So it is done: Lead to gold (Patreon)

Jonathan was a little nervous as he watched the approaching police car.

Prior to arriving in this strange, strange world, he had never had any trouble with the police.  And so, was not really familiar with their methods of work. And, of course, as with any layman dealing with a person in power, Jonathan was a little nervous, as he watched the middle-aged man dressed in a police uniform take a step out of his car.

His haunches definitely were raised, when the police officer instantly zeroed in on Jonathan himself, with Cinder and Neo next to him. Well, can you really blame him though? His last interaction with the police was… memorable to say the least.

Okay, Jonathan, time to forget about it. ‘The past is in the past’, isn’t that how the phrase goes?

In any case, Jonathan still took one worried glance at Neo and Cinder, making sure that they were not doing anything suspicious in front of the policeman's gaze. Or at least anything that would make Jonathan look like a criminal.

But, just with one glance, Jonathan could see that Neo and Cinder were simply staring at each other in silence. Neo, for quite understandable reasons. Cinder, due to the fact that her modus operandi is simply to ‘always be on the alert with strangers’. And it seems that it is in full effect even if the ‘stranger’ in question were lost crying children.

I should have killed Miss Sunny. Damn it, it can't be helped now. Maybe in the future?

The policeman who is now approaching Jonathan, apparently, also saw nothing terrible in the actions of the children. However, Jonathan managed to see something else flash in the eyes of the policeman. Recognition, understanding and... Some sense of doom?

Not the eyes of a doomed prisoner, no, nothing so radical. Rather, the eyes of a person who will once again try to cope with a job that he could not physically do, or a janitor facing a giant mess that he has to clean up…  Jonathan felt an unpleasant sensation rising in his stomach from that expression. A sensation that only intensified the moment the policeman spoke up.

“Neo, you’re here again?” After these words, Neo, who had previously silently studied Cinder, looked up, as if she had just noticed the policeman’s presence. As soon as she did, a whirlwind of emotions flashed in her eyes.

Recognition, dislike, and a sense of doom. And unlike the cop's, it was not anything so light. The emotion of a person who already knows his verdict, and is ready to bear it. The eyes of a criminal waiting for their verdict.

Jonathan was far from being an idiot, but besides the fact that there was clearly some kind of history here, probably quite a long one, he could not figure out anything else. However, it still remained something that he could ask.

“Officer,” Jonathan respectfully addressed the policeman, causing him to turn around, with no small amount of surprise. “Is something wrong?”

The officer, looking at Jonathan with an inscrutable expression, exhaled, shaking his head.

“Thank you for your civil vigilance, citizen, but I'm afraid I can’t tell you anything more, we will be bringing Neo home.”

Jonathan blinked. So fast? So simple? No, the situation was clearly not simple at all. Not to mention the fact that Neo being recognized by an unknown person, police officer or not, didn’t hint at anything good. He really prefers not seeing Neo’s face in an obituary.

“I beg your pardon, officer.” Jonathan, mind made up, called out to the officer carefully, “I’ve found the child lost on the street. Besides, she is…”

Jonathan paused, pondering on how to say ‘mute’ without offending Neo, who was carefully observing both adults. But, when he saw the officer nodding in understanding, he continued.

“At the very least I want to make sure that the child will arrive home safely… ”

Jonathan, as one might expect, was not nearly as good with his word as he wanted to believe. Causing the officer to stagger back, as Jonathan pretty much insinuated that he’s a kidnapper. The police officer looked at Jonathan with surprise and was quickly replaced by anger. “What are you hinting at?!”

“Nothing like that!” Jonathan waved his hands, as if to wave away his suggestive words. “Just…”

Realizing that in the current situation he had no trump cards in his hands that would make the conversation any easier, Jonathan was forced to go with honesty and directness. “I did not like your answer and your expressions… it hints of some past history. So I just wanted to be sure. I would not be able to forgive myself if something bad happened when I could help.”

After Jonathan finished talking, the officer looked at Jonathan carefully, as if to check if he was lying before exhaling slowly. “Honestly, I would like nothing more than to write a ticket for you. But, fines for putting a foot in your mouth have not been introduced yet, so okay. You want to ride with Neo to her house… Yeah, sure, I’m in a good mood so come on. You will have to find a way to get back on your own though.”

