The Long Game
Prompts: Crime Caper/Driving Range/Salmon Fillet
“The problem with most jobs, is time,” Jasmine smiled like a satisfied cat, “everyone wants to hit hard and fast, then get out. There’s no art, no finesse, anymore. It’s like everyone forgot the long con.”
Davis nodded his head, “I gotta hand it to you, it takes a bit longer to get paid, but this is brilliant. It’s almost risk free,” he was motioning to a wall of screens, each flashing feeds from million-dollar homes across the city, “so how does it work again?”
Jasmine’s eyes twinkled as she began explaining, “As you know, Eagles-Nest Driving Range, is a well established, elite, golf training resort. We offer only the best for our members. Speaking of which, how is your salmon? Our chef is a blade master. He studied the art of fillet alone, for three years.”
Davis grunted his enjoyment as he took a sip of wine, “It’s unbelievable, you’re lucky to have such a chef. I’d hate to think the cost.”
“Then don’t think of it. As I said, nothing but the best for our guests, and our hefty membership fee ensures only the best guests. The food, bars, and conference rooms are all complimentary, as is the massage service. We want our members to see this as a country club. Once they become comfortable, usually about a year, we introduce them to the home-based Virtual Driving Range. Perfect for when you need to unwind at home or weather prevents you from coming in. The best part is, it’s only five thousand dollars a year more on the membership fee; maintenance included.”
Davis was transfixed by the number of screens and simply nodded. That was a deal too good to pass up. Hell, even he was tempted. She took a sip of water and continued, “Our install team, Jordan and Ward, set up pinhole cameras and audio glass, all which feedback here. Sophie and Lucas monitor the feeds over a year or two, building a complete profile of the mark, including routines, schedules, etc. When the time is right, we send in the strike team.”
The waiter, Jon, came to clear the plates and gave Davis a surreptitious wink. Davis smiled at him and went back to studying Jasmine. She was good, very creative, but not good enough. She caught his attention almost as soon as she hit the scene. He was going to shut her down right away, but was curious what she would do. Instead, he planted men in her organization, to see what he could learn.
He leaned forward, “What about the security systems?”
“Our virtual ranges use the latest technology. As it is a rental, we insist on security. To make this as unobtrusive as possible, the system simply ties into their existing security systems.”
Davis shook his head, trying not to show just how impressed he was, “Why do you need me?”
“Word on the street is, you’re the best in tech. Besides, I’m not greedy, there’s plenty to go around. I think we can work well together.”
Davis stifled a laugh. She really was as gullible as Lucas reported. It was easy to infiltrate her organization. She was inexperienced and most of all, female. She didn’t have the killer instinct men did. Not that it’s her fault, just a matter of genetics. His men reported that she was clever and not very smart, but she had a good game going. He had been considering the best time to make his move, when she approached him for this meeting.
He decided this would be as good a time as any, and told Lucas to get the men ready. Lucas had flipped her security detail. At his word, they would shoot her and his empire would grow. He paused as though considering her offer, “Well, you are right about that. I am the best, but give yourself some credit. You got this far, didn’t you?”
Jasmine’s smile faltered, “I’m not sure I understand?”
“I know, you’re a woman. I wouldn’t expect you to. Did you really think you could run with the boys? Playtime’s over, sweetie. I’ll be taking it from here.”
Her face flushed, “What did you say?”
Davis laughed and snapped his fingers. At the signal, Jon dropped his tray, moved table side, hand on gun, staring at Jasmine. The security team silently moved to block the exits, weapons ready. She looked around the room, then glared at Davis, “What’s the meaning of this? What’s going on?”
“Oh, come on,” he was practically beaming, “you didn’t think I’d let you stay in power, did you? As soon as you hit my radar, I planted my men; your chef, Jon here, and your analyst Lucas.” Jasmine moved to stand, but stopped as Jon took a step toward her. “Lucas turned your guards, they now work for me.”
Jasmine sat back in the chair, shock painted on her face. She looked to the guards, to Jon, and then began to laugh almost hysterically. Jon moved to her side, drew his gun, and pointed it… at Davis, who sat looking at the pair confused. He tried to say something, but Jasmine cut him off, “It’s overly aggressive attitudes like that, which get attack dogs castrated.” A flick of her wrist sent a guard to stand behind him, gun to his head.
Davis stiffened at the sudden turn of events, his mouth going dry as Jasmine kept speaking, “Art of War, ‘know your enemy, make them think they know you.’ You underestimated me from the beginning because I’m female. Once your men saw I was fair and respected them, they were with me within the week.” Jon nodded behind her. “You’re so arrogant, you never even thought to question this meeting or the food you were served.” She smiled at the look of horror on his face, “You’re right about one thing though, women are more practical. Poison is much easier to clean after."
