“It’s a shame,” Rachael Gauldet sighs; “that the Luna Brotherhood is dealing with its own problems.”
“Why is that a shame,” Tachibana looking at the were-otter rep; “what could they do to help our situation?”
“They could deal with Mr. Crawford,” Rachael speaking in her thick French accent.
“Like they tried to do with my daughter,” Martin Stovall snapping back; “I for one am glad the Seattle chapter is now non-existent.”
“That was an unfortunate incident,” Randolph growling; “it’s one of the reasons why I refused to help rebuild it.”
“If I recall,” Lance smirking towards the werewolf rep; “you told those three Romanians to what was it you said?” Lance pondering for a moment; “oh yeah, you told them to get bent.”
“It was more than that,” Randolph looking at Lance; “I was busy with my mate taking care of our cub. I still am.”
“Please,” Tachibana looking frazzled despite in her were-vixen fursona; “can we please get back to the matter at hand?”
It wasn’t long before the rest of the council members arrived; each looking concerned and irate over the overt and blatant threat Jack Crawford left along with his and Kenya’s summon scroll scraps. A few demanded that he be forcibly dragged from his place of residence in Seattle, while a few wanted his were-panther head on a silver plate. Tachibana had to repeatedly insist that no physical harm be brought to him by their paws; directly or indirectly.
“We are all frustrated,” Martin sighing; “after the events at the picnic and the mobster now languishing in jail, we are all feeling short tempered.”
“The gazette’s expose,” Lance debating between the octopus or the tuna sushi roll; “I can contact a few reporters I know in Seattle, have them run that story in their papers.”
“How will that help us,” Rachael looking at the wer-panther.
“Jack Crawford,” Lance looking at the were-otter; “is in the same social circles my sister-in law is in. Much of the hoi polloi lives in Seattle,” Lance thinking; “if that expose is read by them in the society pages…”
“It would make him and his wife a social pariah,” Randolph picking up what Lance was thinking; “yet those same papers will be focused on Frederick Parker, you expose will undoubtedly not hit page one.”
“I also have friends,” Lance smiling; “that work for the Wall Street Journal and other business oriented newspapers. Not only can I make the prig a social pariah,” Lance popping the octopus in his mouth and swallowing; “but I can cripple his business interests and make his associates balk at working with him. My brother may be vicious in the boardroom,” Lance shaking his head; “but I can be just a brutal, just with ink instead.”
“How long will it take to make this happen,” Tachibana looking at Lance.
“A few phone calls and couple of emails,” Lance answering; “plus I have to inform Ella that I want her article to be farmed out to other papers…”
“That crafty reporter of yours will want something in return,” Martin responding.
“And I know just the carrot to give her,” Tachibana getting up; “plus it will give sheriff Cooper a much needed relief and allow us to be in control on another front.”
“What are you thinking of,” Randolph joining Lance at the sushi tray.
“Those vultures Jack Crawford sent over here,” Tachibana getting up; “will have to get any information from Ella and the Gazette.”
“Exclusivity,” Lance looking concerned; “I’m not sure that is possible. Most of the major news networks will just ignore her and my paper and go straight to the courthouse or the police station for a soundbite.”
“Plus,” Rachael adding; “Frederick’s lawyer whoever it is, will hold a press conference in an effort to bamboozle the press to their side.”
“Rachael is right,” Lance sighing; “better to let the Sheriff deal with the press the best he can. Ella will be happy with her article being farmed out to other papers as her name will appear in those papers. Ella will get a few royalties and recognition for her work,” Lance pulling out his phone; “I’m worried I just might lose her to another paper that is interested in her after the article is released.”
“Then make those calls,” Tachibana walking over to grab a bite of sushi; “Leon you have been quiet during this whole affair. What are your thoughts on our predicament?”
Leon Talbot, the wer-lion king and wer-lion rep looked up from staring at one of the many flowers planted next to the cherry blossom tree Tachibana was sitting under. Looking at everyone staring at him; Leon got up from the chair that was provided for him as well as the other council reps.
“Do you really think I’m the best person to ask my thoughts on these issues,” Leon beginning to speak. “My son was nearly killed by some jack ass who wanted his car. That jack ass’s father came to our town and tried to bust him out,” Leon snarling; “now my daughter’s mate is in the hospital because of some shithead who is feuding with Benton Knight decided to attack him over some past issue stemming from a break up. You want my opinion,” Leon roaring; “ship Frederick Parker back to San Francisco. Postage due for all I care. Better yet,” Leon still seething; “have Jack Crawford join him in the same shipping crate.”
“As entertaining as that may be,” Tachibana regretting asking Leon; “you very well know we can’t do any of it.”
“You having most of Frederick’s entourage running naked in woods,” Randolph chuckling; “now that would be something to do to Jack Crawford. Pity he is a wer-panther and would be able to find his way back.”
“I have a thought on something similar,” Martin Stovall rolling his eyes; “maroon Jack Crawford on an uninhabited island. Accessible only by a wer-mer or by boat.”
“Let’s give Lance a chance to put his idea forward,” Far Hojin rejoining the impromptu meeting; “my grandson is currently observing Jack Crawford’s communications. Don’t ask how or why,” Far looking at most of the council members present; suffice to say we had a past meeting with Mr. Crawford and managed to bug his computer.”
“Ah yes,” Tachibana nodding; “I remember. Is there anything we should know?”
“I’m not sure if it’s important,” Kai returning with the laptop in his paws; “but I’m reading an email that was intercepted a while ago. It’s regarding taking back Crawford Computers.”
“How is that important,” Tachibana looking at the white wer-tiger.
“Oh fuck,” Lance overhearing what was just said; “Benton is going to be pissed. And after he had me file that paperwork he had me hold onto.”
“What are you getting at,” Tachibana looking at Lance.
“Crawford Computers,” Lance shaking his head; “is part of Frieda’s trust fund. Crawford is planning to go after that.”