LEVERAGE
(Part 2)
WILLIAMS, CAMERON AKA: “BUCK” WRITER/PRESENTER WITH KAPOV INFORMATION NETWORK
LINK TO FLORYN STRANEK AND IMRE TUREANU (REFERENCE IM-2815/AA-419, CORRUPT INFLUENCES)
LINK TO VITELIJE CIS CASE FILE P12/501 BRANOV, DIRKO
Nicolae kept the Homicide Section file open as he studied Cameron Williams’ personal file. It took only moments to work the out both the bait and the modality.
“Message begins...”
Attention: Cameron Williams
Comrade
You are cordially invited to Bucheraine for the purpose of establishing your fitness to serve on the Special Commission for Communications and Information.
Sincere regards
Nicolae Carpathia
Interior Ministry
***
As Buck Williams emerged from the debarkation area, a uniformed driver strode directly to him.
"Mr Williams? Follow me to the car, please."
The driver led Buck to a sleek black hover-limo and put his luggage in the trunk before ushering him inside. Seconds later the limo was high over Bucheraine. Buck was an interstellar traveller and had been treated like both king and pauper over the years. Yet even he found this routine unsettling.
As his eyes adjusted to the low light and the tinted windows, Buck noticed a stocky man in a dark suit and mirrored glasses sitting with his back to the driver, staring at him.
"Are you with the Commission?" Buck asked, "Do you work directly for Mr. Carpathia?"
The man did not respond, nor did he move. Buck leaned forward.
"Excuse me!" he said. "Do you --"
The man shook his head and replied in a whisper, “No questions, please.”
The hover-limo settled down on the landing pad outside the Codreanu Club, an exclusive enclave for the powerful and well-connected. The bodyguard led Buck into the posh restaurant, past a long line of patrons waiting for tables, directly to the head waiter. Buck would have felt right at home in the club, were it not for the presence of his hulking guide.
The head waiter escorted them through the crowd of tables to a booth by the window that overlooked the Balaton Gardens.
Nicolae Carpathia rose to greet him. "Cameron, here, sit down! This is a lovely place, isn’t it?"
"Indeed it is!"
Buck accepted a menu and allowed the waiter to drape a linen napkin on his lap.
"Let us enjoy the finest cuisine in Novarra, and then we have matters to discuss," Nicolae said, smiling broadly. “Agent Suchek, you may take refreshment. We will be at least an hour. Make sure that the sonic fold is fully effective.” The guard nodded and walked away.
"I didn’t think you’d brought me this far just for a lunch date," Buck replied.
Carpathia's eyes twinkled. "Cameron, you are an appealing fellow, but even I have my limits.
“However, enough of that, please – enjoy, as I said. I am ordering the shrimp scampi, and then the salmon. You should do likewise."
Buck had always made it a habit to ignore recommendations in restaurants. He realized how rattled he was when he ordered what Carpathia suggested… although it was a good choice.
During the meal Nicolae did most of the listening, building a personal dossier on Buck in his head.
An inveterate name-dropper who boasts of the high circles he has moved in – a lot of “Met him," "Know him," "Interviewed her," "Know him," "Was with her in Cluj," "Stayed in his home."
A massive ego is evident – he sees himself as a super-journalist desired by women everywhere.
Little was said during the meal, but when coffee with brandy was served, Nicolae was more expansive, inviting replies from Buck. “I recall that report on the incident on PC815; you tried to charm a security guard into letting you off the shuttle before it was sealed up.”
Buck laughed. "It's OK in a situation like that to look after Number One. That's what I was doing. When people die suddenly some rules go out the window."
Later, Nicolae said, “Your record at the KIN Central Office has caused some adverse comment.
“I am told, reliably, that you picked a fight with the acting Deputy Controller – unwisely; that you were in the wrong and you tried to bluster and bully your way out of your difficulties.”
Buck snorted derisively. “Zora Kusic is a stuck-up bimbo who doesn’t deserve to be Station D/C, I should tell you. I’m the youngest ever senior writer for KIN and I’m the envy of the rest of the staff. Either I scoop them or I get the plum assignments. Zora’s just out to make me pay for my years of awards and stories. Hey, everyone at KIN would still think it’s a privilege to work with me. Everyone in the business knows I’m the best there is.”
Nicolae’s smile narrowed. “Humility is not one of your virtues, Cameron. I need team players for the Special Commission. You must understand that not everyone is second best compared to you. I am an expert in my field, and I do not lay claim to being an expert in yours. Please do us all, and yourself, a favour and learn to show respect.”
Buck chuckled. “It’s up to them to earn it, Nicolae. I’ve never been conventional. I don’t need to make any excuses for being unique. And please, Nicolae, you can call me Buck."”
“If it would make you feel at ease, I will call you Buck, but only between us.”
Emboldened, Buck began to speak at length, but the focus stayed on Zora Kusic. Whatever the anecdote, it ended with her comeuppance or humiliation as a punchline.
