Velvet Mafia

by Lydia L Watts

  “Yes, I hear you,” she said and then walked out without looking back.

  Now even more than before, Taylor was hooked. Whatever had Yeager that shaken up was something she wanted to know about and the best clue she had was Blake Jones’s brother. Taylor knew that what-ever Yeager was involved in was big and she had a front row center seat. She just had to find out what “it” was and then determine how she would use the information to better her cause. She also knew that based on Yeager’s response, the information no longer needed to be confirmed. So, now all she had to do was pay Stan and make sure he stayed in line.

  Still reeling with the information he’d just received, Yeager knew instantly the implications of what Taylor had told him. The only person who could have given Jones the picture was Devon. As Yeager sat in his chair, shaking from the revelation that Blake Jones was Yancy Laurie’s bastard child, he realized that if Devon had had the balls to keep Jones a secret, then he had probably told him everything about his membership in the Velvet Mafia. Now, everything he had worked on and all that he had become was in jeopardy.

  It didn’t take long for paranoia to set in. Suddenly Yeager had gone from being a predator to prey. Jones had taken a page out of the councilman’s own playbook and he was just sitting back and waiting for his quarry to be trapped and wedged in a corner. In one swift move, Yeager had become the animal consumed by the hue of the headlight, heart beating as if it were going to explode, knowing death was imminent, as its conqueror watched and anticipated its every move. If things played out the way they were now doing in his mind, Yeager knew that killing Jones was no longer one of many options. It had to be done.

  The only thing Yeager could do now was put his energies into Eli Edelstein. He had to turn Eli against Jones. And then … he had to get Eli to kill him. Yeager could tell Eli wanted more. For years he had watched Eli’s interaction with Jones and could see that being second didn’t always sit well. So, to keep Eli engaged, Yeager had to do what he had said he could do. And the only thing he could put on the table sweet enough to get Eli’s allegiance was to somehow take away Jones’s money, power and position, and hand it over to him.

  With no time to waste, Yeager had to move swiftly, but he still had some loose ends he had to tie up. Specifically, Devon Laurie’s fortune. Based on an old wills and trust law, he had enough evidence to petition the court as a legitimate beneficiary of the Clydesdale resources. It would be a difficult challenge, but he had case law to support his position and he knew that if that didn’t work, for the right amount, any judge could be persuaded to rule in his favor, especially if no living heir existed. With the Clydesdale fortune in his possession, he could not only control Eli, but he could also use it as a bargaining tool if he ever found himself on the wrong side of the Velvet Mafia.

  Finalizing his business with Eli was paramount and once Eli was hooked, he would then expose his entire plan, including who he really was. He had to make Eli a believer and placing him in his most intimate circle would do just that. What Eli wouldn’t know was that he, too, would become collateral damage. Once Jones was dead, he would dispose of Eli just as he had disposed of Devon, thereby leaving no loose ends.

  Yeager had an assistant cancel all his meetings and inform his entire staff that the office was closed for the rest of the day. Now that everyone was leaving, he poured himself a drink. He needed to calm down and Appleton rum was what his body was calling for — smooth enough to slow him down, but not take him out. After all, he still had work to do.

  “Hello Pam, this is councilman Yeager. I need to speak to the Chair, is he around?” “Why yes, councilman, I’ll let him know that you are holding.”

  “Hi Guy, what can I do for you?” Martin asked.

  “Hi Martin,” Yeager replied calmly. “Something has come up and I need to take a couple weeks off, but I have a special meeting coming up soon and if it’s not too much to ask, would you chair it for me? “Sure Guy, when is it?” It’s the week of the seventh. I’ll have Taylor give you the material and bring you up to speed.”

  “Okay Guy, is everything alright?” “Yeah, everything is fine. And again, thanks.”

  “No problem Guy, I’ll wait to hear from Ms. DuBois.”

  Just as Yeager picked up his drink, his door opened.

