expands wide across the screen, but in the corner the view of Middle Man remains.
Worse conference call ever.
“There are two things that are missing from my life because of you fucking McCoys.”
I try not to smirk. “We didn't blow up your house.”
He glares. “The only reason I believe that is because your brother burned in the flames.” Hearing the words forces my face down and The Devil takes the exposed weakness like a bone being tossed to a full pup. “Oh no...sensitive subject? You don't wanna discuss how your baby brother barely had time to say a final prayer before he was screaming in torment?”
The image of my twenty three year old brother losing his life like that churns my stomach.
Thanks for your apologies.
Clearly pleased, he smiles. “My compound, which has all been burned to the ground at this point, was not what I was referring to. Due to McCoys being hell bent on revenge, my inside men on the force are dropping like flies. I. Do. Not. Like. This.”
Shaking my head I deny, “Like we told your punk ass flunkies that fucked up our shop. We're coming for you, but it won't be like that. Narking on you like that isn't our style.”
“Regardless.” His hand waves in the air. “Whoever is knocking out my players in the system is costing me a fortune and preventing me from acquiring things I've had planned to be in my possession for months. Show them.”
The woman in white presents a tablet in front of me with a photo of two different objects. One is sculpture of some kind and the other...the other is artwork on two wheels.
“By your expression, you are well aware of what that is.”
“That's The Phantom Black Princess.”
“The 1934 BMW R7x,” he announces. “Price unknown because in theory it doesn't exist.”
“It doesn't.”
“The most valuable things do not exist on paper, Drew.”
The 1934 BMW R7 is really a motorcycle, if you must call it that. It’s one of the most beautiful crafted pieces of machinery to ever exist. It had disappeared until a few years ago when it was discovered and restored to it's original condition. Literally art on wheels. Many of the designs were inspired by Art Deco. There was a prototype made, which was declared, would be too expensive to mass produce. The project was shelved. The BMW R7x is a rumor that the designer who had a special place for his shelved project, started another in his free time. One just slightly better. One with just a little extra edge. Hints the x. It's just a ghost story. A useless legend told at old biker bars. Uncle D used to tell it to us when he'd tuck us in at night. Ben, his son, used to promise he'd find that bike one day.
“This was supposed to be ceased at a raid and brought to me,” The Devil explains his eyebrows now furrowed. “But due to many of my allies in the legal system disappearing, the raid was put on hold before being thrown out altogether. This bike should already be in my possession.”
Still in disbelief I shake my head. “That's not real.”
“It is 100 percent real. I've seen the beauty in person. She's been appraised and authenticated. They don't want it in the news or on paper. A lost secret. Fine.” He surrenders his hands. “I don't give a shit. I have a buyer for it.”
“The statue too?”
“That's for me. A little feel better present for all the pain and distress you McCoys have been putting me through.”
My eyes cut back to the art piece.
I don't know