Chapter: Nine
Location: Classified

The room was well secured. A table stretched across the center where well dressed individuals were seated. They regarded each other with firm nods or muttered remarks, but the overall tension in the room stifled most conversation.

König and Clarke had arranged a meeting, calling for a council of both ranking officials under their command and any allies in the nearby vicinity. I recognized a few faces. I had met only a few of these people a time or two before and even then there were many I did not recognize.

A meeting of this caliber hadn't happened since the death of Clarke's mother, brother, and Uncle. It was clear the visitors knew something dire must have called for such a gathering.

Armed guards watched the entrance to the stairway. Even more guards stood behind their leaders' chair keeping a watchful eye on the others in the room. The meeting was taking place in a bunker of sorts, a well crafted hiding place for emergencies owned by König.

Clarke stood off to the side conversing eagerly with König as both men sorted out the final details of what they were to say to such a prestigious group of individuals.

"Miss Lacroix it's been quite some time since I've last seen you." The voice was a smooth sort of drawl that fluttered forth a memory I could hazily see.

A handsome dark skinned man with kind eyes and brilliant teeth. He had been to a party at the Lyndon estate and had sung a very beautiful-and original- piece of jazz.

Sure enough as I turned to greet the man my memory matched his face. "Mr. Price. A pleasure. Will you be singing today?"

He laughed lightly and straightened the golden tie that stood apart from his navy colored suit. "Afraid not. Clarke told me today was for serious business only. My brother has accompanied me, this will be his first time being included in such dire matters."

"Well, you are a man of class and I am sure your brother is no different." I followed Mr. Price's gaze to find a young face amongst the older individuals. The boy looked to be about seventeen with close cropped hair and a regal look to his face. "He's young."

"Yes, but he is old enough to understand the sort of business we are in. He's getting along nicely. I think he finally comprehends the difference between our crime and others'." Mr. Price's words held a darker connotation. He was not merely referring to other city dwelling syndicates but urbanized gangs as well.

Though petty the gangs often ran amuck and unchecked. Not in his territory. Mr. Price didn't allow such actions to go without consequence. He protected his neighborhoods where local police refused to. It was a valiant effort.

Two of his best friends had been killed when they were only fourteen for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. From there Mr. Price fell under the tutoring of a local 'Organizer'; a man who'd attempted setting up programs for troubled youth, but had failed.

Mr. Price decided to further the idea and had climbed his way into a wealthier standing, and with it, decided that philanthropy was the best balance for his crimes.

"Take your places everyone it's time we start." All talk died as König's voice filled the room. Mr. Price gave me a polite nod before retreating to his seat. I did the same.

The gathering started with Clarke and König retelling all that had been discovered. They even included the recent incident of Lena's bar being burned to ashes.

"What we must do now is decide a form of action. So far, the forces at hand believe I haven't noticed Dwyer's death. That plays to our advantage. We appear to be in a state of submission, and if not submission, cluelessness." Clarke stood at the head of the table with König.

"And you're sure this is the government's doing?" An aged man with a round stomach and salt colored hair leaned back in his chair.

"All evidence points in that direction Sir," König nodded to the elder man.

"Then I don't know what we can do." The old man sighed and clasped his hands over his round stomach. "It's not like we can retaliate with our guns blazing."

"Yes, but we cannot afford to sit idly by." A well dressed woman with cat like features pursed her lips in thought. "I say we make it clear that they're going to start a war they don't want to have."

"Acknowledgement may only invoke the threat." Countered Butch, a lieutenant of Clarke's who over saw a majority of the financial issues.

"I agree." Mr. Price noted. "We have to play our cards very carefully. We risk outright exposure. While many support us tides can turn as they have in the past."

"Perhaps we play it like a theater show," There was another woman, perhaps the oldest woman in the room, approximately forty years in age and appearing to be of Jewish heritage.

"Go on," Spoke the old man.

"They seem to enjoy their gentle little stabs," The woman's lips twisted into a smirk, "we play the wounded dog but really...we're the viper's head that bites after death."

"And what exactly do you suggest?" König questioned seeming thoroughly amused by the other woman.

"We know they are starting to target your exports Niklas, a decoy would be very unfortunate for them." The woman ran her finger across the rim of her wine glass. She'd been nursing the red liquids since the beginning of the meeting. "Let alone if it were to be full of armed men and...oh, what do you say reinforcements nearby?"

The old man snorted but seemed to enjoy the idea of a cat and mouse game.
Mr. Price on the other hand was not so easily moved.

"They will strike harder when we retaliate. A viper's head has one bite when severed. Then what?" His statement brought murmur of agreement and contemplation.

I couldn't help but smile to myself, all of these trigger happy people needed a lesson from this man on how to logically pursue a problem. It didn't take long for people to start rattling off other ideas. The suggestions ranged from assassinations to bombs to other means of destruction.

I on the other hand began thinking of other things. It seemed foolish to actively fight back with such immediate aggression. It would cause a conflict to erupt into an all out war. There were other ways of handling the situation.

"Artemis, you seem to have an idea." Clarke's voice brought me back to the room full of people all eager for a solution.

"I was merely thinking." I did not want to intrude on something I wasn't familiar with. These people could very well be offended and change from allies to enemies in an instant.

"Lies." The cat like girl mused. "Speak up darling."

