F³ Planting Seeds 23

Nikki sat back down, elegantly. “Tell me more.”

            “So, this place is nothing but maneuvering and scheming for power, which is why I don’t care for it. Your meeting earlier was those smug SOBs refusing to divulge their plans, but they were likely talking about them somewhat openly because that’s what this place does.”

            Nikki nodded.

            “Okay, so, they have likely picked up that you want to know their plans.”

            “Very likely, yes, since I all but directly asked them.”

            “Did they kind of do the same with regards to your plans?”

            “Yes. It is the expected norm in this establishment. In particular, they were interested in the proxy vote you delivered and what I might have behind it all.”

            “And you didn’t give that away, I’m sure, but did you hint at anything else?”

            “Not as such, no, namely as I have no current scheme. Well, not when it comes to making arrangements through the Club.”

            “That’s exactly what we need to do, then.”

            “You wish to get in on one of my schemes, and facilitate it here at the club?”

            “Well, no. I don’t know, I don’t’ want to know, and certainly don’t want to be involved in such, even if you had one ready to go. But we don’t have to have a real scheme. In fact, it’s better if we don’t. We only want to make it look like you’re making plays.”

            For the first time since we arrived at the club, Nikki’s smile became mischievous. “Now you have my complete attention.”

            “Right, so, you’re going to need to fill me in a little bit about these people so we can come up with moves that they’re going to buy into.”

            “Your brand of chess again, Matthew?”

            It took ma second to make the connection, then I nodded. “Yeah. Strategy for the player, not just the game.”

            “You owe me a rematch, you know.”

            “Maybe, but after tonight you’re going to know a lot more of my moves.”

            “Then let us begin.”

F³ Political Angle 22

Nikki drained her wine, then stood, waving me to do the same.

            “Shall we have a look at your passage?”

            “No way, no how.” I shook my head.

            “Don’t vex me as well, Matthew. I assume you have a reason why we shouldn’t investigate.”

            “Tons, most dealing with security and the number of eyes that would be on us as we went down there. Right now, whatever security they have, saw me go down, run into a dead end, then walk away. The staff, too, saw me leave. We don’t want them thinking we’re even more curious. Or worse, we don’t want them sending security after us.”

            “I’m sure I could deal with anything they might muster.”

            “Even with their artifacts of power?” I questioned, but before she could respond, I kept going. “But more likely, they’ll send regular security staff and call the cops. I don’t think you’d like to be tossed out of a joint like this and face a possible arrest. I’m sure that kind of hassle would vex you more than anything else.”

Nikki’s mouth compressed to a flat line, a sure sign of being vexed if ever there was one. She hadn’t expected my reasons to be so compelling against investigating. After all, my job was to investigate.

 

“Your logic is unfortunately accurate,” she sighed. “Not only would dealing with security and the police be an aggravation, it would almost certainly lower my status in the echelons of power, debasing myself in such a way that would likely embolden those who are already scheming.”

I hadn’t considered the political angle within the Club.

And she was right, too. I needed to start thinking along those terms, but I had never been great at the politics of things. Spade and Marlowe had dealt with basic, human drives, and while power was one of them, they rarely moved into political circles.

Maybe, just maybe there’s a way to plant some seeds of that, tonight.

“I’ve come to recognize when your mind is engaged, Matthew. Spill, as you would say.

“I think I have a cunning plan,” I grinned.

F³ Power Plateaus 21

            “Matthew,” her smile took on a sardonic twist. “Of course there is smuggling going on in this establishment. There has been since its inception. The East India Company, Czarist Russians, Imperial China, and even Union soldiers all smuggled through the Fairhaven Club. It was practically a requirement for membership.”

            “Yeah, I’m sure of that, and it makes sense,” I said. “I’m sure they even expanded their smuggling when it came to Canadian hooch during Prohibition. And that’s the thing. Big smuggling operations like that, like to hide what they’re doing, and the best way to do that is underground. Now, I ran into a conspicuous dead end, down there, much too far away from the service elevator or loading docks to be useful in loading up those lockers. So I’m thinking secret passage to some new loading docks that get even more rarified shipments than what you’re thinking of.”

            “Artifacts of power?” she swirled the wine in her glass.

            “Could be, though plain old cash or other valuables might be the ticket, as well.”

            “Monetary value is limited when it comes to power, Matthew. I’m sure given the status of the world’s billionaires it may seem to the contrary, but the smugness I tasted tonight spoke of power beyond lucre. I have wielded such power myself on occasion.”

            I didn’t like to think about that sort of thing. I liked to think that her associating with me might be a positive influence. I knew her past was full of things that would make me squirm, and wouldn’t hesitate to call evil. For now, I wanted to lighten the mood. “Bet it on the wrong pony?”

            “Rather I became disenchanted with the struggle for such power. Far too much effort for too little gain. Just as with these billionaires, the accumulation of endless wealth amounts to nothing, ultimately. Power plateaus. I have no need for more when what I have gets me what I want.”

            “Except answers to vexing problems?”

            “Not so; for those answers, I have you.” Now her smile became fond.