Chapter 3

Artemis leaned his head on his hand, an expression of not-so-long-suffering patience on his pale features. "This is hardly stimulating, Butler," he muttered to his bodyguard, looking more and more like a disinterested corpse with every passing minute.

The huge man sitting next to Artemis at the Fowl dining room table didn't stop his vigilant observation of the ten-odd suited guests training their gazes on Artemis Senior. "I realize that upgrading security protocol is not your forte, Artemis."

"It isn't that at all," the boy protested sourly. "Were I to invest my energies in such matters I would excel, as you well know, beyond the top security corporations in Europe."

"With, of course, the help of fairy technology."

"Genius needs no technology but that which it invents," Artemis smiled, a look of bliss at his own intelligence crossing his face. "But of course, mind over matter hardly applies to synthesizing microchips out of thin air."

Butler's hard eyes flicked back and forth over the room's occupants. "We can leave if you want. I doubt your father or any of his associates could teach you much about laser sensors."

Artemis' expression became vague. "No," he said absently, "they probably couldn't." I've worked with creatures who consider a laser gun part of their daily lives. This is becoming absolutely ridiculous.

He glanced up and caught his father's eye. The corners of the man's mouth moved up slightly. He guessed what his son was thinking and inclined his head inconspicuously toward the door. Artemis pushed back his chair. "Father, if I may be so rude as to interrupt for one moment, I believe that I should be attending to a few more important projects at this time. I am fully aware that I cannot contribute in a meaningful way to this discussion of the Manor grounds." Seeing as no one is asking for my opinion.

Artemis Senior nodded graciously. "Though I'm sure you could, feel free to come and go as you want."

"Thank you," Artemis murmured. He left the room with Butler close at his heels and headed for his computer lab.

He had barely spent five minutes on his computer when a knock at the door brought his head up sharply. "Who is it?" he asked irritably, swivelling in his chair.

It was a slim man who had been sitting next to him at the table, a bright mind apparently, dressed in a navy blue suit and balding at the temples. Or it would have been him, had he not been blotted out by Butler. "Master Fowl is not disposed at the moment," the titanic bodyguard growled. "At least he isn't until you receive further notice to that effect."

The security expert's voice was calm, yet possessed of an edge that made Artemis' blood race. It was the voice of a man determined to seize the abnormal and make it work. "Master Fowl? Is Mister Artemis Senior accustomed to having his son addressed by that title?"

"My father," Artemis said curtly, rising from his chair, "is accustomed to having his son addressed directly, whatever else is customary in his household." He smirked. "And yes, you have found Master Fowl, since I was not previously aware that I resembled a Mister Fowl, and will not abide being addressed familiarly by a perfect stranger." He plucked a piece of lint from his jacket. "But to avoid any confusion and preserve my father's superiority, you may refer to me as Master Artemis."

Butler stepped aside at a motion from Artemis, though he kept rigidly on guard. The intruder's face was fascinated as he gazed at the young Irish boy. "This will be quite an honour, Master Artemis. Your father called a recess. My name is Richard Clifford, but you may call me Rich. I was told that no one rivalled you for perfectionist business deals. No doubt this is true."

Artemis concealed his turmoil beneath a flawless facial veneer of conceit. "No doubt this was true. Master Fowl does not permit illicit activity in Fowl Manor any longer. A year ago you would have been welcomed with open arms, for the right offer of business, of course; but things have changed considerably since then." He waited. "Does that leave you any questions?"

"Just one." Rich stepped closer, his eyes glittering. "Does that change extend to yourself?"

Artemis turned away, sweating suddenly. Could the man have come up with anything that more exactly described his inner battle? "Well, Mister Rich, you may then ask yourself this question: would you permit a change in your household to be subject to the arbitrary whims of individual members?"

"All my household members are dead," Rich said flatly. Artemis rolled his eyes. Of course. Why not? The man probably ate his relatives for breakfast.

He cleared his throat. "However that unfortunate tragedy may have come about, I am not prepared as of now to repeal my father's orders." He paused. "Though I am always interested to know what is transpiring in the criminal world."

Rich laughed and leaned against the wall. Butler squinted at him menacingly. The smaller man pretended not to notice. "In short, Master Artemis, I am the top security corporations in Europe."

Artemis stared at him without speaking, then licked his lips quickly. "Yes, indeed, sir. I feared that my statement at the conference table was ill-advised. You provide security companies across the world with their sharpest personnel, don't you?" He turned to Butler. "Doesn't he?"

"That was what Master Fowl intimated to the conference, yes."

"And of course you recognize him."

Butler grimaced. He couldn't hide what was by now the obvious truth to Artemis: his varied past held a lot of dubious contacts.

Artemis nodded, satisfied. "What you want, Mister Rich, is no mystery to me. You know my mind is powerful. You know my criminal past. You know my many talents."

"I know your other-worldly contacts," agreed the well-dressed man genially.

Artemis reared back, an unusual manifestation of shock for him. His pale face whitened. "What do you know?"

Butler had Rich by one arm and was slowly squeezing. The man closed his eyes against the pain. "I know one guy. About three foot one, wings, green skin. He's giving me the opportunity of a lifetime in the security business. I bet you could never guess what it is if I let you."