"I feel as if waging a blatant retaliation will do more harm than good." Pausing I studied their reactions before continuing. "The decoy idea is not bad but it needs more. It's too...simple. Clarke is in a position to capitalize on our political movements. We have yet to release statements on the incident that nearly killed us. Rather than turn to violence why not hint at our understanding?"

"Foolish!" The old man wheezed in laughter.

"Brilliant!" Mr. Price smiled. "We will looks as if we are weaker than we are. We may be able to arrange a meeting, come to an understanding before things escalate."

"What is there to compromise on?" Butch questioned, "They are clearly in the wrong are they not?"

"No." Clarke seemed to catch Mr. Price's train of thought. "Offering then a way out acts as a safety net. It covers us. I think we all know they won't take the offer but after that- all cards are on the table. We don't have to work within the same restrictions they do. There are still parameters they must follow."

"With an offer of peace it allows the development of a strategic and organized fight." König agreed. "Not a senseless chaos of retaliation. It will keep passion from becoming too involved with our affairs."

"I say we listen to our lovely lady." Cat woman smiled. "I'm in favor of this, all others raise your hand if you show favor."

I scanned the table to find that Mr. Price, the feline, König, and Clarke had all agreed. Butch looked to Clarke for acknowledgment before also raising his hand in agreement, he had to follow his superior's wishes. Only the two elders refrained from agreement.

"The majority vote stands." König decided. "Clarke will continue his campaign. He will subtly refer to our enemies, offer an alternative, a place to meet for peace. There we will send a party of representatives. Shall they disagree with our offer-as expected- we will gather once more to decide further action. Keep in touch but remember to be careful with the things you say. Communication is more important now than ever before."

With König's words the meeting adjourned. Guards slowly filed out after their respective leaders until only a few remained. Mr. Price was in light conversation with his brother.

"I'm always amazed by how smart you are." Clarke snuck a quick kiss to my temple before sitting beside me.

"Only because you bothered to school me." Clarke chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

"I remember sneaking into my father's library at night to catch you up on all of the school you missed." A nostalgic smile rested on his face. "You were brilliant even then."

"We make quite the duo, let's not forget your detective work to get everyone here." Clarke smiled coyly and bit his knuckle in thought.

"Thank you for being so hospitable Mr. Lyndon." Mr. Price had made his way to our side of the table and offered his hand. "I look forward to future correspondence."

"As do I." Clarke smiled taking his hand. "I also look forward to working with your brother."

The young man seemed surprised by this but gave Clarke a nod in thanks. Mr. Price laughed at his brother's shyness before the two went on their way.

"I say his was a success." König noted. "However, I hope you know what you're doing. This press idea will either go as planned or fail miserably."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence." Clarke rolled his eyes. König chuckles before bidding is good bye as well.

"Have faith in me Butch." Clarke sighed standing from his seat and glancing at his second in command.

"I do sir." The other man gave him a hesitant smile before standing as well.

The three of us made our way from the building to where Charles was parked. Butch took the front seat reaching the vehicle first. Clarke held my hand in his, swinging our arms slowly.

"It's been too long since we had time to ourselves." He sighed.

"Nothing we can do about it. This line of work-"

"I know. Our line of work prevents many things." Clarke pressed his lips into a thin line.

"I'm sorry." Clarke had always been a person to find comfort in physical touch more than I had. Part of me knew that I'd been neglecting the more intimate parts of our relationship, but it was hard not to. We couldn't afford to spend days lounging around together like we used to. "Maybe we can work something out if fate allows it."

"No need to be worried by it, I just miss simpler times. It's only been a few handful of days since this all started and it already feels like an eternity." Clarke said nothing else as we slid into the back row of seats.

The ride was quiet but I never let go of Clarke's hand. He rested his head against the head rest and closed his eyes. Maybe the car ride was the closest we got to just relaxing together but it was worth it.

My thumb traversed the ridges of his knuckles and I found a comfortable place to rest my head on his shoulder. Clarke gave a small hum of contentment.
— — —
Butch was left in front of his own estate before Charles took Clarke and I back towards his own home.

"You two don't be falling asleep back there," Charles glanced in the overhead mirror, "I'm too old to carry you and you're too big for me to carry you like I did when you were little."

Clarke laughed, "You're not old!"

"Well I'm certainly not as young as I used to be!" Charles snorted.

"Yeah, whatever." Clarke rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious. It still hits me how much you guys have grown up." Charles shook his head in disbelief.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Clarke's question seemed out of the blue but he seemed excited by the sudden idea.

"I don't know..."

"You can bring the family." Clarke offered. "I don't think I've seen the kids in ages."

"Tell you what, I'll take you up on that offer, only because I know you won't be the one cooking the meal." Clarke looked offended by the comment but I couldn't help but laugh.

When Charles pulled into the driveway Clarke and I bid him a temporary goodbye as he drove back home to retrieve his family. "I hope you know how much food we're gonna need."

"I'll handle it. " I promised. "You can help with the easier things."

"Looking forward to it." Clarke smiled.

Once inside we rallied the troops, mainly Lena and Trey, thinking it best to let Clarke's sister rest considering her sickened state. The kitchen was alive for the first time in a long time and full of laughing and smiling people.

Even though the day had started with a grim note it was hard to not feel happy in the relaxed atmosphere. A small part of my conscience knew that this was only a break in the chaos but it was one I didn't want to miss.

We had a family gathering to prepare for, and for the first time in ages the Lyndon estate was going to be alive and warm. There would be no more glum and cold atmosphere.