Matters of Business ((34))

[amanika]

Ganghis gave her another nod, "I'd like you to report back to me on that one in the evening then. Was there anything else?"

[victoriousscarf]

She considered for a moment. "Invite, murder... you hear the reports about the Hidden Paw lately?"

[amanika]

Genghis' sigh was a little long-suffering, "Numerous ones, did you have any specific incident in mind?"

[victoriousscarf]

"Apparently, somecat claims he's the one behind those murders a little while ago, the straight razor ones. Also, he's been encroaching on the docks. A shipment a couple days ago got picked up by him rather than us."

[amanika]

Genghis gave a hiss at that, "I remember that one rather too well. I paid for that damn shipment! If I find out who tipped him off they'll be taking a long walk off a short jetty. I've stepped up crew and security for unloading cargo that isn't off our own ships, from now on they're there at least an hour ahead of delivery. If it happens again, I'll be leaving him a few warnings of my own."

[victoriousscarf]

Clara smiled thinly at that. "I'll keep that in mind. Some warnings might not be a bad idea."

[amanika]

"Indeed," Genghis exhaled heavily, sounding calmer when he spoke again, though his tail was thrashing almost rythmically behind him. "I need a little more information first though. Perhaps setting up a sting of some kind might not be a bad idea."

[victoriousscarf]

Another nod from Clara. "Just give me details and I'll see what can be done."

[amanika]

"I'll certainly let you know, though I intend to deal with this one personally. In the meantime, I do have a job for you regarding one of our smaller rivals. More of a nusance than anything, but something I could do without nonetheless."

[victoriousscarf]

"Just give me the details then," she said, finally putting the cigarette out.

[amanika]

Genghis opened a draw and took out an unmarked file with a few sheets of paper inside. Glancing at the clock on the wall as he did so. He handed her the file, locking the drawer afterwards. "That's the basic details, but I need that extra labour for the shipment and she's due in fifteen minutes, I'll fill you in on the way."

He made for the door, unhooking a work-worn but warm looking fleece lined coat from the hook on the back of it, before opening it for her to pass through. "Shall we?"

[victoriousscarf]

She gave him a wary look when he opened the door for her, but breezed through. "Certainly. On the way works just as well."

[amanika]

He followed her through the door, closing and locking it behind him, shrugging on the coat as they went. The weather outside at this time of year the tiniest bit too cold for his liking. "It's fairly straightforward. The leader's some cocky young tom who's more mouth than sense, but he's managed to get them this far. They'd be too small fry for me to care, except that they've been muscling in on my customers. Interrupting our orders, stealing the stuff when they can and then selling it and thier own back to my clients at twice the price. And because they think they're getting an unreliable service from us, they're paying it. It's a smart idea I'll give them that, but crude and clumsy in how they're executing it, I don't think they've got a clue who they're dealing with."

[victoriousscarf]

Clara absorbed that information before nodded. "Sounds lovely. Should we try negotiating, absorbing them first or just have them taken down?"

[amanika]

Genghis withdrew his gloves and put them on carefully, "Take them out. Let them realise just what a mistake they've made. What with this business with the Hidden Paw thinking he can steal from me as well, I'd much rather set an example. Go for the ringleader and at least one or two directly below him. Though past that I don't think you'll find much of a structure, which is why I'm hoping that cutting off the head of the snake will kill the rest of it. I'd really rather not have to go for a full scale massacre."