Davis nodded his head, “I gotta hand it to you, it takes a bit longer to get paid, but this is brilliant. It’s almost risk free,” he was motioning to a wall of screens, each flashing feeds from million-dollar homes across the city, “so how does it work again?”
Jasmine’s eyes twinkled as she began explaining, “As you know, Eagles-Nest Driving Range, is a well established, elite, golf training resort. We offer only the best for our members. Speaking of which, how is your salmon? Our chef is a blade master. He studied the art of fillet alone, for three years.”
Davis grunted his enjoyment as he took a sip of wine, “It’s unbelievable, you’re lucky to have such a chef. I’d hate to think the cost.”
“Then don’t think of it. As I said, nothing but the best for our guests, and our hefty membership fee ensures only the best guests. The food, bars, and conference rooms are all complimentary, as is the massage service. We want our members to see this as a country club. Once they become comfortable, usually about a year, we introduce them to the home-based Virtual Driving Range. Perfect for when you need to unwind at home or weather prevents you from coming in. The best part is, it’s only five thousand dollars a year more on the membership fee; maintenance included.”
Davis was transfixed by the number of screens and simply nodded. That was a deal too good to pass up. Hell, even he was tempted. She took a sip of water and continued, “Our install team, Jordan and Ward, set up pinhole cameras and audio glass, all which feedback here. Sophie and Lucas monitor the feeds over a year or two, building a complete profile of the mark, including routines, schedules, etc. When the time is right, we send in the strike team.”
The waiter, Jon, came to clear the plates and gave Davis a surreptitious wink. Davis smiled at him and went back to studying Jasmine. She was good, very creative, but not good enough. She caught his attention almost as soon as she hit the scene. He was going to shut her down right away, but was curious what she would do. Instead, he planted men in her organization, to see what he could learn.
He leaned forward, “What about the security systems?”
“Our virtual ranges use the latest technology. As it is a rental, we insist on security. To make this as unobtrusive as possible, the system simply ties into their existing security systems.”
Davis shook his head, trying not to show just how impressed he was, “Why do you need me?”
“Word on the street is, you’re the best in tech. Besides, I’m not greedy, there’s plenty to go around. I think we can work well together.”
Davis stifled a laugh. She really was as gullible as Lucas reported. It was easy to infiltrate her organization. She was inexperienced and most of all, female. She didn’t have the killer instinct men did. Not that it’s her fault, just a matter of genetics. His men reported that she was clever and not very smart, but she had a good game going. He had been considering the best time to make his move, when she approached him for this meeting.
He decided this would be as good a time as any, and told Lucas to get the men ready. Lucas had flipped her security detail. At his word, they would shoot her and his empire would grow. He paused as though considering her offer, “Well, you are right about that. I am the best, but give yourself some credit. You got this far, didn’t you?”
Jasmine’s smile faltered, “I’m not sure I understand?”
“I know, you’re a woman. I wouldn’t expect you to. Did you really think you could run with the boys? Playtime’s over, sweetie. I’ll be taking it from here.”
Her face flushed, “What did you say?”
Davis laughed and snapped his fingers. At the signal, Jon dropped his tray, moved table side, hand on gun, staring at Jasmine. The security team silently moved to block the exits, weapons ready. She looked around the room, then glared at Davis, “What’s the meaning of this? What’s going on?”
“Oh, come on,” he was practically beaming, “you didn’t think I’d let you stay in power, did you? As soon as you hit my radar, I planted my men; your chef, Jon here, and your analyst Lucas.” Jasmine moved to stand, but stopped as Jon took a step toward her. “Lucas turned your guards, they now work for me.”
Jasmine sat back in the chair, shock painted on her face. She looked to the guards, to Jon, and then began to laugh almost hysterically. Jon moved to her side, drew his gun, and pointed it… at Davis, who sat looking at the pair confused. He tried to say something, but Jasmine cut him off, “It’s overly aggressive attitudes like that, which get attack dogs castrated.” A flick of her wrist sent a guard to stand behind him, gun to his head.
Davis stiffened at the sudden turn of events, his mouth going dry as Jasmine kept speaking, “Art of War, ‘know your enemy, make them think they know you.’ You underestimated me from the beginning because I’m female. Once your men saw I was fair and respected them, they were with me within the week.” Jon nodded behind her. “You’re so arrogant, you never even thought to question this meeting or the food you were served.” She smiled at the look of horror on his face, “You’re right about one thing though, women are more practical. Poison is much easier to clean after."