“In exchange for what?” He chuckled. “Forgive me, but that sounds like a deal that is too good to be true.”
“For starters, $10 million, in US dollars, up front. And I want in on the biomedical research aspect. For every year there isn’t money made on the research, I want $2 million from the other proceeds. If the research bears fruit, I can provide material assistance. Shall we say… procuring specimens for further research? In that case, I wish to be made a silent partner.”
“How silent are we talking?”
“Five million per subject acquired, which means forgoing the cartel proceeds, obviously. If patents are secured, ten percent of the gross income for ten years. If the operation remains clandestine and relegated to extra-governmental trafficking, then I want an additional $10 million a year for the next five years and access to the product of said research for my personal use.”
He scoffed. “That is a lot of money with absolutely no guarantees.” He waved his hand in the air. “Why should I even entertain this…offer?” He looked around and dropped his voice. “And let us talk plainly, shall we? You are talking about your uncle’s cartel, yes?”
“Are you law enforcement?”
“If I were, I would not be here.” He smiled. “In my line of work, a cartel is, as they say, child’s play. And it is not my primary interest.” He arched an eyebrow at her. “The research is where my business interests lie.”
She smiled. “My uncle’s cartel makes over $50 million every year. That’s as it currently is. With your distribution network, you would easily double or triple that. You would more than make your money back very quickly just from the cartel income. And you will be realizing profits from the research division.”
He sipped his coffee but did not respond.
She continued. “It’s a bargain, a pittance. I’m only asking for an advance on the profits from the cartel, and a stake in the research division. If your organization is as skilled as it purports to be, none of that should be an issue.”
He studied her for a moment, but she didn’t speak, waiting, knowing he was trying to unsettle her.
But she was used to dealing with men whose egos puffed like peacock tails.
She waited.
Finally, he asked, “What, exactly, do you think is the focus of our research?”
“I think you’ve discovered evidence that there is a race of people sharing the earth with us who are far more than human. Who can shape-shift into other creatures. Who have long lives and incredible strength and healing powers, even while in human form. And I believe you wish to research and exploit that for bio-weaponry purposes.”
He slowly nodded. “You are very perceptive.”
“I am my father’s daughter.”
“Where did you acquire all of this information?”
She smiled. “I’m sorry, but I’m not about to tell you that. No offense, but I won’t give up my considerable leverage. Also, I’m not greedy. I will abide by the terms of our contract. I have no desire to risk exposure from the cartel business, and you need assistance locating and capturing research subjects. This is a business arrangement that will benefit both of us.”
“It sounds like the wrong Segura has been in charge of your family’s more profitable business,” he said.
Her smile widened. “You are not wrong.”
They chatted during their meal. “How do I know you can deliver what you promise?” he asked.
She removed a thumb drive from her purse and slid it across the table to him. “To show you I am negotiating in good faith, I’m giving you an advance on the information. On there is all the information someone needs to take over Uncle Manuel’s cartel. Contacts, information, logistics—everything. Also, there is information for an offshore bank account that I control. I’ll give your organization fourteen days to drop $2 million US into that account as acceptance of our deal. That should be plenty long enough to evaluate and verify the data.”
“And if we refuse?” He picked up the thumb drive.
She shrugged. “Then that same information gets handed over to not only the police and military, but to well-known journalists around the world, and five other cartels who would literally kill for it. They can battle it out amongst themselves, and it effectively cuts your organization out of the picture. Not to mention, the added attention of international law enforcement would effectively disrupt any business of that type for months, if not years, while they try to reroute and rebuild their production and distribution systems.”
He slowly nodded. “That is very cutthroat of you. You would get nothing if that happens.”
“True. But I would not lose anything I currently have, either. I do not wish to be an active participant in that business. What I’m looking for is power. Money with the incredibly high risk that venture poses doesn’t interest me. Not enough return on my investment. Your organization, however, has the infrastructure in place to step in and take over. You are designed for it. All you need are the keys.”
She nodded toward the thumb drive he still held. “There are the keys. And if you have any thoughts about taking that and killing me, don’t bother. I have poison pills in place that, if I don’t cancel, will distribute the information anyway. It is in your best interest to keep me alive and well. And it is in my family’s best interests to…divest ourselves of the potential risk we are exposed to because of that business. We lose nothing but stand to gain quite a bit.”
She signaled the server for the check, but Ilya reached for his wallet.
“No, this is on me today,” he said. “I insist.” She didn’t miss that the thumb drive went into his pocket.
