rpg_palace | David meets with Jamie Denton....

David paced around the room restlessly as he waited for Jamie to arrive. He hadn't been in one of *these* rooms in at least three months, and it felt a little strange. After thirteen years at Palace meeting a client shouldn't be a big deal, but Jamie wasn't a client. Bret was in the next room, which adjoined this one just in case. He trusted Jamie he hadn't felt him lie to him once at the Gallery but things could change. David just wanted to be prepared, besides his husband would have killed him if he hadn't at least had Bret close by. He almost laughed at the thought of how angry Craig would be if he tried to ditch his bodyguard. David sighed and looked at the door expectantly.

Jamie strode down the hall, trying his best to look relaxed and as if he were eager for a few hours of fun with a highly sought after libertine. This was about the only time he ever got away from his bodyguards, and he was glad to have just a moment of privacy, out from under their hated watchful eyes. Turning toward his constant companions, he nodded, and put his hand on the doorknob. "You two make yourselves comfortable. I'll probably be a few hours - this *is* Sean we're talking about here," he said with a fake smile. Turning quickly, he entered the room and closed the door behind him, making sure his goons couldn't see who was actually in the room.

"David," he said, striding over to shake the other man's hand. "Sorry we had to meet this way. But it's the only moment of privacy I ever get."

"I understand, good to see you again, Jamie," David said taking the other man's offered hand. "Hope it wasn't too much trouble to set it up this way?" David asked hoping he hadn't put Jamie at a disadvantage with his brother.

Jamie shook David's hand and grinned. "No, believe me. It was no problem at all. I'm grateful for a few minutes away from them anyway." Releasing his hand, Jamie sat in the plush chair against the far wall. "So, tell me what you need to know. I'll help you in any way I can. I don't know Craig all that well, but I know that if he trusts you, then there's no way in hell I won't. I know he doesn't trust all that many people."

David sat down on a console table against the wall across from Jamie and nodded, "No, Craig doesn't trust anyone very easily, but he trusts you despite who your brother is. That says a lot," David said softly. "There are some things you didn't have time to answer the other night...how about we start there? Why were you at the funeral for William Morris?"

Jamie took a deep breath and studied David for a moment; he certainly cut to the chase quickly enough. "I was at the funeral because.....well, hell. I'm here to be honest with you, so I may as well lay it all out. I was at the funeral because I know damn well that my brother had Morris killed. He has no conscience, but I couldn't live with that. Those kids.....I saw those kids in my nightmares. They probably won't even remember their father. I tried my damndest to help the family out, but money doesn’t make up for what my *half* brother did them." Running a hand over his face, he shook his head. "I also hoped someone would be there - someone who was looking into the case, or *knew* someone who was looking into the case. I guess that would be you? How did you know I was there anyway?"

"Let's just say William and I had a mutual friend who mentioned a man with dark hair and sunglasses who stood back away from everyone else with two bodyguards. I had gone through the library and found several society articles with your photo and put two and two together. Will that do as an explanation?" David said not wanting to give more details than necessary; Harry had done his part, no need letting Jamie know his name. "If it helps your conscience any I managed to secure release of debt papers for William's children. His children are free and will never have to be in service." Jamie didn't need to know he had talked to Craig about him before the other night. David didn't want to run the risk of letting Jamie know exactly how involved Craig had been in the investigation so far, just in case he was picking things up wrong. Just in case Jamie wasn't as trustworthy as he seemed, he didn't want Craig to be in any danger if he could help it.

"Well," Jamie began. "I'm glad your friend was there. My fucking bodyguards won't let me out of their sight, so I was hoping someone would notice me and make contact - exactly like you did. And the release of the debt papers? Damned nice of you David. Those kids....they deserve a break." Leaning back and crossing his legs, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocketknife and began to fiddle with it. "It just kills me that he can get away with this! I always knew he was bad - I've known that my whole life, but I didn't think he'd take it this far. He murdered Morris, David. I heard him talking about it. He actually laughed, the smug bastard! And with these assholes on my tail all day, there's no one I can tell - and not a damn thing I can do about it. He's going to get away with murder unless you help me get him. Whatever you do, whatever you need - name it. I want him brought down. I want him to never be able to do to another person what he did to Morris and his family."