  “Hey, boss.” Taylor sensed she had startled him. “I just wanted to let you know that I got the message from Adrienne that the office was closing early. But I still have some last-minute things to finalize. I should be out of here within the next hour. I’ll let you know when I’m about to leave.”

  “Okay, Ms. DuBois,” Yeager said. “And listen, make sure you give Chairman Stanback all the material for the special hearing before you leave for the day. He has agreed to chair the meeting while I’m away.”

  “Away?” Taylor was stunned.

  “Yes, away.” He took a sip of his drink. “I have some personal business to attend to and will be out of the office for a couple of weeks. I was going to call you later this evening, but now that you’re here, I don’t have to. While I’m away, you will continue to run things as you always have.”

  “Everything?”

  “Yes, Taylor. Everything,” Yeager replied calmly. “Is there a problem?”

  Taylor didn’t respond. She simply turned toward the door and headed back to her office.

  “Why am I worried about this shit?” she said to herself as she walked down the hall. “His business can’t mean more to me than it does to him, so if he’s not concerned, why should I be? If he wants the chair to have all his dirt, why should I care? From this point on, I’m interested in one thing and one thing only, me!”

  It took Taylor longer than she had anticipated to finalize the documents for Chairman Stanback and just as she was about to walk them over to his office, Eli Edelstein appeared at the councilman’s door.

  “Hello, Taylor,” Eli said familiarly. “It’s nice seeing you again. I hope I didn’t startle you, but no one was at the front desk. Where is everybody today?”

  “No, you didn’t startle me,” Taylor said as she played her best poker face. “We closed the office early today, that’s all. Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Edelstein?”

  “No. I’m here to see the Councilman.”

  “Oh,” she said coyly. “Is he expecting you?”

  “No, but I’m sure he’ll see me once you let him know I’m here.”

  “Sure,” she said, feeling somewhat perplexed. “Why don’t you have a seat in the lobby and I’ll let him know you are here. Can I tell him what this is all about?”

  “He’ll know,” Eli replied as he unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down in the councilman’s foyer.

  Now Taylor was even more intrigued. Eli wasn’t his regular reserved and nonconfrontational self. Today, he was poised, direct and commanding.

  “Hello, Councilman,” Taylor said. “I hate to bother you —”

  “What is it, Taylor?” Yeager asked. “Did you send the material to Chairman Stanback as I asked?”

  “I was in the process of doing just that when I was interrupted by a constituent.”

  “A constituent? Well, did you tell them the office was closed for the day and they should check back tomorrow?”

  “No, sir, I didn’t get a chance. Mr. Edelstein said you would want to see him.”

  Chapter 11

  TAYLOR STAYED CLOSE to her office as long as she could, hoping to hear or see something that would let her in on what Yeager was up to with Eli Edelstein. However, Yeager was expecting her to leave and the last thing she wanted was to be accused of spying; plus she had business of her own to attend to. She had other ways to get her information.

  “Hello, Councilman,” Taylor said as she stepped into Yeager’s office after knocking. “I dropped off the material at Chairman Stanback’s office and I’ll be leaving in the next few minutes, so if you need me for anything before I go, just let me know.”

  Not expecting an answer, Taylor left. She had her own agend
a to attend to. She hadn’t heard from Stan in a few days and she was eager to find out if he had any more information for sale. Plus, she owed him money and if she wanted to keep the information flowing, she had to pay to continue to play.

  “Hey, Stan, this is Taylor again. I’ve been trying to reach you all day. I have something for you and if you want it, you can reach me at the Lavender Lounge. I should be there by six o’clock. We closed the office early today, so I decided to have dinner and a drink before I go home.”

  Taylor had taken only a few steps down the Wilson Building stairs before her phone rang.

  “Hello, Ms. Thing!” Stan said. “Oh, yeah, I forgot you’re holding that title for when you become the mayor’s chief of staff.”

  “My, what a good memory you have,” she said sarcastically. “Are you always like this, Stan?”

