The eavesdropper was easy to pick out the next morning at breakfast. Had it not been for the visible lump on his head, the angry glares he shot the group would have been enough. Not surprisingly, Stromel said nothing of the incident. Both Benny and Trigger were overly apologetic about not being there when they were told about what happened. They were surprised when the boss didn't blow up at them, instead patiently reminding the two that they had been dismissed for the night. Edward added in a reminder that Dee was an actual bodyguard, so they had not left him unattended. In the end, they relented, and the subject was dropped.

The meeting was tense. All present could feel the pressure in the room between the two men. Finally Stromel leaned on the table, turning the clock around once more.

"I will give you eight million for it. No more," he said.

"Same terms as last time." It was a statement, not a question, said firmly.

For a moment, Dee thought the man would refuse. He cast a look at her before nodding. "Done."

With a snap of his fingers, the double doors behind him were thrown open by his guards. In came a skinny man, stooped at the shoulders and wearing thick glasses. The man brought with him a laptop, with which the money was quickly transferred from Stromel's account to one of Nigma's Swiss accounts. Before the day was up, a "financial consultant" would have the money spread throughout several dummy accounts.

"I appreciate the business, Graf Stromel. But I regret that my crew must gather their belongings so that we may leave." Edward stood and gave a gracious, but not a deep bow to the man across the table.

"That is understood. May I persuade you to stay for lunch, Herr Nigma? It will certainly be ready by the time your group has packed and gathered what they brought."

Knowing it would be best to be polite, Eddie gave the man an appreciative smile. "We will stay for lunch, Graf. But we must leave immediately afterwards."

The group had made it to the door when Stromel spoke up once more. "Will you permit me to speak, privately, with Query?"

Another polite smile. "You know that is entirely up to her, Graf." But he wanted her to say no. He wanted her to refuse the interview.

"Query? May I?" Stromel asked, sounding courteous and as harmless as a child.

Just get this whole business finished with, she thought to herself. "You may," she said, bowing to Stromel. "I'll be up to pack my things in a few minutes, Mr. Nigma."

"Very well. Just remember that we are on a tight schedule."

"Yes, sir," she replied. It's so nice that we can play this game of boss and hired help, when Graf knows damn well that I'm more that just a bodyguard to Eddie.

Stromel allowed her to lead him outside. She took to the gardens for two reasons. The first was that Tangram needed a walk. The second was because the gardens were open and would give her more comfort that she would not be snuck up on during this "chat" of his.

"You are very quiet," he finally said.

"I'm merely waiting for you to speak, sir. You, after all, are the one that asked to speak to me."

A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. "I like an employee who speaks only when spoken to. Usually my employees must be taught this." He paused in the path and turned to her. "Still, I am curious as to how you knew my guard was there last night. Even he admits to being uncertain as to how you saw him in the shadows, or even knew he was there."

"I did not see him. I heard him," she said matter-of-factly. "Perhaps hiring guards who do not sound like they're having asthma attacks would be to your benefit."

Graf Stromel took the jibe as it was. Still, he wanted to backhand the girl for her impudence. "I shall consider that. But let us talk about why I asked for a moment with you. Do you know why I wished to speak with you?"

"You want to hire me."

"Yes. I could use a bodyguard with your," he paused, looking her up and down with a meaningful glint in his eye, "assets. One I can take to a ball. A useful accessory."

"I am not an accessory, sir" Dee said firmly, anger edging her voice. How dare he! she thought, wanting nothing more right then than to change and claw his eyes out.

"And with a mind of her own." He added in a soft voice, "That can be fixed over time." Fixing a smile back on his face, he looked down at her, spreading his hands. "Of course you are not an accessory, my dear! That is what I will know. Everyone else will think different, however. I will offer you double what he is paying you. To start! And you will have your own apartments in the castle, complete with servants..."

Twice what he's paying me. How appalled would you be to find out that Eddie pays me nothing, you pompous windbag? "Pardon me for interrupting you, Graf Stromel. But the reason I work for Edward Nigma has nothing to do with the money. I work with him because, like him, I enjoy the challenge of the game. The excitement of each job. That is why I work for Edward Nigma. As generous as your offer is, I must refuse. Were I to accept, I would lose the whole reason I do what I do."

Pursing his lips for a minute Stromel stared up at the sky. The silly woman was refusing him? She obviously did not know whom she was dealing with! He rolled his tongue around his mouth, trying to get rid of the taste in his mouth. "Very well. But should you ever want something different, my offer stands."

"The offer is appreciated, Graf. Thank you," she said, not meaning it at all, but managing to sound as if she did. "If you will excuse me, I must go pack my things before Mr. Nigma wonders where I've gone to."

~ ~ ~

It took a lot of patience for both Edward and Dee not to roll their eyes at Stromel and his bout of bragging through lunch. From the way he put it, it was him who had come up with the clues, disabled the security system, and fought Batman to get the cuckoo clock. Dee smiled at the thought of giving the despicable man a bloody nose like the one she had received if he really wanted the experience.

As she ate, Dee reflected on the fact that, yes, Edward Nigma was quite the egomaniac. He loved to be told how brilliant he was, how handsome, how witty, how wonderful... She knew this, and knew just how to stroke his ego when he was in a bad mood. It was a delight to know that she could bring him out of a terrible mood and make him happier. There was no denying that she loved him, even if he was a difficult man to get along with. She was no prize herself, being nothing more than a ball of raw emotions most of the time.

Even though it was like comparing a fine wine to that poorly fermented grape juice that came in cardboard boxes, she found herself looking at the differences between Edward Nigma and Graf Radulf Stromel. Stromel was far more pompous, self-centered, and arrogant than Eddie was. At least with Eddie, she knew she could call him on certain subjects, and he would have to relent. The Graf didn't seem like that kind of man at all. It was his way, or else.

Nigma's entire group was only too happy when they were finally allowed to leave the table and head for the car.

"Herr Nigma, as always your visit has been...interesting. I am impressed by the loyalty of your staff. You must tell me where you find them?"

"Good help shows up in some unexpected moments and places. These three just happened to be in the right place at the right time." He looked at Dee and smiled, adding, "Museums are great places to look."

Stromel raised an eyebrow. "She worked for a museum?"

"She was robbing it, actually. It was fate. I was holding up a little charity function and she was robbing one of the displays. Her partner went crazy on her and we ended up helping each other out to escape the Batman."

"Your former employer did not object to you leaving?"

"My former employer wasn't happy, but felt it was for the best," Dee said keeping her voice aloof.

"Boss? We'll miss our time slot," Trigger said glancing at his watch.

"Thank you again for your business, Graf. Good-bye."

With that, Edward's group gathered into the car and left for the airport.

Stromel's lips twitched into a smile as he watched the car disappear. The girl was far too intriguing to let go so easily. Nigma was hiding something about her. It was plain to see that the stupid American was in love with this woman.

Love! What a useless emotion! Whatever the reason, Stromel wanted her so he could learn just what was so special about her. Never before had Nigma brought a woman with him. This woman wasn't exactly as pleasing to the eye as he would have liked, but her body was firm and young. She would make a nice addition to his collection.
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