David watched as Jamie worried at the pocketknife he had taken out, much like someone would a worry stone. "It wasn't nice of me to secure those papers, it was right. Anyone who could have would have done the same thing. I just happened to be in a position where I could ask for that. I...I’m sorry to say this but I don't think it is the first time your brother has killed someone. Matter of fact I'm damn sure of it. There was a man about two years ago, he was killed...his entire family murdered in the middle of the night in their home. He worked for Dafoe Industries at the time," David said softly watching Jamie's reaction.

Jamie's face paled and his hands clenched into fists. "You mean John Lee, don't you? I knew him. He was a good man. Sure as hell didn’t deserve to die - any more than Morris did. I don't know what happened to him - or his family, but it wouldn't surprise me a bit if my so-called brother had his hand in it somehow. Or had one of his henchmen do it. Although details like wiping out an entire family may have been delegated to Jack. My brother doesn't care to get his hands dirty, but he usually deems details like that to not be worth his time."

David nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you that then," David said softly. "I don't think John was who anyone thought he was...I'm having trouble finding some things out about him. How long did he work for the company?"

Jamie closed his eyes and thought for a minute, trying to remember details about Lee. "He wasn't there long, actually. Maybe 6 months? It seems like he just showed up one day and had a big office in the corner suite down in Accounting. Always seemed to be quiet - kind of reserved. Blending in I guess you could say. I talked to him a few times - just about the office in general, or the weather or something. I never knew what to make of him. Then one day I noticed his office was locked up and his nameplate gone. It wasn't until the next day I heard he'd been murdered."

David considered his words and a few ideas and thoughts clicked in place. He would need to talk to someone at Council about that, someone who oversees the Internal Audits of Central.

"Thank you, what you just said actually helps me a lot more than you know. The only other thing I need to know about is...that warehouse. You said illegal things happened there...is there more to that or do you just suspect?" David asked sliding off the table and pacing the room a bit while he thought about a few of the things Jamie had said. He had always had a gut feeling there wasn't something right about Amy's father's past now he was sure of it. He also wondered if he should ask Jamie if he knew the name Spader or not, but that warehouse had been eating at him the most. Like a big pink elephant in a small room...it just couldn't be pushed aside or overlooked.

Leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees, Jamie watched as David paced restlessly. "I know it's used as a front for some of my half-brother's less than legal escapades, of which there are many I know about, and even more I don't, I'm sure. And you should know - I think some people here in Palace may be involved. Nothing I can be sure about, but I've seen some really unusual paperwork laying about that I simply don't understand, and I swear I've seen the Palace seal on something a few months ago. I wouldn't put anything past my half-brother. He has enough money to buy anyone - and even Palace officials can be bought. I don’t know, David. I think if you want answers, you'd have to take a look at the warehouse, Willem is meticulous about keeping records and contracts. You might stumble onto something. I'd go, but he's got these fucking apes looking over my shoulder 24/7 and I'd not stand a chance in hell of getting there and having a look. All I can say is be careful and wish you luck."

Stopping in front of Jamie when he mentioned the Palace seal. "Palace seal? Yeah, I need to get in there. Do you know anything at all about the security on the building?" David asked seriously. If someone at Palace was involved then it was only a matter of time before they tried to get to Amy.

Jamie nodded and pictured the security system in his mind. "Yeah. It's fairly standard. A simple door lock and an electronic security system a good hacker should be able to bypass. Willem thinks no one would have the balls to touch him or his property, so he's not too worried about it. After the system is breached, there's a two-minute window for the override, or an automatic alarm is sent out and the cops will be on your ass in a heartbeat. I wish I knew the code, but he doesn't trust me with it. Probably afraid of what I'd find if I even dared to go there."

"Two minutes? I can do that," David said more confidently than he felt. Sure he could hack Palace bracelets and been able to get into a few places he wasn't allowed to but he had never tried to hack anything quite like that before. Never had a need to, until now. "Oh...one last question? Does the name Spader ring any bells?" David asked taking a chance.

