Edgar arrived to the predetermined point about an hour before he said he would be there. It was his way of trying to catch people off guard. He was sure if they tried to set something up he would be able to look around and see them doing it long before he was supposed to show up. He had picked the busiest building, the biggest mall in the city during the weekend no less. This place was packed with people scurrying around for great deals and trying to do anything here would be impossible. The reason why he had chosen this exact location for their meeting was that there would be too much collateral around to risk anything. It's one thing to arrest someone in front of a small house in the burbs, it's another completely to attempt to take someone in a packed mall. All Edgar would have to do is fire a single shot into the air and mass panic would tear the place apart. There was no way this Carlson fellow would try anything here because he also still had his people, which was a good bargaining chip incase he didn't care about the little people.
Edgar took his sweet time navigating through the gigantic shopping complex. There were over two hundred stores and shops, and he pretended to look into a few of them with interest, all the time looking out for points where people could be looking out for him. Finally when he was sure the area was clear enough for him to risk it, he started to walk towards to the coffee shop that he had instructed Carlson to meet him at. He told him that a table would be waiting for them, and that he was to arrive at exactly three in the afternoon. As Edgar was walking over, his new cell phone gave a little jingle and vibrated against his chest.
He flipped it open, "Hello?"
"It's just me." the old voice of Sir Norsberg crackled on the other end, "I wanted to speak with you before your little get together just in case this was our last chance."
"I'm not sure they're willing to risk that with their own men still with us." Edgar said as he kept looking around. It was still clear.
"I'm sure they wouldn't, but with all that's occurred in the last week or so, you'd forgive an old man for not taking any chances." Norsberg said as he coughed a few times away from the phone, "I wanted to wish you well and hope that things go our way."
"I don't expect them to go anyway. This is really a negotiation to the real thing and a test to see how much I can trust them." Edgar paused for a moment, then kept walking, "I think they are aware of this as well. If they're likely to try something funny, it will be as the next meeting when everyone will be there."
"Fair enough." Norsberg agreed, "So they'll use this meeting to build trust and rapport, and then yank it away when it's all on the line."
"That's how I'd do it if I was in his shoes." Edgar commented as he spotted the coffee shop, "So don't worry that fragile little noodle of yours. I'll be fine and will contact you when it's all said and done."
"I'm in town." Norsberg suddenly said, "Meeting with people and to make sure things go as expected."
Edgar was taken back by this, "You didn't need to do that."
"Don't worry about me, lad." Norsberg said, "I've got more than one skillet on the stove, but yours is the one that's keeping me up at night."
"So I'm not the only one losing sleep over this?" Edgar sarcastically asked the old man.
"Hardly not." Norsberg cussed sharply, "I doubt your counterpart has slept much since his men went missing. I bet he's as eager to see you as you are him. I'm just calling to let you know things are being done on this end just in case things go astray."
"I appreciate that, sir." Edgar said as he stopped just short of the door, "I should let you go. I've arrived to the shop."
"Very well." Norsberg said as he gave up with a deep sigh, "Godspeed my boy, and full details by the end of the day, understood?"
"Of course," Edgar quickly disconnected, and put the phone back into his pocket and slowly walked into the coffee shop. He strolled up to the counter and ordered a large Irish crème, and as he was walking up to the island to toss in a few more sugar twins, a man from the back of the room waved at him. Edgar looked at him for a moment, and then realized the man was waving to the woman behind him who ran over to his table and joined him with a few chilled lattes. As he started to step away from the island, he heard someone call out his name.
"Over here Mr. Willis." a voice called out.
Edgar turned around, and in a very strategic corner of the coffee house sat a rather calm man, wearing a black suit and already nursing a drink of his own. Edgar walked up to the table, "You're early."
"So are you." Carlson retorted, "Chalk that one up for being the workaholics on both sides of the fence."
"I'll concede that one." Edgar said as he sat down, "I came to scout the place out to make sure you didn't have some goon hiding in the back making muffins."
"As did I." Carlson noted, "Last thing I want to do is add myself to your already impressive list of captives."
"Fair enough." Edgar said as he slouched back, "We have so much to discuss. Where would you like to start?"
"I assume you're not just here to talk trade." Carlson said as he took another sip of his herbal tea, "Otherwise we would have just pitched them over the phone in sixty second intervals."
"No fun in that," Edgar replied as he took a large slug of his brew. He always liked to slam it down while it was still scalding hot, "Besides, I never make any deal without negotiating it out face to face. It's kind of a personal guideline."
"Very reasonable of you ask me." Mr. Carlson agreed, "If a person isn't willing to be there in person to seal the deal with a handshake, he can't be trusted. I may work secretly behind closed doors, but I am a honest person. I always let people know what they are involved in and what their options are. I never lie to them."
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"Even to those you kidnap?" Edgar retorted, trying to tap a button.
"Now, now, there's no need to toss around that ugly word." Carlson said with a grin, "Everything I have done has been pre-authorized to the highest level. When it all comes crumbling down, I'll be the man who merely took the orders and did his duty."
"Funny," Edgar said, "That defense never worked for the Nazis."
"That's because they killed their captives." Carlson countered. "I've done no such thing."
"To the world they are dead, isn't that just as bad? To make these families believe that their loved one had perished in such a gruesome manner?" Edgar was having a bit of fun with this, trying to read how Carlson would react to the emotional hell people like Jessica, Norsberg and countless others had been living the last five years.
