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Chapter 449
Chapter 449
Chapter 449
«It’s you! You filthy bastard, how dare you give the record to the Valentines?!» – Horace’s roar was heard from the sound transmitter.
«Calm down, Horace…» – asked Kyon.
«Calm down?! Son of a bitch, do you even know what you’ve done?! We had agreements, but you gave a shit about them, didn’t you?! Fat scum, do you have a conscience?!» – the man was on the verge of insanity, because Dick still had 100 copies of that fateful recording, and if he distributes them, then Lindia will not survive it. She still doesn’t know anything. On the one hand, the bastard must be immediately destroyed for violating the terms of the deal, but on the other hand, it will turn into a disaster.
«Horace, my respect for you has long fallen below the baseboard, and now it has completely broken the bottom. At first you tried to lure me to you with the promise of a sweet reward in order to kill me as the only witness, I know this thanks to the listening formation. And now you’re brazenly accusing me, even though you were the first to violate the terms of the deal!»
«What are you talking about, brat?! What have I violated?!»
The fact that Horace did not deny the first part of the accusations made it clear to Monty, Milan, Rose and Elsa that what he said was true. It turns out that the patriarch of the Clintons wanted to kill the only witness who gave him the answer to the exciting question of the identity of the father of the child of his beloved daughter! It’s mean… Now Dick’s blackmail seemed even more reasonable.
«The second condition sounded like this, I repeat verbatim: you will abandon all attempts to catch me or gather information about me. If I notice anyone waiting for me outside the department, the deal will be terminated immediately. But I won’t tell you about this, of course. Exactly ten days ago, in the evening, your people were tailing me when I left the department. Two men chased me for five minutes, but eventually missed me.»
There was a silent pause. And although it lasted only a few seconds, it spoke volumes.
«Are you crazy or what?! If my people were following you, you would never have noticed them! It’s probably your sick imagination!»
«Horace, don’t bullshit me! I am a high-ranking investigator who is in good standing with Mr. Milan. Of course, your tail was followed by my people, who followed your bad spies all the way to the Clintons’ territory. Will you continue to make a fool of yourself? Don’t force me to take extreme measures.»
«Stop! Okay! Okay! Just don’t do anything stupid!» – Horace’s voice and intonation changed dramatically, as if he had been caught red-handed. He knew that Dick was being followed, and could not continue to lie further, fearing that he would distribute the fatal 100 records.
«It’s good that you admitted your guilt. We’ll talk later.» – Kyon suddenly dropped the connection and placed the device in the ring. He did not want to discuss unnecessary details in front of witnesses.
Four spectators tried to recover from what they heard. Dick’s conversation with Horace made it clear what was what, who was to blame and who was not.
The silence was broken by Monty’s heavy sigh: «Yeah… I didn’t expect such meanness from the “respected” Horace… Dick, forgive me for hasty conclusions. I admit my guilt.» – the man said these words reluctantly. Initially, he did not plan to thank Dick in any way, by no means, he wanted to hand him over to Clinton for a large reward.But last night Milan convinced him not to do it, and it was already too late to cancel the invitation. And today, for some reason, Rose brought Elsa with him (she asked for it herself). The future wife of the youngest son is watching everything! The patriarch had no right to put himself and his family in a bad light. He will have to thank the fat man, as befits in such situations.
«Everything is fine. I’m not offended.»
«So you have something else on Horace? Copies of records, for example… Otherwise, he would not be so fawning in front of you…» – the patriarch suggested thoughtfully.
«That’s right, but it’s just for my safety. Otherwise, how else can an ordinary young man defend himself against such a monster as the patriarch of a second-rank family?»
With another heavy sigh, Monty folded his hands into a lock: «Since the truth is on your side, I am ready to provide you with protection. Moreover, I will gladly reward you for your feat. You can ask for whatever you want. Valentines know how to be grateful.»
Rose looked from her father to the blonde and smiled playfully.
Elsa did not react in any way. She was still glaring at Dick intently.
«Yes, I just have one request. But don’t worry. I don’t need your money or women. And even your bodyguards, who follow me closely, too, because I am a master of disguise. Tell me, could you show some news on the city screen, the one that appears over the city every evening?»