  “Only when the prize is big and I’m trying to get a piece of it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Well, let’s say I’ll join you at the Lavender Lounge and we can discuss my new findings — and of course, my fee — over dinner and a drink.”

  “You have more information,” she said calmly, trying to contain her excitement.

  “Honey, I have information that would make People Magazine put me on their cover. I’ll see you in about thirty minutes.”

  Taylor could not believe what she was hearing. It was a good thing she’d taken out six thousand dollars because if the information was as good as Stan had implied, she was going to have to pay the piper in order to keep it coming. She had one hundred thousand dollars of her own money to invest and so far, the information she had received was worth the six grand she was about to lay out. She also knew that after a while, Stan’s interest in a job in the mayor’s cabinet would wane. Instead, money would be his master because he loved money more than he loved a title and the pomp and circumstance that went with it. Money was free from any act of pretentiousness; it was the real deal.

  Yeager had not expected to see Eli at his office door; it had been a power play on Edelstein’s part. The question was ‘why’. What did Eli have to tell him that was so important he would waltz into his office uninvited? Whatever it was, Yeager was about to find out.

  “Well, well, well, Eli, this is a surprise.” Yeager gestured for Eli to come in. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon. In fact, I could have sworn I said I would call you regarding our next rendezvous. So, tell me, friend, what brings you to my office today?”

  “That’s true, Councilman,” Eli said with a hint of sarcasm. “But since you didn’t, I took it upon myself to reach out to you. In some circles, I’m known for being a little impatient.

  “Yes, I see friend.” Yeager said. “I see.”

  “If you don’t mind councilman, I would refer that you refrain from calling me your friend. This is a business relationship. I have something for you and you have something for me.”

  “I see.” Yeager sat down at his desk. “Please have a seat, Mr. Edelstein. Can I get you something to drink?”

  The last thing Yeager was going to do was let Edelstein throw him off his block. He’d already had one hit today and he was not going to let this nobody waltz into his office, flexing, without giving up some-thing of value.

  “I’m here because I have something for you.”

  “Obviously,” Yeager replied. “So, tell me. What could you possibly have for me, Mr. Edelstein?”

  “I have a plan that will screw Blake out of a huge deal and make you the most powerful man in DC. In fact, if you have your eye on the mayoral seat, this deal will make you an automatic shoo-in.”

  Yeager took a moment to absorb everything Edelstein had laid out on the table. He also had to take in Edelstein’s new demeanor. From his tone to his look, Edelstein had evolved right in front of him. Yeager was used to Blake wearing the tailor-made suits, handmade ties of the finest Chinese brocade silk and sporting the top-of-the-line Rolex Yacht-Master II watch. But now it was Edelstein.

  “Well, Mr. Edelstein, if what you have can accomplish all that, I am all ears.”

  “I thought you would be. But, before I give you what it is you want, why don’t you fill me in on what it is you can do for me.”

  “That’s simple,” Yeager replied. “I can give you Blake Jones’s life. His money, his power, his influence.”

  Edelstein didn’t budge. However, internally he was asking himself how Yeager could eliminate Blake, steal his existence and give it all to him. “That’s interesting,” Edelstein said. “I would love to hear more.”

  Yeager knew he had Eli’s attention, but he also knew he wasn’t about to give up any more until Edelstein laid out his entire plan.

  “In time,” Yeager said, taking control of the situation. “In due time. Remember, you are here to show me that you can deliver. If you don’t have a plan, Mr. Edelstein — one that captures my attention — then, as you said to me at our last meeting, there is no deal and this conversation is over.”

  “Well, Councilman, my plan is rather simple. Are you aware of the K Street bungalow property?”

  “Of course. Who isn’t aware of that property? Why?”

  “Blake Jones is trying to purchase the property as we speak. If he does, he will be the wealthiest independent landowner in the District.”

  “I’m still not following you, Mr. Edelstein. You have to make me understand why this is so revolutionary and how this will benefit me.”

