Consort of Corruption (Sallin Kari)

[porne]

Your handler is on the phone, and with the pleasantries out of the way, your handler breaks the news first. "Right, we had her scheduled for a threeday thing right? Turns out daddy wants proof of life and is willing to pay through the nose to get it." He says, and honestly, it's about time you got a lucky break. Paying extra? Awesome. Now, how do you break this to her?

[Sallin_Kari]

"Three days minimum," I correct him as soon as the mistake was out of his lips, before listening to his comments, "How do you want me to handle this? I have her phone. Should I talk to him or just let her speak for a few seconds?"

[porne]

"Hm, probably let the girl speak to him. Don't turn on the phone for any reason, no telling what the old man has in there. I'll give you a minute to turn on the news or whatever. Just let me know."

[Sallin_Kari]

I hang up, fishing out my spare burner phone as mutter, "And that's why you always carry two." I head back, turning on the TV to a national news channel as I tell Rebeca, "So it looks like your father wants to talk with you."

[porne]

"Oh? He does? Give me a moment." Rebecca closes her eyes, and begins to hyperventilate a bit as you call. It's a very strange action to take, and you're a bit unclear as you dig out your burner phone.

[Sallin_Kari]

I obviously raise an eyebrow at the action, but whatever. Turning the TV up so it's clearly audible on the phone, and drowning out any background noises that might identify us, I dial the father's number and put the phone on speaker so I can cut off the call at any time. I hold it up to Rebeca.

[porne]

By the time the phone is ready, you can see her eyes watering and her voice has become slightly husky, like she's been crying. "Daddy! Daddy, please! I'm scared!" Rebecca gives you a thumbs up at that point.

[Sallin_Kari]

I click the phone shut, honestly surprised at how much she is playing along. Something is... wrong with this girl. Especially when I factor in the kiss and the... reaction to it.

[porne]

Her eyes are still watering, but she seems to be mostly recovered from her little stunt. "I assume that helps?" She coughs, getting her throat back to normal.

[Sallin_Kari]

"We'll see. Quite frankly the fact that the person who was suppose to take care of the negotiations came running to me in the span of hours does not fill me with confidence in his abilities," I note with a sigh, pointing out some napkins in case she needs them to freshen up.

[porne]

She does dab at her eyes, cleaning off the few tears before she gets back to her videogames, giving you time to think.

[Sallin_Kari]

I collect my thoughts as I call my handler again, letting him know I did what was asked.

[porne]

Your handler seems much more happy when you call him, apparently Rebecca's act having set her father into a tizzy and broken a few more wads of cash loose. He's now trying to see just how fast he can get Rebecca released, which... is odd. Rebecca's contract said three days, right?

[Sallin_Kari]

I pause at the handler's urging, "The contract said at least three days. That means minimum. Why the change?" I have a sneaking suspicion that the handler might be overstepping his bounds, which will not be looked favorably by the family... and I suspect he'll try to offload the blame onto me, so I am more then hesitant to simple nod my head at his urgings.

[porne]

"That was the original contractor, the father is putting up big money to get her back ASAP!" He gushes, and you're firming up on the idea that it's probably best not to give the handler what he wants.

[Sallin_Kari]

A long pause takes over me, as I sigh. Looks like I was right. Well, no need to let him know I'm on to him, "Look, I wasn't expecting to drop her off on such short notice. I need time to prepare. It'll be tomorrow morning at the earliest." With that I hang up on him, before dialing another contact for the family. I'm going to head this off well before he can try to bite me in the ass.

[porne]

Your slimy handler accepts your offer, trying to reassure you before hanging up, and then you switch to a member of the family. It rings several times, and you almost think it's not going to be answered before a much more serious voice answers the phone. "I hope this is important." The dry man says, and you get the feeling this is someone much more in touch with the... enforcement division of the family.

[Sallin_Kari]

"My handler is urging me to break a contract on the promise there will be a big payout. I suspect he is trying to line his own pockets from the deal," I go straight for the point.

[porne]

The man doesn't say anything for a moment. "This is important, your contribution to the family is noted. Is this an acceptable number for instructions to be delivered?" The dry voice mentions, seeming to either be talking off the phone or making notes. You also, if you're not mistaken, detect a bit more respect in his voice.

[Sallin_Kari]

"For the next few days. Burner phone specifically for this purpose, and will be disposed of after the completion of the job," I explain with a slight nod in an unseen acknowledgement of his respect. Well at least something good might come of this mess.