Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

the luxuries. And if that obscene portrait on the wall is what I think it is, it alone cost more than your yearly salary as Speaker. Where’s the money come from these days, Elias?”
    “I never knew you had an eye for art, Toby,” said Gutman easily. “And yes, it is an original. Erotica is very collectable these days. I acquired it as payment for an outstanding debt. My money comes from investments, all of them open and aboveboard. My finances these days are a matter of public record. I’m squeaky clean. I can afford to be. It was a good war for me in many ways.” “If you’re so clean, why did you settle for Speaker? You could have been a Member of Parliament. Hell, you could have been Prime Minister.” “I prefer to be the man who chooses the Prime Minister. The power behind the throne, so to speak.”
    “But just what are your politics these days, Elias? Where do you stand? What are you after? You seem terribly chummy with just about everyone, including all the extreme fringe groups that no one else would touch with a barge pole. There isn’t a political gathering of whatever persuasion that doesn’t have you on its guest list. Oh, I’m sorry, was that supposed to be a secret? I’ve studied the footage from the stuff that
    doesn’t make it to the screen, and it’s amazing how often you crop up. No matter how extreme the cause, or how distasteful, or even how opposed, there you are, right in the middle of things, smiling and pressing the flesh and making friends. Everybody’s buddy. Care to comment on that?” Gutman had stopped smiling. “You’re on dangerous ground, Shreck. Back off.” “If it’s all so innocent, why don’t you want to talk about it? You just said you’re squeaky clean these days. Why is everyone always so glad to see you, Elias? What are you offering them in those private little backroom meetings that no one else gets to see?”
    “I think it’s time you were leaving,” said Gutman flatly. “I have nothing more to say. And don’t think you can use any footage of this conversation. I have hidden security devices that jam all recording equipment.” “That’s what you think,” said Flynn. “I’ve made modifications.” Gutman glared at Flynn and then at Toby. “I could have my people destroy that camera.”
    “No, you couldn’t. It would cause too many awkward questions.” Toby smiled at Gutman. “Unlike you, people believe what I tell them.” “I’ll speak to your bosses,” said Gutman. “And then they’ll tell you what to say.”
    “I am the boss,” said Toby.
    Gutman smiled coldly. “One of my investments is in communications. I own forty percent of Imperial News.”
    Toby smiled coldly right back at him. “Do you think that’ll stop me? There are always other companies.
    I’m red-hot these days. Everyone wants me. Time we were going, Flynn. Don’t bother with the flunky, Elias. We’ll find our own way out.” They left in somewhat of a hurry, just in case Gutman decided he didn’t care about his public image just this once. Out in the street again, in the cool air of the evening, Toby and Flynn looked at each other thoughtfully. “Well,” said Flynn, “that was interesting.”
    “Yeah,” said Toby, rubbing his hands together. “I told you there was a story here. Just wish I knew what the hell it was. We’re going to have to do some more digging in records and archives. See if we can find more footage on exactly who he’s been cozying up to just recently that Elias doesn’t want us to know about. Might be interesting to see if there’s anyone he isn’t talking to. That might tell us something as well… Strange, though, I was expecting him to put up more of a fight. And the threats were so…
    obvious. He used to be more subtle than that.” Toby gave Flynn a sharp look. “Were you bluffing about your camera? Do we have any of that conversation recorded?”
    “Depends,” said Flynn. “I upgrade my camera regularly, but the main players make a point of always having state-of-the-art security. I won’t know for sure what I’ve got till I get back to the lab.”
    “Well, that will have to wait,” said Toby. “We have another visit to make yet. A Family affair this time: my dear aunt Grace, currently the head of my Clan in the detested Gregor’s absence. She’s been running the Family and doing a very good job of it, by all accounts. Which is interesting, because the Grace I’ve known for most of my life wouldn’t say