Snippet #1514065

Duncan shook his head. "Its not Nickolai, its Nicodemus." As Lilianna made a phone call Duncan picked up a remote and hit the 'Quiet' button. The seals on the window separating driver from passengers closed with rubber soundproofing material. He pressed another button and light classical piano began to play, further muffling any sounds that would make it from the back of the vehicle. "Someone, posed as one of our guys, tried to kill Nickolai today. Naturally he was unsuccessful but the fact that he'd infiltrated into our group so far is something I can't believe. I hand pick the men we take with us to these...um, situations," he said, raising his eyebrows slightly, "and I usually catch something like this. Now with the threat of destroying the manor on the table I think its about to get very dangerous very soon in this city."

"I know you're loyal to him and all but you have to believe me, Nicodemus is behind this." Duncan opened a small hatch and retrieved a water bottle. "Is there anything you may have heard as to why he'd go so far to do this? What's the endgame?" Duncan knew his cousin was no fool and her loyalties ran deep. If he didn't receive an answer, he'd understand.

Duncan sipped his water and waited for his cousin to finish before finally speaking himself. "We'll discuss this again some other time. It appears we've arrived."

Carl opened the door, as if on queue, to the lavish entrance of Cafe Brindisi. Duncan stepped out, a false smile on his lips and helped Lilianna to the sidewalk. "I'll call for you later Carl. If anyone needs to reach me tell them to leave a message with you."

"Right, sir," Carl responded as he closed the door behind them and returned to the driver's seat.

"Good guy," Duncan said looking over his shoulder as the car left, "but I don't fully trust him yet. Not after what happened with the last driver. You ever have those kinds of problems?" He opened the door to the restaurant and followed her inside.