Monty didn’t like the young man’s request. It would be better if he asked for money: «Yes… I could, but understand, it must be something important, otherwise the Russells who control the city screen will refuse even me, because only relevant and sensational information should be reflected in the agenda…»
«Oh, don’t worry, this news is very important! In recent days, all residents of the city have been actively discussing the mysterious Dick Baker, who destroyed seven shadow clans. I’m sure they are ready to give a lot to find out what he looks like!» – Kyon said confidently.
The four people present were clearly thinking slowly, trying to comprehend the possible consequences.
«W-well, let it be your way… After all, you are the hero of Dantes… No one would dare… To object. Probably.» – patriarch of the Valentines summed up uncertainly, swallowing. It seems he’s been cornered. He felt as if he had decided, of his own free will, to run away and jump off a cliff.
«Wonderful!» – exclaimed Kyon exultantly. – «I’m sure the Valentines keep their word! Here are five of my shots. Let all citizens of Dantes see what their hero looks like.»
Milan exchanged glances with Monty, and Rose exchanged glances with Elsa.
The fat man, looking extremely pleased, took out the nephrite and activated it. A screen appeared on an empty section of the office wall with an image of a high-ranking investigator Dick, dressed to the nines in a neat uniform against the background of the department building. The fat man was casually unwinding the handcuffs on his index finger. And the inscription: “Your favorite hero is Dick Baker”.
In the next image, he, having made a stern face, belligerently put his arms out to the sides, showing his “huge” biceps. The inscription read as follows: “Unsurpassed warrior and fighter – Dick Baker”.
In the third picture, a half-naked fat man sat on a snow-white long-maned horse. He awkwardly assumed an oblique position and stuck out his stomach, apparently proudly showing the torso of the ideal man. The inscription explained: “Charming and tireless – Dick Baker”.
In the penultimate image, Dick, either deftly bending his back to the ground, or simply falling under his own weight, dodged a crossbow bolt. The inscription was as follows: “The elusive and all-conquering crime fighter – Dick Baker”.
And in the last picture, the fat man in a cape fluttering in the wind and with a blade of grass in his mouth, gazing into the distance, pressed the head of a man in a criminal’s mask into the ground with his foot: “Fearless and mysterious – Dick Baker”.
«I had to work hard to create this work of art. Renting a horse of the Usuri breed cost a pretty penny… Well, okay. It’s worth it. I am sure the people of Dantes will appreciate my creativity.» – Kyon nodded with conviction.
Four people present were speechless for a minute.
Elsa covered her reddened face, her shoulders trembled slightly: the beauty was clearly about to burst out laughing.
Rose massaged his eyes, but so hard, as if he was trying to squeeze them out.
Milan’s glasses cracked in the second picture, and he didn’t know who to thank for the rescue.
Monty ran his fingers through his already tousled hair, trying to figure out what he had signed up for…
You can’t unsee what you’ve seen. One way or another, everyone in this room felt the incomprehensibly great self-importance of Dick. His egoism and narcissism are so immense that they can destroy common sense and turn even the worldview of emperors.
Milan, being a rational person, quickly realized what his talented colleague was up to: he wants to get rid of the popularity that has befallen him. If the citizens of the capital see these pictures, they will definitely lose the lion’s share of interest in the person of the mysterious hero.
Kyon put the nephrite with the images on the patriarch’s table and said: «Can I use your restroom? The shrimp for breakfast was not very fresh…»
«Go…» – the patriarch wheezed in a strangled voice, looking as if he was about to burst.
When Dick left the office, Elsa could not restrain herself and burst into a melodic laugh, like the ringing of silver bells. She was ashamed that she couldn’t help herself.
Monty gave the order with the utmost seriousness: «The toilet that he uses must be destroyed!»
«It will be done.» – the servant bowed, barely restraining a tremor of horror, and left.
«Sorry, brother… He’s not usually like that…» – Milan explained apologetically.
«It’s too late to apologize… Too late, Milan!»