Jamie nodded. "I've heard the name, but I don't know anything about him. Don't know that I've ever seen him around." Standing up, he walked closer to David. "If I knew anything, I'd tell you. I hope you know that. I want him shut down, David. I'm sick of him ruining innocent lives."

If he had heard the name Spader then David felt sure that he was working with Dafoe in some capacity, he had suspected he was more involved than just being a bad cop but this coupled with what the witness told Harry and what Will’s notes said he was sure of it.

"Well I'm going to do what I can, Jamie. Hell I'm not an investigator, I just sort of had this fall in my lap and I've been running with it. I want to stop him before anyone else gets killed. I think I can trust you with this; John had a daughter who wasn't killed that night. She is here at Palace, and *that* is why I'm involved. She's one of my Libertine's here in the West Wing, and number one we have an investment tied up in the girl, and number two I like her. She's a good kid who has had her life destroyed because of your half brother, Jamie. I will do whatever it takes to make sure she stays protected and if that means bringing your brother down in the process, then so be it. I'll need you to do some things. You see him trying to run, stop him. Do what you can to block him, however you can without getting hurt yourself." David said seriously.

Jamie's eyes widened. "He had a daughter that survived? I thought the whole family was killed." Shoving his hands in his pockets Jamie walked over to the window and looked out. "Wow. I had no idea. Poor kid. I'll do everything in my power to stop him, David. This has; gone on long enough, and if he's not stopped now, there's not telling who else he could hurt. And don't worry about me. I've learned a few tricks of my own. How do you think I've stayed alive around him this long?"

"Figured as much. How...well honestly if we bring down Willem it will put Dafoe Industries into a tail spin and needless to say the economies of not only Balize but also other cities like Wheaton in a world of hurt. The one thing you could do is keep the company solvent. We already have enough people out of work as it is, we don't need to add to it just because your brother is corrupt," David said crossing his arms and leaning against the wall next to Jamie. There was so much more at stake here than just stopping Dafoe, one man even with henchmen wasn't as difficult to stop as an economic disaster. Jamie would be charged with a much harder long-term job than just getting his brother to pay for his crimes.

Jamie pursed his lips and looked over at David. I know that company like the back of my hand and it pisses me off to think he could bring it down with his illegal activities. I'll protect it, David. I’ll weed out the ones who are loyal to my half brother, and I'll make sure the ones that are left are safe. If it takes every last dime I have, I’ll make sure they company stays in business. You have my word on that."

"Good," David said softly placing his hand on Jamie's shoulder squeezing gently. "I'll be in touch...somehow. Let you know what I find out at the warehouse. Is there any way I can contact you that won't be monitored by him or his men? If there isn't...I might be able to come up with something. Do they inspect all of your mail?" David asked curiously as a plan half formed in his mind.

"I've managed to keep my mail away from them so far, so you can send me something that way if you want. I know my com is monitored and my phone, so whatever you do, don't contact me that way. If you mail me something, I'll read it and destroy it immediately. I'm not going to take a chance on letting the first person who shows any interest in bringing my brother to justice get hurt." Shrugging his shoulder, he grinned at David. "Besides, I think Craig would kick my ass if anything happened to you. I do know him well enough to know that."

David grinned in return, "Yeah, he would. He definitely would do that," David said glancing down at the ring on his finger the back to Jamie. "Well I guess you'd better be getting out of here. Probably the most boring time you've ever spent in one of these rooms," he said smiling.

Jamie smiled as he turned around and reached for the door, making sure David had time to get out of the line of vision of the goons waiting outside. "Thanks, David. I hope this works out...for all our sakes," he said quietly. Turning to open the door, he stepped out, grinning back into the room and spoke loudly. "Thanks Sean! It was a pleasure! I'll be sure to request you again next time." Shutting the door behind him he strode quickly down the hall, bodyguards following closely behind. He hoped he'd given David enough information to at least piece the puzzles together, because something had to be done. And soon. This had to be stopped.

David sat down in the chair Jamie had been in before and thought about everything they had discussed. He had some plans to make. He got up and went to the door that adjoined the other room and let Bret in. They talked for about an hour about David's plan and different security systems. Tonight was as good a time as any to check out that warehouse. From what he had found in the archives and from Will's notes and what Jamie had told him today the warehouse could hold the key to everything.