Chương 125

The guard's face barely changed. Behind the table, another guard shifted closer. Louis saw Angelique take a small step forward.

"We are not surrendering weapons or communications," Louis said. He kept his voice level.

"Policy," the guard said.

"No exceptions."

"Policy applies once you confirm our status," Angelique said.

"We are not going to be disarmed." The guard glanced toward her. Several people in the lobby turned their heads. Gladice moved half a step closer.

"I'm afraid this is not optional," Smith said.

"Your boss wants to see us," Louis said, looking at him.

"Not because we want to see him. We decide the terms."

"You are inside our building." Smith did not raise his voice.

"We set the terms."

"And we are not detainees." Louis turned toward him fully.

"We are clients. Your people brought us here because your boss wants a contract." Smith studied him.

"I didn't know clients carried machine guns."

"High-value clients do," Louis said.

"He does have a mouth," the first guard said, almost amused. Angelique stepped forward.

"We are leaving if we have to surrender arms." Smith held up one hand again.

"That won't be necessary." He looked at the guards.

"Let them keep the sidearms and comms." He paused.

"And double the guards on the meeting room." The guards looked at each other. The first guard nodded once. Smith gestured toward the elevator.

"This way." They followed him past the metal detector. Louis felt the guards' eyes on them as they walked. Smith swiped a card at the elevator bank. The doors opened. They all stepped inside, then the elevator rose.

"Sidearms remain holstered," Smith said.

"No sudden moves. The director does not like surprises."

"Good," Savannah said.

"Neither do I." The doors opened onto a carpeted reception floor. A woman at a reception desk looked up, saw them, and stood. They were led into a conference room at the corner of the floor. Windows looked out over Charleston and the Kanawha Valley. From this height, the city looked almost orderly. At the far end of the room stood a man with one hand resting on the back of a chair. He was in his sixties. His hair was cut short and gray.

He wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to the forearms, a dark vest, and no obvious weapon. He stood still and let them enter. Behind him, four security guards stood against the wall, rifles vertical, eyes on the new arrivals. Smith straightened slightly.

"Director." The director looked at Louis.

"So," he said.

"You are the prince of the Dominion." Louis looked back at him.

"I am Louis Collins."

"Of course." The director gave a small nod.

"Welcome to Charleston."

"Thank you."

"Please, sit." The director gestured to the chairs near him.

"All of you." Louis took the chair facing the director. The others sat around him, forming a loose half-circle of their own.

"Coffee or tea?" the director asked, looking around the table.

"Or something else?" Gladice leaned forward.

"A beer would be nice." The director almost smiled.

"I think we can manage that." He glanced at Smith.

"Beer for the lady." The man nodded and left. The director sat down and laced his fingers on the table.

"I am Benjamin Calloway," he said.

"Director of the West Virginia Road Authority. You may call me Benjamin. Or Mr. Calloway. Whatever you prefer." Louis gave a short nod.

"Mr. Calloway." Calloway leaned back.

"You are a long way from home, Mr. Collins."

"I am. And so are my friends."

"Indeed. I appreciate you coming in peace." Calloway looked across the group.

"That makes this easier."

"I prefer order to disorder, Mr. Calloway," Louis said.

"Good." Calloway looked at Louis.

"I will be direct. You are now under Authority protection until you leave our territory." Louis answered at once.

"We are purchasing protection. There's a difference." If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Calloway smiled slightly.

"Of course. You are paying customers. And yet, you are also the son of Constantine Collins." He paused.

"That complicates things."

"How so?"

"Because word of your presence will travel. And not everyone in this state shares my vision of commerce." Calloway rested his hands on the table.

"Some will see you as a threat. Some will see you as opportunity. Either way, it means attention."

"I didn't come for attention." Calloway nodded.

"Of course not. But attention follows you. Your father is the most powerful man on this continent. His son passing through my roads is a matter of interest."

"Then we will travel fast," Louis said.

"And pay well."

"Ah." Calloway leaned forward.

"That brings us to the business part of the conversation. What are you willing to pay?"

"My father will pay what is fair. And in return, you will ensure we cross West Virginia into Pennsylvania safely."

"Let us agree on one principle. Safety is relative. We do not control every mile of road. We do not command every checkpoint. We cannot prevent accidents or stupidity." He looked around the table.

"But we can guarantee that if someone takes hostile action against you, we will answer with force."

"That's what I expect," Louis said.

"Good." Calloway opened his palms.

"But you must understand. Your presence here endangers my business as much as it enriches it. Therefore, the cost is higher than normal."

"How much higher?"

"It will not be only about the money," Calloway said.

"Though the money will be significant." Smith returned with a tray. He placed a can of beer in front of Gladice. She popped it open with one thumb and took a long drink. The man set out glasses of water for the others. Louis took a sip.

"What else, then?"

"An understanding." Calloway looked directly at him.

"Your father will acknowledge us publicly as the only recognized government in West Virginia. He will issue a statement saying so." Angelique drew a breath. Louis did not answer at once.

"Those are big requests," he said. Calloway inclined his head.

"They are. But consider that we are going to bring the Supreme President's son safely through a war zone. The value of that service is rare." Angelique said, "Diplomatic recognition is not something to be given lightly."

