“I do indeed Thomas. I love what we are doing. Like you said though, if we let any harm come to the young bloods, we lose everything.”
“We will just have to make sure we do not let it happen then my friend,” Connor agreed. “I need to go to the bank, and transfer some funds into a business account, we can both write checks off of. We will also need some credit cards for expense accounts, and a couple of debit cards. Think you can handle a little more high finance?”
“Oh man, I am living my dream. Lead on, and while we are at it, we need a car we can drive around in,” Nate informed him.
“Something comfortable?”
“Yea,” Nate agreed. “I need some room. How about an advance on my salary Thomas?”
“You got it. By the time I transfer the funds, you will be able to write a check for whatever you want. We will still have time for them to check on the funds at the car lot. What do you have in mind?”
“I want one of those big Lincoln Town Cars,” Nate said dreamily.
“Oh yeah, your big ass should be comfortable enough in that,” Connor laughed. “Let’s get to the bank, and then it will be on to the car lot.”
In the next hour, Connor set up the business checking account, debit cards, and credit line in both of their names. He and Nate met, and talked to an assistant bank manager, who promised to have their call from the dealership transferred directly to him. Connor explained that rather large sums of money would be transferred into the account from investors. Both men returned to the car with debit cards. The credit cards would be mailed to the business in one week, along with their checks.
“Do you want to stay at the Center tonight Nate, or are you going home to Claire?”
“Depends on whether you buy me a Lincoln Town Car or not Bwana.”
Connor laughed. “You have picked out the model already Nate?”
“Man, I saw one the other day, all black and chrome. The new 2001 has a grill on the front like a Rolls.”
“So, you want to run on home in it to impress Claire and Nate junior, huh?”
“That covers it nicely Bwana.”
“If I buy the Lincoln, will you stop calling me Bwana?”
“No.”
Connor sighed. “Okay, let’s go get the Lincoln.”
“I want it loaded too,” Nate added.
“You are getting extremely pushy there ‘Don’.”
“I am trying to get into the role of business executive my friend,” Nate answered smugly.
“And doing a hell of a job of it too buddy.”
The showroom looked as if it had been stocked with Nate’s thoughts in mind. Nate proceeded directly to the Lincoln Town Car set up in the middle of the showroom floor; with all black glistening exterior, dark gray leather interior, and finished off with chrome alloy wheels. Connor watched in amusement as Nate stared slack jawed at the machine in front of him.
“If you don’t get your mouth closed you big rube, we’ll have salesmen drawing up invoice papers before we can even sit inside of it,” Connor said laughing.
Nate remembered where he was, and gathered himself into a more appropriate attitude for a buyer. He opened the door gently and seated himself behind the wheel. Connor got in on the other side. He joined Nate in immersing himself in the unmistakable smell of new car, and new leather seats. Connor turned his head and looked at Nate. Nate looked back at him with a dreamy, far away look in his eyes.
“I love this car Thomas.”
“No,” Connor joked, “you think? Your mouth is gaping open again Rube, and drool has begun to form at the corner of your mouth. Get a grip, here comes the salesman to eat our lunch.”
An immaculately dressed black man in a three-piece charcoal gray suit walked over to the driver’s side door of the Lincoln. “Gentlemen, you are seated in one of the finest automobiles ever made. I can tell you are very taken with it already Sir. I am Gerald Stanley. May I be of assistance in answering any questions for you?”
Connor got out of the car, and walked around to stand next to the salesman. “Mr. Johnson here does not handle purchasing Mr. Stanley. He finds it very distasteful. I am afraid you will have to deal with me. May I inquire the asking price?”
The salesman leaned over slightly, “I am sorry Mr. Johnson, I did not know.”
“Quite alright.” Nate said regally, as he peered around the console of the Lincoln. “Oh my God Thomas, this has GPS tracking in it, and.”
Nate caught himself as he heard Connor’s deep sigh. “Please go on with your dealings,” Nate added nonchalantly.
“I am Thomas Connor Mr. Stanley. Why don’t we adjourn to your office and talk business, while my associate regales himself of the Lincoln’s features.”
“Of course Mr. Connor,” Stanley smiled, as Thomas saw the register ring up a sale in the salesman’s eyes. He led Thomas to a plush office in back of the showroom.
“How much Mr. Stanley?”
“The regular Town Car has a list price, fully loaded, of over $48,000.”
“.but.”
“But this particular model has been redone with armored chassis and glass. It was ordered special by a Middle Eastern Consulate, which since then has declined to take delivery. This vehicle goes for $150,000.”
Connor nodded, beginning to like the car more and more. “What would it take to drive it out of here today? Had you already prepped it for the Consulate?”
“Yes, but surely.”
“How much to drive it out of here today?” Connor repeated.
Stanley went to open his mouth, and then held up his hand. “Wait here Sir, I will check.”
Stanley left the office and returned in five minutes. “If we can make payment arrangements, you may have the Town Car today for $175,000. We will take the details down on your particulars, and send you all the paperwork later. The dealership will cover you for insurance purposes until we can get you a policy of your own. Can we meet back here in one week to conclude this?”
