Working Outside the Law, Part 2

(You don't necessarily have to have read part 1 to understand what's going on. It just gives a little extra context.)

"Why me?" the Mayor asked, struggling in her bonds. "You could've picked anyone your nemesis cared about as a hostage instead. Heck, your nemesis doesn't even know me. He just knows OF me."

"While threatening your life wouldn't pull on his heartstrings as much as threatening one of his friends, I'm confident he'll still come," I said, sitting back in my armchair and sipping my mug of hot cider. "He's got a sense of duty that's just soo exploitable. But even if he doesn't, there is another reason why I chose to kidnap you."

"Then tell me," she said, glaring at me.

"I've been trying to get your attention about some major problems in this city for quite some time, now."

"'Problems'?" she scoffed. "Nothing YOU consider to be a problem is something the city should care about."

"Oh, these problems aren't unique to the struggles I personally face," I said, shaking my head. "In fact, I'd say a large portion of the city's population agrees with me on most of these issues."

"Fat chance of that," the Mayor laughed. "Nobody likes you."

"The media is about 75% to blame for my poor reputation," I said. "And there is a such thing as unrequited love."

"Explain."

"Believe it or not, I deeply care about the inhabitants of this city," I said. "I care for their well-being. I care for their safety."

The Mayor burst out laughing. "You? Caring about their safety? Looks like someone needs to play some more bluffing games, because you are an absolutely terrible liar."

"In all my years of what you call villainy, I have only caused the deaths of three individuals. And those people weren't civilians, they were cops. Not to mention I didn't actually want to kill them; they just refused to get out of the way of a demolition project I was working on, even after being given plenty of warning."

"You mean the fuel pipeline just outside the city limits," she said, rolling her eyes. "The one you had no legal right to destroy. Those officers bravely died standing up to you."

"They were fighting for something that shouldn't even exist," I said, folding my arms. "If I had simply allowed that pipeline to be completed, not only would it be taking up space on sacred native ancestral ground, ground that has existed longer than our immigrant ancestors even arrived here, but it would also be polluting the soil, the water aquifers underneath, the lakes and rivers nearby, and therefore our drinking water. Something that I can assure you would cause a lot of health problems to the citizens of this city, especially those who cannot afford to purchase a water purifier, as well as the local wildlife that obviously doesn't know anything about water purification."

"That pipeline would have been tested for leaks beforehand."

"And?" I raised an eyebrow. "Pipes aren't invincible to future leaks. Metal can be corroded. Screws can get loose. Eventually it would have leaked and caused more problems you could've realized."

"Well even so, there's other ways to bring up your concerns," the Mayor said.

"Yeah, I tried those other ways," I said with a sigh. "The native population has tried those other ways. The climate activists have tried those other ways. But those in power, such as yourself, don't listen. You've never listened. You only listen to those who are filling your pockets."

"You dare accuse me of accepting bribes?"

"I've hacked into your bank account," I said, shrugging. "I have evidence of your corruption stored on my computer right now. Based on the legal jobs you and your husband have right now, you would not be paid nearly as much as the money you're raking in. You would not have been able to afford that 40 million dollar mansion you and your husband and eight kids are living in right now. Five years ago, you guys were all crammed into a 2-bedroom apartment. In this cutthroat economy, nobody goes from dirt poor to filthy rich in 5 years. Nobody does."

"How do you know so much about me and my private life?"

"Becoming a public official automatically means sacrificing your privacy," I said. "Not to mention the city's surveillance system is ridiculously easy to hack into. My three-year-old niece could probably accomplish that if she wanted to."

The Mayor sat there in silence, a look of shock on her face.

"Oh, yes," I said. "I could track down each and every citizen in this city to know where they live, where they work, what they do for fun, all of that if I really wanted to. I have footage of every instance of police brutality in this city, many having been done on your orders. Every meeting you've had with wealthy business people. And I also know about your secret someone on the side."

"What?!"

"Mhm," I said with a smirk. "And with a click of a button, I could expose all of these juicy secrets about you to the entire city, and even the wider world beyond. Everyone will know about you and Mr. William Irving. I'm sure your husband and children would be thrilled to know of your infidelity."

"Please don't do that."

"You're begging, now?" I smiled, leaning back in my armchair. "That's something I must admit I'm not used to. It's been quite a while since anyone's begged me for something."

"Just, please, don't release that evidence."

"Why shouldn't I? Wouldn't it be better if the citizens of this city were able to make an informed decision for the upcoming election? Shouldn't they know exactly what their vote is supporting?"

"What do you want from me? Money? A pardon for your actions? What?"

I leaned in close, my eyes narrowing. "I want you to start keeping the promises you made to this city. I want you to stop taking bribes from wealthy business owners and start actually taking steps to improve the livelihoods of the working class. I want police brutality against peaceful protestors to end. I want the public schools to receive more funding. I want the public transportation system to improve. I want you to divert the city's resources away from fossil fuels and towards the development of renewable energy. I want a citywide ordinance that prohibits businesses from locking their dumpsters and pouring bleach over perfectly good food to prevent the poor and destitute from repurposing their trash."

