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Post by Jordanna on Jul 11, 2007 22:52:54 GMT -5
Once again, Nick Tiernan's money and business prestige moved mountains. James Cole's staff bent over backwards to accomodate him, and a meeting was arranged for only two days after the election, before the new mayor-elect had even been sworn in.
"This is the most important coup I've achieved," Tiernan remarked to Regina Dawson, who was with him in his office as he awaited Cole's arrival. "We'll see changes now--I intend to make sure of that."
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Post by skybright on Jul 11, 2007 22:56:57 GMT -5
Daws nodded slowly, pushing her fedora back. "I guess Cole's as close to being on the level as a politician can get," she remarked. "Seems to me he's got a lot of changes planned all on his own."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 12, 2007 21:41:16 GMT -5
"Indeed," Tiernan murmured. "My intention is to make sure that he carries them out, rather than bow to the forces he'll find against him now that his position is a reality." He raised an eyebrow. "He may find he doesn't enjoy the hard measures it takes to oppose those forces--but I am a greater force. He's submitted himself to be a tool for mutant benefit, and he'll never be able to turn back now."
He glanced idly at Daws. "By the way, I presume you made it home without incident the other night?"
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Post by skybright on Jul 13, 2007 1:33:50 GMT -5
Daws nodded, suppressing a shudder at Tiernan's words. "Sure. Ran across a few dicey spots, but nothing that a quick detour over a rooftop or two didn't take care of." She shrugged. "Still, I'm glad I don't make it a habit to be that far uptown at night."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 13, 2007 20:05:54 GMT -5
Tiernan nodded slightly. "One of the many problems I expect to address via Mister Cole. Unfortunately... several mutants were not as lucky or as clever as you that night. Several murders, and many more assaults." His expression hardened. "Certain of my agents are engaged in tracking down and dealing with the parties responsible."
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Post by skybright on Jul 13, 2007 22:38:10 GMT -5
Daws had no illusions about how Tiernan's twisted sense of justice defined "dealing with" the perpetrators. She shrugged off that unpleasant thought and spread her hands. "At least it seems like things've settled down a bit. 'Course they might flare up again when Cole is sworn in on Monday."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 13, 2007 22:46:09 GMT -5
"We're going to be prepared for that. Officially and unofficially, this time." Tiernan gazed thoughtfully at his steepled fingertips. "It will take time to, shall we say, adjust the habits of the police force in this city--but in the meantime, I anticipate having much more thorough access to their records than we've had before now. Those who evade the law will not evade us."
He gave Daws a serpentine smile. "And you've earned a certain amount of reward, Miss Dawson. This might be a useful way to receive it. Have you any old scores to settle, perhaps?"
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Post by skybright on Jul 13, 2007 22:51:34 GMT -5
Daws gave a dry, somewhat humorless chuckle and pushed her hat back. "As it happens, Mister Tiernan, the only score I had with the N.Y.P.D. sort of ended up . . . mysteriously settled right after the last time I had a run-in with 'em."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 13, 2007 23:01:49 GMT -5
Tiernan's lips twisted very faintly. "No one touches my own, Miss Dawson."
Then he abruptly frowned down at a pile of paperwork on the desk before him. "Except one who is still out of my reach. Someone has been tampering with accounts, shipping orders, instructions to my people..." He glanced up gravely at Daws. "That person has done things only I could authorize. Only one of my enemies could do that."
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Post by skybright on Jul 13, 2007 23:15:24 GMT -5
Daws nodded slowly. "Proteus." She bit back on a viciously smug grin. "Apparently he doesn't consider your score to be settled."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2007 22:11:09 GMT -5
"Nor my score with him," Tiernan growled. "If I believed the remaining Spooks knew anything about where to find him, I'd have them brought in--but I suspect Proteus is hardly foolish enough to contact them any longer. And short of testing the DNA of every person who enters this building--which is obviously impossible--there seems to be no sure way of guarding against him. Passwords and I.D. measures have all failed, and my security experts can't even explain how."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2007 22:19:37 GMT -5
Daws shook her head. "Whatever else you can say about him -- he certainly knows how to keep people from finding him."
Before Tiernan could reply, there was a brisk knock on the office door. Daws raised an eyebrow at him. "I suppose that'll be Cole."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2007 22:28:53 GMT -5
"Yes. I left instructions for him to be sent directly up." Tiernan rose from his desk, and called out, "Please come in, Mister Cole."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2007 22:34:06 GMT -5
The office door opened and Cole stepped in, smoothing his tie and smiling pleasantly. "Good afternoon, Mister Tiernan."
His gaze flicked to Daws, and a brief look of puzzlement crossed his face. "I'm sorry, am I early?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2007 22:45:11 GMT -5
Tiernan shook his head. "Not at all. This is Miss Dawson, a private investigator who I've frequently employed for... research. I invited her to sit in on our meeting. In fact, she was quite helpful in bringing you to my attention as a man worthy of support, and I felt she deserved to be here."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2007 22:48:34 GMT -5
"Ah, I see." Cole smiled and shook Daws' hand with a carefully polite expression. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Dawson."
Daws smiled crookedly and nodded. "Likewise, I'm sure."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2007 23:04:01 GMT -5
With a faint smile of satisfaction, Tiernan gestured Cole to a chair, then took his own place behind the desk.
"Congratulations are the first order of business, of course," he said. "I never doubted the outcome of the election, but I'm sure it must have been rather a thrill for you to see your victory become a reality."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2007 23:10:49 GMT -5
Cole chuckled. "That's an understatement of the first order, Mister Tiernan. I'll confess that I didn't quite believe it until the very last results were in."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2007 23:20:47 GMT -5
"I told you my influence would guarantee your success," Tiernan replied silkily. "With my support, mutant voters were no longer afraid to speak out."
He clasped his hands on the desktop. "But now it's an accomplished fact--and we have a lot of work ahead of us. May I ask what your immediate plans are after you officially take office?"
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2007 23:29:37 GMT -5
Daws crossed her arms and regarded Cole curiously -- she was as interested in the answer as Tiernan was, albeit for less sinister reasons.
Cole smiled and leaned back in his chair. "The first order of business is going to be housecleaning. My predecessor in the office had some notoriously anti-mutant staff and advisors . . . removing them from influence is going to be absolutely vital before any change can be effected."
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