Geek Mafia: Mile Zero by Rick Dakan (reading tree txt) 📖

“Ingest vast quantities of drugs?” asked Chloe.

“No,” Winston chided. “Speak truth to power.”

“Oh yeah, that.”

“It’s a lesson we can all stand to learn again and again. An example we can all follow.”

Paul was surprised to find that Winston’s elegy for Hunter S. Thompson had touched him on some level. He’d always just loved the sort of “wacky adventures” side of the gonzo journalist’s work, but Winston’s description of him gave Paul a new perspective to mull over. They arrived at Chloe’s scooter and all looked at the painting for a silent moment.

“Ok, did you guys have some bags or something?” asked Chloe. “The place is just a short walk away, but we could get a cab if…”

“Pardon me, Chloe, but can you tell me where the La Concha hotel is?” asked Winston.

“What?” she said. “Why?”

“We have a meeting there, and I’m afraid we’re already a little late.”

“You have a meeting at the La Concha?” asked Chloe.

“Atop the La Concha actually,” he said. “Apparently, what that means will become obvious to me once I get there.”

“Yeah, sure,” said Chloe. “Ok. It’s hard to miss.” The La Concha loomed over the city on Duval Street and was also the tallest building in Key West. It had a bar and observation deck on its top floor that gave views of the entire island.

“Would the two of you mind escorting me there?”

“No prob,” said Chloe.

Winston handed the painting to Lily saying, “Can you get us set up in the house Chloe’s provided for us? I’ll go ahead to see Isaiah.”

“Of course,” said Lily. Chloe handed her a key to the house they’d just cleaned and gave Lily directions. She offered the use of her scooter as well, but Lily declined. Paul wasn’t sure how she’d have driven it with the painting anyway. She struck off to the north on her own while Winston, Chloe, and Paul headed for Duval, leaving the scooter locked up where they’d parked it.

Underground etiquette forbade them from asking Winston what the meeting was about or who this Isaiah was, but Paul could tell that Chloe was as eager to know what was going on as he was. Winston didn’t make them wait any longer.

“How far to this hotel?” Winston asked.

“Four or five blocks,” Chloe replied.

“What if we take a slightly less crowded route?”

“If we avoid Duval until the end, then it’ll only add a block or two.”

“Good, that should be enough time to fill you in on what’s going on.”

Chloe just nodded, but Paul said, “Great, I’m all ears.”

They turned up Simonton, which runs parallel to Duval but tends to be less thronged with foot traffic. Winston maneuvered between Chloe and Paul, putting an arm around each and drawing them close as he talked in a low voice.

“The first thing you both need to know is that, as of right now, yours is not the only Crew operating in Key West. And I’m not just talking about me and Lily. There are others who’ve come to town as well, or who will be arriving soon.”

“Why here?” asked Chloe, concern in her voice.

“Because I suggested it,” replied Winston. Chloe started to say something, but Winston talked over her. “Let me explain everything first, then I promise I’ll answer all your questions.” He took a quick glance up and down the street. “As you heard, we’re meeting with a man named Isaiah. He heads a Crew - a very large and experienced Crew - out of New York. He is, without a doubt, one of the more interesting and inventive men I’ve ever met, which is no faint praise. He’s also very ambitious, albeit not in the traditional American sense of the word.

“Isaiah’s Crew has been active since the ’80s. I don’t know much about their early history or about Isaiah’s background. As you both know, the secret to a long and happy life in our world is knowing how to keep your secrets. Isaiah has been more careful than most. While his own Crew has grown and prospered, he’s kept apart from the larger underground society. I only got in contact with him recently, which should tell you something, no?”

Paul thought about the implications of that statement. Winston had contacts all over the country - probably all over the world. That another large Crew could operate in his underground world for any length of time without Winston becoming aware of them was definitely an accomplishment. Winston seemed to know everyone, which was impressive in its own right, but what really impressed Paul most about Winston’s network of contacts was that, according to Chloe, Winston kept all of the details and contact data in his head - he didn’t trust computers and he never wrote anything down.

