Chapter 79 - Job negotiation (2/2)

”Be that as it is, I still can't allow you to keep this secret from me. I am responsible for the investigation of the explosion related events since we came to know of the Nirbaadh pirates and their clients. I can't allow you to hide related information from me.,” said Evelyn stubbornly. In her position, she couldn't allow such information to be hidden from her.

”I am not willing to put my life and lives of others in the hands of people like you. You are the prime director's sister and your actions will be dictated by political pressures. Moreover, in this way, you would have plausible deniability and blame it on me. And I can always plead insanity caused due to disaster at the base,” said Balthazar in a flat tone. It was clear from his tone that he didn't care about Evelyn.

Everyone in the room realized by this time that it was not just his loyalty to the alliance military and his sense of duty that is pushing Balthazar to investigate the enemies. It was clear that he considered this issue a life and death matter for him and his family.

”He is a tough one. Obviously, he wouldn't trust me, if he didn't even trust his own family to be capable of getting any information,” thought Evelyn. ”I am not going to get any information from him directly. The only thing I can do is let D.i.c.k help him. In this manner, I will at least have some modic.u.m of control. Moreover, he could also claim insanity if I force him legally to reveal his secrets. That would lead to a total waste of money and resources.”

She couldn't force the Blyth's to reveal all the information they had. Forcing them to cooperate is impossible. That is a lot harder than forcing Rowley family to cooperate, which she couldn't do either. She had come here hoping to get Balthazar under her to have a source of information at the Blyth family. She never had any interest in recruiting Balthazar for clandestine operations. Her only interest was to get some information from the Blyth's using the Patriarch's grandson.

Winston, D.i.c.k and Xander had always known her intentions. She always knew that Winston wouldn't support her attempts for obvious reasons. She brought Xander along thinking that Balthazar being his subordinate might actually be more willing with him present. D.i.c.k was a familiar face to Balthazar and hence, she got D.i.c.k to help convince Balthazar.

She always considered that Winston would be the person hindering her attempt the most today. If Walter had been at the planet, he would directly send her back. Without Walter, she thought that she had a good chance to have a Blyth working for her. But never did she ever expect that her target himself would be the one who would be against her. Unable to change his mind, she had to concede.

”Hmm...,” sighed Evelyn as she realized she wouldn't be able to achieve her objective completely today. ”I can only accept his condition and maybe slowly gain his confidence later,” she thought. ”At least, I would have plausible deniability, if he screwed up with something. Moreover, he seems to be strong willed and capable. He might actually find out something we can use with a bit of support.”

”OK, I will agree to provide you technical support. D.i.c.k will also be your liaison to my outfit. But you will be in probation till you provide any valuable information proving yourself or you accept my original proposal train with the outfit. You can contact D.i.c.k for everything including your issue with identity cards,” said Evelyn finally giving up on her original plans for now.

”That would be best for all of us. Don't worry, I am not stupid enough to try and destroy my enemies on my own. I only intend to collect evidence or create a situation that will prompt action from the alliance. That is the only way, I would be able to beat them, especially if they have the backing of the knights of old republic or the Nirbaadh pirates,” said Balthazar.

Though Evelyn had finally accepted that she would let him try on his own, Balthazar knew that she would try to monitor him through D.i.c.k. Yet, their discussion finally reached some sort of conclusion. Though it wasn't to the liking of either Evelyn or Balthazar. No good compromise ever satisfies all the parties involved. Xander and D.i.c.k were quiet, and it looked like they were willing to accept this arrangement.

The only person who was completely not satisfied with the way this meeting turned out was Winston. Before the meeting, he held the hope that even in the worst case, if Balthazar directly accepts Evelyn's offer, she wouldn't put him in any highly dangerous situation.

Yet now, not only is Balthazar accepting Evelyn's help which she would definitely use to pull him to her side, but also Balthazar was definitely going to do something illegal or dangerous as he asked for fake identity cards. This scenario was worse than the worst case he imagined.

During their talk, Winston had half a mind to knock out Balthazar and keep him in the mansion till he reconsiders these unsafe plans. But by the time, Evelyn conceded, he also understood that he couldn't stop his grandson and even if he uses force, Balthazar would surely find a way to escape and continue.

Right now, he just wished that his grandson had told him of his plans beforehand so that he could help him directly instead of Evelyn being involved. Walter had contacts that would be able to provide anything that Balthazar needed. In his perspective, it was a better option to seek Walter's help than Evelyn's.

”I will be waiting for your reports. Hope you don't make a mess of things. Remember, there are a few things from which even Winston would not be able to protect you,” warned Evelyn as she got up to leave.

”I beg pardon?!” interjected Winston. ”If he does go after the Rowleys, it them that have to be worried. Not us,” he continued looking at Evelyn. ”The Price family have gotten too soft lately. They have almost forgotten how they managed to gain their power.”

”Hmph!” said Evelyn as she walked out of the room followed by D.i.c.k and Xander. Though Winston's last words held no meaning to the others, it looked like Evelyn was shaken by it. The Blyths have been supporting her family for a long time and so she had taken them for granted, but it looked like they were not willing to budge on this.

She knew that if the situation called for it, her own family would discard her if there ever came a situation where the Blyths were no longer willing to support them. Seeing Winston support Balthazar made her rethink that may be Balthazar was much more capable than she thought.

She immediately made a few calls and started preparing for the scenarios where Balthazar failed or was successful and could get some incriminating evidence about the Rowleys. ”It is all in your hands now kid,” she thought as she reached her ship and lit a cigar. ”Don't disappoint us,” she sighed openly.