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| A cold business | Started by: Edgler_Cobb on Oct 01, '18 16:49 |
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Edgler was the kind of guy who liked to keep busy. He had various interests and his talents were always on call for the family, but he found that left him with a lot of free time on his schedule. Most people would have probably seen this as a blessing, but Edgler Cobb wasn’t most people. No, Edgler needed something to occupy his time and serve as a cover for his other activities, but it had to be just right. While many of his colleagues either stuck close to the family headquarters or had an office in a business they used as a front, Cobb wanted something that would let him keep an eye on the street. It also needed to be something that would allow him to move at will around the streets of Philly at will. At first, he considered running a taxi, but having to run fares around the city would constrain him more than he wanted. Edgler was stumped. Then, while waiting for a cab, it came to him. Floating on the breeze was the familiar tune of the ice cream man. Of course. He’d get into the ice cream business. It would let him move around as he would, but also give him decent cover. Moreover, if he wanted to meet a contact surreptitiously, they could just walk up to the truck posing as a customer. Edgler called up an old friend of his by the name of Marcus Kane and within a couple of days was the proud owned of a Sweet Tooth Ice Cream franchise along with a specially customized ice cream truck. With that, Edgler put on his freshly pressed uniform with a name tag that read simply “Ed” and got to work on his route. It didn’t take Edgler long to see some of the other opportunities granted by the truck. While the children loved the ice cream that Edgler sold, the adults preferred other, non-dairy treats. Edgler was happy to provide, for a healthy fee, of course. Edgler also offered a “police discount” so it wasn’t unusual to see a beat cop take a break from their busy schedule of fighting organized crime to pick up a frozen treat and, sometimes, a fat envelope full of cash to keep them overlooking the family’s various activities. Edgler had always liked the feeling of running a successful racket, but this was more than that. For the first time, he was actually beginning to feel like part of the community. He really got to know his regulars. Edgler had always like kids, not in the creepy way, but just how they were at the same so different and yet so similar to adults. Edgler liked to think the kids liked too. True, this was mostly because he sold his ice cream at a discount and sold the teenagers weed, but even so. It was still nice to be liked. Yes, the ice cream business was turning out to be a sweet gig for Edgler. Unfortunately, just when things were looking bright, there was someone around to screw things up. Frank Mulgrew was a long time ice cream man, a neighborhood fixture, and he hated “Ed” on sight. Something about Edgler just set his teeth on edge. The older man told Edgler that he knew he was “up to something” and was going to run him out of the business. This was Unacceptable. Egler had never allowed anyone to get in the way of his Goals. He hadn’t been swayed by Father and his antiquated book or Mother and her crocodile tears. No, they were Gone now, just as Frank soon would be. Unfortunately, simply vanishing someone like Frank wasn’t really an option. In a fairer world, Edgler would simply be allowed to remove those that annoyed or inconvenienced him at whim, but this was hardly a fair world. No, Edgler would need to be clever. Frank Mulgrew was a dead man. That was a certainty, but he’d need something a bit more subtle than blades or bullets. Edgler reached into his pocket a pulled out his business card holder and began leafing through them. Famiglia Medico Cura. Perfect. Maybe “la strega” would have the cure for what ailed him. |
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The phone call Ilaria received at the clinic was mysterious, to say the least. It came from one of the newest members of Midas- Edgler Cobb. His reputation preceded him. Those who had spent time with him said that he was the quiet type; not saying much unless it was necessary, but that when he did, it was...different. Joe's body man, Ray, had put it succinctly when he said, "the guy uses a lot of fancy words. Like he's some kind of psychotic poet. But he gets the job done, that's for sure." At 12:00 on the nose, Ilaria heard a knock at the back door. She hurried to the end of the hallway and peeked through the newly installed peep hole. Sure enough, it was Edgler- exactly on time. Stepping back, she opened the door and greeted him warmly. "Welcome- do come inside, I just finished with a patient. I'll show you to my office." She led him inside and closed the door, then walked to her open office door, allowing him to enter first. "Have a seat, please. I'm happy to meet you face to face." Ilaria sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "Your phone call had me curious, especially as you seem to know my little nickname." |