“Are you sure he’s one of us then?” asked Chloe. “Not mob or some other gang?” What exactly constituted “one of us” was open to interpretation, but generally it meant someone who lived a secret life, as outside the scrutiny of government and corporate power structures as possible. People who weren’t afraid to break a law or three to live free, but at the same time weren’t traditional, bloodthirsty gangsters either. Like art or pornography, it was something you knew when you saw it (although opinions varied depending on the viewer).

“He is one of us, yes,” said Winston. “Indeed, his motives seem more pure than most of us. He was the one who first contacted me, and since then his and mine have cooperated on two separate projects and have exchanged useful information on several other occasions.”

“You’ve been feeling each other out,” said Chloe.

“Exactly. And so far, nothing has raised any alarm bells.”

“That’s cool and all,” said Paul. “But why is he here in Key West?” He was worried about having two such powerhouse organizations in his little slice of paradise. He and Chloe and Bee had just about got things running the way he wanted, and the thought of someone disrupting his life made him anxious.

“Don’t worry, Paul,” said Winston. “It’s just temporary, I assure you. I suggested to Isaiah that we meet here. And I did that because you two are here, and there’s no one I’m closer to in this part of the country. Six days ago Isaiah contacted me, wanting a meeting in the Southeast US somewhere, and he suggested Miami. I’ve had some bad times in that city and wanted friends on the ground. I countered with Key West and he agreed.”

“Does he know about us?” asked Chloe. “Are we invited to the meeting?”

“He knows I have a friendly Crew here. I didn’t tell him anything about you, but I have no way of knowing what he’s managed to learn on his own. He and his crew are all computer experts and I urge you not to underestimate them on any front.”

“Great,” said Paul.

“As for the meeting,” Winston continued. “Yes, you are invited. At least to meet with Isaiah. There is a certain etiquette to these types of things. We live in a world without rules, but it’s only polite to introduce yourself when you knowingly visit another Crew’s turf. Especially if you’re there to do business. So Isaiah has said he wants to meet you.”

“Which means he gets to learn what we look like, try and put a tail on us, and learn all kinds of things that he might or might not have known before,” said Chloe.

“The choice is yours of course,” Winston said. “You don’t have to meet him, although I’d be surprised if you didn’t. I think you’ll like him. Besides, I know you’re too curious to stay away.” He paused and looked meaningfully at Paul. “Of course, I encourage you not to play all your cards at once. It never hurts to hold some options in reserve.”

“Oh no,” said Paul. “I’m not skipping this meeting. I’ve never been to a gang summit before. Besides, we’ve got our other aces hidden in their respective holes.” He looked to Chloe, and she nodded in agreement.

“Fine, fine,” said Winston. “I’m sure you’ll both find the whole thing very interesting. As I said, Isaiah wants to be as polite as possible, but etiquette runs both ways. He’ll expect some politeness from you in return.”

“Meaning it would be rude to spy on him while he’s here,” said Chloe.

“Yes, well, you do have to admit. It would be rude,” agreed Winston. “As would tapping his phones, hacking his computers, following him around or otherwise interfering in his business.”

“He has diplomatic immunity,” said Paul.

“Only as long as he doesn’t fuck with us first,” said Chloe.

“Of course,” Winston said.

Chloe thought this over for a moment and looked to Paul. He nodded his assent. He was more curious about Isaiah than he was nervous - but just barely. “All right,” she said. “Sounds like a plan. What’s this meeting about anyway?”

Winston didn’t answer right away, seeming to mull over his response. “I’m not entirely sure” he finally said. “Isaiah’s been reticent to share any substantial details with me. But he has a proposition of some sort for me.”

“Some sort of con he wants help on?” asked Chloe.

“No, no. Nothing that simple. Like I said earlier, Isaiah is an ambitious man. A dreamer. And whatever his plan is, I can promise you, it’s no con. Or at least not just a con.”

“Didn’t he give you some kind of hint?” asked Paul.

“He did,” said Winston. “He said he wants a revolution.”