So he is a better reporter than every other reporter and a better holographer than every other holographer, even a better programmer than anyone in the IT department – not that he wants their jobs! He just wants them to admit that whatever they're doing is second best, and would have been so much better if it had been done as only Cameron Williams, alias Buck, could have done it. However, Zora Kusic doesn't adore Buck like everyone else in the KIN office, which makes her a personal enemy to be shown up and demeaned at every opportunity.
“Well, what could I tell the stupid b**** but, ‘I’m coming over there to kick that door shut. You had better not be in the way’, and she still stood there. Well, I just stomped over there, and she just went apeshit when I kicked the door shut, and she screamed – man, I wish she’d stayed in the doorway!”
Buck looked at Nicolae, his eyebrows raised. “Didn’t I give that b**** the right stuff? What would you have done?”
Nicolae gave a short sigh. “I personally would have acted with a little more maturity each time. But that will do for now.”
He thinks he is the Greatest Reporter of All Time but his own words reveal him as an incompetent, ridiculous and arrogant fool, and a pushy, big-headed jerk.
Covert Recruitment has odd criteria.
Two hours later, Buck was directed up to a private conference room off the main suite of offices on Level 122 of the Interior Ministry Tower. Carpathia was standing in the hallway to greet him. "Cameron, we are almost ready to begin. Come and join us." He pointed into the stark and functional room, to one of six chairs around a square block of tables.
When Buck walked in, past the two guards at the door, men in black fatigues, with Kruz pulse laser pistols on their hips, he saw that Carpathia was chatting with two men whose presence made him stop dead on the spot... Floryn Stranek, and Imre Tureanu.
Stranek and Tureanu were dressed like twins, in dark grey suits, white shirts, electric-blue neckties, and gold stickpins. They nodded to Buck, but gave no hint of recognition.
Buck fought down panic. No, everything was all right, there were no loose ends…
Nicolae waited till everyone was seated, then rose to address the gathering. "Comrades, we are here as founding members of the Special Commission for Communications and Information."
He crossed to where Imre Tureanu sat. "Mr. Imre Tureanu, please stand," he said.
Nicolae shook Tureanu’s hand. "Mr. Tureanu, you have served with distinction in the Ministry of Public Will. I welcome you to the Special Commission."
"Thank you, sir," Tureanu said, and sat down as Carpathia moved on.
Carpathia turned to Floryn Stranek, who smiled a knowing smile and stood regally.
Carpathia shook Stranek's hand. "Mr. Stranek, your distinguished and honoured service in the Finance Ministry is an inspiration. I welcome you to the Special Commission."
He crossed over to where Buck sat. "Mr. Cameron Williams," he said, "You have served with conspicuous success in the Kapovian Information network. I welcome you to your new role."
His grip was firm and strong as he looked directly into Buck's eyes and spoke with quiet authority.
Buck blinked. Somehow the words "Thank you, sir," would not come to him. After an awkward silence, Buck was able to say, “I’m honoured to be here.”
Carpathia clapped him on the shoulder and turned away.
Bile rose in Buck’s throat. Was this all some trap cynically set by Carpathia? He glanced quickly at Stranek and Tureanu… and noticed that neither had moved. They sat rigid, staring forward.
Carpathia triggered his protus. "Agent Scutari, Agent Suchek, come here, please."
The door slid open and the two guards entered. Buck now recognised the man who had escorted him to the club.
"Yes, Agent Carpathia?"
"Take these subjects to sub-level two with total discretion. Agent Suchek, keep them there until further orders. Agent Scutari, once they are secured, return here."
Buck watched in horror as Scutari and Suchek simply lugged the two men, who turned slack as they were lifted, on their shoulders and strode out.
"That was the sad but inevitable end to two corrupt and venal men who succumbed to an all-too common weakness. They were men that I had once respected and admired deeply.
"Now – we have further business."
Nicolae sat down opposite Buck. His strong, angular features were softened by a quick, seemingly genuine disarming smile. Buck wished fervently that it was indeed genuine.
"Cameron, you doubtless wish to know what will happen to you."
"Thank you," Buck replied, trying to keep some semblance of control. "You can call me Buck."
"I'll stick with calling you Cameron, if you don't mind."
"I do mind. Please call me Buck."
"I will call you Cameron. I mislike nicknames."
Buck felt his spirit shrink as Carpathia’s smile was replaced by a look of cold triumph. He held up his right hand and indicated the diamond ring. "That was quite shocking, was it not? They went to their deaths aware, but totally helpless. The record will show that they died in ignominy – two rich and powerful men who took recreational drugs and overdosed on a cocktail of Blue Myst and Yuphoria. Their deaths were agonising and prolonged, but no one was there to hear the screams."
Buck realised that the ring must have been used to deliver a paralysis dose to Stranek and Tureanu. He also realised that Carpathia was a ruthless and dangerous man of high connections.
"You’re Securitate," Buck said.
Carpathia nodded.
"What’s going to happen?" Buck asked, trying not to show fear.
Carpathia intertwined his fingers and stared at Buck, unsmiling. "Two people in positions of trust and influence were involved in serious crimes against the House, with the connivance of an egotistical and venal reporter. But now they are dead. I chose to spare your life, even though I know what you did, and why. There are laws and there are rules. Laws I obey. Rules I will ignore if the end is justified. You have forced my hand, and that is never wise." Nicolae shook his head. “You must understand that the good of House Kapov is often best served by justice being done out of the public eye, lest the public begin to doubt their rulers."
