julianexbxcayne reblogged
julianexbxcayne reblogged
julianexbxcayne reblogged
julianexbxcayne:
The information was… obscure to say the least. Benjamin was no stranger to hidden figures and their hidden agendas, and to say he had never hired one or cared for one in secret would be a lie – but he preferred to keep a distance. Why? Because of, as Isaac described it, the unhealthy and unsafe ways it provided. Money was no means a safety on his name or his cravings nor a safety from people digging inside information and stories he had since long covered up. So, yes, he knew about them but only to a degree.
“Depends, I’d need a name to know for certain but it’s a conversation we could save for a better time and place. As isolated as this house is, people sniff out even the smallest of tracks and hushed voices won’t get us far.” Shifting forward in the chair and placing his feet steady on the creaking floorboards underneath, Ben eventually nodded with a form of approval.
“It’s no more dangerous than many of my other associates and I see no reason not to offer you a chance if you can prove to be fruitful.” After all, their trust and willingness to provide could easily be tried later; and they were inferior to the power Benjamin currently possessed, meaning he had nothing to fear in case the trails failed. So, without much of a further hesitation did he extend his hand towards Isaac, mouth stiff and serious but with a glance that spoke of enthusiasm for what was to come. “Welcome to the family, Carvelas.”
Isaac gave the man a wide smile, clearly delighted that he had made the right first impression. “Very good. I am happy we see the same way, Mr Meadows. For the name... it is vague itself. The Agency, they are called. International Contract Agency. A silly name, I should think. But they have reach.”
He stood up to grasp Benjamin’s hand in a firm handshake before turning solemn again. “They are responsible for the death of my nephew,” he said quietly. “But I am not looking for revenge. We would like to move on.”
Marie looked doubtful at that, glaring at her uncle’s back before averting her eyes again. Unaware of this, Isaac continued.
“So, how would you like us to begin our venture? Do you have particular hotels for me to start with? Do you have the desire to inspect my product?”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
“I didn’t think it was a good idea to have a conversation about our employer on the street.” Julianne gestured towards the car door. “You are free to leave if you want. This isn’t a kidnapping, Mr Dunn,” she laughed. “But I couldn’t say what I need to say at your place of work either. Not without getting you in some trouble.”
She leaned forward at that with a shrug. “Meeting with the ICA was a mistake. They are no longer CIA allies, and therefore they are no friends of yours. How do you think this is going to look? You need some help here.”
“Well, if you ask me, discussing anything about this situation isn’t something I’d consider a good idea. Though, you probably aren’t asking me so…” he sighed. “Wasn’t accusing you of that. But I can’t say I appreciate how you’ve gone about this. If I can leave, then by all means, please do let me.”
He met her gaze when she spoke of the ICA and his jaw clenched, mind running wild.
“I don’t want your help. I don’t want anyone’s help anymore. I just want to forget all of this ever happened.”
“Fine,” said Cayne lightly, waving a hand towards the door. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. What exactly do you plan to tell your superiors at the CIA when they ask you what you’re up to?”
She smiled again, a cold smile that lacked even the pretence of warmth. “It’s not as though they’ll be very happy with you. Do you owe the ICA something? If so... I can make it go away. I have contacts there.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
A shot of pride traveled through his chest and he found himself straightening his shoulders to openly show his appreciation for the comment. The hotels were his babies after all, something that was bound to surpass him in death, and hopefully live on within the family for a few generations to come. Isaac didn’t seem much from his own point of view, and far from it scanning the man’s background and choice of business previous to his new options, but they stood equal in their thought of mind – which was enough to ease him up. “It’s an endless struggle to pick the ones to represent you. A slip could lead to a disaster whether you have creative control over it or not.”
The second part though… Suddenly Ben found himself stiffening once again, his eyebrows lowering as his eyes found themselves staring into Isaac’s. “Yes, I have come to understand it, but the way you phrase it… Is this problem of yours still active?” He was no person to shy away from a challenge, but safety above all and adaption held a top priority at all times. If was just the matter of another filthy gang they could surpass it no time.
Isaac quickly noted the other man stiffen at the mention of trouble. He had been expecting it – no one liked to hear of trouble, and especially not in their line of work. However, if an alliance was to be forged, he knew it was best to be truthful.
“...It has been rectified, for the most part,” he said, clasping his hands together. Behind him, Marie raised her head, staring at her uncle as though surprised. She caught Benjamin’s eyes and quickly lowered her gaze again.
“My family... they have had some difficulty. An organisation, one you may know of, perhaps... a contract agency. Backed by the government, or so I am led to understand, although they have no official affiliations. They are mixed up in many kinds of business. Assassinations, and other things.”
Isaac shrugged easily. “One of my business associates runs a rival agency to theirs. We have since parted ways. Their kind of business proved to be unhealthy for mine.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
Benji contemplated not shaking her hand, but he didn’t want to make his current situation more sucky than it already was so he reached out and gave her hand a shake before pulling back.