As he finished, the officer started returning to his car. Realizing that he shouldn't have expected more, Jonathan shrugged, then turned to Neo, and then to Cinder, who was silent during the entire conversation, continuing to watch Neo warily, and now the policeman who was nearby.

“Cinder, let's go.” Jonathan sighed at his adopted daughter’s behavior and gestured in the direction of the policeman’s car. Seeing Cinder’s unmoving expression, he decided to sweeten the deal so to speak. “Come on Cinder, we’ll be taking a short ride, and then we can go to a café to get something to eat.”

Moving his attention to the other child that somehow he has to take care of, Jonathan coaxed the unmoving Neo. "Neo, you too, let’s get going, you’ll meet your parents soon.”

Despite it sounding like good news to Jonathan, hearing it, Neo only looked sadder instead. She then nodded listlessly and slowly trudged to the police car. Jonathan threw a questioning glance at the policeman, but he just shook his head. “If you want to ask something, ask later.”

Seeing the police’s expression, the feeling in his stomach got worse. Seeing that there’s nothing he can do right now, he glanced down at Cinder, who understood his intention without words, heading to the car.

With his charges on the way, Jonathan also made his way to the patrol car. Soon he and the two kids are settled in the back seat. Chuckling quietly at perhaps the best reason as to why he was in the backseat of a police car, Jonathan watched as the policeman, obviously well aware of Neo's address, started driving.

Jonathan had never even driven cars before, never mind one made in this Umbral world. So, other than noting that the car was rather large and its exterior was painted with a blue stripe, he doesn’t really have an opinion on the car. Though he does wonder what kind of engine the car would have. Is it powered by tass?

As Jonathan stewed in envy at the idea of a society so blessed with tass they used it for cars, the police car slowly drove on. First out of the alley they were in, and then down the main road.

As the silence grew, Jonathan took a look at Cinder, to see if she was comfortable being inside a police car, quite unexpectedly at that. Noticing Jonathan looking at her, Cinder just looked Jonathan in the eyes and shrugged a little, signaling that she didn't care.

Jonathan then looked at Neo. Unlike Cinder, Neo was clearly uncomfortable being inside the car. However, the idea that she was uncomfortable because of her proximity with the policeman was quickly discarded soon after. Because with the passage of time, with each meter the car travelled, she only began to get more and more nervous as she looked out the window.

Jonathan held out his hand to pat her head, but hesitated before placing it on Neo's shoulder, making Neo flinch and stare at him.

“All is well,” Jonathan tried to give his most reassuring smiles. “Nobody will hurt you.”

Though Jonathan’s words were nothing more than empty comfort, she still glanced at him before turning away, trembling a little less.

After another moment, Jonathan felt something hitting his back, something small but warm.

Hugging Jonathan like a belt, Cinder buried herself in his back, before indignantly sniffling with all her might, trying to squeeze Jonathan as strong as she can with her un-childish strength.

‘Ha, she’s jealous… ’ Jonathan chuckled out mentally. ‘Childhood jealousy... The merciless kind.’

Forcibly distracted from Neo, Jonathan turned on the spot. As he turned he was greeted with the sight of an outraged Cinder. He then looked at her in the eyes, before hugging her and patting Cinder on the head, distracting himself from Neo’s condition as he looked out the window.

The large central road had long ago given way to a small, barely paved path and the high opulent buildings of the city center were replaced by half-abandoned and in some places already destroyed one-story houses. Though in Jonathan’s opinion they looked more like hovels than actual houses. The police car could barely pass the small road.

Jonathan exhaled, at least that explained Neo's clothes.

After another couple of minutes, approaching an unremarkable and seemingly completely abandoned house, the officer stopped the car, and then looked back at Neo. “We’ve arrived.”

Neo, casting a glance at the police officer then at Jonathan, opened the door, then briskly began walking towards the house. Jonathan, seeing that the police haven’t moved at all, tried to catch his attention.

“Ah, ahem,” Jonathan ‘coughed’, looking at the officer, who caught on and turned to Jonathan. “Shouldn't you accompany her? Until her parents opened the door at least?”

“Do you think they will open it? I’ve been here seven times, and in all those times before, they didn’t.” The officer just rolled his eyes as he answered. After which, noticing the literally fiery look from Cinder, who’s still not letting go of Jonathan’s back, sighed.

“Her mother doesn’t open the door. So, Neo will now go around the house, so we couldn’t see her, then she would be wandering again. And then sooner or later, the police would get another call.”