  “Okay, let me start over. Blake is making his power move to be mayor. Once he purchases the K Street property, he will own the land, mineral and air rights. Once he purchases the bungalow, he is going to redevelop the surrounding area. He will then be able to go on record showing he can create additional revenue for the District through the rights associated with the property.

  “However, if you move to make the property a historical landmark, you will thwart his plans, surely sealing your position as the interim mayor and be in a better position to secure the position of mayor at election time as well as, use the rights to the property as you deem fit. Hell, you might even find out who Blake’s benefactors are. But, if Blake goes through with his plan, he is sure to get the nod for mayor. So, if you beat him to the punch, you will not only get the benefits of sticking it to Blake Jones, but you will also be able to screw over another adversary of yours.”

  “Oh, really? And who might that be?” Yeager asked, leaning into his desk.

  “Councilman Grey Jeffries. Now that Jeffries has been indicted, he will have to step down and relinquish some of his most coveted committees — including the Committee on Economic Development. As you know, this committee will oversee the historical preservation status of the K Street property. If you take over the committee, you’ll be able to move forward on the status without having to defer to or share the power with Jeffries. You need everything you can get to strengthen your chance at becoming the interim mayor, a position you must assume if you have any real chance at becoming the nation’s first openly gay mayor.”

  As much as Yeager didn’t want to admit it, Eli was right. Not everyone was in his pocket, so he needed an advantage, something that placed him out front over the other contenders.

  “Your plan is very interesting and I can see where you’re going with it. So, tell me. How much is the K Street property worth?”

  “With all the rights associated with it, it’s estimated to be worth anywhere from $350 million to upwards of $1 billion.”

  “Are you telling me Blake Jones has that kind of capital?” Yeager yelled, unintentionally exposing his envy.

  “Easily!” Eli said smiling. “Blake has to be worth several billion dollars.”

  Yeager turned beet red. He despised Blake’s wealth and influence, and now he was more determined than ever to find out what had happened to the Clydesdale fortune. But, before he could do that, he had to test Eli one more time. The information Eli brought to the table had merit and Yeager knew it would work. But, the real test was to de
termine how much Eli wanted to be number one and whether he would kill for it if he had to.

  “The information you’ve provided has merit, Mr. Edelstein.” Yeager stood up from his desk and walked over to where Edelstein was sitting. “But, right now, I don’t have time to discuss it any further; I have somewhere else I have to be. Surely you must understand, if I had known you were dropping by, I would have changed my schedule. I’ll call you later in the week as originally planned. But, right now, I must go.”

  Dismissing Eli felt good and Yeager didn’t mind showing it.

  “I see,” Eli said, as he casually checked his watch, got up, buttoned his jacket and walked out of Yeager’s office. He knew Yeager was trying to pull a power play, but the stakes were too high for him to let on. There would be another time.

  Eli now had no doubt in his mind that Yeager had broken the rules of the order. But he needed to be patient. He still needed to know exactly what Yeager had done. So, until then, he had to tread lightly and wait.

  Taylor arrived at the Lavender Lounge to find, much to her surprise, only a few people were dining in. The economy was taking its toll, but supper clubs like the Lavender Lounge were establishments rooted in history, entertainment and fine cuisine. So she was puzzled to see that things were so slow.

  By the time she had taken off her jacket and been escorted to her table, Stan had arrived. She could tell by the mischievous smile on his face he was a man with something to gloat about.

  “Perfect timing,” she said. “I just got here.”

  “I know,” Stan replied as he towered over her. “I was pulling up when you were parking. This place is fabulous, isn’t it? I come here a lot. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is to die for. Plus, you never know who you will see. As a journalist, that’s what makes this a great place.”

  “I love it here, too,” she replied as she watched Stan remove his jacket and delicately fold and place it on the seat next to him. “Unfortunately, I just don’t get out and dine as much as I would like. By the time I leave chambers, I am exhausted. So, since this is obviously a place you frequent, what’s good on the menu?”