“No need? Look, ma’am, I appreciate you’re trying to reassure me here, but you pull up in a dark car and tell me to get inside and you expect me to not be alarmed? All due respect, but you’re crazy if you think I’m not going to be concerned. Now please, let. Me. Out.”
“I didn’t think it was a good idea to have a conversation about our employer on the street.” Julianne gestured towards the car door. “You are free to leave if you want. This isn’t a kidnapping, Mr Dunn,” she laughed. “But I couldn’t say what I need to say at your place of work either. Not without getting you in some trouble.”
She leaned forward at that with a shrug. “Meeting with the ICA was a mistake. They are no longer CIA allies, and therefore they are no friends of yours. How do you think this is going to look? You need some help here.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
The nephew and niece would have seen themselves as the low point of the meeting, their interactions and presence awkward and unprofessional to a business man such as himself. Isaac was lucky he was the one talking, as he figured either would have lost his interest within the minute of selling their ideas to him. He only had that much to spare and the first words of a pitch could become the rise or fall of a man with a passion.
“Of course, no matter how respectful you set yourself someone will always attempt to crush you and overthrow what you once sat on. It’s the circle of life when it comes to brave souls such as us, and the game is to stay on the top of the chain.” Ben shifted in the seat, his mind reading the man in front of him – between the lines and the way he presented himself as a whole. Was he a danger to his own power? A loose screw ready to pull apart his years of hard work? It was hard to say.
“I see.” A pause. Long and dry as he sat there, dwelling on the new information and goals set his way. “I would definitely say they are”, Benjamin eventually spoke up with a nod. “Unlike clubs, we control the flow of people coming in and out of our hotels. Our rooms are sealed off from the outside, a secure square to handle a meeting that requires privacy. Of course, my hotels are one of the finest around – which is the main push I’ll throw at you and your henchmen both. You have to be willing to melt in and even more so the higher up you decide to climb.” He was not about to let a bunch of wild, screaming morons onto his grounds – and he had constantly banned the Snakes own members from entering due to their obvious behaviors. All it took was a small slip, and although he had the law on his side, there was only as much money could do and cover up.
Isaac nodded. “It is the way of things in our business, this is true. Your hotels... they are admirable. A good reputation, all round.” He put his hand to his chest. “We would not look to sully that. Tarnishing your reputation would mean tarnishing mine, and that is not what I want. What I want is a stable business arrangement that can be mutually beneficial.”
He settled back in his chair, steepling the tips of his fingers together. “Blending in with any crowd has never been an issue. The law has never been an issue for me either – and I assume the same can be said for you. No... my problems have come from elsewhere.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
“I’m sure of it. You joined the CIA from another agency, didn’t you?” Cayne smiled slightly. “I’m sure you have lots of old friends. You don’t think the CIA would help you? They are your employers, after all. And mine, in a way.”
“Correct.” he replied, keeping his answer short and sweet. “No. Otherwise I wouldn’t be trying to find other ways of helping him. But I don’t want any more trouble than there already has been, so I’d appreciate it if you just let me out and I’d like to forget any of this happened.”
“I’m not here for trouble.” Cayne’s smile widened slightly. “As I stated, the CIA are my employers too, in a sense.” She extended her hand towards Benji. “I’m the current chairwoman of The Franchise.”
The woman sitting opposite her looked appalled that Cayne would give away that information so freely, but said nothing.
“Your agency is outsourcing mine. You may have heard,” she said lightly. “So, we’re all in the same boat. No need to be alarmed.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
He observed her relaxing, but he did not do the same. He couldn’t. Especially when she began to ask the question that he should have known was coming. This wasn’t a CIA agent. She was from elsewhere. But somewhere that knew he had been asking questions.
The Franchise…
“I’m trying to help a friend. That’s all.” he replied, not wanting to give this woman any more information than he thought necessary. “There was no malicious intent behind my actions.”
“I’m sure of it. You joined the CIA from another agency, didn’t you?” Cayne smiled slightly. “I’m sure you have lots of old friends. You don’t think the CIA would help you? They are your employers, after all. And mine, in a way.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
He ensured that he stayed close to the door. Of course, he was sure that they’d have the door locked, but it made him feel better.
Benji glanced between the three people in the limousine, feeling very uncomfortable and not ok with this situation.
“Forgive me for not being too good with the pleasantries right now, but could you please just tell me what it is you want to talk to me about?”
Julianne watched Benji a little while longer, her expression relaxed and neutral. “Of course. A strange car picks you up from the street – it’s natural to be a little nervous.” She smiled. “I’ll make it quick.”
She paused again, almost as though she was considering how to best phrase her thoughts. “There’s a question that’s been bothering me, Mr Dunn. Perhaps you can help me answer it,” she said slowly. “Why would a CIA man meet with external agencies? I’ve wracked my brain trying to think of a reason – but the only ones that make sense are... disturbing.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
“We’re with your employer, Mr Dunn.” The woman paused for a moment, glancing towards Julianne. “The CIA. There’s nothing to worry about. But, we do need to talk.”
