50 Shades of Drake 5 and 6

Chapter Ninety-Five

    A cacophony of voices filled the large conference room. The politicians in the room ranged from thirty to sixty years old. Most of them were seated, but a couple of them paced the length of the room in an attempt to walk off their agitation. Among the men in the room were: Trenton Ellis, Greg Chaplan, Daniel Schaefer, Michael Ashford, and Christopher Rowland. 

    Michael Ashford sat at the head of the table, rolling a pen between his fingers. Graying dark hair flopped across one brow. He repeatedly shifted in his seat, due to discomfort caused by wearing a too-tight suit. He turned his head and peered out of the wall of glass at his left. A solemn night sky served as a backdrop for the concrete jungle that this building was a part of. "We are going to call this meeting to order," he called out in a slightly nasally voice. 

    The chatter lulled and died down completely as the two pacers seated themselves at the table.

    Michael assessed the faces seated around the table. "I think we all know why we're here," he began. "We have all experienced...difficulty as a result of a certain article that was published. This article mentioned our names in relation to a non-profit organization proposed by a certain former rapper and current pain-in-our-asses."

    There were a few chuckles around the table. Greg Chaplan, who appeared decrepit to the point where he had to at least be considering retirement, flashed his trademark snarl. His lips drew back from yellow teeth. 

    "Our brother, Palmer, is sitting in a jail cell as we speak because of this article. There is no telling if one of us is next. This meeting was called so we can determine a way to neutralize this threat." Michael tapped the end of his pen on the tabletop before setting it down and clasping his hands together. "We can speak candidly here. There is no monitoring equipment in this room, as you're all aware. I'm open to ideas."

    "I would have suggested airing Graham's dirty laundry," Daniel Schaefer muttered, seated with his back to the wall of windows. He rocked back and forth in his chair as he spoke. The overhead lights caused his dark blonde hair to shimmer. "But Harry already attempted that, and all of the bad press just...rolled off of Graham. His company barely even took a stock hit. Nothing sticks to him. We'd have to catch him killing someone in cold blood in order to ruin his reputation."

    "So we come up with something other than just trying to dirty his reputation," Trenton Ellis proposed. His hair was ink black, possibly the result of a dye job. He was tall and lean, in great shape for a fifty-six-year-old. "The inconvenience that has been caused to us is worthy of a better resolution that a simple reputation stain. Graham deserves to fry for crossing us."

    There was a general consensus along both sides of the table. 

    Michael glances around the room and leaned back in his chair. "There are options available to us...but once we start exploring those options, there is no turning back. We can operate above-board for this and keep our hands clean."

    "I can't think of a worthy option that would keep our hands clean," Christopher Rowland said from the other end of the table. He was average height with short cropped red hair and a slight beer belly protruding over his dress pants. "I agree with Ellis on this. If we want Graham to fall in line and think twice about crossing us again, whatever punishment we deal out to him must be swift and effective. Trying to muddy his image in the press is a slap on the hand."

    "Some infractions are worth dirtying your hands for," Daniel said.

    Multiple nods indicated that there was a general sense of agreement regarding that sentiment.

    Michael gave a curt nod and gestured to the packets in front of all of them. "My contact has generated a dossier on Graham. The current state of his business, the last reported state of his relationships with the people around him, his routine, current location, etc. The information gathered can be used to cause him the same level of aggravation he has caused us."

    "Would we be satisfied with just causing him aggravation, at this point?" Greg questioned. "My instinct is to remove him from the game board completely, for what he's done to Palmer. Palmer is completely finished."

    "Don't count Palmer out," Christopher declared. "He's always got aces up his sleeve."

    "Taking him off of the game board completely would be granting mercy," Michael said, sitting up straighter in his chair. "If you truly want to torture your enemy, you don't strike at him directly. You strike at those near and dear to him." He grinned at the murmurs of agreement throughout the room.