«Father, will you really show “this” to everyone in the city?!» – Rose asked worriedly.
«I have already promised… Patriarchs do not take their words back. Remember.» – said the man, looking at Elsa. If she had not been present, he would have refused Dick. But it is impossible to appear in a bad light in front of the future wife of the youngest son.
«Promised? But you made a promise before you knew what you were signing up for! If you do it, then mass psychosis will begin, people will suffer! Think about the kids!»
The patriarch frowned at Rose. Since when does anyone bother him besides himself? A… It’s clear. He wants to impress Elsa. By the way, if she is of the same opinion, then maybe it will be possible to do without unnecessary sacrifices?
«And what do you think, beauty?» – Monty asked the blonde with a sugary smile.
«Let the residents see their hero.» – Elsa declared confidently, obviously pursuing her interests. – «Anyway, sooner or later they would have found out about him, so why not show him right away, at the same time expressing your gratitude to Dick?»
The girl’s words made Rose mentally grimace in annoyance. It would be better if he was silent.
«That’s what I think.» – agreed Monty. – «Rose, if you don’t listen to me, then listen to your future wife. She won’t say anything stupid.» – he winked at the girl. – «By the way, how about setting a wedding date? It’s high time I believe.»
Rose took the beauty’s tender palm in his and nodded encouragingly to her.
Elsa reciprocated and said to the patriarch: «We recently agreed that as soon as Rose becomes the empress’s junior disciple, we will set a wedding date.»
«But it is almost a year before the tournament. You’ve been dating for almost a year already. Isn’t it too long?»
«I’m in no hurry, father. At the same time, there will be motivation to become even stronger!» – the blond man said decisively and kissed the girl on the cheek, which made her embarrassed.
«I see you are serious… Well, I don’t mind. Have it your way, lovebirds.»
«Thank you for understanding.» – Rose said with a meek look, and in his head completely different thoughts were spinning. Elsa insisted that she needed time to test her feelings for him, so the guy had to go for a trick, and it worked!
«I beg your pardon, I will go away to fix my hair.» – Elsa bowed politely and left.
When there were three people left in the room, the patriarch muttered with displeasure: «Well, you gave me a nuisance, Milan! You also called him a friend… You disappoint me!»
«And what is my fault? In the fact that you sent him an invitation and decided to thank him? Don’t shift responsibility from the guilty to the innocent! You are the patriarch, so take responsibility for yourself.»
«I used to see this freak in Boston.» – Rose spoke reluctantly. – «He’s the prince who married a demon and disgraced the entire empire. Let’s say I can understand why the demon fell for his “wonderful” appearance, but how the hell did he become a high-ranking investigator?! Uncle Milan, say something!»
Milan adjusted his glasses: «Obviously, he purposely married the princess to collect evidence and hand her over to the authorities. The head of the department appreciated his skills and gave him to me in the department.»
Monty nodded understandingly: «It sounds reasonable, but something is bothering me… How did it happen that Albert not only escaped from the Clintons on the same day Horace found out who and how was raping his daughter, but also suddenly found a disciple, now known as “The legendary lord of the cauldron”? It’s just too much of a coincidence.»
«Do you think Dick saved Albert and became his disciple?» – Milan asked, frowning. If so, then it becomes clear why he, telling his version of events, spoke about Albert not so badly. But why does he need all this?
«Ha-ha-ha! Dick is “The legendary lord of the cauldron”! I’m going to die laughing now!» – Rose burst out laughing, as if he had heard the best joke in the world. – «Maybe this freak is the best genius in the empire? Ugh. He’s just a cunning narcissistic freak who found a loophole in the system and now enjoys undeserved privileges. I don’t want to hear a single word about him anymore. Let’s close the topic.»
Milan would like to agree with his nephew, but he already knew too much about Dick to calm himself with such a banal explanation.
Meanwhile, Elsa went into the men’s toilet, put a soundproof barrier behind her and, crossing her arms on her chest, pierced Dick washing his hands with another icy look.
«Lady Elsa, what are you doing here?! Ah, did those images really fascinate you so much, and now you want me…» – the fat man stepped back in fright.