AAG - Storytelling Finale (Saturday Night)

[x-adrienne.livejournal.com]

Adrienne explains how she has involved the FBI in helping to bring down Wyngarde through Shaw, at the cost of most of her own fortune.


"So by now," Adrienne stated with a smirk, "your assassination plans have all fallen through, unfortunately for you. Which brings us back around to Emma Steed's encryption key. The one you used to build false ties between Shaw and Steed in regards to business transactions. The one my people built a ghost network over top of."
 
Wyngarde scowled. "They'll never believe your system. Or that this is anything but a White Court fiction!"

"Why wouldn't they believe it?" Adrienne questioned. "The FBI's money-laundering division believed it just fine." 
 
"The- the FBI have no jurisdiction over-" 

"Over what? My money? The money you've been using for two years in illegal transactions? Which you've been trying to frame me for? Or over Shaw's illegal business transactions, many of which you've been overseeing? Maybe not, but I gave them that jurisdiction when I went to them to cut a deal."

***
“I’m a little surprised to see you here, Adrienne. I could have just sent the paperwork releasing you from our deal over to the mansion.”Fred Duncan poured two cups of coffee, and slid one across his desk to her. It was office coffee, cheap and slightly burnt. Duncan had been drinking it so long that he never bothered with the fancier chains. Good coffee simply no longer tasted right.

Adrienne was mostly used to the FBI coffee by now, so she no longer visibly flinched or made faces or spat it back out when she drank it. When Duncan passed her the cup she settled her hands around it, warming them for a moment, even though she hadn't realized she'd been cold. Maybe it was nerves. Though this was nowhere near as frightening as facing Duncan over her own accessory to murder charges, there was still a lot to be nervous about, she realized. "I'm actually not here about being released from our deal," she said after taking a sip of the coffee. "Rather, I'm here to offer you another one."

"Don't tell me you killed another person. I've got enough trouble on that front with Garrison." He took a sip and set it down. "What's this deal?"

"Sorry, no killings for me," she answered, forcing herself not to get defensive and correct him about how she hadn't actually killed Steven. "The deal is... well, it's sort of a long story actually, but okay, the beginning of the deal starts with a question... you know about the trouble I've been in with the IRS, how my assets are frozen?"

"I've heard. I had an official from the FEC clear your continued involvement here provided it doesn't involve leaving the country, but scuttlebutt is that someone ending up tying your guys to a Pacific Rim money laundering ring?"

Adrienne gave him a wan smile. "Turns out it wasn't that difficult to tie. Not once the false information had been planted. Look," she said as she leaned forward, "I'll keep this short, as I'd rather you focus your attentions on getting Garrison reinstated instead of on me. I wasn't in control of the funds that were found going to that ring. I've been blackmailed into unintentionally granting control of my business and funds to the Black Court of the Hellfire Club, and they've planted false information to frame me. But I can prove what they've done, and I can prove they've done it with other companies."

"Whoa, slow down." Duncan set down his coffee and picked up a pad of paper and his pen. Lots of cops had switched to tablets, but Fred was more than a little bit old-school. "OK, Black Court? I know about the Hellfire Club - a enough to know that they aren't just a spanking club for rich weirdos - but you're getting into new territory for me."

Adrienne gave him an indulgent, amused look. "Each level of the Club holds different levels of power. And of course, everyone wants to be at the top. You can be a general Hellfire Club member, just come for the spanking, if you will. That's the first rung. Then you can be 'claimed' by one of the courts. Black or White, here in New York. That gives you a certain amount of loyalty to your Court, but also grants you loyalty by your Court, so the other court isn't supposed to fuck with you lest they face the wrath of your Court in your defense. There's supposed to be balance," she explained. "But everything's still about the power play at the heart of it. So people get used by the Courts against the Courts. That's what's happened to me. I was a general member, and the Black Court was trying to woo me to their side. I suppose I was interested at first, which is why I'm in so much fucking trouble now," she admitted, sipping at her coffee again. "But then they started to go too far. Wanting to use me for espionage, because of my powers. Fuck honest people over to take what they had for themselves. That sort of shit. It's not that I'm squeamish about amassing wealth and putting people out of business, but cheating to do it? Where's the challenge in that? Where's the sense of competition? It's much more fun to do it legit, as lame as that may sound," she told him with a small smile.

