A/N: Hi! I am so sorry for the long wait! I know I've been gone for a while, but I intend to start writing again. I'd like to thank all my reviewers . I'm going to try to update every 1 or 2 weeks! So…
Enjoy!
Right In Front of Her Nose Chapter 5
Artemis and Butler were waiting in a London bookstore, just a few minutes' walk from the Thames. They had chosen to meet their contact here, discreetly. The last time he had had a restaurant meeting it had ended…poorly… so Artemis had developed an aversion to restaurants for business meetings.
Artemis looked at his coffee with distaste. "Really Butler? People call this sludge coffee? Its terrible." Artemis was not happy.
Butler didn't respond as he was checking to make sure that they were safe. Ever since the demoralizing meeting with Jon Spiro he had tightened up his security for business meetings.
Artemis looked back at his blueprint. He hadn't really expected Butler to respond, anyway.
After a few moments, Butler spoke. "Artemis, I think our contact is here," he said, nodding his head in the direction of a short man walking their way with a briefcase.
With a few purposeful steps the man reached Artemis and took a chair at their table.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Roberts. As you know, I am Master Fowl and this is Butler. Shall we get right to business?" Artemis addressed the man.
"Of course, Master Fowl," asked Mr. Roberts, dreadfully aware of the situations the enemies of this boy had been thrown into. And little did he know what the boy had done to his less-human enemies.
"Now, I want to make sure that you, and your 'associates,' remember that the patent is still mine. I am simply allowing you to manufacture and distribute the device. I will be keeping the patent, and I will be able to revoke your manufacturing license at any time."
"If you don't mind my asking, sir, how exactly did you acquire a patent for a… sub-legal… device?" asked Mr. Roberts.
"I patented through a service in Switzerland, as a government device for field agents."
"And how long is it, Mr. Fowl, until the patent becomes known as false?"
"Never, Mr. Roberts. I don't make mistakes." The implication that he had made a mistake sent chills running up Artemis's back.
The "device" or "product" the two men discussed was called the De-Authenticator. The purpose of the De-Authenticator was make a temporary fake identity, complete with papers you could print out of it, and to list a directory of quality forgers to create long term papers. The papers were useful in the event of a mandatory, speedy escape, and wouldn't be recognized as fakes unless they were examined by the crème de la crème of Customs Inspectors. Artemis was certain that this would be legendary device in the upper criminal echelon.
"Exactly what percent equity would we receive?" asked Mr. Roberts.
"There will be no equity, but I thought that forty percent of the total gross would be fair, seeing as it is my patent and all you can do is manufacture it for me. Remember, I could form my own company to do it at the drop of a hat if I wanted to." Artemis was skilled at making these types of responses: all business, to the point, but containing slight threats.
"I assure you, that would not be necessary. We will happily take your deal. No need to run off and start your own business," remarked Mr. Roberts with a slight smile.
Now Artemis was wondering about this: Why did he give in to forty percent so easily? As a test to bravery, and a chance to see how much the company needed to manufacture the property. In fact, often he would set a single-digit percentage just to watch the reaction, and the dire attempt to raise it higher. Whether or not a person will argue with Artemis is a sign of how brave, or desperate, they are. It seemed as if Mr. Roberts must have been too scared to argue above forty percent, but forty percent of this device will make millions in revenue. But he is smiling so happily… he had even proposed forty-nine percent over the phone, and yet he is content with forty?
I am Artemis Fowl. Frown or look scared for heaven's sake! he thought. I hope I'm not losing my touch. This is an enigma.
That, along with his subconscious being slightly unnerved (he wouldn't allow himself to even think about him being scared) made him frown.
"Well, I have all the documents drawn up already. Why don't we arrange to meet at Meney Industries on Monday? Its only two days away, but it should give you plenty of time to arrange and prepare anything you need"
"Why don't we just sign them here. I'm perfectly prepared. Or we could just meet in another bookstore near by. It wouldn't be good to seen in the same place, though. It might make it easy to trace me." Remarked Artemis.
"I didn't actually bring the documents. Besides, I prefer to have the documents kept in a secure place and near by where they need to be stored so that nothing happens." said Mr. Roberts, with the smile of a deceiver.
His logic is all right, but I can't help but thinking that he has "forgot" to mention some reasons, thought Artemis.
"Fine. I'll see you then. I have something I need to take care of… "Artemis dismissed him.
Good. Now I'm in control. I just have to stay there, he thought as he walked out with Butler.
-o0o-
Later at Fowl Manor
"Butler?" asked Artemis. He was sitting in his desk. However, instead of working he was sketching absentmindedly. He looked at what he had just drawn: a pointed ear that looked just like Holly's. Yes, he could recognize Holly's ear from Trouble or any other elf. After all, he was naturally very observant.
"Yes?" Butler was slightly annoyed with Artemis. Hadn't he promised to on the straight and narrow or at least stop doing things very illegal. While, the actual business meetings were completely legal, the company he was selling to and his product where anything but. Butler would not support Artemis when Holly found out. That is, if she found out. Artemis was adamant that she wouldn't, but Butler was sure she would. Artemis had rubbed off on her too much.
"Do you think there is something off with this company?" asked Artemis.
"Yes, they sell illegal things. Isn't that enough." Butler curtly replied.
Artemis gave him a look. "I'm serious. Something's odd."
"Then don't go through with the deal. Its as simple as that." Retorted Butler.
"I can't do that! This is a huge deal and you know how delicate our finances are. I've managed to transfer what hasn't disappeared to a safer vault, but I need this money to replenish it."
"There are other ways to do that Artemis. Think of how disappointed Holly will be." Butler said, trying to guilt Artemis.
Artemis ignored that. He had though about Holly's reaction too much already.
"Well, what's done is done." Artemis said briskly. "And I'm not stopping the deal," he added as an afterthought.
A/N: bad choice Artemis…. And I'm sure Holly will find out. Remember, I am always glad to hear your suggestions for the story and how to be a better writer. No flaming please! My beta (Sig Sauer) really, really helped. Seriously, this chapter is so much more amazing after he looked over it. I had no idea how to write a business scene so I'm glad for his help with that! Please review!