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Post by skybright on Jun 21, 2006 22:02:02 GMT -5
James Marcus Cole's outward demeanor had not changed since his previous visit to Tiernan Enterprises; he still gave the appearance of a friendly, charming, and enthusiastic politician meeting with a potentially valuable supporter.
Inwardly, however, he was in turmoil. The thought of another meeting with the financier -- and another glimpse of the man's depraved mind -- was almost unsettling enough to provoke a migraine by itself (although he'd taken a double dosage of preventative medication for just that reason).
Cole knew what he had to do -- and how much was riding on this meeting going well. That didn't mean he had to like it any.
He smiled graciously as Tiernan's secretary gave him her faux-enthusiastic greeting and gestured him to the elevators -- all the while wondering if she had any idea of the sort of person her employer was.
Stop it, Marcus. He chided himself, once he was safely ensconced in the elevator on his way to Tiernan's office. You'll never fool Tiernan into thinking you're a willing supporter if your mind is busy whirling around how much you detest him.
Cole sighed, straightened his back, and did his best to shove his memories of Nicholas Tiernan's psionic touch as far back into his mind as possible.
That's better. The political mask back in place, Cole stepped out of the elevator and knocked firmly on Tiernan's office door.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 21, 2006 22:10:48 GMT -5
Nick Tiernan was looking forward to his second meeting with Cole. The man was an intellectual puzzle, a piece on his chessboard that he hadn't quite identified. Would he prove to be just a pawn, or something more valuable than that--or was he, after all, an opposing piece to be captured?
"Please come in," Tiernan said silkily, rising from behind his desk.
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Post by skybright on Jun 21, 2006 22:13:32 GMT -5
Cole did so, smiling broadly as he closed the door behind him and advanced into the office.
"Mister Tiernan. I'd like to thank you for giving me another chance at this meeting." He chuckled self-deprecatingly and extended his hand. "I assure you, I've taken my medication ahead of time today -- just in case."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 21, 2006 22:23:02 GMT -5
Tiernan shook Cole's hand. "Believe me, I quite understand the difficulty of physical burdens." He gave a slight gesture with his hand, the barest indication toward his misshapen back. "Please, sit down."
Resuming his own seat behind the desk, Tiernan folded his hands and leaned forward. "I hope you don't mind the fact that I've been doing a little more research on you since our last meeting." He raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, how is your sister?"
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Post by skybright on Jun 21, 2006 22:30:05 GMT -5
Cole blinked and took a moment before replying -- the only hint, in his otherwise calm mask, that Tiernan had struck a nerve. "She's well -- thank you for asking. I spoke with her last night."
Unsure of how much the detective -- Dawson -- had told Tiernan, Cole decided to play nonchalant. "We speak often, but I rarely have the chance to see her. The rigors of the campaign trail . . ." He let his voice trail off and made a slight, dismissive gesture -- hoping that Tiernan would let the subject stay there.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 21, 2006 22:41:00 GMT -5
"Yes, quite. I have no family of my own, but I can imagine the support of yours must be invaluable."
Tiernan chose not to tip his hand any further. Having planted the question about his knowledge in Cole's mind was enough for the moment; he would save any further hints to be dropped if the man was uncooperative.
"But of course, it takes much more support than that of family to get where you intend to go--and I'm still fully prepared to offer it. The partnership I proposed to you at our last meeting is still yours for the taking."
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Post by skybright on Jun 21, 2006 22:54:13 GMT -5
Cole smiled charmingly -- although he didn't like the vague threat that Tiernan's mind had associated with Cole's sister.
"And I'm still very interested in that partnership, Mister Tiernan," he replied, leaning forward. "I believe you'd mentioned something at our last meeting about more specific ways in which we could work with one another."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 21, 2006 23:09:48 GMT -5
Tiernan smiled, although he was mildly irked by the man's insistence upon specifics.
"You're a politician, Mister Cole. I'm sure you're well aware of the ways in which interest groups act on behalf of the people they represent. Any and every means of ensuring the welfare of mutants is relevant to me. I want to see them given equal opportunity in every social issue in which they're discriminated against: employment, housing, business. And," he added with a frown, "treatment by this city's law enforcement. I'm sure you're aware that the New York Police Department has a long record of false arrests and abuse of mutants."
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Post by skybright on Jun 21, 2006 23:23:22 GMT -5
Cole nodded, looking grave. "I certainly am aware of that, Mister Tiernan."
Hle winced mentally at the irritation rolling off of Nicholas Tiernan's mind. It wouldn't do to let that continue -- but if Cole became too agreeable, too quickly, Tiernan might grow suspicious. Judging by his methods of information gathering, that was suspicion Cole couldn't afford. He was going to have to tread lightly.
Cole steepled his fingers. "I've been in contact with several watchdog groups over the course of the past year, attempting to build a sort of offender's database -- only this database is made up of men who are supposed to uphold the law."
He frowned. "I'd like to see the City's administration put pressure on these men's superiors to actually enforce the policies against police brutality -- rather than turning a blind eye when the victims are mutants."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 21, 2006 23:32:47 GMT -5
"That's a perfect example of an area in which we can combine our efforts," Tiernan nodded. "My people work with mutants who are unwilling to report such police misconduct--or, more accurately, they have no one to report it to who would do anything about it. The information we gather could be of great value in building your database."
All of the things Tiernan had been reeling off to Cole were, in fact, quite legitimate. Tiernan Enterprises was quite active in entirely public, legal mutant-rights work. As for the rest... well, that was a matter for Cole to learn later, once he was already involved.
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Post by skybright on Jun 21, 2006 23:46:00 GMT -5
Cole smiled politely. "I'd welcome the help -- on the database, and in other areas as well."
He bit back on a wave of self-loathing, and continued "Mister Tiernan, I think it's safe to say that you can count on my support -- if I can count on yours."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 21, 2006 23:57:22 GMT -5
This time, Tiernan's smile bore the slight hint of danger that always lurked in the expression when he was genuinely pleased.
"I'm extremely pleased to hear that, Mister Cole." He rose and extended his hand across the desk. "And I can assure you that our partnership will be successful and beneficial--not only for ourselves, but for every mutant in this city. Have your campaign manager contact this office, and we'll arrange a press release."
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Post by skybright on Jun 22, 2006 0:11:16 GMT -5
Cole smiled as well, and -- though it made him shudder inwardly -- he shook Tiernan's hand. "I'll do that, Mister Tiernan. I'm very excited about what our partnership will mean -- for everyone."
Heaven help you, Jimmy-boy, he thought with an air of disappointed trepidation, After all these years, you've finally sold out.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 22, 2006 0:20:47 GMT -5
On the whole, the outcome of the meeting had pleased Tiernan. He felt there was still something odd about Cole--but that was a puzzle for later, and in any event, there was little difference any personal detail of Cole's might make. Once he was in, he would be in deep, whether he liked it or not... and if there was any trouble, a few more words about the sister would settle that.
By the time Cole had reached the door of the office, Tiernan's mind had already turned to other things. He picked up the phone and paged his receptionist.
"Tanith, contact Miss Dawson. Tell her I'd like to speak with her, at her convenience. I have another new assignment for her."
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