Pauwel von Rijdners was a man not an honorable man, however skilled he was in the art of mimicking such traits. The youngish, thirty three year old Stadtholder is one of the youngest of the Rijdners to hold the position of Stadtholder, and he didn't get there by playing fair. Four heirs where in front of him for the 'throne'. One was even his brother Markus, whom he had been quite fond of, a few cousins as well. Rumors of pursuing playboy lifestyle's in the Green Gulf, and Cyanide was how he tricked his Uncle into giving him the position. And then the bastard died of natural 'causes'.
As it was now, Pauwel was in his newly decorated study, having a nice look at his new collection of goodies. About half a dozen priceless works of art stolen from one of Etrecht's finest museums. Pauwel had paid 50 Million to low life criminals to procure the paintings. The director at the museums had been such a greedy little misner, he thought. Pauwel was not a man of compromise and ten out of ten times got his way. It had been this way since his birth, and he wasn't willing to let any of that change. Then, a knock at the study door. As Pauwel stood up to open his study's door, the mysterious figure let itself in.
A man, dark suit, dark glasses, dark demeanor. "What does the DIB want now?" Pauwel said, thinly veiling his amusement as the agent clearly eyeballed the famous paintings.
"Hello, Stadtholder, I am fond of your new decorations." the agent robotically spat out.
"Better here then rotting in a museum where anyone and there dog can see it. Now again, what do you want? I am a busy man." Pauwel said as he sat back down, motioning for the agent to join him.
"Sir, you told me to report on Aleida. She seems to have made some new friends at Casino Maikke."
What could you possibly hope to gain there young sister? With those brutes?
"Very good. I want the leader of the casino questioned thoroughly. Money is exchanging hands I guarantee you. It might not show up on the tax reports and statements on either end, but I am sure that there is Guilders going one way or the other." The agent nodded his head and left very quickly. He knew better then to dally while on Stadtholders' beck and call.
Pauwel stayed in his seat, stroking his clean shaven chin. He and Aleida had always been so close as children. When he... did what he had to in order to rule, she knew he was the culprit. Of course any evidence was long gone, but Aleida had always had a way of seeing right past him. He would give anything to have their relationship be just like when they where children, well anything except his power. But these most recent movements of Aleida where most worrying indeed. Pauwel wasn't a stupid man, and expected her to try at least a few assassination attempts on him. But why not go through the 'proper' channels? The DIB was much easier to pay, and probably liked Pauwel as much as Aleida did herself. Why the Maikke's? They were nothing but criminals, pumping un-friendly merchandise outside the city walls since the early 1900's. Do those common thugs think that they can mess with the Stadtholder? Surely they must know how ridiculous that would be.
As Pauwel sat and wondered, he wondered how this should be handled. As easy at it would be, he couldn't kill or imprison her. He needed more information. There must be more aiding her. No matter, he thought, nothing hides from the DIB for long...
As it was now, Pauwel was in his newly decorated study, having a nice look at his new collection of goodies. About half a dozen priceless works of art stolen from one of Etrecht's finest museums. Pauwel had paid 50 Million to low life criminals to procure the paintings. The director at the museums had been such a greedy little misner, he thought. Pauwel was not a man of compromise and ten out of ten times got his way. It had been this way since his birth, and he wasn't willing to let any of that change. Then, a knock at the study door. As Pauwel stood up to open his study's door, the mysterious figure let itself in.
A man, dark suit, dark glasses, dark demeanor. "What does the DIB want now?" Pauwel said, thinly veiling his amusement as the agent clearly eyeballed the famous paintings.
"Hello, Stadtholder, I am fond of your new decorations." the agent robotically spat out.
"Better here then rotting in a museum where anyone and there dog can see it. Now again, what do you want? I am a busy man." Pauwel said as he sat back down, motioning for the agent to join him.
"Sir, you told me to report on Aleida. She seems to have made some new friends at Casino Maikke."
What could you possibly hope to gain there young sister? With those brutes?
"Very good. I want the leader of the casino questioned thoroughly. Money is exchanging hands I guarantee you. It might not show up on the tax reports and statements on either end, but I am sure that there is Guilders going one way or the other." The agent nodded his head and left very quickly. He knew better then to dally while on Stadtholders' beck and call.
Pauwel stayed in his seat, stroking his clean shaven chin. He and Aleida had always been so close as children. When he... did what he had to in order to rule, she knew he was the culprit. Of course any evidence was long gone, but Aleida had always had a way of seeing right past him. He would give anything to have their relationship be just like when they where children, well anything except his power. But these most recent movements of Aleida where most worrying indeed. Pauwel wasn't a stupid man, and expected her to try at least a few assassination attempts on him. But why not go through the 'proper' channels? The DIB was much easier to pay, and probably liked Pauwel as much as Aleida did herself. Why the Maikke's? They were nothing but criminals, pumping un-friendly merchandise outside the city walls since the early 1900's. Do those common thugs think that they can mess with the Stadtholder? Surely they must know how ridiculous that would be.
As Pauwel sat and wondered, he wondered how this should be handled. As easy at it would be, he couldn't kill or imprison her. He needed more information. There must be more aiding her. No matter, he thought, nothing hides from the DIB for long...