This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise showed, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this story are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All characters are over the age of eighteen.
This covers roughly the same time-frame of Crimson Chapter 6, from Rich Burkhart's point of view.
Santo Diablo Part 12 Contacting Crimson
It took a week in New York for Katia to train with the new darts, and for Nicole to make adjustments to the narcotic. Katia received tiny doses of the drug to begin her acclimation and immunity. Of course, that would only last so long, but periodic doses should keep her safe.
After Katia's return, we spent another two weeks planning and organizing the next phase of my plan for Crimson; infiltration. I needed to get close to them, learn what they were about, and, if possible, gain their trust. It wouldn't be easy; these men were all either wealthy, connected, or both. What I needed most to gain their trust was time, but I didn't have that. They would eventually learn the true fate of Russell and his family, and I needed my plan to finish before that happened.
While I lacked time, I made up for it with money. I figured it was time to expand Burkhart Shipping. Since I founded the company, we opened small hubs in various states, but I needed something larger to gain their attention. So, with as much fanfare as I could muster, I announced the opening of our new regional hub. It coincidentally fell to within a few miles of Crystal Lakes Casino, owned by Theodore, otherwise known as Reggie, Wallace.
The location of the casino was a smaller town. It wasn't much more than a highway, a small commercial district, and residential areas where the workers lived. The casino, by far, was their largest employer. The town was about a forty-five minute drive from the city, without traffic, and surrounded by desert.
When I put in my proposal for the new shipping hub, the town didn't hesitate to approve it. My business would almost double the town's income from taxes, and allow them to grow, with the new jobs drawing new residents. Everyone from shop owners to constructions companies celebrated, eyeing all the new revenue that was guaranteed to come their way.
Sure, I was doing it to get close to Crimson, but having a hub in that location benefited me. I won't bore you with the business details, but the ability to locate assets in the area would cut cost, especially of the illegal kind, as I could store them locally before sending them off to their final destinations. I planned on a few other regional hubs between the East and West Coast, but this was to be my first. It wouldn't take long before the legitimate business from Burkhart Shipping rivaled Santana's other subsidiaries.
Of course, I researched before approaching any of this. I sent a few people ahead, mostly my lawyers, to engage with the town. I had them to make a few mistakes in the paperwork, small enough to not cause any major problems, but enough to draw attention. Local laws can differ from one place to another, and I played on this by having my lawyers feign ignorance. This allowed me to call Reggie Wallace to arrange representation for my local business dealings.
Having done so, I flew out to introduce myself, with Katia and Isabella in tow as my wives. At least I didn't have to lie about them, but introducing them as my wives was one of the few things I was truthful about. Most knew I lived with multiple women, which people chalked up to just an eccentric billionaire. From what I gathered, everyone thought I was just another wealthy man that wanted to expand his business. They were more than happy to take as much money from me as they could.
The week prior to arriving, I bought a good-sized house on the outskirts of town with its own private lake and airstrip. The runway was long enough for my plane, so I could come and go as I pleased. To say it was extravagant was an understatement. Twelve bedrooms were joined with twenty other rooms, ranging from a bowling alley, movie theater, an indoor pool, to an indoor spa and sauna. All of that didn't count three dining rooms, two full sized and one smaller kitchen, and a garage large enough for about ten cars. Oh yes, and the hangar for my plane was attached to the house by a covered walkway. Not as large as Seaside, but drew more attention.
The security I hired from a local firm was with me when I arrived downtown an hour after landing. The security team led me into the building, with Katia guiding my wheelchair and Isabella walking by my side. Katia was in a white kimono, enlaced with black and red roses. Isabella wore a tan business dress, nothing too revealing or sexy, but it looked magnificent on her. I wore one of my many black suits. I owned dozens of like styled suits, in a few different colors, all expensive. It wasn't that I needed to own expensive clothes. Hell, I would rather buy less expensive suits and put my money elsewhere. However, I had a reputation, and I wanted everyone to know I had money and was not afraid to spend it.
