Bitter Arrangement: Chapter 17

The bar is dim and crowded. Most of the people here are Brotherhood-related, though there are some civilians over in the booths. I’m at a corner table, my back against the wall, and three men sit across from me.

“First, thanks to all three of you for showing up,” I say, raising my glass of whiskey. I have to speak loudly over the blaring techno music. This place is popular with a certain kind of young criminal. Photographs of graffiti cover the walls, and most of the tables are decorated with spray paint. Not normally my scene, but Tigran suggested it as a first meeting place.

“Did we have a choice?” Daron asks, grinning at me. He’s a year older, has short hair, is good looking in a muscular sort of way, and is always in black denim and black shirts.

“You always have a choice, although some choices are wrong.”

He barks a little laugh. “Fair point. Honestly, when I heard you got the big promotion, I didn’t expect you to call.”

“That’s because you’re a smart man.” I grin at my old friend. We’ve known each other since we were young and came up in the underground hacking world together. He was the first person I reached out to when it was time to build my team.

“We’re just happy to be here,” William says. He’s a few years younger, athletic looking, has longer curly hair, and very handsome blue eyes. I don’t know him nearly as well, but he’s got a sterling reputation for social engineering. That’s the art of talking his way into basically any system by fooling people into giving him their passwords. “Got to admit, there aren’t many technically minded men in the Brotherhood.”

“More and more these days,” Eric says, the last member of my team. He’s the youngest of the group, but I’ve seen his work, and it’s impressive.

“That’s actually why we’re forming this team,” I say, looking at my three hand-picked crewmates. It’s too soon to say whether this will be a success, but if it’s going to work, these men are my best shot. “The Brotherhood’s too old-fashioned. Groups like Zeitsevs have much better cyber-based operations, and the patron believes that if we’re going to compete in the coming years, we need to expand online.”

“What exactly are we going to be doing?” William asks, head tilted. He’s got a charming smile, but he uses it to hide what he’s really thinking. “Stealing money from old people?”

“That might be part of it,” I concede. “I’ve considered a call center at some point in the future. But right now, our job is to research opportunities.”

“You want us to go out and find heists,” Daron says, raising a glass. “I can do that.”

“Heists, hacks, soft targets, anything technical.” I look at each of them in turn. “For right now, I want you all to make a list of your current jobs. Anything you’re working on, report it. Tell me who hired you and why. From there, we’ll start compiling some lucrative ideas. We’re a team now, the four of us. I know you’re all used to working alone, but those days are gone. We’re better together.”

“Very inspiring,” Daron says.

“I think it’s a great idea.” Eric seems eager as he leans forward. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about this hack⁠—”

He goes on to describe, in excruciating detail, a bank with weak protections he’s been casing for the last few weeks. That seems to break the ice, and William chimes in with some ideas of his own. Even Daron engages, which is better than I expected.

These are masters of their domains. They don’t like to share. But if I can make them come together as a team, I think we’ll be unstoppable.

After an hour, the meeting breaks up. I motion for Daron to stay behind as the other two head off, talking about their past exploits. Or mostly William talks while Eric grunts and pretends to be impressed.

“What do you think?” I ask him once we’re alone.

Daron shrugs and finishes his drink. “It’s a cute idea, but come on. It’s going to take a lot before we trust each other.”

“That’s why we have to start working on this now.” I lean toward him, lowering my voice. “Arsen put me in charge of this little crew. He chose me for a reason.”

“Yeah? And why’s that?” There’s an edge to Daron’s smile now.

“I’m the best. We both know it’s true. And I chose you first because you’re just as good, and because I trust you.” I lean toward him. “I need you to step up. Can you handle it?”

His smile fades. This is the Daron I know. He comes off aloof and uncaring, like he believes everything is bullshit, but that’s just an act. He’s deeply driven and would do anything for his family, no matter the cost.

“You know I can,” he says with a sharp nod.

“Then I have a job for you.”

He laughs lightly, breaking some of the tension. “Already? I thought you’d ease us into this.”

“I need you to put together a dossier on a man named Jeremy Fong. He works for a cybersecurity company in the area.”

“I don’t know that name,” he says, looking curious.

“He keeps a low profile. Get me everything you can on him, from his family history to the layout of his office.”

Daron’s eyebrows raise. “This for something specific?”

“This is for something personal.” I hold his gaze. “I can trust you, right?”

He pushes back from the table. “Since it’s so important, I’d better get started,” he says, that smirk back on his face like he’d rather go take a nap than keep talking to me. “I’ll be in touch.”