“Dav,” said Narb, blinking but quickly regaining composure, “that’s not true at all. I am trying to help your father. I got wind of this matter recently and brought the issues directly to him. He is currently in one of offices of the Banking clan, trying to untangle this mess. Yes, I agree he’s been framed. But Dav, Layda, believe me when I say I am giving him all the help I can. Which is why I am here. It’s entirely possible that an enemy with the kind of resources to do this to Daak wouldn’t hesitate to threaten or harm Daak’s wife or only child in the bargain, hence these associates,” he indicated the four guards, still unsmiling and watching Dav and his mother, “and their, ah, various areas of expertise. If anyone should try to force entry into your home during this delicate time that Daak is clearing up this matter, these professionals will be quick to eliminate the threat.”
Dav swallowed. Narb sounded almost convincing. But the way he kept looking at Mother made him nervous, sick and angry all at the same time.
“How long will we have to wait?” Mother said, twisting her ring.
“Not much longer. Daak has about...oh, perhaps a half-hour left before the Banking clan will close their offices for the day. We’ll see if the matters have been tidied up. If they have, my communicator will give me a nice, green glow, and we’ll leave you to run your lives again. If not, it will glow red, and we’ll have to think of something else over dinner. Hm?” he finished, looking over at them as if seeking their approval. When they said nothing, Narb smiled again, clapping his hands together gently. “Good,” he said, “good. I think we shall have to see exactly what we’ll have for our meal tonight, Layda. Might I trouble you for a light supper while we wait for Daak’s return?”
“Of course,” Mother said, looking over at Dav. “Dav, will you go and call that restaurant which we...”
“That...that will not be necessary,” interrupted Narb, his ‘associates’ tensing up slightly at the mention of Dav calling out for delivery. “I am certain that, if you’ve had a difficult day, your serving droids could prepare us something? Hm?”
“Yes,” she said, looking at the floor, “of course.”
#
“Delicious,” said Narb, licking then wiping his fingers, purposefully smearing his saliva and meat juices on the corner of the napkin that had the Eccles family crest on it.
They’d eaten at the dining room table, complete with low-lit glowglobes and reddrink. The guards had positioned themselves just out of sight at the corners of the room, their right hands still resting on their pistol butts at all times.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Yes, quite delicious. Before the evening’s end, you must give that serving droid’s meal program to one of my assistants. But as for the rest of the-“
Narb’s communicator went off. Gentle chimes accompanied the panel’s lighting up in a bright red glow.
“Oh, dear, one moment, please,” Narb said. “Hello, this is Narb.”
“YOU WORTHLESS, FREAKISH SON-OF-A-GUNGAN!”
It was Father’s voice! Angry as Dav had never heard it before!
“Now, now, Daak,” said Narb, smiling nervously, “is that any way to talk to the man who is personally protecting your family from those opposed to your interests?”
“You are one of those opposed to my family’s interests, you slimy excuse for a salacretin! I have the money, and I have the papers! Now get your lackeys out of my home, or so help me I don’t care how connected you are, I’ll find you and gut you so cleanly they’ll think the Jedi are back.”
“Temper, temper, Daak,” Narb said, looking around. “One might almost think you believe me to be behind this little difficulty you’ve found yourself in!”
“Oh, I know it’s not you! This is something too elaborate for the likes of you, you greb-eaten pile of shasat droppings! You haven’t had an original idea since you faked that injury to get out of playing against the major players on the Sector 24 team. Remember that? Remember how many of our players went to the hospital covering for the space you left in the team line?”
“Really, Daak, I’m surprised you remember that!” said Narb, giggling and chuckling nervously, sitting with his hands folded while he spoke to the little machine. “But it seems there’s a problem, Daak. That money you mentioned. It seems the transfer has not been completed. Can you please explain that?”
“You’ll get it when you’ve left my home and my family have locked the door behind you, with security droids guarding the door. And the droids are armed with disintegrators and thermal detonators!”
“Oh, dear,” said Narb, wincing and speaking with faked concern, “I’m afraid that’s going to be a real problem, Daak. You see, I agreed to do this as a favor to you when I heard that there were people displeased with your current activities. If I leave now, I can’t guarantee the safety of your family.”
“They’re safer without you there, that’s certain!”
“Father!” Dav yelled from across the table, “Father! What’s going on? Can you hear me?”
“DAV!” Father yelled, “Dav, listen to me! Don’t trust this nerfpig! Do you understand? He’s never forgiven me for marryin-“
Narb pushed a button and silenced the call.
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TO BE CONTINUED....