That little incident with the reporter early in the morning was a sign that all hell was about to break loose. Tension between the Albern police and the Wayte Security agency was high from the beginning and getting worse as the show went on. The incident with the reporter really pissed off chief Randal who had to take a few hours off in order to calm down. After Randal left Nashton Wayte told Valmont to have a staff meeting, a private meeting that included only the core team members.
So Valmont, Alfred, Francois, Nashton, and Jocasta meet in Valmont's private office on the third floor instead of the meeting room. The third floor office is one of the few places in the house with out cameras or listening devices of any kind.
Valmont takes a seat down on the couch next to Francois who is still wide awake. Jocasta is standing next to the right wall leaning on his cane. He has something he wants to say but Wayte goes first. “I am glad you called this meeting Wayte.” The old professor says, “As I have an item to discuss in private. Though Val may make me repeat it on camera. It's a juicy piece of information.”
“All in good time.” Wayte says, he then looks at Alfred who is aware of the same problem he's here to deal with. “But we have something else to discuss first. Valmont what is your problem?”
“My problem?” Valmont asks surprised.
Alfred shakes his head in disappointment, “He really does not see it?” He mutters to himself. “The way you portray your character in your shows. It's getting out of hand.”
Valmont frowns, “Oh that. The show Valmont has always been an ego centric smug jerk. It's an exaggeration of the real me.”
“Yeah and it works.” Nash says, “Or should I say it worked, past tense. You have been upping the attitude, upping the ego, especially in this show. I know you want people to hate Valmont, and that is fine but now is different. Now it seems like you hate Valmont. He's still you.”
“I know.” Valmont closes his eyes, “I do hate that Valmont.”
“Maybe it's yourself you actually hate Val, maybe you keep upping the dick behavior of the show's Valmont in a self destructive hatred toward yourself.” Nash says as a fact. That is why Wayte brought this up rather then Alfred. “I think you blame yourself for what happened to your wife.”
“Yes.. No. I don't know.” He looks at Francois, “I blame Francois for bringing me into this world but I blame myself for accepting his deal. If I hate myself for anything and Its that I would accept his deal even if I knew this would happen ahead of time.” Valmont looks over at Francois, “These legitimate monster hunters have waged a war against demons and creatures of the night for hundreds of years and their families were never targeted. Then I come in treat it like a game. I draw attention to myself and tip the balance and suddenly I am the target of demonic assassinations.” As he is saying this his whole team nods in agreement. “So yes maybe I'm a bit self destructive and self loathing. I don't see how I'm going too far.”
Alfred does everything he can to stay calm, “You don't? How dense can you be? Your actions around Randal have been just plain stupid.”
“I'm trying to keep things interesting until Thanatos shows his face.” Valmont responds denying the truth. “I know Randal hates me, I don't like that man ether and I'm playing it up.”
Alfred is about to say something but Nash cuts in ahead of him, “Which is dumb. Especially since Vincent Randal does not know it's an act. Valmont you have to realize that Randal believes your show personality is the real you. That's part of the reason why he does not like you. He believes your a smug jackass who turned his town upside down.”
Valmont is well aware of this, “I seem to have that effect with what ever I do and where ever I go. I change things. Local authorities never seem to like me. Jocasta says it's a type of psychic power I don't realize I have. Honestly I think he's right.”
The old man who has stayed out of the conversation for far nods, “Yes, yes, you have a presence, what people call charisma. But it's much more then that.” Jocasta mutters.
“It makes some people hate me as much as others like me. It's a double edged sword. Yes I think I hate myself, yes I blame myself and yes I am intentionally at odds with Randal. I will try to tone it down.”
Francois nods his head, “It is a war that I am fighting and I have no problem dragging others into my war. Especially not you Valmont. You have admitted it. You made a mockery out of my profession. It was always a private war, them vs us. If we lost our families and humanity would be in trouble. You see it benefited the supernatural side for our conflict to be in the shadows. That's why they liked you when your show was fake.”
“Yes I know this.” Valmont responds. “We have discussed this before.”
“I know but it is important to discuss it again now.” Francois states, “They loved it when your show was fake and made a joke out of real monster hunters but when you became a real one yourself. You altered the balance of power and well they want to make an example of you. What's funny is no other Monster Hunter will come to your aid because they all hate you.”
“Which is why I added you to my show. I'm hoping with this revelation would open the doors to other hunters. While I'm sure most of them had a feeling I was legitimate and had you as a private partner they probably denied it to themselves. Now that the truth is out they know I'm an ally.”
“Yes but it's not that simple.” Francois says calmly, “There is a matter of pride, accepting you at this point would be hard for any prideful individual to do. Also it is a business. It was good for their business that I retired yet bad for their business when you started doing my job. Also there is jealousy to it. That much you have always been right about.” There Francois has reached his point. “The big problem is you are too successful.”