“Of course. Excuse me for just a second, I will call my bank and have the funds transferred to any account you name for them,” Connor told him. “Will that be acceptable?”
“Indeed it will Sir,” Stanley answered.
In less than an hour they were standing on the street in front of the dealership with the Lincoln. Connor handed the keys to Nate. “Say hello to your wife and son for me. I put this in your name, instead of the business. Once the business gets up and running, I will get one of our young men to take me around. Why don’t you run on home now? You can meet me back at the Center tomorrow morning to conclude our other purchase. I will drive Karen’s car back and pick her up.”
Nate stuck out his hand, and Connor shook it. “Claire will think I stole
it.”
“A copy of the bill of sale sits, even as we speak, in the glove compartment. I suggest showing it to her. It will probably do you no good, as she will only accuse you of something illegal in attaining it. You are on your own now.”
“I will pick her up and place her in the seat,” Nate said. “The argument will end there, until I can explain my sudden windfall.”
“Sounds like a plan, see you tomorrow Nate.”
“I will be there to pick you up. We will be driving in style tomorrow,” Nate said smugly.
Connor watched his friend drive off. He smiled, remembering Nate’s face as he sat in the Lincoln. On the way back to the Center, Connor thought over the precautions he would have to take with the Russian gang. A glance at his watch showed he would not be late delivering Karen’s car back to her.
After passing through the usual checkpoints, Connor made his way to Quenton’s office. Quenton’s secretary announced him, and Quenton met him at the inner office door. They shook hands, and Quenton led the way back over to his desk. When they were both seated, Quenton pushed a group of papers over for Connor’s perusal. Connor looked them over and nodded.
“You had no trouble transferring Nate at all Derek. I would have thought there would h
ave been more of a problem.”
“They think Nate’s over the hill,” Quenton explained. “I found out from Whitney, they sent Nate, because he was expendable.”
Connor laughed, and related the day’s events to Derek, with particular emphasis on Nate’s Russian encounter. “I don’t think they know Nate very well.”
“Perhaps not,” Derek admitted. “You have him now. What will you do about the Russians?”
“Get into the law enforcement data bases for the area encompassing the business location,” Connor replied. “There must be more on these people.
As incompetent, or ineffectual, as I have seen the police be with these situations, they probably have names and addresses. I will find out who and where.”
“You really think you can form an information gathering cell with these street kids?” Quenton asked.
“I know I can,” Connor said with certainty, “and train them with Nate’s help. I just have to make sure this Russian element gets neutralized before I get them set up.”
“I agree. I hear all the time about Russian mob activities, but until now, they have not come into our range of influence. I trust you to resolve it. Karen and I presented our case today in a special closed door meeting with the director. He had many of the graphic details of your warehouse encounter. With the testimony from Whitney, and Karen’s corroboration, I believe he will make the right decision. We will know more about that tomorrow.”
“Did he buy the falling out within the Council?”
“He accepts it, and I believe if we have some success, all of that will go by the wayside. My daughter received a notice for scholarship from the Harvard Medical Department.”
“Congratulations Derek.”
“You of course know nothing about it.”
“Of course, now can we quit talking about your personal life, and get on with business.”
“I only want to add how incredibly excited my daughter was when she opened the letter. She believes I had something to do with it.”
“You did,” Connor stated.
Quenton laughed. “The Director okayed Karen as my Chief of Staff. He was very impressed with her courage under fire.”
“Speaking of Karen, I have to get her keys back to her, and then start researching my Russian friends.”
“She went to the lab after the meeting. I think we have covered everything.”
“You sound much better today Derek.”
“I feel more at ease,” Quenton admitted. “I know better than to do anything other than help you, or get out of your way. When the mission has been defined, the stress level goes way down.”
“You have an excellent grasp of the situation my friend. I will go search out my Doctor, while you get back to work. I will let you know if I turn up anything on the Russians.”
“Fair enough,” Quenton replied. “I will talk to you then.”
As Connor walked into the lab, he could see five different white coated figures conducting endeavors of various kinds. Karen sat hunched over a microscope, and did not look up. The others glanced at Connor with puzzled expressions as he walked over to where Karen worked. He put a hand on her shoulder, startling her at first. She could tell through his touch who it was. She finished a note on the pad next to her and then turned to face Connor. With Karen’s new stature, the others in the lab simply went back to their work.
“How did your day go Thomas?” Karen asked.
“Except for a few minor glitches, Nate and I really managed very well. We ended up with a couple of loose ends we did not have starting out, but that will happen in any new venture. I plan on working out and researching those items right now. I wanted to get your keys back to you, and thank you for the use of your car. I will have Nate drop me off to pick up my car from your place tomorrow.”
“This sounds like a brush off,” Karen replied smiling.
“I will be working late, and I figured after last night, you could do with a little sleep.”
“You do not know the half of it,” she sighed. “I made it through the meeting with Derek and the Director on shear adrenaline. I had to take an hour nap in my office afterwards just to keep going today.”