Buck finally found his voice. "What happens now?”
Nicolae looked back at him, his face empty of expression.
“From now on, you will be accounted a Securitate asset. This will not change your life in any meaningful way. You will continue in your role at KIN… but when so ordered, you will act for the Securitate and thus for the good of the House. You will receive an additional stipend over and above your regular wages and awards. You will never tell anyone – anyone – about your new role. You will report to me, or to one other agent, to be specified. If you do reveal your role, you will be killed. Do we have an understanding?”
Buck gulped and gave a weak nod. He felt ready to vomit.
“Answer me please. Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes,” Buck croaked.
Nicolae pushed a plasticard form across the desk. “Sign your name and then add your thumbprint. The form retains your DNA.”
Numbly, Buck obeyed.
“Now return to the KIN office and report to your boss. Agent Scutari will see you on your way. Good day, Cameron.”
Stannor Bartok was seemingly in a good mood, which made the news even harder.
"I'm going to put you in the Czepel bureau. You're going to be a staff writer there, working for the woman who was Luka's assistant. I'm calling her today to give her the news. Your pay won’t be affected – I’m being generous. You take a couple of few days off, get your things in order here, get that apartment sublet, and find yourself a place in Czepel."
Did Carpathia set this up? The Securitate could do that… but why? What did I do to deserve that?
Buck reached the Czepel bureau of KIN a week later. He had put off going to the office earlier. He didn't relish facing Zora Kusic.
When it had been his assignment to find a replacement for veteran Luka Valentiu, he had told the militant Zora she had jumped the gun by moving into her former boss's office. Now Buck had been demoted and Zora elevated. Suddenly, she was his boss.
He remembered her saying, "Nothing was done about replacing Luka, so I assumed I’d move into her slot." Her attitude and presumption alone had made Buck say, "That's unlikely, but you'll be the first to know. I wouldn't be moving offices just yet."
Now she faced him, from behind the bureau chief’s desk. She had the nerve to face him all but unveiled, with only a scrap of silk holding back her hair and covering her forehead.
"Cameron," she said flatly, still seated. "I expected you on Monday."
"Some delays," he said. "You can call me Buck."
"I'll call you Cameron, if you don't mind, and --"
"I do mind. Please call --"
"Then I'll call you Cameron even if you do mind. Please sit down."
He sat, but seethed in silence as Zora crisply told him that he would no longer be the star presenter.
"We here in Czepel have an important but limited role in the Network. We collate planetary news and submit it to Bucheraine for posting. Offworld topics are not in our remit, sad to say."
Buck sat stiffly. "So I'm going to be assigned to the Czepel livestock market?"
"You don't amuse me, Cameron, but then you never did. You’re a diva with an inflated sense of entitlement. I promise you this; I won’t go for payback. I recall all of your insults, and especially that time you tried to smash a door into my face. But I’ll be professional, and I expect you to reciprocate. Is that clear?"
"Are you asking whether I understand, or whether I agree?"
"Neither," she replied dryly. "I'm asking whether you will comply."
"Why should I?" Buck snapped, feeling his pulse surge. "I've accepted my demotion and my relocation. You know as well as I do that relegating me to regional stuff is a waste of my contacts and my experience."
"You’ve accepted nothing. Everything you’ve said indicates that. For that outburst alone I could have you fired."
"If you'd had the power to fire me, I'd have quit."
"You want to quit?"
"I'll tell you what I want, Zora. I want --"
"I expect all my subordinates to call me Ms Kusic."
"You have no subordinates in this office," Buck snapped.
Zora laughed. "Cameron, I am bureau head here. Everyone in this office is my subordinate! Have you forgotten that already?"
Buck rose to his feet. "Now listen, Zora, stop trying to take out all your damned frustration on me. You know as well as I do that no one with an ounce of self-respect would put up with this. If I have to work out of the Czepel area, I'm going to work from home. And if you expect to see me in this office again for any reason, you'll get Mr Bartok on the line right now."
Zora stared back at him. Her expression had not changed. “As you wish – I will call him now. I will even let you have your say, but I am going to speak to him first, and I reserve the right to tell him how insubordinate and disrespectful you've been."
She triggered the comm console.
"Bartok speaking – what do you want, Ms Kusic?"
"Good morning, sir. I've got a situation here with Cameron Williams."
"Already? I thought he’d be no trouble! Who said what?"
"He made a demand for special treatment in a rude and insubordinate manner. He said that if I didn’t do as he said, he would quit."
"Did he now? Well, I don’t want to waste time talking to him. If he doesn’t do as you say, fire him. If he tries to bully you, fire him. If he doesn’t come in, fire him. Of course, if he’s fired, he never works for KIN ever again. Do you have any questions about that, Zora? Do you, Cameron?"
“I have no questions, Mr Bartok,” Zora said.
“No, no questions, Mr Bartok,” Buck replied.
You bastard, Carpathia!