File 5.3 - Northern Politics

The nightlife of Yokatomo diminished significantly in the late hours. Almost dawn, barely anyone filled the streets. Most had things to be doing in the morning. Late nights were more of a luxury. It didn’t stop some from still roaming around either drunk or just leaving work. During the day, the shopping district would be lit with signs and packed with pedestrians. Only a few places remained open, mostly bars.

An all hour diner was the selected meeting location. Captain Fin and Sheila arrived early. Well-traveled as they were, it was still an unknown to them. They needed to scope it out. When they arrived, only a few patrons filled the seats. At such an hour, it was hard to expect very many. The numbers only shrank the longer that they stayed.

It was almost the meeting time. They had their coffee refilled for the third time. Fin glanced over at Sheila. “Remember, let me do the talkin’. Cops are a touchy bunch when dealin’ with our sort.”

“Yea, I know, Cap’n. This isn’t my first time.” She rubbed her hands over the mug with a bit of annoyance.

“Just sayin’ they’re likely to throw some insults and I don’t need you takin’ offense on my account.”

“I’m a big girl. I know the importance of the job.”

“Good.” He slid his eyes up towards the door, noticing two figures already approaching earlier. “They’re here.”

The door chimed as the two men in suits entered. Fin only gave them a short look, enough to announce his presence. They scanned the restaurant for a moment before turning to sit down at the table. The waitress was quick to take their orders and disappear.

Silence hovered around the table for minutes. The two suits stared at the rough, though cleaned up, Fin and Sheila in quiet judgment. It was their first meeting. Neither side actually spoke before the meeting. It was all a third party arrangement. Some decisions had to be made before the opening.

When the coffee arrived, things looked ready to break. “Captain Fin, I understand you’re in need of a third party,” Fin opened, looking to watch how they reacted. So far, they had been cautious, looking as though they didn’t want to show their hand immediately. A delicate game of give and take to keep strength and hide weakness. They already showed more weakness than they wanted by requesting their services.

“You can call me, Mr. Stone, and my associate, Mr. Akai.”

It raised a bit of his eyebrow. ‘Codenames. They’re protecting themselves. Already considering the possibility of backlash. Well, Mr. Vice Chief and Mr. Detective, I’ll play your games. A job’s a job in the end.’ Fin loosely motioned over to Sheila. “My second, Sheila.” He drank a little of his coffee before leaning in to get closer to the heart of the matter. “What is it that I can help you with?”

“We need an outside contractor for an ongoing case.”

“An investigation. What sort of needs do you have? I find it hard to believe you’d suffer for your pride to ask us something simple.” Fin grinned a bit watching how Mr. Akai flinched a little. He could tell he didn’t want to be in the same place as shady characters such as themselves. They weren’t quite criminals, but it was a muddy line.

Mr. Stone kept his colleague in line quietly. He understood the importance of using people like Fin at times. His experience kept him in better control. “You’re right. We wouldn’t be involving someone like you under normal circumstances. But it’s a delicate situation.”

“Well let’s stop dancing and get to specifics.”

Stone motioned to Akai, who retrieved something from his bag. A small wireless transmitter, it was meant for only sending data over short distances. It had the benefit of being controlled for range and direction and didn’t need an acknowledged receiver.

Understanding, Fin ordered Sheila to pull out their computer pad. The transfer went through immediately with the information already displaying on the screen. He leaned over at the data. “Thefts, huh?”

“Correct, fifteen to be exact,” informed Stone. “All over the course of a week. And these are only the ones reported. We suspected there have been more unreported or unnoticed yet.”

“Judging from your investigations, there is no specific company being targeted. Which implies they don’t care who they’re stealing from so long as they get what they want.”

“There are still no leads on who this group is. But they are highly motivated, fast and likely professionals.”

Fin looked over the smaller details quickly before facing Stone again. He already had a lot of questions about the whole thing. However, he had a good read from Stone to gauge the job. “You’re just wanting to know who this group is and where to find them.”

“Correct, we’ll handle their captures.”

‘And the glory that comes with it. A little outside of your precinct’s jurisdiction, but I’m guessing you’ve got that all figured out already.’ Grinning a little, Fin tapped on the screen of their computer. “We’ll need ten percent upfront.” He got another small reaction from the inexperienced and young Akai. “Investigations aren’t cheap. I need a little goodwill on your side, Mr. Stone.”

Stone kept a fairly stoic expression while silently ordering his subordinate down. He judged in silence for a moment Fin’s condition. “Very well.” A hand motion went out to Akai for the money transfer.

Sheila flipped through the screens to reach their bank account. The quick exchange of information and transfer concluded their business. Stretching his hand across the table, Fin kept himself restrained. “Seems we have an agreement, gentlemen.” Shaking a little reluctantly, Fin and Sheila stood up to leave first. “Have a good morning.”

Once outside of the diner, Sheila quickly moved out in front of Fin to stop him from walking away. “Is it the money?” She stared at him wanting an answer. It was an odd move for Fin to take. The money was good, but it was too good. It didn’t sit right with her.

Fin started across the intersection. “C’mon!” he called, motioning to her. It was a long way back to the ship even with their rental. He dropped into the car waiting for her to join him. Starting up the car, he pulled into the lane. “The money is hardly the reason.”

“Then why?” She leaned a little in the chair to look at Fin.

“While the money is good, what we hold at the end will be more useful. Havin’ someone on the inside will be of help in the future.”

“Makin’ them owe us?”

“Somet’ing like that. But there’s bigger things at work.”

“Cap’n?”

“I did a little lookin’ at our clients before their meeting. Did ya know that the Commissioner of Yokatomo’s retiring?”

She didn’t follow completely. Her confusion set deeply into her nose. “The big-wig for the cops? What’s that gotta do with the case?”

“Nothin’ directly. But they haven’t named a successor yet, there’s a few likely candidates, but they’re still deciding. And can you guess who one of those candidates is?”

It started to come together for Sheila. Her eyes widened a little as the realization came together with more of the pieces. “Then we’re just pawns in all of this!”

“Maybe, but pawns can be powerful.” Fin grinned a little thinking about the two suits back at the diner. “They see us as outta-towners, garbage from the South. They don’t think we’re aware of the politics in some Northerner city. Play our cards right and we’ll have a Commissioner to call on.”

“But if they’re playin’ dirty, what makes ya think they’ll honor anythin’?”

“The dirtier they are, the more willin’ they are to keep that secret.”

“Wouldn’t they just try to kill us then?”

“Possibly, but knowin’ that means we’re prepared.” They moved onto the highway with a direct line back to the port. “Don’t worry, Sheila. The fun is just startin’!”

“Yes, Cap’n…”