“After that ordeal in the warehouse, you should have taken the rest of the day off.”
“While you’re here,” Karen said, changing the subject, “maybe you could give me another blood sample. I have been doing a work up, and comparison, between your blood samples from when Derek first brought you here, and the samples from your last physical three months ago.”
“Sure, did you find anything interesting?”
“There does seem to be a decided change in your auto immune system.” Karen took out a kit with her hands gloved. She waited until Connor took off his suit coat, and rolled up his sleeve. She quickly drew a sample of blood, placing the labeled vial on a holder.
“What do you expect to find,” Connor asked, as the needle mark disappeared immediately, before Karen even had a chance to put a cotton ball on it.
“Maybe you could be the cure for cancer, or aids, or whatever. You do not mind if I check, do you?”
“No, of course not, but most of it relies on my mental ability.” Connor smiled. “I told you, the force is with me.”
Karen laughed, “I believe you. I just thought I might be able to spot something. I guess I will see you tomorrow then?”
“I am afraid so. You call me when you get to your apartment. Do not take anything for granted.”
“Well, I don’t have a gun, but I have pepper spray, and a 400,000 volt stun gun. If I had thought of it when I came to your room the first time, I would have zapped you.”
“I would not attempt that if I were you little missy,” Connor grinned wickedly. “If your weapon fails, you will be punished.”
“You mean like last night?” Karen asked smiling.
“You thought you were being punished last night?”
Karen came up next to him, “I have not figured out in my mind what last night was. I just know I don’t want to get the brush off.”
“You will have to leave me lady,” Connor said seriously. “I will never meet another woman with your knowledge. You can imagine what dating would be for me. Things may get remote now and then, but only because of what we do.”
“I can live with that.”
“Good,” Connor said, “then I will see you tomorrow. We will have more time then for me to fill you in on things. Why don’t we meet for breakfast at about seven o’clock in the morning.”
“Are you going to take me over to see your business?”
“Not until I get the unsavory element out from around it.”
“What element would that be?” Karen asked.
“I will have to explain it to you tomorrow. Take my word for it. You do not want to be seen in my company, or Nate’s, until I straighten things out.”
“You’re working on that angle today?” Karen persisted.
“Yep, just as soon as I leave you…unless…”
“Unless what,” Karen asked curiously as she watched Connor scanning the room.
“Unless I can find that cute secretary, what was her name . ah. Kathy, that’s it, her name was.”
Connor heard the gasp, and then caught the hands streaking towards his face. “Geez, you can’t take a little joke?”
“You.you.you,” Karen stammered as Connor laughed. She gave up when she saw her irritation was only making him laugh harder. “I will remember that remark, and you know about payback.”
“Yes, I know about payback Doctor, and you will not be getting any. Now I really do have to get moving.” Connor kissed her forehead and turned towards the door. Karen pulled him back.
“You wouldn’t really see that secretarial pool bimbo would you Thomas?”
“What do I look like Karen, Don Juan de Connor? I am having trouble getting to see you for more than a few minutes at a time. I’ll tell you what, if it makes you feel better, I will lock my door here in case Kathy drops by after
work.” Connor watched the shadow begin to come over Karen’s face again, and chuckled appreciatively.
“Goodbye dear,” Connor quipped.
“Goodbye, and if you talk to that woman, I hope your tongue rots off Thomas.”
Connor waved and continued on. He went directly to his room. After waiting for his computer to boot up, Connor sat down at the keyboard. He journeyed for the next two hours through police and FBI databases, gathering information on anything to do with protection rackets in the area, along with Russian Mafia information. Connor memorized everything he came across, and accumulated three definite meeting locations the FBI kept tabs on.
He quickly set up to search out of body. The second meeting place turned up the driver of the car earlier in the afternoon. Connor listened to the reaction of the five men hearing about the meeting with Connor and Nate. Even with the protestations of caution about how dangerous he and Nate were, the five men became angrier, and angrier. As the discussion heated up in Russian, Connor saw the man he warned earlier throw his hands up in the air.
“I am telling you these were professionals. These men were trained.”
“Are you afraid to confront them then Serge? You are the best. I have never seen you like this,” one of the men retorted with disgust.
“You know me. I would not make up a story like this. Do you think it makes me feel good to be handled as easily as those two did it? We will need to take them out carefully, and with force.”
“What would you suggest?”
“I suggest we blow them up.”
“Fine, as long as nothing happens to the business. I want someone to be able to start paying us again. We should not have gotten so greedy with the others. Now we have to deal with this.”
“We will stake out the Limo place, and then C-4 the car they drive in with. It will only be a matter of time. We just need to be patient.”
Connor watched them ponder his idea, thinking patience may not work out the way they want. Connor memorized their faces and every corner and crevice in the building. He noted where they positioned their guards, and where the offices were. He could not find any sign of a safe or vault. Connor settled back to listening to the men, hoping one of them would give away the location where they stashed their hard currency. These men did not appear to be the kind to trust a bank with their ill-gotten goods, but he would have to make sure.
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