Orpheus - Haunting the Dead.pdf - Dice

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DIA DE LOS MUERTOSAUNTING THE DEAD
“That’s not even half of it, is it, Cardinale?” Eileen
asked.
“I… I don’t know what you mean.”
“Please, Mr. Director-General, don’t insult me. You
sent that email with an A1A. This isn’t any kind of
mercy mission. It’s not even about the building. I don’t
care how much specialized construction an Orpheus
facility needs, you can’t tell me there isn’t another firm
in Mexico able to handle the job if Tierra Arguelles
goes under.”
“Listen,” Cardinale whispered, “you have no idea
the kind of political weight a woman like Señora
Arguelles has here. Laura Arguelles can make sure I
never get into another government office.”
“If Tierra Arguelles goes down, all of her political
clout goes with her. That wouldn’t affect Orpheus….”
It was like a bell had gone off. “But it might affect you.”
The small bureaucrat said nothing.
“Of course,” Eileen said. “Exactly how much of this
building’s construction funds went directly into your
pocket, Señor Cardinale? How many agents are you
going to put at risk because of it?”
The tiny man waved his arms in a feeble protest.
“No, no. That’s ridiculous.”
Eileen let out a long, low whistle. “Fine, Mr. Director-General
of Orpheus Group S.A. It seems you were
right to call us in. You’re hip deep in it, now aren’t you?”
“Please,” the director said in a pained voice. “I need
your help. I wasn’t lying about Señora Arguelles’ political
clout. If she goes down, I go down, and the resulting
publicity won’t do Orpheus much good.”
It was Eileen’s turn to smile. “Relax, Señor Cardinale.
We’re going to help you—for triple time, plus bonus.”
The man’s face turned several shades of red. “What!”
he yelled. “Triple time! Are you insane?”
Eileen was unmoved. “Come on, Señor Cardinale.
What have you got to lose? If we fail, you’re finished. If
we succeed, it’s a bargain. What do you say?”
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