"Of course not." Calloway looked at her.

"Neither is the safety of the Supreme President's heir." Louis watched him.

"I can put that demand in front of my father. I cannot promise his answer."

"Then we keep you comfortable while he considers whether his son is worth diplomatic currency." Calloway did not raise his voice. Savannah spoke up.

"What does that mean?"

"It means they put us in a cell and wait," Gladice said.

"Not at all." Calloway gestured to the window.

"You will have a suite in this building. Food. Communications. Anything you require. But you will stay until an agreement is reached between me and the Supreme President."

"That's house arrest," Donya said. Calloway turned to her.

"A very nice house. The nicest in the city, in fact." Willa leaned forward.

"What if we don't agree to stay?"

"Then the Authority cannot guarantee your safety," Calloway said.

"But you are free to leave." He paused.

"Though I would not recommend it now that your presence has been noted across West Virginia. In fact, the Holy States still have a price on your heads, don't they?" Louis felt the others shift.

"You know about that?" Louis asked.

"We know many things," Calloway said.

"We run a road network. Information is part of the service. We heard that Kentucky militias have orders to capture or kill you. And that certain bounty hunters from the Holy States have entered this state looking for you." Savannah's hands tightened in her lap.

"If you know that, then you know we need to get out of here."

"I do." Calloway spread his hands.

"Which is why I propose a mutually beneficial arrangement. We protect you. Your father recognizes us. You get out alive. We get legitimacy. Everyone wins." Louis kept his eyes on Calloway.

"What happens if my father refuses?"

"Then we renegotiate," Calloway said calmly.

"There is always a deal to be made. We are businesspeople, Mr. Collins." Gladice finished her beer and set the can on the table with a soft click.

"What if we don't want to wait for your slow-ass negotiation?"

"Then you are welcome to experience the full hospitality of West Virginia without our protection," Calloway said.

"I wish you the best of luck." Angelique stood up.

"Louis, a word." They moved toward the window, away from the table. The others watched them, then turned back to Calloway.

"What do you think?" Angelique asked in a low voice.

"I think he's not lying."

"Neither am I," she said.

"I don't like being a bargaining chip. Especially one with this much publicity."

"I know." He looked out over the city.

"But what's the alternative?" Before she could answer, an explosion rumbled in the distance, muffled by the window glass. Everyone turned toward the sound. In the valley below, a thin pillar of smoke rose from the other side of the river. Calloway picked up a phone and pressed a button. The other guards in the room straightened.

"Report," Calloway said into the phone. A voice answered, too faint for Louis to hear. Calloway listened for a moment and ended the call.

"That was one of the bounty teams," he said to Louis.

"We took care of it." Louis looked at the smoke.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome." Calloway gestured toward the table.

"Now, back to business." Louis looked down at the table, then back at Calloway.

"And if we stay, how long will we wait?"

"Not long," Calloway said.

"I expect your father and I can reach an understanding by the end of the day. We are both men of action." He leaned back in his chair.

"I do hope you will enjoy our hospitality while we negotiate." Louis looked around the table. Angelique looked at him and nodded. Gladice shrugged. Savannah exchanged a look with Willa. Donya took a sip of water. Cherish stared at her own glass without touching it.

"Since we are all here." Calloway picked up his own cup.

"Why don't you call your father now? Then we can get this process started." Louis nodded and looked at Willa. She opened a backpack, took out the laptop, and placed it on the table. The screen lit. Willa opened the secure line. The signal connected. She handed the laptop to Louis. His father answered in less than ten seconds.

"Louis. Have you arrived Charleston?"

"Yes." Louis kept his voice steady. His father's face did not change. He leaned closer to the screen.

"Where in Charleston?"

"In the Authority headquarters. I am speaking with their director. Name's Calloway." Calloway watched him closely. Louis continued, "They are offering protection through their territory."

"So I heard. At what price?"

"Diplomatic recognition and money."

"Recognition," his father repeated.

"Of whom?"

"The West Virginia Road Authority as the legal government of the region." His father leaned back.

"I see. Is everyone safe?"

"Yes. For now." His father was silent for a moment. Then he nodded.

"I will discuss the terms with the director." Calloway gave a small nod. Louis turned the laptop toward him.

"Mr. Calloway, my father." Calloway leaned into view. He gave a brief smile.

"Supreme President Collins."

"Mr. Calloway." Louis's father nodded once.

"You have my son. I assume you intend to bargain."

"I do." Calloway kept smiling.

"He is in excellent health. And I am prepared to deliver him and his friends safely to the Great Lakes Alliance once we reach an agreement."

"Good. I will call you back in an hour. You have a secure line?"

"We do."

"Then I will speak with you then." Louis turned the laptop back toward himself. Constantine looked at him.

"Stay put. I'll handle this."

"Yes, sir." The call ended. Louis closed the laptop and handed it back to Willa. Calloway set down his glass.

"Well. That was a good start."

"Now we wait," Louis said.

"Indeed." Calloway smiled again.

"Let's get you all settled while your father and I conclude our business. I'm sure you could use some rest."