Benji felt unsure. There was something very wrong about all of this. But he suspected that they would not give up, and if they really were working alongside the CIA, this could be some kind of test of his loyalty. Another gimmick from Hunley.
Besides, he could defend himself if necessary.
So reluctantly, he approached the car and got inside.
Satisfied, the woman slid over, allowing Benji room to sit beside her. The door closed shut and the limousine took off again, sliding smoothly into traffic.
“I’m Angela. Thank you for joining us, Mr Dunn. Your hesitancy is understandable, I’m sure.” She leaned back in her seat, glancing out of the window. The man sitting opposite her kept his eyes on Benji, as did Julianne Cayne.
Cayne took a moment, waiting for Angela to stop speaking. She let the silence hang in the air, continuing to watch Benji until it almost became uncomfortable.
“Julianne Cayne, Mr Dunn. A pleasure to meet you.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
“Mr Dunn.” The woman’s voice was more insistent this time. “Our presence here is not a coincidence. We’re here to talk. You don’t want to cause a scene, do you?”
He stopped again, turning to glance over his shoulder.
“What reason would I possibly have to trust you?” he asked her. “You pull up alongside me in a dark, shady looking car and expect me to get in? Who are you?”
“We’re with your employer, Mr Dunn.” The woman paused for a moment, glancing towards Julianne. “The CIA. There’s nothing to worry about. But, we do need to talk.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Deal Time
The sleek black limousine drew some interested glances as it rolled through the streets of DC, street lights glinting in its windows. It was crawling the kerbs as one would were they looking to pick someone up. As it happens, that is exactly what the occupants of the limousine were hoping to do as well.
Their mark was precisely where Intelligence had suggested he would be. Julianne Cayne watched the street outside, finally nodding to her associate who opened the car door, calling to the man on the sidewalk.
“Mr Dunn. Do sit in.” Her tone indicated this was not a mere invitation.
Benji was wandering along the road towards his local convenience store, trying to take his mind of the most recent polygraph that he had to take. He was sick and tired of being treated like a criminal, given the worst jobs to do while he was interrogated every week.
He saw the car pulling up alongside him and turned, glancing to the woman inside.
“Uh… I think I’ll pass, thank you.” That was hardly a good thing. Especially considering his line of work, when someone tries to get you into a car, you don’t. So he continued walking.
“Mr Dunn.” The woman’s voice was more insistent this time. “Our presence here is not a coincidence. We’re here to talk. You don’t want to cause a scene, do you?”
Deal Time
The sleek black limousine drew some interested glances as it rolled through the streets of DC, street lights glinting in its windows. It was crawling the kerbs as one would were they looking to pick someone up. As it happens, that is exactly what the occupants of the limousine were hoping to do as well.
Their mark was precisely where Intelligence had suggested he would be. Julianne Cayne watched the street outside, finally nodding to her associate who opened the car door, calling to the man on the sidewalk.
“Mr Dunn. Do sit in.” Her tone indicated this was not a mere invitation.
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Returning the Favour
“I hope your friend is worth all this trouble,” Marie chuckled. “If you are questioned, will you mention our talks?”
He bit back his frustration at her laugh, feeling angry that she found this amusing All he wanted to do was help Ethan.
“I’m a man of my word. I think I can keep my mouth shut.”
“This is good to know,” she replied. “We are even then, yes?”
Marie stepped back out of the alley, the rain having cleared somewhat. “Good luck, Benjamin. One way or another, I think you will need it.”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Returning the Favour
“What then, Benjamin?” asked Marie, tilting her head. “I do not tell my people, you do not tell yours. We are at square one, no? They will keep looking for you, understand this. They will want to know why CIA man meets with ICA. Maybe they even tell your boss. Would this be bad?”
Benji inhaled a sharp breath, lips forming a thin line. He didn’t want this Franchise looking for him, talking to the CIA about it. That wasn’t good…
“It would be bad, yeah.” he replied, glancing around out of habit. What if they were watching them interact right now? “I’m already in the CIA’s bad books. If they find out I’ve been looking into stuff for the ICA, they’ll want to know why. That’s a whole can of worms I don’t need opening.”
“I hope your friend is worth all this trouble,” Marie chuckled. “If you are questioned, will you mention our talks?”
julianexbxcayne reblogged
Returning the Favour
He listened in, recalling the name ‘Franchise’ from when he first met with Diana right here in London. They knew he had been in talks with the ICA. That was not good. Especially not if they were wanting to locate him.
But she seemed to want to help him… It was strange, but he understood her method. He had lied to Diana about not finding her, she was now doing the same in return.
“Well… thank you. I don’t want more trouble, so I appreciate that.” he replied with a small nod of his head.
“What then, Benjamin?” asked Marie, tilting her head. “I do not tell my people, you do not tell yours. We are at square one, no? They will keep looking for you, understand this. They will want to know why CIA man meets with ICA. Maybe they even tell your boss. Would this be bad?”