable. He wouldn't have defected" defended Kaido.

"I need to find him" stated Miguel.

"In time, friend. But first, if your want my help, I want to hear your terms for your proposal."

Miguel quickly ran through the list of things he'd agreed upon with Roxy before hand. Anything ranging from extortion to kidnap was discussed. Anything to make a profit.

"This all sounds so fascinating, but we are not the mob," said Madden's son. "This is a business empire. We want to elevate our status not make a quick buck. We want the city. Father, if you will, I would hear Miguel and Li hear my proposal."

"Of course, off you go" said Madden, mildly bewildered.

"The biggest opportunity in Liberty is drugs. The city has so many ways we can pass the stuff through and has manufacturing potential. De Fidio would oversee production aided by one of our managers. Yakuza could provide protection and investment and we could sell the stuff through a new chain of businesses. We could create millions. Sell the stuff across the state."

"It's been done. Columbian Cartel back a few years ago spread a drug called Spank. Major disaster" said Miguel, not liking the new turn in events.

"But your suggestion is somewhat lacking" replied Madden.

"The Yakuza shall agree to this. You have my word" said Kaido.

"Is this the only choice?" asked Miguel.

"If you want your money back, then yes" replied Madden. "You will not find Yen without us."

"Then it is a deal."

"Good. We'll draw up the plans" said Madden, nodding to Lucie. "See Mr Mayor, this is how to negotiate."

"What about Yen?" Miguel quizzed.

"In time Miguel, in time. I shall have the contracts drawn up for the day after tomorrow. Then you can have your man" said Madden.

"Thank you. If that is all?" said Miguel.

"That is all"

Miguel got up and headed for the door. Lucie followed him.

The pair headed back down the stairs and towards the car park. Lucie stopped him when he got to his car.

"Thank you for tonight. It was nice" she said.

"Pleasure's mine" said Miguel, starting the engine.

"I'm sure I'll see you when Madden had drawn up the plans."

"I'm sure. See you soon"

Miguel put the Cheetah into reverse and spun the car around, accelerating out of the car park.

Lucie stood in the dark car park cold and disheartened. She watched the tail lights disappear before she turned around. A shadow approached her, grabbing her arm. Lucie jumped.

"You should be more careful."

"Why Paul? What are you going to do?" Lucie replied. Paul Madden was an obsessive.

"Don't get too close to the enemy. His time will come. He won't get the jump on us."

"Fuck off Paul" Lucie said, snatching her arm back. She turned her back to him and ended back inside

"Remember what I said!" Paul shouted back. He grinned. All was going to plan.

x

Miguel hit the car up a gear as he sped down through the boulevard back to the hotel. Franco had chosen a small, quiet place as not to create any unwanted attention. Thing was, it was on the other side of the city.

The red Cheetah prowled stealthily down the streets of Layman easily. Miguel couldn't help be impressed. It was about the only good thing that had happened tonight. The introduction of the Yakuza was off-putting to say the least and the fact that Yen was moving on already suggested something was up. Miguel's thoughts flickered back to the night three days ago; the back alley, the people, the tension. How it had gone wrong. Miguel forced the thoughts aside and checked his mirror. A car had caught up with him. It was a black Infernus GT…

x

Conway accelerated hard up to the back of the Cheetah. Miguel had clearly noticed the car behind him because his route had suddenly taken a strange turn.

"It doesn't matter Miguel. I know where you're staying" he said to himself.

"Conway to Delta 2, target is on Harbeck Street turning into Horton Road" he said into the radio.

"Received. We're waiting."

"See you soon Miguel…"

x

Miguel pressed down on the accelerator harder, trying to loose the Infernus. He did not want to be stopped for anything. Lifting the gas, he swung the car around the corner and accelerated faster. The Infernus blasted around the corner at full speed, shaking the chassis but soon straightening up. The car was quicker.

The two cars raced around the streets, the noise deafening as the two engines fought like titans. Miguel's mind began to race. How could he get rid of the bastard? But his thoughts came too late. A mighty force suddenly hit him, inducing the car into a spin. An ear piercing sound filled the night as the tyres popped, the car spinning around in circles, hurtling into a wall. He'd been hit by a stinger, a track of nails designed to pop the tyres of a car. He'd been caught…

x

Conway pulled up behind the wrecked Cheetah, a black van pulling up on his left. Conway got out of his car and walked over to the Cheetah. He lent down and examined the inside through the window. Miguel was sat in the driver's seat, his face bloodied, his heart pounding. Two guys got out of the van, they're faces obscured by balaclavas. They formed up behind the inspector.

"Well, well. Look who it is. Late night drive?"

Miguel breathed heavily, his head was splitting.

"Silence. A wonderful thing" laughed Conway. He turned to face the guys behind him. "Put him in the van. I'll show him the price of corruption…"