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| Reply by: Ilaria_Santoro at Oct 02, '18 15:03 | |
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Edgler sat down carefully, a bit nervous. It always paid to be cautious when in another’s territory, much less their lair. Mutual friends had assured him of this Ilaria’s credentials and willingness to help, but what man could truly know a woman’s mind, especially one as subtle and dangerous as this one was reported to be. Yet, it was these very traits that made her uniquely suited to help him in his path. So, Edgler knew he would have to do something he was loathe to do: tell the truth, at least some of it. “Yes. We have… mutual associates that vouch for both your talents and discretion,” Edgler replied carefully. "I made inquiries and your name came up from multiple trusted sources," He waited for a moment to give her the chance to protest. When she did not, he continued. “As you know, I’ve recently begun selling ice cream. It probably comes as no surprise that I’ve begun using the business and the opportunities afforded to me by that business to further not only my own interests, but that of the family,” Edgler frowned in distaste for what he had to say next. “Unfortunately, someone has decided to obstruct my business. He’s even threatened me. My attempts dig up blackmail material have failed and he’s far too holier than thou to make cutting him in on the action worthwhile. No, Frank Mulgrew has to go away,” Edgler leaned forward slightly, becoming more animated. “You have to understand. This wouldn’t normally be a problem for me. I usually have very little problem with… conflict resolution, but Mulgrew is a retired cop and still has friends, the kind that would ask questions if he were to suddenly disappear or be killed horribly in a home invasion ‘gone wrong’,” Edgler smiled slowly. “On the other hand, my dear friend has a weak heart. As a wise man once said, the only difference between a medicine and a poison is the dosage. I was hoping you could provide something that could put him out of my misery,” |
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| Reply by: Edgler_Cobb at Oct 02, '18 16:43 | |
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Ilaria chuckled. "One of my favorite quotes, and absolutely accurate." She sat up in her seat, a look of keen interest in her eyes. "I have a few ideas for products of mine that could help you. Really, it depends on how quickly you'd like your 'dear friend' to expire; and how painfully." Ilaria stood and gestured for Edgler to follow her. "Come this way- let me show you my laboratory." The two walked diagonally from Ilaria's office toward a door beside the alley entrance. Pulling a key from her pocket, she unlocked the heavy door and pushed it open, then pushed up a switch that lit up the big, industrial lighting overhead. The storage area of the clinic was large enough to drive a truck into, and held rows and rows of shelves. Among the varied merchandise, there stood a three-sided desk littered with papers and lab equipment. As they approached, Ilaria opened a locked drawer, revealing a small tray with four tiny glass vials on it. "Pick your poison, Mr. Cobb. Consider these as you might consider clothing sizes- small, medium, large, and extra large. Though not in fitting, but in the 'punch' it packs. What are you thinking?" |
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| Reply by: Ilaria_Santoro at Oct 02, '18 17:02 | |
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Edgler let out a low whistle, impressed despite himself. The sheer variety of bottled death in the room was both intimidating and impressive. He’d been told this Ilaria Santoro was a formidable woman, but he could now see that was an understatement. “La strega”, indeed! “Impressive…” Edgler took a deep breath, composing himself, and pushing aside thoughts of all the wonderful possibilities this room contained. His thoughts returned to the matter at hand as he mulled over her question. “I have no interest in watching the old fool suffer or in delaying things more than is necessary. No, my only interest is making his end as natural seeming as humanly possible. He’s caused me enough inconvenience in life, I don’t want him making my life miserable from the grave as well,” Despite himself, Cobb found his eyes wandering to the rows of bottles and their varied contents. Briefly, Edger found himself as entranced as some of the younger children at his truck. “Is that… Puffer fish toxin? Really?” Edgler marveled,“That stuff’s liquid gold! Death Cap… aconite… ricin pellets...,” Edgler looked up at Ilaria with undisguised admiration. “Madam, you are truly an artist,” Casting another look at her wares, he smiled. The possibilities were endless. “We’re going to be doing a lot of business together. I can promise you that,” |
