The cold wind howled but he did not mind. He felt at home at night in the dark
emptiness, when the other people were
at home pretending to be safe and sane.
It was a little eerie to be standing in the bright lights of the construction
site while the rest of the city settled down for bed but this was a big deal and he wasn't about to let it slip through his
hands. His father had started this enterprise about five months before his heart attack. But since then his father had lost
his will as well as his business acumen and now with the buyers backing out is was up to the ever-faithful son and new CEO
of Kodlac Enterprises, Victor Ulysses Kodlac, to secure new buyers.
After a little finagling and some exquisite dinner
on the town he was closer than ever to sealing the deal. The clincher was a late night meeting with the Tsukinoshi Corp. executives.
Victor waited in the cold December wind looking at the shell of a building that would one day be the leading business tower
in RavenBlack city. He would make this tower famous the world over and everyone would know that it was he who had built it.
A limousine pulled onto the site slowly. Out of it stepped a rather young looking Derick Tsukinoshi. Like
Victor he was a shark and though young had cut his teeth on more than a few less fortunate.
"Derick, I'm glad
you could make it." Victor said extending his hand.
"Forgive the late hour," Derick replied shaking Victor's hand firmly.
"I find it refreshing to do business in the dead of night." "Of course only the strong of heart would have their sense
about them at such an hour."
Victor spoke releasing the cold hand of his future partner, "Shall we tour the
grounds
of what will be the crowning achievement of the Kodlac and Tsukinoshi
houses?"
Derick nodded and followed Victor.
Walking around the barren landscape of
concrete and metal Victor poured on the charm and conjured up images of a grand
lobby with a central fountain and a crystal staircase that lead to the second floor. He spoke of the international business
ventures that would flock to this leading tower and of the prestige of the future dealings of the two
conglomerates. When
all was said and done they returned to the limousine and
signed the papers over a glass of champagne.
"Now if you'll
excuse me," Derick began as he folded the papers binding the two
families and companies together in the venture and put
them in his breast pocket
, "I have a few more errands of a more decadent variety to attend to."
"Certainly." Victor
complied getting ready to depart.
As Victor readied himself to part he felt a strong hand grip his neck and force
him
back against the seat. "Just one more thing," Derick said menacingly and
neared him never letting go of Victor's throat.
Struggling
to breathe Victor was paralyzed. For the first time in a very long time
he was helpless and he watched as Derick ripped
into the flesh of his own arm
and dark red blood oozed forth.
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