Artemis' features went cold. "I bet you wouldn't survive five minutes if you made me."

Rich chuckled. "I'm not planning to try. The thing is, Master Artemis, you're brilliant. And even more than that, you know the ropes of this world. My contact assured me of that, and your, eh, suspiciously foggy but blatantly illegal reputation backs it up." He leaned closer and lowered his voice to confidential tones. "Frankly, I have no idea what I'm doing, and I need someone to guide me through this business deal so that I don't come out on the losing end. What experience do I have with little green men?" He winked. "The profits would be huge. Imagine, Master Artemis: hunks of gold dropping into the Fowl family fortune...first dibs on revolutionary security patents for your father...a chance at one day taking over the security of Europe..." The look on his face was tantalizing. Bribery was the keyword here.

Artemis shook his head. It was all coming too fast. He knew he could do it. He knew that he could steer Rich into whatever venture he had going. He had never been more positive in his life than he was now at fourteen that he could manipulate Rich's company connections right into his own hands. And gold...Gold was still the one thing that would for certain save the family fortune. He couldn't risk future financial failure; he couldn't stand the thought of once again ending up where he had been after his father disappeared.

And yet...

He fish-eyed Rich. "Sell it to me in small words. What's the basic deal?"

Rich massaged his arm as Butler released it. "At its most basic? Little green man gives me some kind of amazing technology, including next century's bodyguards, and I give him protection and a criminal base." He spread his hands. "Difficult?"

"Not really," admitted Artemis. "I suppose that sounds logical."

Butler started to open his mouth, but Artemis silenced him with a wave. "You want to explain my role, Mister Rich?"

The man smiled. "I thought I did. I need you as a consultant of sorts, kind of like a lawyer. Tell me what's bogus, whisper the rules in my ear every so often, figure out solutions to the tricky stuff. Get away clear in the end with an armload of goodies."

"So, like a partnership," Artemis said slowly.

Rich nodded. "Exactly like a partnership."

Artemis took a deep breath. "What are you planning in terms of future contact with these creatures?"

"Nothing beyond this one guy and his bodyguard idea."

"And what will you give me to assure me that you're not going to do a deserting act?"

"Tell your father to check his account balance. I believe you'll find that it has increased significantly."

Artemis chewed his lip briefly. "Not bad, Mister Rich," he said at last. "You anticipated me. I would like to meet your contact as soon as possible. Of course, I choose the location."

Rich nodded. "Standard trust procedure. Very good. How about I meet with you after the conference and discuss the details of our agreement? Surely Master Fowl can be made to believe that I am simply engaging you in innocent conversation as a fascinating protégée."

Artemis pointed to the computer room door. "Leave that to me. Beware of betraying me, Mister Rich; Butler doesn't take that kind of thing well."

Butler cracked his knuckles right on cue.

Rich headed for the exit. "This is going to be extremely interesting, Master Artemis. I look forward to business with you immensely." He bowed his head slightly. "I will see you after the meeting."

He left without further ado.

Butler couldn't stop himself any longer. "Artemis, how could you? Partnering with a human criminal and some fairy goon against the People! Think of Holly. What if she gets involved in this? What if she finds you out?"

Artemis was a bit stuck on one portion of his bodyguard's rant. "What about Holly? What about her?" he shouted, uncharacteristically emotional. "I spend a year trying to forget about her, and apparently you haven't made any effort whatsoever!"

"But, Artemis..."

"Butler, did it ever occur to you that perhaps I am joining forces with Rich for my own conniving purposes?" Artemis asked with feigned patience, muscles twitching.

"Did it occur to me? Did it occur to me that there was any other reason?"

"Then trust me," Artemis said more softly. "If I worm into Rich's confidence, I can find out what his plan is and maybe warn the People. Are you averse to that?"

Butler had nothing to say.

"Very well, then, old friend. Imagine this scenario: I obtain highly confidential information, inform the LEP, save the People from possible disaster – again, maybe get a toehold on Rich's successes with security, renew contact with the People however briefly, exercise my brain in another harrowing intellectual adventure, and get paid to do the whole thing." He grinned, revealing his signature vampire teeth. "It's perfection itself. I even get to increase the Fowl fortune."

Butler stared at the boy pityingly. "Are you sure that's the ultimate benefit you're thinking of? Root was absolute about cutting you off from the People, Artemis. He already took away our memories of fairy locations. I just can't see him letting you reconnect old ties with fairies." He laid a hand on Artemis' shoulder. "I know how much you miss that life. How much you miss Holly. I'm sorry."

Artemis walked away to the window and leaned against it. Tears threatened his icy demeanour, but he quickly conquered the impulse. "Anything is possible, Butler."

Butler started. "Artemis, what happened to logic?"

Artemis jerked in surprise. "Did I just say 'possible'? I meant to say 'better than boredom'. Better than boredom, that's it."

He looked out at the Manor grounds miserably. A Freudian slip, one that had revealed his wishful thinking, had just popped out most unexpectedly. And it was only the beginning of the game. He'd better shape up, or he'd be in no condition to save the world. And that would be terrible for his record.