Previously In New York, Part 2


Conner made his way into the private meeting room of the Club. The reporter, Ariana Donavon, had requested a meeting with him. Said she had a job for him. Conner was never one to shy away from wet work or walk away from a dangerous job. Conner sat down and gave the waitress a shake of his head when she asked if he would like any refreshment. Conner actually would very much like a refreshment but in this case he did not want to spoil the woman’s night.

Once Conner was alone he took stock of the entrances and the exits. He also took stock of the weaponry he had on him. Two Knives, three Throwing blades and one Tanto Fighter. Conner would be ready if this was some kind of trap.

Ariana arrived at the Club and was escorted to the private meeting room. She was stressed in a grey skirt suit with a light blue blouse beneath it. The waitress had briefly stepped in and asked if anything was needed. “No, thank you kindly miss, if we need anything, we shall signal you.” The waitress swiftly left. She was surprised that Conner was there already. She did adore promptness.

“Thank you for meeting me Mr. Greyson.” She smiled sweetly yet very down to business. “I am sure you are wondering why I asked you to meet me here. I was asked by my sire Lord Bainsworth to research and investigate a few things behind the scenes. He wanted me to find someone that was relatively unknown to assist me with this assignment since many people know who I am. It will also be a little dangerous and he wanted me kept out of harms way. He is willing to pay what you a substantial amount in installments.” She paused to see if there was a reaction at all in his facial features, to which there was not much, except his eyes. How they drew her in was so puzzling. “If we, or I should say mainly you, succeed in this endeavor, there is another project that will need to be done in the future. It is your decision to accept this job or not.” She paused again and said in a quieter tone; “You will be reporting only to me.” She tried to not express the slight uneasiness she had in saying the last sentence. Her sire rarely, if ever, let her be alone with another man unless of course it was job related. Since this was, she was not sure why it bothered her.

Conner stood as she entered and listened to her words as she spoke. He said nothing. He was pleased to see that she was getting right down to business, not having to sit and wait through useless pleasantries. “What is the Job?” *beat* “and the pay?” Conner asked.

Conner was not some errand boy, and not a body guard for a some debutant girl from the Ivory tower of the Judex. So this job had better peak his interest. Conner wondered how Lady Naetesh would have responded to such a summoning. Or if she would have showed up at all.


A man of few words somewhat frustrated her, however Ariana was appreciative of the straight forwardness. “Mr. Greyson, I am going to admit one thing to you. This is part of a boon I owe to my sire in servitude to become a member of the Invictus. I am fairly certain it is to test my loyalties. If you do not wish to participate, I will not judge you.” She paused, but continued to answer his original question. “The job is to obtain photographic evidence of a member of the Carthian Movement and a member of the Invictus, who we believe to be a traitor. The pay for this is $10,000, half to be paid today, and the other half paid upon completion.”

She smiled as she said the last item. “If you were to obtain voice recording of these meetings, there would be a $5,000 bonus for you.” She looked him straight in the eyes and added; “Because this is also a service to me, I would be willing to add to your payment. I cannot afford quite as much as my sire, but I could arrange something for you, if you wish.” She probably should have mentioned actual money as she made the last statement, it could have been taken out of context she thought.

Conner thought for a moment, as he sat and thought he took out a throwing dagger and rolled it between his fingers, like a student with a pen. Not once did his face betray the deep thought through his mind. Also not once did his eyes break from there gaze upon the Ventrue. “The Targets name and the meeting place? Or am I to shadow the person?” Conner asked continuing his rolling of the blade and the staring of his eyes.

She watched him with the dagger between his fingers. It slightly perplexed her. Ariana wondered how he could do that effortlessly. “The Ventrue’s name is Archibald Vatchenko. I do not know the name of the Carthian that they he may be conspiring with. The will be meeting at Iridium 290 Hudson St.” She handed him a list typewritten. “There are also two other clubs on that list that you may find Archibald frequenting. My address is on there as well.” If she could have blushed upon saying that sentence, she would have. “Mr. Greyson, is this something that interests you?” She looked at him and her eyes went soft for a moment as she watched his lips in response, but her thoughts may have melted into her eyes. She wondered what it would be like to actually kiss one of their kind. She had only kissed humans while hunting and nothing more. The thought was a flash, but still she worried it may have seeped through, she was a business lady after all.

Conner continues to look out at the woman before tilting his head, an exclamation point could almost been seen above his head. Conner stands and takes the written information and turns to leave. Just as he is leaving he says, “I will be in touch.” And the door closes behind him. The only thing left in the Shadow’s wake is the throwing knife, laying on the table.

Ariana was unclear if Conner was interested or not. She slightly panicked and thought, did he see what may have crossed my face for a short time? He had left a dagger which she carefully tucked into her purse. She left the meeting room and decided to take her frustrations out with a quick bite.