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“I hear you’re taking a trip to the States?” Chancellor Hugo Bernat swirled the amber liquid in his glass.
Daar Suleiman paused. It was only a slight one, but it spoke volumes. “Yes. That is correct, Chancellor.”
“How is that brother of yours?”
“Still an idiot.”
No pause.
Daar never had hidden his resentment for his younger brother. Hugo found their relationship interesting. In Daar’s shoes, Hugo would have quietly taken care of his brother ages ago. Instead, Daar allowed Cassim to continue being a nuisance and a liability.
“We need to discuss expanding in that direction. Your brother could be useful,” Hugo suggested.
Daar snorted. “Not likely. Tell Cassim a secret and within a week everyone will know it.”
“Is that so? I find that surprising given your… History?”
“Yes, well, even an idiot like Cassim knows there are some things you don’t talk about. He knows to keep his mouth shut if he wants to remain comfortable in this lifetime.”
“If only your brother had your discretion.” Among other things.
Hugo had made it a point to meet Cassim and asses the man himself once. Daar didn’t know. There were a great many things Daar didn’t know, but this one mattered very little. In the span of half an hour, Cassim had divulged no less than three critical points of information to Hugo.
What a waste.
Skilton had always avoided needing to do business in America. He’d been so crafty about it, blackmailing a number of federal agents, but never committing their efforts there. But with Skilton gone it was time to consider doing things differently.
“Do you have any other plans while you’re away?” Hugo asked.
“Is there something you’d like me to do?” That was Daar. Getting to the point.
“Look for Skilton. See what you can find.”
“Do we really believe they captured him?”
Hugo said nothing.
Skilton’s absence was problematic in so many ways.
This union of power worked because of Skilton.
With him possibly in custody, the whole organization was threatened. Hugo had calmed nerves thus far, but for how long? How long until Daar and others like him withdrew their support and struck out on their own once more? If Hugo couldn’t promise them their identities were protected, it would all fall apart.
He needed to handle Skilton. Make sure he could never talk.
And then Hugo could fill the vacancy with someone a little more obedient.
Skilton always had thought too much of himself.
“Chancellor?”
“Hm?” He lifted his gaze to the screen and Daar’s blurry form.
“I am loyal to you.” He stared back at Hugo. “I know what the others are saying, and I’m here to tell you that I am still loyal. Tell me how I can help?”
Such a statement of faith took Hugo by surprise. Did he trust Daar’s words? What were the chances Daar was tricking him?
That wasn’t his way though.
