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Post by Diana Ward on Sept 29, 2016 2:16:22 GMT -5
Christian WardBingsley Copperbottom (and yes that was the name he was born with), was not an intimidating man. He was short, frail-looking, and severely near-sighted which forced him to wear rather thick spectacles. But what the man lacked in brawn he made up for in sheer nerve, greed, and determination. He was the bravest of the board of trustees. The only one willing to enter the dingy bar and attempt to settle the board's problem. Sitting in the corner nursing a firewhiskey he waited for his "companion" to arrive.
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Post by Christian Ward on Sept 29, 2016 2:48:46 GMT -5
Christian entered the dirty pub and walked purposefully over to the corner where Copperbottom waited. He took a seat opposite the tiny man. As Copperbottom opened his mouth to speak, Christian raised a finger to silence him. He then signaled for the waitress to come over. He ordered a scotch and told her if she hurried there'd be a good tip in it for her. She was back shortly with the drink and after she left with her money Christian turned to Copperbottom. "I hear you are in need of my services. How can I be of assistance?" His voice was cold and unemotional.
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Post by Diana Ward on Sept 29, 2016 2:57:58 GMT -5
Copperbottom was the worst sort of scum. He was nervous, sweat beading off of his forehead, but there was a hard determined look in his eye. "My associates and I have a problem that requires your particular skills." he said sliding over a file toward Christian.
The first paper within the file had a large photo paper-clipped to it.
Diana looked up at him from the photo. She lacked the hardness of the Diana he had seen a few days ago, but there was a sadness in her eyes. It was an older photo.
"She's been reported to be back in London, though we haven't had much luck in tracking her down. We are willing to pay triple your fee to solve our problem."
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Post by Christian Ward on Sept 29, 2016 3:15:00 GMT -5
This certainly an interesting turn of events. His gaze shifted from the photograph to the sweaty man across from him. "How could such a beautiful woman cause you and your partners such strife?" He was genuinely curious. What manner of troubles had Diana gotten herself into since last he saw her. Granted, their last real time together was practically a lifetime ago. But she had been meek and tender back then. The Diana he met only days ago was a completely different person. It was intriguing.
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Post by Diana Ward on Sept 29, 2016 3:21:23 GMT -5
Bingsley stiffened as Christian questioned the mission. He had been assured by his contact that Christian was a professional who didn't ask questions, but he answered all the same, "Let's just say she stands in the way of my colleagues and a lot of money." he answered.
That and she had been tearing through them one by one. None of them would have ever imagined what the woman had been capable of, she was more of a threat now than she ever had been before.
"Will you do it?" he asked impatiently.
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Post by Christian Ward on Sept 29, 2016 3:40:04 GMT -5
Christian noticed that Copperbottom's muscles tighten as he begrudgingly answered. Oh, she'd made herself into a load of trouble, even if Copperbottom didn't let on much. Christian finished his drink and placed the glass on the table. "Three times the regular fee," he reminded Copperbottom. "At least half now."
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Post by Diana Ward on Sept 29, 2016 3:49:16 GMT -5
Bingsley appeared relieved, "Yes, yes." he muttered carelessly eager to be done with the business. He was infinitely relieved Christian would be taking on the assignment, as if Christian himself had lifted the noose around his neck.
"How long will it take?" he asked eagerly.
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Post by Christian Ward on Sept 30, 2016 15:33:05 GMT -5
"If she's as illusive as you claim," he mused aloud, "it will be done within three weeks." With any other job, the timeline would be much shorter. But as this particular job involved someone from his past, someone so intriguing as to transform from a giggling school girl into the type of woman to make this powerful imbecile sweat, Christian wanted the extra time to satisfy his curiosity before taking care of her. He already knew where she was staying, a coincidence that favored him greatly.
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 1, 2016 1:49:52 GMT -5
Bingsley swallowed, it was longer than he wanted, but he trusted Christian's expertise in the matter. Three weeks with the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, but three weeks and it was over. If there was one positive thing about Christian's reputation, it was that he always came through.
"Three weeks." Bingsley agreed swallowing the rest of his firewhiskey, "Any longer and it comes out of the amount owed." he added boldly.
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Post by Christian Ward on Oct 1, 2016 2:07:51 GMT -5
Christian's features tightened. "It'll be done. But there is the matter of the down payment." He strummed his fingers on the table, eager to be done with this conversation. He was already planning his first move, back at the Hollow Tree Inn. Diana would be easy enough to take care of, but his interest in her past continued to rise as he watched a bead of sweat roll off Copperbottom's nose.
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 1, 2016 2:10:14 GMT -5
" It'll be in your account by the morning." he replied wiping his forehead with a silk handkerchief he folded and put back in his pocket.
The board would be pleased.
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Post by Christian Ward on Oct 1, 2016 2:18:23 GMT -5
Christian nodded and rose from the table. As he left the dingy pub, his mind raced. What had Diana gotten herself into and how on earth had she become whatever it was she was now. He'd have plenty of time to find out. Three weeks was more than enough time to have a little and get the job done. This would be easy money.
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Post by Diana Ward on Oct 1, 2016 2:25:42 GMT -5
Bingsley slumped in his seat relieved to end the meeting. He quickly quit the bar and jumped in the private carriage he had arrived in. He sent owls to the other trustees on the board that their problem would be taken care of. Now he and the others would only have to stay hidden for three weeks.
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