Chapter 56: Meeting in the Red Circle (2/2)

The Red Circle only functioned as a club during the weekends All other days hen 'business' happened

Aldrich knew the ins and outs of the Red Circle His Grave Ward had scouted out al it could That included the room on the third floor they were head to where a uard

There were a few mystery rooms blocked with forcefields, but Aldrich would knoas behind those soon enough

Hirondelle led Aldrich and Valera to the end of the dance floor to a platfore The elevator ferried the was deathly silent The walls were heavily sound proofed, isolating it from the tumult of the dance floor below

The third floor cohtly lit hallways lined with red carpet and decorated with expensive paintings and sculptures, so over a hundred thousand credits

"Right this way" Hirondelle led Aldrich and Valera down these hallways to a room She opened a varnished, carved oak door, and bowed

Inside, the roo restaurant It was lit by elaborate chandelier, and beneath it stood a round dining table covered hite cloth Casilasses in front of hiement was repeated twice for Aldrich and Valera

Immediately, Casiht on ti

"Casimir, I presuhly

"My, that is a powerful handshake right there," said Casimir He playfully tapped Aldrich's shoulder "You must train that body of yours quite dutifully, hm? But the sad state of the world now is that one er"

Casihtly to Valera "Mrs Vane, is it? A pleasure tobut war to me in our prior communications Ah, and that bottle, I should not let a lady such as yourself carry it"

Casiood to uards, a Red Circle waiter, it see from his white and red suit, caracious nod He had sharp, angular features with slit pupils and slicked a short buzzcut

Contrary to his brutish appearance, Walters carefully began to open the case and retrieve a tray of wine opening tools like he was a world class surgeon perfor the world's most sensitive operation

Aldrich and Valera could both tell frolance that Walter was not so They could not sense Ether energy, but they could tell how physically capable soh muscle that he seeiven moment

"Now sit, sit! You erous, no?" Casi the table, Casimir continued "I ah neighborhood I do not mean to pry, but I noticed your AC counts were zero It is no wonder that you had to drive here in an armored car, particularly when I had to request that you arrive with no security force"

"Oh, trust me, it wasn't much of an issue," said Aldrich "You have been h so far"

"I appreciate your politeness, Mr Vane I tell you, so They cannot tell a street market leather from Gucien finery Nor, as you no doubt know, soe"

Aldrich noted that Casieted Aldrich's current suit was from Gucien and of course, that damned overpriced as a Celeste or so! That twin coiling snake design with the silver and gold, estured to the [Ring of Avarice] on Aldrich's finger "Might I ask who made it?"

"Unfortunately, this is strictly artisanal A custom order," said Aldrich

"Custom, is it? After our talk, you must acquaintance me with your jeweler I would almost kill to have a piece such as that for myself," said Casi watch and several polished rings studded with rare gems of all kinds "But you strikebusiness, shall we?"

"You read me perfectly," said Aldrich

"Walters, pour us soin," said Casimir "Your wine, that Celeste, we must save for later My chef will prepare a course that suits its dry yet subtle flavors beautifully"

Walters nodded and took a bottle from a chilled cabinet He popped the carbonated bottle open and held it by the base with his pallasses

Casi alcohol to the light of the chandelier "A preliminary toast, perhaps?"

"Of course" Aldrich raised his glass, and so did Valera

Casilass close to hisa severely burnt, disfigured face He sipped the prosecco before continuing business talk "I understand that you wish to speak withour liquor selection"

"Just as we discussed before, yes," said Aldrich He had sent this ood look into the Red Circle's list of ood cover and fit with the story of a wealthy Dud that wanted security

"Our liquor selection is acceptable, but not the finest I am afraid that our in house store does not exceed the B rank For any higher, you er establishments But that is what the Red Circle specializes in Connections

We are one of the largest hubs for Connectors froons, the Rakshashas, the Moon, the Trident - any big names you can think of, we have ties to"

Aldrich heard the word Trident and involuntarily narrowed an eye

"Ah, are you interested in the Trident?" said Casi even that tiny eye motion expertly

"Of course Who wouldn't be?" said Aldrich as he maintained his smile