"I can't possibly accomplish all of that," she said, shaking her head.

"That's what you promised your voters, isn't it?" I asked, taking out an old campaign advertisement from a drawer in my desk. "Do you mean to tell me that those were just empty promises?"

"Well, I mean--"

"That should be an easy question to answer," I said. "Shouldn't it?"

"You have to understand--"

"Oh, I understand perfectly," I said. "You took bribes in order to get campaign funding. From the moment you started campaigning you never intended to actually fulfill any of the promises you were making to the people of the city. You just wanted power."

The Mayor swallowed.

"I'll give you a deal," I said. "If you agree to stop taking bribes from the wealthy elite, and take significant steps towards fulfilling your promises, then I will help fund your next campaign to give you another term to finish the job. If you refuse, or if you only make a half-butt effort, I will release every single piece of damning evidence I have against you, and I will anonymously fund a competitor instead."

"With what money?"

"I have my ways of obtaining what I need," I said, stepping closer. "Without underpaying and exploiting thousands of employees for the sake of greater profits."

I heard my door open. One of my robotic guards approached.

"Intruder alert," the robotic voice said.

"I told you our friend would show up," I said. I took a business card from my pocket and placed it in hers. "You have three days to make a decision. Should you accept my offer, call the number on the card. Fail to do so, and you can say goodbye to your good reputation. Understand?"

The Mayor nodded, swallowing.

"Good," I said. I turned to my robot. "Has our visitor been detained?"

"Affirmative."

"Bring him up," I said. "And don't rough him up too much if you can avoid it, I want him to still be conscious."

"Roger that," the robotic voice said, turning back towards the door.

"Why do you even want him anyways?" the Mayor asked, though her voice was hesitant.

"That's on a need-to-know basis, and you don't need to know," I said, narrowing my eyes. "I don't need anyone else's blood on my hands if I can avoid it."

"You're not planning on killing him, are you?"

"His survival entirely depends on his willingness to cooperate," I said. "That's all you need to know. Now shut up."

The Mayor hung her head.

The door opened again. In limped Michael, escorted by two robotic guards. He was sporting a brand new black eye, along with several bruises on his arms.

"I came as you asked," Michael said, wincing in pain. "Now let her go."

"As agreed," I said as he was secured to a chair. I turned to my guards. "See that our Mayor makes it safely back to her home. She has a big decision ahead of her."

"Roger that," the guards said simultaneously, loosing her bonds and escorting her out.

As soon as she had left the premises, I undid Michael's bonds.

"I take it I gave you enough time to talk with her?" Michael asked.

"Yes," I said. "I'm giving her three days to mull things over. If she refuses my offer, you'll probably hear a lot of interesting news stories."

"I take it the info I sent you helped?" Michael grinned.

"More than you know," I said with a smile. "She was absolutely mortified to hear how much juicy information I have about her now."

"I'm glad I could help. She was long overdue for a slice of humble pie."

"That she was," I said. I gestured to his black eye. "Trouble at home again?"

"Yeah," Michael said, shaking his head. "On the bright side, Abi didn't get hurt nearly as bad this time. I actually had the guts to stand up to my dad this time."

"Good for you!" I smiled warmly. "I knew you could."

"Thanks," Michael said. "Wouldn't have had the courage if it weren't for you. I actually managed to give him a black eye of his own, for once."

"Really?" My eyes widened. "I would've loved to see that."

"Yeah, he was too shocked to even speak," Michael said, grinning. "I told him if he ever hurt Abi again, I'd make him wish he were never born. And he actually looked scared."

"I'm proud of you," I said, giving him a gentle squeeze.

Michael smiled at me.

"Do you need some ice for that?" I asked.

"That'd be nice, actually," Michael said.

I got out an icepack from my freezer, wrapped it in some cloth, and handed it to him. "Maybe once I'm done with this next heist I'll teach you some more fighting techniques so you can hopefully avoid getting banged up so much if this happens again."

"Thanks," Michael said. "You're a great friend."

"Any time," I said. I thought for a minute, then smiled. "How would you like to help me out a little behind the scenes for this little operation downtown?"

Michael's eyes lit up. "You're serious?"

"Would I ever lie to you?"

Michael raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"Okay, fair point," I chuckled. "But this time I'm serious. I'll let you control my robots from my computer downstairs."

"You mean I get to see your secret room?"

"That's right," I said with a grin. "How about it?"

"That sounds amazing! I'd love to!"

"I thought you might," I said. "Is your leg okay to stand? Do you need some help?"

"Did you seriously forget I can fly?" Michael grinned as he started hovering in the air. "Have you lost your touch?"

"I am an idiot," I said, smacking myself in the forehead. "I am a freaking idiot."

Michael laughed.

"I guess I'm not used to actually having to try to defeat you, now that we're no longer mortal enemies," I said, shaking my head. "Come on downstairs. I'll show you where all my cool gadgets are. Then we can both teach those billionaires a lesson on sharing."