Bobby Fischer Would be Proud

Who: Ian
Where: The Drake Hotel Bar
When: afternoon

Ian had smiled, watching Evelyn leave and head back to her post. The whole moment had gone so well, that he was feeling more than ready for the next move, which made Sal's schedule just perfect.

Moving casually as if nothing was brewing below the surface, Ian left his office headed for the bar. Sal was easy enough to spot, already perched on his favorite barstool, drink already in hand. He was a lower level family member, but someone Ian had befriended quickly and on purpose. All it took was a few right words and an extra drink and usually Sal did whatever Ian suggested, boasting about how it had been his idea in the first place.

"Sal," Ian greeted the middle-aged balding man with a smile. "The missus still won't let you drink at home huh?" A quick nod to the bartender brought over a club soda for Ian as he sat down next to Sal.

"Of course not, that bitch. You won't tell will you?" The color of Sal's eyes and skin made it obvious that the drink was killing him slowly, and were proof that his wife was right to ban him from going out at night or from drinking at home. As a result Sal had taken to sneaking his drinks when he could, showing up in the afternoon when he was supposed to be at work to get his fix in. Ian couldn't be bothered about the man's help, but his routine always seemed to work in Ian's favor.

"Never," Ian promised, sounding genuine. He took a sip of his club soda, flashing a quick and obvious glance towards the front desk while he did so. As expected Sal did the same, only his gaze lingered.

"You gotta couple of new girls up there huh?" Sal asked, his eyes drifting across Kess and Evelyn. "Any of them interested in older men?"

Ian laughed appropriately, but shook his head. "Sorry Sal, I don't think you're their type." Especially since Ian knew he was Evelyn's. "The one with the dark hair though, she's proven to be far more useful than I imagined."

"Is that so?" Sal looked at Evelyn again, studying her as his slow mind chugged along. "Hey, she used to work back here, in the restaurant." Ian nodded, avoiding speaking by taking another drink. This was the best way to handle things with Sal, let him sort them out on his own, even if it did seem to take him forever to do so. "Cute girl," Sal finally commented. "Quiet too. They like that. When they don't linger or ask questions or look confused when they hear you talking about laying new cement and the like."

Ian smiled, not speaking again for the same reasons that Sal had just mentioned. Already the conversation was headed in the direction he wanted it to head. Sal was good at that, taking the lead with minimal bait.

"Useful?" Sal asked to which Ian responded with another nod. "Useful is good," the man continued, finishing off his drink and ordering another.

"Yes, she's fabulous with discretion. I'd trust her to do anything around here. It's quite wonderful having someone so capable on the staff. The rest of the time I just seem to get stuck with idiots." Every word was used on purpose. Ian knew full well that Sal was always stuck with the retarded inbreds of the family. The dumb thugs hired for their brawn and not their brains. The were useful fools yes, but hard to manage, and unreliable as hell.

"That's good to know Sullivan," Sal told him, looking at the girl again, obviously already planning things for her. "We always need capable hands." Ian smirked inwardly, but Sal only saw the sage nod. Finishing off his drink, he set the glass back down on the bar, standing to go. "You want the car to pick you up around three like usual?" Sal just nodded, taking another full swig. Ian smiled his polite hotel manager smile and turned back towards the front of the hotel. Another piece in its place, he thought as he came out of the bar watching Evelyn. Checkmate.