Anarchy Novel "Will" Chapter 30

  Chapter 30  
   “Creedy, you look like a wreck.  What’s wrong?” John Rockateller asked in mocking concern.  “And why didn’t you want to meet at the bank like we usually do? Why did you insist on such remoteness?”    

Galvin Creedy had begged for their normal business meeting to take place at Rockateller’s ranch on Crystal Lake.  Ever since his meeting with Mason Black, he’d become frightfully paranoid.  He needed to do something to try and not only ease his tension, but also to give himself a chance at redemption.  

He asked Rockateller, “Is your place secure? I mean, as far as you know, you’re not under surveillance?” Rockateller looked at his business partner with amused confusion as well as a pinch of contempt.  “No, nobody’s watching me.  What the hell kind of question is that?” 

  Galvin Creedy went on to explain to the Libery Corp. oligarch exactly what had transpired in his meetings with Mr. Gray and Mason Black, every last painstaking detail.  Rockateller, not normally given over easily to apprehension, looked a tad distressed by this news.  If the Black Family was watching Creedy, could they possibly have everyone else under surveillance? He pondered this notion for a second and then brushed it off.  “Wow, that’s something else, Creedy, but I’m sure I’m not under any surveillance.  So what’s your next move? You obviously have some design in mind, otherwise you wouldn’t just blurt out all you just told me.”  

Creedy was pacing back and forth near the fireplace staring up at the gothic vaulted ceiling.  He then turned towards John and asked, “You lean more towards a unified front when we take over the other side, don’t you?” Rockateller sighed and gave a nod of reluctant agreement, then replied, “What’s your aim here, Creedy.  Out with it, already.”   

  Creedy looked into Rockateller’s dark eyes and said, “I think we should hedge our bets.” “We?” Rockateller quickly retorted.  Creedy just stared at him waiting for more.  With a large huff, Rockateller continued, “You want to back someone for real? Are you out of your mind?” Creedy had been thinking about it since his meeting with Mason Black.  The way he saw it, it was his only chance at salvation.  “Think about it, John.  If we do nothing, and there is division in the ranks over how to proceed militarily on the other side of that wall, things could get messy.  You know that, everyone knows that.  But if we take the initiative and back one of the horses early, and give it every advantage possible, monetarily and technologically, then we can’t lose.  Not only that, but we’ll be in the driver’s seat. You have to see the logic in this, John.  But I can’t do it alone.  I’m being watched, so my hands are tied, but as far as we know you still have free reign.”  

John Rockateller couldn’t help but see the cold business logic of his partner of many years in the Liberty Business.  It was true.  Who knew how far things could deteriorate if, at the final hour, there was dissension in the ranks of the power elite.  Why not hedge their bets? On the other hand, if he was caught engaged in such subterfuge, he, and possibly his entire family, could meet their end prematurely.  And could he trust Creedy after all? Can you trust a man who is admittedly under surveillance?   

  Rockateller tugged at his mustache.  “Hypothetically speaking, if we were to back someone, who would you choose?” Creedy thought for a moment while he leaned on a shiny marble column.  “I think Hellius is the most stable of the three.  Tyran is a mess because of his drug problem and Sitan, well, I don’t think I need to explain what’s wrong with Sitan.  You saw that damn cat act.” 

  “I see your point,” Rockateller began, “But remember, we don’t want a ‘leader of the people’ to be too intelligent, either.  Hellius might be more difficult to control, especially with new toys in hand.” Creedy conceded that point, but retorted, “When push comes to shove, though, I don’t want some bumbling fool involved in crucial moments.  There’s too much of a chance for Sitan or Max to make things FUBAR in a hurry.  We just need the right control parameters in place, and Hellius will be a potent ally.  

Rockateller conceded, reluctantly, and then raised another obstacle to overcome.  “We deal mostly with the Democratic Free State.  If we suddenly start moving large amounts of credit to Hellius, it’ll raise a red flag.” The two men sat silent for a moment.  “You could talk to your brother, Darius, at Point of Light Energy, to join us.” Rockateller instantly rejected the idea, “No, he hates Hellius.  He’d never go for it.” “I’m sure once you explain to him why you’re doing such a thing, he could see the logic and stand tall with his brother.” Creedy pushed, now getting excited that this could actually happen.  Rockateller shook his head, “And if he refuses?” “He wouldn’t rat out his own brother, would he?” Creedy inquired in a devilish tone.  “I like to think not,” Rockateller admitted, “But there’s only one way to find out.” “So it’s decided, then,” Creedy expressed with relief.  Rockateller cringed and said, “Damn you, Creedy.  If this backfires.” Creedy cut him off, “If this backfires, we won’t be the only ones in hell.”