"Twenty."
Flair grimaced and wrenched the gear shift hard.
"Great," he said underneath his breath and floored the gas pedal.
The car screeched into reverse before tearing a wide fishtail that finished with the vehicle lurching forward. Then it roared out of the warehouse's parking lot and sped down deserted streets.
Time was of the essence and Flair sincerely hoped the Twins had not lied about their abilities. Otherwise, the alpha wolf would make all of them pay.
~~~
Flair drove down the parking garage ramp and just before the night sky disappeared overhead, he caught a glimpse of both the Twins craning their necks as they looked up at the glass covered building that dominated everything around it.
He smiled, but said nothing. These days, he scarcely noticed the tower any more even if it rose far higher than any other skyscraper in the city. But, apparently, it was something newcomers remarked, if not in awe, then at least in wonder.
He supposed that the Abraxis family had built the thing with that idea in mind and that it was of a measure to their personal extravagance.
As always, the way was barred as they descended fully into the tunnel leading to Flair's personal parking space.
He lowered his window and placed his hand upon a small panel that looked like any other only this one did not accept parking validation tickets.
A low tone and a green light glowed, then the gate blocking the way forward lifted up.
To anyone else, it was nothing very remarkable, but Flair knew that if he had failed to pass the very secretive sensorial test just then, large armored bars like those of a prison would have blocked the car front and back. And, just after, highly trained guards wearing body armor, and carrying high powered recoilless rifles would arrive with their weapons targeting the hearts of the vehicle’s occupants.
It had not always been the case. The armed guards and heavy prison-like bars were a new addition which told Flair that what he read in gossip rag newspapers might not be so very far from the truth.
Rumor spoke of highly secured, highly secret dealings between Abraxis Industries and the government. Knowing the little he did know, Flair was sure it was all part of his employer's plan.
A plan, apparently, that had been shaken to the core if he had understood the urgency in Brazier's phone call.
The Twins were quiet as they rode a private elevator upwards.
It was only when the brushed stainless steel parted before them with a whisper, that they spoke.
"Hey, wait a second," said Agate, "This is some kind of boardroom."
She poked a rigid finger at Flair's chest and Opal picked up where she left off.
"You said we wuss going to meet the man."
Flair shrugged.
"Look, this is where I was told to come. I don't know where you two get off thinking you're so important, but Mr. Abraxis's apartment is totally off limits. No one goes up there and I mean no one."
The room was empty but for a long table surrounded by empty chairs.
At the far end, shadow lay in a dark pool but one could make out a single high backed chair turned to face away from the doorway and the rest of the room.
That was when Flair saw Agate frown suddenly and she raised her face, nostrils flaring.
Opal did the same and before anyone had a chance to say anything, a voice spoke.
"Flair, I did not expect guests."
The high backed chair wheeled around slowly and seated upon it, his face still in shadow, was a man who steepled his fingers while presumably looking at the three wolves.
"Yes sir. I mean, no sir. But, I think you want to meet these two, Mr. Abraxis," Flair said.
"Don't presume to tell me what I may or may not desire, Flair."
"No sir, of course not."
There was silence as the man continued to survey the three of them calmly until Agate let out her breath as if she had been holding it from the moment the chair and its occupant had turned around.
"Okay. Veni, vidi, etcetera. I don't see what all the fuss is about."
She turned her back on the man seated in shadows across the room and said, "Come on, Opal. This isn't worth our...."
There was a susurration from the far side of the room, like a theater curtain being drawn back before a hushed audience and Agate heard the pale colored woman beside her take a sudden breath.
Unable to stop herself, Agate looked over her shoulder to see that the man who had been seated as if he had every right to judgement now stood, his leather chair coasting backward with barely a sound.
"By the mighty sons of Anubis...." she said, her voice barely more than that of a whisper.
What she saw standing there was no ordinary man, business executive or otherwise. What she saw was a man formed in the living image of what every classical sculptor had ever dreamed of portraying. But in comparison to the living and breathing man, they had all fallen far short of the mark.