It had been over a month, perhaps even two at this point, since his Queen had gone away. Lost of memory and lost of hope. She had been stricken of what made her great, torn from her throne and the entire situation disgusted him. His old friend, potentially the only person he’d ever fully trusted, had lead the charge. Theodore’s law office in direct conflict with the state, with the Mayor, with Mick. The whole thing filled him with a mild rage, but he couldn’t let that cloud his judgement. He knew the Mayor, knew him for years on a one on one basis. Granted they had drifted over the last ten years, but you don’t live with another human for four years and not know them. Like the fact that Mick had a really bad habit of leaving dirty socks in the living room or that he took showers that were ungodly long because he “liked the way the water felt” little things that the public would never have any idea about, it was what made Theo know that despite the years and distance, he could manipulate him if needed and he could potentially cash in that old friendship to work the situation to his advantage.
He’d be lying, oh the irony in that statement, if he said he hadn’t shed a tear over the loss of his friend. He had loved him once, though that was a dalliance. A flight of fancy because he was young and for the first time in his life someone had shown him true kindness. Had accepted his darker edges and not questioned them, Mick had meant a lot to him. Now though, not so much. Not that he’d ever admitted that to him, nor would he ever broach that topic himself. Tonight would be the first time in over two, perhaps three years, that they’d spoken on a personal basis and Theo was steeling his nerve against that situation. He had to turn on the charm and the lies, he had to treat this as if it was any other client that he needed to mold. The Mayor of Chicago could be his puppet if his cards were played right, but he did not see that positive an outcome occurring, it still egged the back of his mind.
He had sent a Kovali driver in a generic unmarked vehicle, posing as an Uber to pick the Mayor up. Mick had shown great trust here, in meeting with him. The Mayor coming to his home for the night, easier to hide the clandestine meeting after dark, was big news if someone knew the Mayor met with the Kovali’s lawyer off the books. They were both taking a big risk, but it could have very high payoff. He looked forward to it. The apartment Theo held, on the high rise, had a decent security system internally and he was notified by the driver when they’d arrived, parking in the secure underground parking away from prying eyes. Theodore unlocked his door and waited, the driver wouldn’t be coming up, but Mick would get here. Settling into the living room of his apartment, he had a decanter before him. Airing out some wine for the evening, he prepped himself mentally for the coming meeting. When Mick finally arrived, he made his way across the wood flooring, slightly heeled boots clapping wood as he opened the door, looking into the face of his old friend in person for the first time in years, “Come in, Mr. Mayor.” He said with a coy smirk.