"Anyway, so this one Black Court member started blackmailing me, trying to use... people... against me." She was pretty sure Duncan knew of her relationship with Garrison, but Adrienne wanted to leave him out of things as much as possible, so she refrained from naming him. "He took my company. He's trying to move up the rungs, you see. Dethrone the Black King and take all the power of that role for himself. He's been fucking with the Black King's business transactions for years." She paused there to let Duncan digest.

"So, who's this Black King we're talking about?"

"Sebastian Shaw? And the power player is Jason Wyngarde, of Balliol International?"

"I don't know the other guy, but I know Shaw. RICO has been sniffing around him for years, but he's got so much political protection that there's dick we could ever due to make a case. So, you're telling me that he's got a bunch of holding companies tied to the Asian underworld and it's what has the IRA and RICO going through the accounts?"

Adrienne nodded, glad Duncan was starting to understand. "That's exactly what I'm telling you, yeah. And I'll give you everything I've got relating to this if you get my assets released. Less those compromised by Wyngarde, of course," she added with a wry smile.

"I'm no expert, but if we seize this, you do know that anything compromised by these mechanations becomes part of it. If they've tied up your overseas business, it will be taken an liquidated by the federal government, Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Toying with the medallion around her neck, Adrienne nodded again. "I do, yes. But I need to do this, Fred. Do you think you can make it happen?"

"Give RICO a backdoor to hit a guy they've had on file for ages, and in the process, seize millions, if not billions in illegally transfered funds, a high percentage of which will find it's way back into the FBI's funding? Yeah, I think I can make that happen. In fact, I think I won't have to pay for drinks between now and retirement if I make this happen." Duncan laughed, and gave her a quick smile. "I'm sure you've got your own reasons, but this is a big sacrifice to make. I don't know how to thank you."

Adrienne shrugged, his gratitude making her uncomfortable. "If I didn't know you were already doing everything in your power to help Garrison get back on duty or whatever you FBI people call it, I might ask for you to fasttrack his reinstatement Instead, I'm tempted to ask you for a pony, but I think we both know you'd be the one who ended up feeding it and walking it."

"Garrison's case is in Internal Affairs, and I can't touch it, I'm afraid. But anything else, come talk to me."


Adrienne catches Wyngarde up with the last of the events and information he's been missing- what's happening at the meeting of the Lords Cardinal right about now.



There was only one piece of the story left, which Adrienne was glad for as she had finished her cigar. "So now we get to the point in our proceedings where the Lords Cardinal are holding their meeting," she smiled. "The White Knight should be showing off his handiwork with the ghost system- and yours with the forgeries- to everyone right about now."

***
"Thank you all for attending." It was odd to see Sinha in the flesh, dressed in a well tailored but muted grey suit, shirt and tie. His tone carried respect but never deference as he spoke to the assembled Lords Cardinal, most of whom possessed vast wealth and power. They were unused to that, especially from anyone with Sinha's background. He was the type of employee that they purchased by the thousands. And yet, backed by the office of the Lord Imperial, he was immune to their power. 

Sir Gordon Phillips, the current Lord Imperial, had held his position since the early days of the post war. He had been instrumental in rebuilding the links and power structure between chapters that the Second World War had strained, losing very few to the changing political landscape. He had also used the war to cover the purging of his personal information from the public records. No pictures of him were available, no media appearances, and precious few face to face meetings over the last several decades, to the point that none of the current Lords Cardinal knew what the man looked like. 

However, he had no problem making his authority known, as at least one Lord Cardinal in the last decade had been thoroughly broken within days of attempting to thwart the power of the Lord Imperial. 

"We have examined Mrs. Steed's records and have found ample evidence of a collaboration between her and Sebastian Shaw to supplant the Blue King and redistribute his assets between them. This form of partnership is strictly prohibited by the Hellfire Club charter. We have also found ample evidence that, while not part of the conspiracy, Sir Alan Wilson, the Red King, was made aware of the plot and chose to conceal his knowledge. The Lord Imperial has-" 

"Mr. Sinha, if I may intervene? I mean no disrespect to you or the Lord Imperial, but new information has come to light regarding this situation." Jane Hampshire stepped forward, and the serenity of the clerk was momentarily ruffled as he regarded her. 