That's exactly what I wanted Reggie, and everyone else associated with him, to know. I also wanted to convey that I wasn't a threat, and the security I hired was part of that image. If someone has a large security detail, it means they are under threat, or believe they are. My public persona was one of a semi-recluse who spends money freely, with an extravagant taste in everything, including women. That brought me across as shallow and at least a little paranoid. Couple that with the fact I was in a wheelchair, and no one would see me as much to worry about.
Reggie and his team of lawyers greeted us inside the main entrance. His law firm sat inside a large highrise building in the center of downtown. There were other businesses listed as occupants, but after doing our research, we linked all of them to Reggie. He had about half a dozen security around the lobby, but nothing that would lead anyone to believe he felt threatened.
Reggie stood about 5'10, and looked to be in his sixties. Wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt, and matching tie, he carried himself as a man with means. His gray hair was thinning on top, and he tried to comb it so most of the balding area was covered. A pair of wire-frame glasses highlighted a rounded face that, for the moment, held a smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Burkhart." Reggie announced as Katia wheeled me to the front of the entourage I had arrived with. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you find our city to your liking. I would also say that you have wonderful taste. The house you purchased is simply magnificent, and your wives are stunning."
Reggie turned his attention to Isabella and Katia momentarily, just long enough to be polite. His comment about the house let me know he had been monitoring me. Undoubtedly, my purchase of such an expensive house made the rounds, but the way he said it was for effect. When he mentioned that, I purposely broke eye contact, looked down, then left and right. I wanted to appear uncomfortable. It worked. When I made eye contact again, Reggie's smile was larger, and he looked more relaxed.
"Thank you, Mr. Wallace." I answered. "I appreciate your firm taking me on as a client. I can really use someone of your expertise to ensure my future business plans don't run into any problems."
When I said that, I bowed my head. I wanted him to believe I needed him and did so to show deference. And while I appreciated him taking me on as a client to further my plan, I was certain he appreciated my business even more so. The fee I was paying him was exorbitant, to put it mildly.
"If you'll follow me, we can head to my office." Reggie announced, turning and walking toward the elevators. Katia guided me while Isabella held my hand and everyone else followed. After arriving at the top floor, they escorted us into his impressive office. It was more than double the size of mine at Seaside, and the views out of the panel of large windows overlooking the city were magnificent.
"You have a beautiful office, and that goes for the building as well." I commented as Katia situated me in front of Reggie's enormous oak desk.
"Thank you, I appreciate that." Reggie responded. Once I was in position, Isabella took a seat to my left, and Katia remained standing slightly behind and to my right. As she sometimes does, Katia's hand remained on my shoulder. She normally didn't stand next to me, but later she admitted to having a bad feeling when it came to Reggie, and didn't want to leave my side.
Reggie and I talked about details of what I needed, and I turned over the paperwork my lawyers drew up. Reggie promised to take those and clean them up, ensuring nothing violated local laws. After we completed the official business, the talk turned casual. He inquired about my other businesses. I shared enough details to make him believe I wasn't hiding anything, and he feigned interest in gauging whether there were any other business opportunities he could take advantage of. This dance continued for another thirty minutes until Reggie saw an opening.
I mentioned to him my family. I commented how I only traveled this time with two of my wives, and that my other wives were back home. He admitted his penchant for beautiful women and had a number that he grew close with after his wife passed years before. We talked about balancing multiple women and our particular interests in that regard. I admitted I could not perform sexually after the attempt on my life, and how it left me with the inability to care for myself.
I explained how I grew close with Katia, but truth be told, she was in the relationship mostly with Isabella. I wanted to draw his interest, so I mentioned Katia was a submissive while Isabella was a budding dominatrix. With their relationship, which they included me in, I could live vicariously through them. Mostly lies, but told for effect. Reggie offered a solution to Isabella; someone that was well versed in BDSM, and who could instruct Isabella on how to dominate another person safely.