Jonathan blinked before looking at the officer with a questioning look in his eyes, to which the officer just glanced at Cinder, hinting at the need for some privacy. Cinder, catching something in the officer's gaze, reluctantly let go of Jonathan, pulling away and  started muttering, displeased, “I'll wait in the car.”

Jonathan sighed before exiting the car, along with the officer. The officer, as they exited the car, just sighed, slamming the door behind him, before looking at Jonathan. “Fortunately for you, with your call about a lost child, you gave me at least an hour of freedom and peace, so I'm in a good mood right now. So, fire away?”

“What’s Neo’s situation? Why would she wander around unaccompanied?” Jonathan then suddenly paused. “Or is it absolutely normal for this city?”

At Jonathan’s question, the policeman just sighed before looking at Jonathan sternly. “Listen, boy, I have no doubt that you are just a vigilant citizen doing their duty, a good person, and so on and so forth... But you do understand that you are now trying to ask an officer of the law about what he knows about a private resident of the city? Information that is very personal I might add.”

At the unspoken warning, Jonathan only sighed and exhaled slowly, looking into the officer's eyes, undeterred. “You have already said that she won’t be returning home and be wandering the street... In that case, as an attentive citizen, I will have to call the police every time I see her on the streets. And I will start to notice it, right from this moment.” Jonathan pulled out his scroll to demonstrate his intent.

At Jonathan’s glib rebuttal, the officer only glanced at Jonathan with a raised eyebrow and sighed. “You’re lucky that I’m in a good mood. In any other occasion, I would simply arrest you now, then put you in jail for three days on suspicion of murder. And, believe me, you wouldn’t be enjoying those three days.”

Jonathan, hearing the police officer’s continued threats, just shrugged and looked into the eyes of the officer, before delivering another scathing reply. “If you’re going to take me to the police station, then the better. From there, I will immediately file a report on the disappearance of a person.”

At Jonathan’s unflinching gaze, the officer only sighed and turned away. “Be very, very happy that I'm just too lazy to deal with you now.” At this small victory, Jonathan smiled wryly.

“I'm very happy,” Balancing on the verge between sincerity and sarcasm, Jonathan relaxed and asked his question again. “So... What's the problem here?”

“A lonely alcoholic of a mother, who’s hardly ever sober enough to remember that she has a child.” The officer sighed and looked at Jonathan with a put upon look. “There, are you satisfied now?”

Jonathan blinked. Ha, a single mother…  That didn't sound so bad. Jonathan was a single dad, and it seems like he's been doing pretty well so far.

An alcoholic... Yes, that sounded problematic. And she doesn't even remember that she has a child. That means that she completely pays no attention to the child. Therefore, the child walks the streets and is wearing torn rags.

“As I understand it, this is not the first time she’s been returned home like this?” Jonathan asked and received a sluggish nod in response. “What about the laws?”

“What about them?” The officer just sighed at the question, before looking at Jonathan. “In a normal case, yes, we would come in after such a report and take the children away from such problem families. That is…  if we find out about it. But in this particular case - we have a big problem that prevents us from doing so... She’s mute.”

Jonathan blinked at the non-sequitur. "And?"

“And that's it.” The officer shrugged his shoulders, before, seeing the incomprehension on Jonathan's face, started explaining. “It’s a bunch of bureaucratic nonsense. To determine that a child is living in poor conditions, first we need to assess the damage to the child or evaluate the conditions themselves. One of them is to check their scholastic records, you need a reason to show up for a test of the aforementioned child. In this case, Neo’s grades at her school are average, so we can't find any evidence of probable abuse from this.” The police officer then began sighing deeply, not a good sign in Jonathan’s opinion.

“We could do a medical examination, but it is not obligatory here, and she refused them when we asked. And the police are not allowed on the threshold of the house because we don’t have a warrant. What a joke, we need a probable cause to look for a probable cause. And so lastly, the only way we can find evidence of abuse is to call a specialist to assess her moral and mental state... Or something like that? In general, a doctor, but she is mute. We need a doctor with a license to work with the mute. And there are no such people around in Mount Glenn.”

“That is…” Jonathan could barely express his surprise. “How can that happen? Having a requirement to be checked, but having nobody to complete it? Why introduce this requirement at all, if no one can comply with it anyway?” Jonathan could barely hold his emotions back.