"Red Rook, this meeting is between the Lords Cardinal and their chosen staff. Of which you are not." 

"That is part of the new information. As Sir Alan will confirm, the Red Court has voted on my ascension as the new Red Queen of the London Hellfire Club." She said confidently, almost daring a challenge voiced from the murmurs going about the other Lords Cardinal. 

"Very well. Normally we prefer some notice regarding an election, but it is your court's prerogative." It was clear that the move annoyed Sinha, but he quickly quelled his displeasure. "I trust that is not the only piece of information?" 

"No. The White Court informed me that it has obtained proof that the evidence against the Blue Queen and the Black King is fraudulent, placed there by the Blue King and his allies." That sent a much louder rumble through the room. 

"Ladies. Gentlemen." Emma had the ability to make her words cut through a rumble and damp it to nothing, as they did now. "The White Court became aware of a plan to supplant the Black King some little time ago. The plan relied on compromising White Court assets. I thought it best to show how foolish such a plan is. My White Knight can demonstrate what my Court chose to do about that foolishness." 

"My Lords.  My Ladies."  Unlike the private meeting with Templeton, where Doug had barely covered sardonic disdain, this time he stood and spoke with a quiet confidence.  The confidence of a man who is certain he is one of the very few people in a room who knows what is going on. Knowledge, after all, is power. 

"If I may?"  He pointed a remote at a piece of the wall, and a piece slid away to reveal a top-end flat panel display.  The screen displayed the database of Emma Steed's dealings, the one that all the Lords Cardinal were familiar with from the initial accusations.  "You are all familiar with the evidence against the Blue Queen.  Airtight, completely damning..."  He hit a button, and an overlay appeared with timestamps and IP addresses demonstrating each and every change that had been made.  "And completely fabricated." 

He waited for murmurs to die down, then turned to the assembled with folded arms.  "I was approached and instructed by my Queen to create this evidence as part of the effort to entrap the true perpetrators. All of the information was planted just as they desired, but they were unaware that a second layer of programming was inserted to track each fabrication." 

There was a rumble through the crowd, and suddenly Conrad Strathdee made a break for the door. 

This couldn't be happening Conrad thought as he made for the door. This couldn't be happening;   how could they have this information? Wyngarde had been so sure he could control the younger Frost, but she had been playing them, it was the only explanation. "I ah don't feel very well" he told the clerks by the door, a sickly pallor to his face. " I'd like to get some air" he said desperately. "Security, please restrain the Red Bishop. I have a feeling that we might need to ask him a couple of questions." Sinha spoke, and the HFC guards moved to block the door. "We have also received word that assassins have been discovered in the basements of the club. We captured one, and under telepathic questioning, he revealed that he team was hired by the Red Rook to remove the Blue King. It would appear that the goal was to remove loose ends." 

There was a commotion, and suddenly the doors swung open at the far end. Inside walked a half dozen men in grey suits. 

"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Sinha demanded. 

"SIS." The man held up a badge. 

"Ah, Warwick. Good to see you, lad." Christian Kane spoke up suddenly. "This is Special Agent Andrew Warwick. Some of the assets that Templeton assisted with in trying to implicate Emma Steed are still national intelligence resources. By revealing them to anyone without clearance, he's committed a treasonous offense against the Crown. Quentin, it seems the SIS has some questions for you." He enjoyed watching the man's face go ashen.

"What? This is outrageous! I've done nothing of the sort! Whoever orchestrated this... this..." Templeton gesticulated wildly at the screen. "...this chicanery is surely doing the same with me!" His face was flush red from embarrassment, which he would most assuredly claim was from the embarrassment, even if he had apparently been caught red handed. "This is an outrage, sir! Mr. Sinha, I demand something be done about this!" He watched the SIS and tried to keep his distance from them, though even Templeton himself realized the jig was up.

"I am afraid, Blue King, this is now between you and Her Majesty's government. I-" he paused suddenly, and put his phone to his ear. "It would appear that Mister Templeton is not the only one suffering legal trouble. According to my staff, most of the accounts we were monitoring as part of the 'fake' conspiracy seem to have been just frozen by the American FBI and their international law enforcement allies. The Black Court, in specific" He met the suddenly thunderous expression of Shaw, who motioned Scarlett to move. 


