Fantasy So Night Follows Day by TMaskedWriter

[Ramesh_Rocky]

"'And all I ask in return is one thing." Troy whispered. "You guys want Springheel too, but wouldn't getting rid of Helen be its own reward?' Certainly, worth the sacrifice of a couple dozen pawns. He gets Springheel, and they get what? San Finzione? They've still got Helen's friends to deal with."

"That's true." Julie added. "Maria's doing a good job, but she doesn't have Helena's connections, her influence; she hasn't taught her to Do What We Do yet. By the time Maria figures out how to stop a mob war like Helena could, it'd be too late. Whyte's 'keep the world teetering on the brink' philosophy probably appeals to the Elders, too. They're also making money from it."

Julie got Troy's wheels turning as he approached one of the Ultimados setting up tents and canopies on the lawn and asked for Ortega. She pointed them to the house, and they continued, Troy responding to her.

"The limo hit was meant to happen within earshot of the call. It was late for lunchtime, but not too late. A couple of blocks from the Space Needle, not near the convention center, anyway. There are enough restaurants nearby that the lawyers and accountants could have been at one. Whyte needed someone to relay his message to frame Helen, so he required at least one witness, preferably more. Hitting them there might've been Plan A, and the limo ambush could have been Plan B."

Troy rang the bell and squeezed her hand, worrying about Helen, as Ortega opened the door.