“How the fuck should I know?” The officer glared at Jonathan as if he had just said something stupidly obvious, before taking a deep breath. “These are bureaucratic problems, nothing I can do about it. Previously, we could ask for any help from Vale, but the top brass had somehow cut off our relations with the Central Police Department in Vale, and now we are formally ‘independent’, we can no longer call on their resources. All in all, this was a good thing, the independence bit. But with our independence, several bureaucratic problems have arisen as we cut off our relations. This is one of them.”

After his explanation, the officer exhaled, then turning around to return to his car. “No one will strain the entire Self-Government of Mount Glenn and spend a shit-ton of money for the sake of one little girl. So this problem is almost unsolvable. Resign yourself, and if you meet her on the street, you better buy her ice cream. We usually do that when we inevitably have to do this dance again and again.”

After these parting words, Jonathan just blinked at the absurdity of it all, looking at the officer climbing inside his car. A second later the next to Jonathan door opened, from which a slightly displeased face of Cinder stuck out, - “Come back in, he said that he will take us to the main street.”

After that, Jonathan took one last at the dilapidated house where Neo’s mother is, before sighing and getting back inside the police car.

***

If you want to correct all the wrongs in the world, you will have to go back to the beginning of the universe. Trying to save everybody is a fool’s errand.

Okay. Let's forget about doing such a ridiculous thing, we are not trying to save everybody, we are only selectively saving people. This child - yes, and that one - a hard no. See? Simple. Because we are a good person, right?

What can you do? Well, okay, let's imagine that we do the same as we did with Cinder. Let's  just steal the child, then we’ll run away to the next city. Perhaps Mistral? And what if in Mistral we ran into another street urchin. Are we going to do the same thing again, and run away again?

It just isn't right to leave. Why can't I help her?!

The question is - how can you help her? Just think a little logically here. You can't take her out of the family by legal means, they even explained to you how it works. And if you do it illegally, as already said, take her, and let's run to another city. By the way, get ready for another kerfuffle for new documents, you know how well it happened last time. Maybe this time you’ll shoot two cops? Only this time you also have to bring Cinder along... She clearly wants to give up her new life, for the sake of an even newer life.

“Jonathan?” Cinder's voice brought Jonathan out of his thoughts. - “Your food is getting cold.”

Jonathan blinked in confusion before turning his eyes downward to the cooling plate of food in front of him and sighing "Ah, thanks Cinder."

Cinder glanced at Jonathan carefully before frowning. "Is it because of Neo?"

Jonathan blinked in confusion before grasping the meaning of Cinder’s words. Jonathan looked closer at Cinder’s face. She was frowning and a little alarmed. She looked like she was expecting an answer to her question from Jonathan. Jonathan, however, could only shake his head. “Don't worry, Cinder. No need to be jealous, I love you more than anyone.”

Hearing Jonathan’s words, Cinder recoiled as her face reddened. She then instantly turned her gaze to her plate before letting out a question in an uncertain voice. “Really?”

“Really,” Jonathan nodded before taking a deep breath. “It's just... I... Ha, probably a little too soft for this world...”

After such self-deprecating words, Jonathan smiled sourly at Cinder and returned to his steak.

Speaking of which, what do you think Neo is eating right now? Will she eat at all today?

The piece of steak he had brought to his mouth suddenly seemed completely unappetizing to Jonathan. And it has nothing to do with the piece of meat being cold and hard.

Seeing Cinder eating with gusto, Jonathan nevertheless chewed and swallowed the now tasteless piece of meat. He then stared at his plate and the rest of his steak.

Ha, well, isn’t this just a pile of shit... No matter how much good you do against the background of all the good that you can do, it will be nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

Great, Jonathan! So why not let's go right now! Maybe cry and surrender, after all, this is what the Order of Hermes is famous for!

Jonathan froze for a second as he could feel his hand gripping his cutlery so tightly his hands turned white. He forced himself to relax, before thrusting the fork back into the steak, and slicing an edible piece with his knife.

Suddenly, as he was chewing yet another tasteless piece of meat, Jonathan heard a sound unfamiliar to him. It was a cross between a synthesizer and the trill of a bird, before realizing that this was the ringtone of his scroll.

Nodding to Cinder, he got up from his seat before going to the café's toilet. As he was assured of his privacy, he fished out his scroll and pressed the button that appeared on the screen, noting the unfamiliar number that appeared a moment later…  Although, well pretty much all the numbers would be unfamiliar to him. The only one that he could possibly be familiar with was the scroll he bought for Cinder. And her number was not memorized by Jonathan either.

