Wrestling the Kraken

Dante

Dante

Dante walked into Marcello's office where his father apparently was as well. The two of them, standing around the desk, hovering over a set of plans.

"I've looked everywhere. It's missing. It was on my assistant's desk waiting for the notary. Draw up another one and we can send it off right away." Marcello was saying.

"Good. Good. That will work just fine." Armand said not looking up as Dante entered the room.

"Ah, Dante!" Marcello acknowledged. "I'm glad you're here. There's much to discuss before tonight's opening."

"Yes, there is. Like why are we having one today? Armand, I thought we agreed to postpone the opening?" Vivianne said from the window. "Did you know about this Dante?" Her eyes glared at him and seemed to say, I bet you did.

"It was all Father's idea." Dante replied, putting his hands up in defense. In fact, it had been his father's idea, which Dante led him to believe that he conceived all on his own.

"If we wait, then the news of these rumors will grow and spread, overshadowing everything else, until the whole thing cripples us. Detective Mahone has accepted an invitation to join us with some of his men, pretending to be regular attendees, and as an extra precaution..." He waved two menacing looking men into the room. "... I've hired these guys for protection."

Dante eyed the two men walking forward. One was taller, bald, and thickset. The other was slightly shorter, medium build, and still had his hair.

"Consider them your bodyguards." Armand said gleefully, his arms spread open as if he were a ringmaster himself.

Though considering, he just may be the ringmaster of death, he thought.

"Well, seeing as how I'm on in a few hours, I better get ready." Vivanne said, storming out of the room. She glared at Dante, passing him by.

"That's all for now. You two can carry on." Armand said to the two thugs.

They walked out without a word, but the tall one looked over at Dante, before leaving. How loyal are these men? He wondered.

Placing his hands within his pockets, he walked over to the drink cart at the back of the room. With his back to Marcello and his father, he poured with one hand and with the other he subtly pulled out a white packet hidden within the palm of his hand. Slipping the contents of the packet into two of the drinks, he reached for the tongs to grab some ice. As he placed the ice into the drinks, he gently stirred with the tongs, making sure the contents were dissolved.

Turning around, he walked back steadily, handing both his father and Marcello a drink. He kept the undosed drink for himself. "A toast then." Dante raised his glass. "To a memorable opening." He toasted and they all drank.