The red alleyway had been closed off at either end until finally the Wizards arrived. Commander Sir Samuel Vimes greeted them, "About bloody time! Can you clean this up before it spreads?"
"Well," Ponder Stibbons nervously responded, "it may take a little while..."
"Which we don't have. Listen; have you any idea as to what this Dazzle is up to? Are we going to be seeing more of this?"
The Chair of Indefinite Studies answered, "Quite possibly...it is a very nice shade of red though."
Vimes rolled his eyes, "Well red is definitely the colour I am seeing right now. Concentrate on clearing this mess up and if you happen to come up with any theories, do let me know."
As the Commander stalked off the Wizards coaxed Doreen the cat into an Octiron cage with a sardine. She stopped walking round in little circles and meowing and sat purring happily, curling her red tail around herself as she chomped on the treat. Yes, she would be looked after well.
###
The Royal Bank of Ankh-Morpork was impressive in every sense of the word. Climbing up the stone steps and entering the building one sensed it was a place of worship. A shrine to all that is monetary. But for all its grandeur, Lily simply felt cornered and desperate. If she couldn't get the money she needed it would all be over. There was no way she would be returning to the Flach Estate, none at all.
Otto sensed her trepidation, "Okay, so I haff a plan and it means you von't need to borrow a penny."
"You're not planning a robbery are you?" she eyed him warily.
"Nope," he smiled, "nuzzink nefarious, all abuff board." He led her to the comfy leather seating near the main desks, "Vait here a minute." He approached the counter where a clerk immediately saw to him. There was a queue, but when a vampire needed attention, they got it. The clerk disappeared and Otto turned to smile at Lily who returned it somewhat nervously.
The clerk reappeared and Otto gestured for Lily to come along. They were lead through the bank, up a grand staircase and eventually to a beautifully gilt door. The clerk knocked ceremoniously and a voice within called, "Enter!" and they did. Inside was the plush office of the Head of the Bank and at his desk with his feet up sat Moist Von Lipwig.
"Mr Chriek! Good to see you, Otto." Moist uttered most welcomingly, lowering his feet and getting up to shake his customer's hand, "and this is?" looking towards Lily.
"Miss Lily Ann Flach, my partner." Otto answered.
Lily flushed red, "Um? What?" she mumbled toward the vampire as Lipwig took her hand.
"Business partner," Otto clarified, which still left Lily looking somewhat bewildered. They both sat in front of Lipwig's desk. Moist retook his seat, steepled his fingers and read the pair of them like a book. "So what exactly is it that you need from me Mr Chriek?" he shuffled some papers meaningfully, "I see you have a very healthy bank account here."
"I haff very little in zer way of expenses so my coffers are as zey say, firmly in zer black." then to business, "I am needink to make a few transfers however. Ve are openink a store in just few days and ve haff some unforeseen outgoinks. Also, vile ve are at it, ve vish to speak viz your legal advisers regardink an illegal hold on Miss Flach's own funds."
"The Iconography store, yes I did see the story in the Times a few days ago. Well, I'm sure we can arrange something..."
"Today, if you don't mind. Matters are rather pressink."
Lily looked on in amazement; a little thrown by all the we's when up until now the business was very much me, myself and I. "Mr Von Lipwig, could I possibly have a moment to discuss something with Mr Chriek?"
Moist nodded, "Of course," gesturing towards the anteroom, "take all the time you need." It didn't take a genius to realise this was all news to Miss Flach, but he got the impression that it wasn't going to be a problem. The moment they left he called for his head business manager who would be ready for them in the next ten minutes.
###
"Otto, are you quite sure about this?" she began the moment they closed the door.
"I told you, you're a racink certainty. Besides, you need zer money, I haff zer money, I am probably never goink to spend zer money and vonce ve deal viz your bruzzer you can alvays pay me back." he paused, then softer, "But I vould very much like to be your business partner. Vot you haff created is nuzzink short of amazink and I vant to be a part of it."
"But we've only just met..." she sighed, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but it's such a big commitment."
"So vot if ve are newly met! I'm not goink anyvere. Are you? Besides I zink you vill be makink money hand over fist, it's a good investment and in a business that I am most interested in." lastly, "Ve draw up a proper contract, I haff shares, votever it is you vant as long as you succeed. Let me help."
Lily bit her lip. It did all make sense and she couldn't think of anyone else she would want to share her business with. She was in a bind, yes, but when she finally nodded and said, "Ok...partner." it was her free choice and not simply for convenience.