Therefore, any number Jonathan could be seeing on his scroll right now would be unfamiliar to him.

A moment later, as he pressed the answer button, Jonathan heard a voice that he definitely did not expect to hear, “Mr. Goodman? Good day to you.”

“Mister Martin, I was definitely not expecting this call.” Jonathan answered Bor calmly. “Well, all the better really, I was planning to call you later anyway. Okay. I would like to meet with you and I need to ask for a favor…”

“Oh, you will not believe me, Mr. Goodman.” Jonathan could tell that Bor on the other end of the call was obviously grinning. “I was calling on you to discuss exactly the same thing…”

***

Two hours later, Martin Bor, no more than a humble official, was looking at ‘Jonathan’ sitting opposite him. Of course, he did not have the time to call on his entire significant network of friends. But, nevertheless, Bor has managed to check at least a few things available to his hands and eyes. Very interesting things.

Delivering packages on foot from Mount Glenn to anywhere outside the city was the lot of idiots who would most likely only disappear on their way to the nearest settlement. Cars, trains, rotorcraft - that's what kept the line of trade between cities. Which by happy coincidence, is also the usual method parcels are delivered.

And, what a funny oddity, a simple little cursory search had revealed that ‘Jonathan’ did not possess a car, or a rotorcraft, and, of course, a train on his account. And, which is also significant, he had not entered into a single contract for the lease of any of these vehicles for his company.

Phenomenal speed, an incomparable cheap price, and a one hundred percent successful delivery rate! Not a single lost package, not a single courier hired, wasn't that a miracle for Remnant? It was indeed a miracle. Definitely a miracle.

Jonathan was a teleporter. It was as clear as daylight. Clear and unambiguous.

The only question remaining was how would he use this knowledge?

Any thoughts of putting any pressure on ‘Jonathan’ were thrown away instantly. Bor was a criminal, but not an idiot, and Jonathan himself did not show himself to be a clinical idiot to forget that he is a teleporter while talking with Bor. What happens if you try to strong-arm a teleporter?

In the best case, he will simply run away and disappear quite easily. In the worst case, he will be offended, and a much more sad, and if he’s particularly unlucky, a quite deadly end for him.

After all his time spent in this world, Bor definitely knew what kind of people he did not want to see as his enemies. Strong people, influential people. And, of course, almost definitely, people who can teleport to your bedroom while you sleep and slit your throat and teleport away with no one being the wiser.

Bor did not want to make an enemy out of a person with such abilities. And he definitely didn’t want to argue with a man, who could easily make him rich. That is, if Bor played all his cards correctly of course, and with someone who would be in the state of mind to play along.

In the future, perhaps, when he finds out all the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of Jonathan, he will be able to act more decisively. But right now... Of course not.

Therefore, all the too serious threats, about the life of Jonathan himself, for example were off of the table. How about that ‘Cinder’ kid, hmm... Bor was not lying when he said that he treats children well. Even if it was a good way to get close to Jonathan, Bor did not want to threaten Cinder or, forgive me Brothers, kidnap her.

Not to mention, if Jonathan discovered her whereabouts if he were to do such a thing. Or even worse, Bor's whereabouts, which was not classified information at all, it would be an extremely sad end for Bor.

However, Bor smiled, it is an unhappy idiot who thinks that the art of bargaining ends with threats.

After all, gold can be much more effective bargaining tools than lead.

So, sitting across from Jonathan and looking at his calm demeanor, Bor nodded. "You wanted to meet with me?" and so he fired off his first shot, figuratively of course.

In the art of the deal, it was necessary to maintain one's strong position - and to make sure that the opponent's was weak, this was the most basic of all rules. Jonathan was supposed to be supplicant while Bor was supposed to be the giver. This very fact made Bor's position stronger.

“We both wanted to meet each other, Mr. Martin” Well, Jonathan probably knew something about the art of the deal too. So instead of just admitting his weakness, answered calmly. At the same time emphasizing that both sides needed each other's services, “Why don't you start first? This is, after all, your office.”

A little bit of flattery, worthless, but Bor, even realizing it’s empty nature, was forced to answer first. “I just wanted to congratulate you on your thriving business. People are very... Well, they speak favorably about your services.”

Just a little hint of what he knows, let's see what would ‘Jonathan’ respond to that with.

