Sanctuary; Afternoon; Deacon Max Jimmy
It hadn't taken him long to figure out who had sent the email. No that had been the easy part. The hard part was deciding what to do after that - because it hadn't been who he'd expected. For several days Deacon had sat and thought. And he'd done a little digging.
It hadn't helped his mood.
When no other emails came he had to face facts - they'd wanted to be found out. And they were waiting for Deacon.
He hadn't been surprised, upon arriving at Sancutary around noon, to find his knock answered by Max's man, Jimmy. Jimmy had lead him through the club and up to the office in silence where Max had been waiting.
"Ah, Deacon," Max said, smiling and waving him in as if he were an old friend. "Come in, come in. Have a seat. Coffee?"
"No thanks," Deacon said, glancing back at Jimmy - who'd taken a position leaning against the door frame.
Max shrugged and got himself a cup of coffee from the bar in his office and then returned to his desk. He sat, and looked at Deacon until Deacon finally sat as well.
"Now then," Max said, leaning back in his chair with his coffee. "I'd ask to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit but..."
"But you invited me," Deacon said and Max smirked. "Let's cut to the chase. You have pictures that I don't want out there. You know things. So what do you want?"
Max's lips quirked and he sipped his coffee.
"You were good you know," he said, eventually. "Damn good fighter. I had money on you."
"Sorry if ya lost it," Deacon replied, sounding anything but.
Max shrugged. "It's the risk in gambling. But I'll admit I was rather surprised to see Charlie Shaw involved. John Hughes - very nice cover, by the way. Pity though what happened to his mark."
Deacon stiffened a bit and Max's smile grew colder.
"It would be a pity if the authorities found out who John Hughes really was."
"You're not exactly squeaky clean yourself, Sandberg," Deacon pointed out and Max shrugged.
"That might be true but I have hard proof, right now, that can be given to the authorities that you and your little boy toy were involved in an illegal fighting ring and that Mr Shaw might very well be the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Who do you think could get their information to the police first?"
Deacon said nothing, just glared and Max slowly smiled.
"What do you want, Sandberg?" Deacon growled and Max glanced at Jimmy.
"There are many things I want," Max replied. "As for what I want from you, well, we'll see. You're a man of many talents, Deacon, and I rather enjoy having them at my disposal. You see one of my favorite hackers has apparently gone - off line. For good it would seem. So here's what we'll do. You'll return home and continue on as you like. Feel free to do your digging on me and my company - I'm sure you've already started. But understand that all it will take is a phone call from me and the police will be by to put an end to your happy little family. That lovely little girl has already lost her mother, I'm sure you wouldn't want her to lose her father as well." When Deacon said nothing Max nodded and continued. "Good. Now, go home, go about your business, your life. When I've decided how best I can use you, I'll call. And you'll come, no questions asked. And you'll do what I tell you to do, no questions asked. Do we have an understanding?"
Deacon stood, face blank and casual but eyes filled with hate.
"Guess I'll be seein' ya then," he said, voice tight, and Max smiled and nodded.
"Have a nice day, Deacon," he said.
Deacon didn't reply, just headed for the door. Jimmy, smirking, stepped aside and waved Deacon out, following him. Again they walked out in silence and when Jimmy wished him a pleasant day Deacon just flipped him the finger. Jimmy laughed, the sound only cut off when the door shut.
Back in the car Deacon sat for a moment, staring at the building before him, then swore and smacked his hand on the steering wheel. For the moment they were safe. But who knew what Sandberg would want from him later. The only thing he could do now was wait - and decide how to tell Charlie.