"I know it looks bad from your point of view, but my mission is to make the residents of my program as comfortable as possible." Carlson replied, "Some of them are actually living better lives since the day of their placement. There was one resident from the capital who was being beaten by her husband. She was onboard that plane get away from him and fly to her mother for help. Our program provided her with the shelter, an education and the means to move on with her life that no one else could have. That was truly an example of divine fate working in her favor."
"So you use examples like this help you sleep at night?" the PI responded while finishing his coffee in record time.
"I sleep just fine, Mr. Willis." Carlson said as he waved to someone to take another order, "The alternative was killing them. I was the voice of reason who said it was possible to keep them away without that kind of violence. I'm not the bad guy. I'm the one who fights for the sanctity of life."
"Spoken like your commander in chief," Edgar countered, "He must be very proud."
"That buffoon doesn't know the meaning of that term." Carlson spat back as he tossed his serviette on the table, "His people have no respect for life at all, unless it preaches to their duped masses or fills the coffers of their campaign financiers. They were the heartless bastards who wanted them executed to begin with. They almost had their way too."
"I find it funny that you feel all right enough to discuss this in such a public place." Edgar said rather surprised, "You're not afraid this confession is being recorded?"
"First off, I've never mentioned any names or dates." Carlson casually replied, "And secondly, there is a recording scrambler underneath every table in the shop. I had my people install them last night. I could tell you who killed Kennedy and it wouldn't make a difference because you'll won't have any on film or tape."
"You must have made one hell of a boy scout." Edgar said mockingly.
"I came alone as requested. You said nothing about prepping the area prior to our meeting." Carlson challenged, and he was right, "But those scramblers are double edged sword as I'm not getting anything recorded either. So we both get nothing but the pleasure of each other's company and whatever deal we manage to strike."
"Fair enough." Edgar said as he decided it was enough foreplay and time to get down to business, "I'll give you both your goons back for Jerome and Jessica. Two for two sounds fair to me."
"It might to some, but I want my resident back as well." Carlson returned, "Without her there is no deal. I'll give you your people and I want everyone back in return, including the old woman. Without here there is no way my people are going to accept anything."
"But I have more chips than you do. What are you going to give me for her return?" Edgar said trying to pry him over to his side.
"How about cash?" Carlson suggested, "We have a pretty hefty budget."
"I've got plenty of that," Edgar said, "As you likely know based on the numerous background checks you've done. My client wants satisfaction for his money. Handing over my only piece of evidence for nothing would leave him feeling rather unsatisfied."
"So now the truth comes out." Carlson said as he discovered the truth, "Someone else is financing this for their own reasons. This wasn't a charity case taken up for the sake of being nice to Miss Johnson."
"Never. Uncle Ben rules." Edgar said as he tapped the table with diligent impatience.
"Well put." Carlson said with a chuckle, they his face went cold as he delivered his pitch, "I know the exact amount that was tossed in earlier this week, and I can double it. Just give me back my people and walk away." Carlson knew this would be a sweet offer. He watched the PI with interest to see any signs that might indicate his response.
"What about Jerome and Jessica?" Edgar asked.
"They know too much." Carlson answered, "Especially Jerome. They'd be put into the system and never seen again."
"Tempting, but I'm going to have to turn you down." Edgar said, amazed that the words were coming out of his mouth, "My client has the means to top your offer and likely would in a heartbeat if he knew you were making this pitch. I want Jerome and Jessica back, but I'm willing to give you your extra chip in return for a favor."
"What kind of favor are we talking about here?" Carlson said, somewhat interested. Rather that spit out his response, Edgar wrote it down on his napkin as clearly as he could. He passed it over to Carlson and gave him a moment to ponder what it had to say.
"What do you think this might solve?" Carlson asked.
"Well, it would get one thorn out of your side and tie up a loose end." Edgar acknowledged, "My client won't be happy, but I can always try again, and again, and again if necessary."
"I was afraid you were going to say that." Carlson responded, knowing exactly what he meant by it.
"That's the terms." Edgar said rather coldly. "Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it to my superiors for their approval." Carlson confirmed, "Do you have a location in mind?"
"Right here tomorrow night at midnight, right by the main entrance. Don't come early this time." Edgar said as he stood up to leave, "I've got people watching the spot already. Any preps this time will result in a cancellation of our deal and your resident will be on CNN by tomorrow morning. Understood?"
"Yes." Carlson said as he stood as well, "Perfectly. You have my word that I'll do this right. I'm not a double crosser. You give me what you want and I'll go through with my end."
"I appreciate that." Edgar said, getting a good vibe from his adversary, "You're a rare one in your field, aren't you?"
"You'll never really know..." Carlson said with a smile as he shook Edgar's hand to seal the deal, "See you tomorrow at midnight."
Edgar paused for a moment, and didn't let go of Carlson's hand, "Do you really happen to know who killed Kennedy?"
"Of course I do," Carlson replied with a grin. "The operation was executed by my mentor."
"Just don't tell Jerome." Edgar said, "Or he'd never let any of us hear the end of it."
"Tell me about it," Carlson confirmed with a chuckle. Edgar watched as Carlson picked up his coat and strolled out of the coffee shop. He wasn't five steps outside when a woman carrying shopping bags joined him and escorted him out of the mall. Good cover, Edgar thought to himself as he strolled out himself. Once outside the coffee shop, he activated a new 'pay as you go' cell and made the call.
"It's a go." He said, "Bring them in tonight and I'll meet you at our previously arranged spot. See you then."
After hanging up the phone, Edgar tore the phone apart and tossed each part into a different trash container while browsing around the mall before finally making a quick exit.