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| Reply by: Edgler_Cobb at Oct 02, '18 17:46 | |
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With an impish grin, Ilaria folded her arms over her chest as Edgler looked over her stash. "If you like that, you should see what's in the ice box." Reaching over, she selected the first vial from the tray and held it up. "Simple, quick, effective- and untraceable. The base of the compound is a maitotoxin- so little of it is required for heart failure. The reason this is perfect for your situation, Mr. Cobb, is that if anyone were to run blood tests, they would find only elevated levels of calcium; which can't be all that surprising for an old ice cream man, right?" She pressed the vial into his palm, then leaned back against the desk. "So, how are you finding things here, Mr. Cobb? I hope your transfer from Las Vegas has been profitable." |
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| Reply by: Ilaria_Santoro at Oct 02, '18 18:05 | |
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“I didn’t care for the desert. It was… a lot of things. The heat, the sand, but mostly it was…” Edgler hesitated, grasping for the right words. “It was the emptiness, the blankness of the horizon. The way the sky opened up at night. I’ve never liked the sight of the stars at night,” Again, Edgler paused. He didn’t talk about himself and he certainly did talk about the past. Still, there was something about Ilaria… Something that made him go on. “My childhood was... not... a happy one. I found ways to protect myself, to understand that life is a certain way and there’s no one and nothing that is exempt,” “But when I looked up at the stars…” Edgler whispered, his hands clenched into fists by his side. “They’re so beautiful, so remote, so far above everything. Why do they get to shine up there in the splendor of heaven when I was consigned to this hell?” Edgler stopped and cleared his throat. To his surprise, he realized his eyes were wet. Embarrassed, he wiped his eyes. With effort, he slowed his breathing and willed himself to relax. “I’m sorry. That was… more than you asked for. To answer your question, yes, I’m finding Philly to be much more my speed than Vegas,” |
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| Reply by: Edgler_Cobb at Oct 03, '18 00:03 | |
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Ilaria listened genuinely to Edgler as his story came out. As a nurse, she was used to people feeling they could open up to her. She considered it one of her favorite parts of the job, and always treated people's trust with the utmost respect; especially in this life, where most keep their stories close to the vest. When he finished, Ilaria gave him a kind smile. "I am glad that Philadelphia suits you. I think you're already doing a fine job within the organization. And, frankly, I like the way you think." Standing again, she winked and gestured toward the door leading back to the main clinic. "Have you thought about what position you'd be interested in with the airline?" |
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| Reply by: Ilaria_Santoro at Oct 04, '18 15:30 | |
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Edgler shrugged. “I don’t know. Security, I guess. I don’t think I’d make a very good stewardess, I don’t have the legs for it,” Cobb chuckled for a moment before turning serious again. “Seriously though, I haven’t been in Philly long, but I’m already developing something of a reputation. Maybe having me around would dissuade troublemakers. They say the best weapon is one you never have to use. If I could be that for the family, I’d feel like I’ve done something to justify the boss’s faith in me,” |
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| Reply by: Edgler_Cobb at Oct 05, '18 01:17 | |
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Ilaria nodded, still laughing from his legs comment. "That's what I was hoping you'd say. I'd already mentioned to Joe that I thought you could be instrumental in intelligence, and if necessary, interrogations." She closed and locked the door to the storage room as they stepped out. "We are building a very strong company with Midas Air. Your unique talents can and will take you quite far, I think." |
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| Reply by: Ilaria_Santoro at Oct 05, '18 02:04 | |
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