With the tale completed, Adrienne says her fond farewells to Wyngarde, thanking him for giving her something she didn't think she possessed.


Nearing the end of her story, Adrienne rose from the chair, still feeling a little queasy from the wound on her hand, the mental image of what she'd done to Wyngarde, and the realization that this crazy plan was actually working. She was almost done. Almost free.

"So, you see," she murmured, " Shaw now knows what you did. And somehow i don't think he's going to be too pleased. In fact, I think Belladonna may be paying you a visit shortly. What do you think about that?"

Jason was too stunned to speak. If what she said was true, then not only had his plan fallen apart, but everything he'd built up carefully over the years had just been wiped away. By her. His face contorted in pain as he tried to get to his feet.

Adrienne felt a pang of sympathy at the pained look on Wyngarde's face. Sure, she'd hurt people before, but she'd never stood there and talked to them afterwards, seen exactly how what she'd done had affected them. "Look, I could ask that Belladonna spare your life," she offered. "Get someone to take you to a hospital. I don't know if she'll agree, but I can ask. And all you have to do is never come near me again. No plots for revenge, no messing with anyone in my life. Easy peasy, right?"

"I want nothing from you, Adrienne. You may have won today, ahh-" He hissed in pain, finally standing to face her. "But one day, I promise you, I will make you pay for this. All of it. Just when you think you're safe, and happy, and have everything that you could ever want, that's the day I'll come for you, and it will all turn into ashes, piece by piece. And when I've taken the last piece of happiness away from you, I will then choke the life out of it, and my gaze will be the last thing you see before you die."

Adrienne sighed. "Well, now I have to get Belladonna to kill you. I have the money for it, after all, so it's not a big deal. But I'm a little disappointed. Is this really what you want, Jason? You'd rather be dead than just leave me alone? I thought you wanted power. To live your life knowing you had power over others. You realize you can still try to build that again if you just agree to stay away from me and mine, right? You can start over." She laughed a little at that. "How the hell you're gonna do that when you've crossed the Black Court, I've no idea. But you're smart. Resourceful. Who knows. Maybe you can get away alive tonight. Hide out. Start over. Or you can die, here, tonight, just because you're too damn stubborn to forget about me."

"You don't tell me what to do! You are fucking beneath me, Frost! A bug I could crush under my foot." He snarled. "And I will."

"Umm, no, you won't," Adrienne answered, sounding like she was talking to a stubborn child, "because you'll be dead. You're really not getting this, are you? Must be the blow to the head. You're usually much more perceptive."

He stumbled forward, lunging at her, trying to get his hands on her.

Adrienne picked up the pistol on the table and sidestepped the clumsy lunge, then spun and clocked him upside the head with the butt of it.

Wyngarde went down hard, blood running freely from the gash she'd opened in his temple. He moaned, trying to get his hands under him.

"Okay, this is just getting sad, now, Jason," Adrienne muttered, stepping towards the door. "I'm done with you now, so I'm going to go, and send Belladonna in to have a little chat with you. And just in case she does manage to leave you alive, know this." She stepped into his line of vision and crouched a little so he'd be able to see just how grave she was about what she was about to say. "If you come after me again, if I ever see you again, smell you again, if I get word that you're on the same continent as I am, I am going to find you. And I'm going to kill you. If I've learned one thing here tonight, it's that I have it in me. Or rather," she added wryly, "I suppose you've brought it out of me. I can kill you, so I will kill you."

He locked eyes with her again, but this time she saw something different that she recognized; fear.

That was more like it! "I'll leave you with this. You play chess, right?" she grinned. "Do you know what an allumwandlung is, Jason?" It was pretty rare so she assumed he didn't, and went ahead and explained it anyway. "It's when the pawn becomes any, or every, other piece on the board. Rook, Bishop, Knight, Queen."

He was breathing heavily now, realizing past the pain and past the fear, that every word she said was true. Belladonna would be coming for him. Shaw would settle for nothing but the bloodiest of revenge after his networks had been crippled and billions lost thanks to Jason's plot. There was only one thing to do; flee.

"Checkmate, asshole," Adrienne muttered, sauntering out the door.