Valmont already knows this, his stage persona loves shoving that in his audience’s face. “Isn't it great.” Valmont mutters out of his breath but he dare not say it out loud, “But there is nothing we can do to change that now.” Everyone in the room nods in agreement.
There is silence for a couple seconds when Jocasta taps his cane on the floor, “Ahum I take it your done.” He says to everyone. “While this discussion is important I have something I would like to bring up. We have to be on our guard.”
The other four look at each other and then back at the old man, they are aware of his feelings, of his sixth sense. “A feeling?” Valmont asks.
“Yes a very strong feeling. Thanatos will make his presence known with in the next day. I want to say sometime tonight but it might be early tomorrow morning.” The old man frowns and speaks up before the obvious question is asked. “No I don't have details. You know I have no true precognition abilities. I don't know or see the future. I simply get feelings that are based on my extensive experience with the supernatural.”
“We would not insult you like that old friend.” Valmont begins. “So I take it that's all?”
Everyone in the room looks around and nods, “That's it Val.” Alfred says, “Take it from a friend, tone it down a bit.”
“I don't think I can.” Valmont says as he walks out of the office, “There is no toning it down now, there is no going back.” Valmont says somberly and to himself. He then turns around and looks at his partners, “However I have some planning to do. I want to make this show as safe as possible. I want Thanatos dead or taken down with as little casualties as possible.”
Valmont points to Alfred, “Get the Lighting, sound and camera crew ready for this afternoon. We go live at Six PM and re will remain live until Thanatos goes down. Also get a narration ready for when you go live.”
Alfred nods his head, it is his basic workload, he tends to be the one in charge of just about everything and without Cole to take up half his load he has to work double right now. “On it sir.”
Valmont then looks at Nashton, “Get your security team together and brief them. Double the security I want two of your men for every one of Randal's.”
“The chief won't like that.” Nash responds.<
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“He can deal with it. Speaking of him get that done before he returns and then brief him and his officers when he does. When Randal returns he does not leave your sight.”
“Sure thing boss.” Nash says he is already seeing Randal's pissed off response.
Valmont is feeling like himself again, no more self pity, no more feeling bad about himself. Now is the time to get ready for the show. To entertain and to protect. He looks over to Jocasta, “How are you feeling old friend? Are you up to this?”
“I'm still in it for today anyway. Hey you vindicated me Valmont, you helped me prove what I always knew was true. What do you need from me.”
“I would like you to join the kids in the museum’s basement.”
“Wait what?” The old man has never hide from a fight before and would gladly give his life for Sharp's show. “Why?”
“Just a feeling. I don't believe the kids are safe.” Valmont moves closer to Yosif and speaks softy. “If anyone would understand that it would be you. I would feel safer if you were with them. Besides your the only one who can use the back entrance.”
The old man nods, the least he can do is trust Val's feelings since Valmont trusts his. “All right sir I'm on it. And thanks.” Jocasta shakes Valmont's hand and leaves.
The whole team leaves with Francois being the last one out, he looks at Valmont by the door, “Anything you want me to do?”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better then I have in years.” Frances says stretching, “I feel a bit sore and I know it will get worse but I should be near my prime for another eighteen hours or so. I hope.”
“I do too Francois last think I need is for you to hit a sleeping spell when the action begins. I need your expertize now more then ever.”
At the same time Victor Randal is at the Albern police station, he is in his office is working on getting some personal things done. He needed a break from Valmont Sharp, there is only so much of that ego he can take, “Damn him.” He mutters to himself. Victor has some plans of his own, he talked to that reporter Willis for a little while before letting him walk. He wanted to see what the man knew, not much. “Sigh I will put that on the back burner.” Victor then calls to the front desk, “Send officer Jefferies to my office.”
“Yes sir,” His secretary answers.
A young officer about twenty one years old with short spiky blond hair and green eyes walks in. Jefferies was not officially assigned to the Sharp show but Victor thinks he might have some use for the eager young officer. “Yes sir?”
Randal like's Jefferies, he is a bit of a brown noser but that's not a bad thing it means he will do just about anything for him. The kid wants to move up quickly and works closely with the chief for that reason. “How goes your assignment?” The kid has investigating the whole grounds in secret. He tends to blend in to his surroundings and is ignored. What's one extra officer that just seems to be there?
“The kids are not in the manor but there is something strange sir.”
“And what's that?”
“You know how the museum is closed and outside the standard patrol no one watches the place?” The kid says in a calm manner.
“Yes.”
“Well sir I could have sworn I saw a security detail stationed in the museum and that they are all members of Wayte's Private security team.”
“I see.” Randal often wondered if there was something important about that museum and if that was why it was the only place off limits to him and his officers. Randal stands and heads to the door. “Jefferies we are returning to the manor. There I would like for you to watch the museum, keep an eye on this security detail and do what you do best, don't get caught.”
“Yes sir.” The eager young officer says as he follows the elder officer out.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter Page 29