“Just trying to do my job,” Jonathan nodded slowly, paying close attention to Bor’s expression. “ I simply deliver the goods and I get paid to do it. Well, I am glad that people speak well of my work.”

A misstep. Jonathan has just confirmed - unknowingly - that he is the one who delivers the goods and not third-party contractors. A big misstep on his part.

“I see.” Bor nodded, as a small smile played on his face. “I'm glad to see that you're so proud of your work. Logistics is an extremely important area of ​​economics you know. I am quite happy to see that you were able to use your skills in this area…”

A simple phrase with a double meaning. Depending on how exactly Jonathan reacts, Bor will be able to unambiguously confirm his conjecture about his identity as a teleporter. Furthermore, on how far Jonathan is ready to go in trying to hide this information... And how much he is ready to use his abilities to do it.

“Thank you, it is quite rare to have your abilities being appreciated enough.” Bor would have congratulated himself on another victory, if he did not hear the continuation. “I really do have quite an outstanding ability in this area. I'm sure this can really help Remnant…”

Or hurt you, there was an unspoken ending of the phrase, hanging in the air.

Bor frowned, it was quite the very unpleasant turn for this negotiation. Instead of being the one begging, ‘Jonathan’ now looked like someone who had already given an ultimatum to Bor on his own...

And Bor could not just idly answer this unspoken ultimatum without risk. Right now Bor was sitting in front of ‘Jonathan’, and if it occurred to him... To let's say, get rid of an overly knowledgeable official, and then escape to another city - no one could really stop him...

Without knowing the limitations of Jonathan’s ability, Bor was forced to back down a little, "Of course, Mr. Goodman... Such abilities should be well compensated... And, you know, it just so happens that I - and some of my friends - are quite interested in your abilities…”

“I see,” Jonathan looked at Bor with a glint in his eyes. “Though, I do confess, quite honestly, that I don't have any money problems…”

“Really?” Bor was quite sincerely surprised. To him, there is no such a thing as too much money. Before remembering an important fact from the very beginning of the conversation. ‘Jonathan’ wanted to ask him for something. And slowly his smile grows wider. “Though it seems to me that you need a payment... of a different sort…”

Bor could see that ‘Jonathan’ could not find a good answer to his offer, forced to retreat, - “Perhaps…”

Bor grinned, smelling blood in the water. “In that case, it seems to me that you and I can come to a mutually beneficial agreement…”

Jonathan narrowed his eyes, feeling the trap set on him. "What kind of agreement?"

“A mutually beneficial one.” Bor slowly nodded before slamming the trap closed. “As I said, my friends around the world are very interested in your abilities…”

Jonathan sat silently for a few seconds before his pupils dilated. No one threatens Bor without the consequences. After all, Bor could easily be killed, of course...

But what will Jonathan do with his other friends?

What would happen first? Jonathan gets rid of an unknown number of unknown people that knows his secret…  Or will one of the thousands of people he knows be lucky enough to get to Jonathan first?

Gold was sometimes better than lead. But lead was sometimes worth more than gold.

Of course, threats were not the only method in the art of the deal, but it still remained a potent method to be kept in the pocket. The main thing to do was to combine threats, flattery, offers and refusals in the right proportions.

Jonathan looked up slowly before exhaling, closing his eyes and finally asking directly, “What do you need to be delivered?”

Bor smiled, got him. "You will be delivering some equipment for Merlot Industries. And with each successful delivery, I, in turn, will be ready to help you…”

Jonathan exhaled slowly, clearly glad that he would not deliver anything illegal… Bor smiled mentally - for some reason, something being illegal in people's minds either means drugs, slaves or weapons. What nonsense.

Some equipment may also be illegal. What else should one call equipment that would be used for some specific medical experiments?

“I, for my part, will certainly help you with your problem.” Yet, fearing to press too hard, Bor retreated a little.  “Whatever it may be, and although you said that you do not need money - I simply cannot allow you to work absolutely for free, Mr. Goodman... As you can understand, I really appreciate my friends…”

As long as they remain my friends, was the implied threat in the air.

Jonathan looked at Bor with an eerie expression slowly before nodding. "I will… enjoy our cooperation."

“Here’s to our mutually beneficial cooperation.” Bor hastened to add, widening his smile.

The main thing to do in acquiring a successful deal is to mix with threats and promises in an equal dose.