I was still thinking about Tabby when a knock at my door interrupted me, and I looked up at the clock, noticing the time. I'd been zoning out for nearly fifteen minutes. "Come in."
Francine Berkowitz (or as I like to call her, Berkowitch, and sometimes Berkobitch) is pretty much everything that Tabby Williams isn't. With a face only a mother could love, she had connived and politicked her way to the top of the city's unions by collecting a list of black marks and dark deeds on each and every person who could be a threat to her power. I knew she would be visiting me eventually, considering who I was. Having a member of the city council in her pocket was useful, after all.
"Hello, Ms. Berkowitz," I said, getting out of my desk chair. The office had sort of old fashioned chairs that looked like they belonged in a rich man's study or library, appropriate for semi-casual meetings in it. They were a relic of the old council member who'd been indicted for bribery, and I hadn't taken the time to move them or the horrendous coffee table out. At least it was useful this time, as I indicated for her to sit before turning to my little office fridge and grabbing two Jolt Colas. "Care for a drink?"
"Uh, no thank you," she said once she eyed my offering. My tastes are unique. "I must admit Councilman McCaffery that I didn’t expect a novelty cola. Usually they serve tea or coffee at things like this."
"Forgive my inexperience, I'm still breaking in my office chair practically," I replied. "In fact, twice last week the security guards stopped me thinking I must be some sort of guest, and not that I work here. So tell me, what brings you by?"
"I wanted to offer my assistance, of course," Francine practically oozed, perching herself on the chair. She ran a hand over the upholstery, which I had to admit was nice, if not in my style. "I had such a good time picking out this pattern for your predecessor, I was sort of hoping things could be equally magnanimous between us."
"Considering that Harry Vickers is currently in Federal custody awaiting trial, I'm not sure that's a good thing although I hear he's scraped up his bail money," I replied with a laugh. "Considering he was dirty and all."
"Harry was dirty, but so is most of the rest of the council," Francine said, shrugging off my comment. "He was only stupid and dirty. I'd hate to see such a bright young superstar as yourself make the same mistakes he did."
Damn, the bitch didn't mince words. I wondered if I should set up my office for recording conversations like Nixon did, just to protect my ass. "And what mistakes were those?"
"For one, he didn't have enough buffers between himself and the money he took. Secondly, and probably more important, he didn't play ball with the right people."
Spinning the cap on my Jolt Cola, I took a long swig before replying. I wanted to make sure I chose my words very carefully, just in case Francine was trying to get me to say something incriminating as well. I may not have been recording, but that didn't mean she wasn't. "And by the right people, I assume you mean you, of course."
"Among others," she said. "Patrick, this city has been rotten to the core for generations, and the actions of one man, especially one with the unknown background of Marcus Smiley is like pissing into a hurricane, you're just going to end up covered in stench if you try."
Again, I chose my words very carefully. "So what is your advice?"
"I saw your little press conference on the television before I came over. Very noble of you, by the way. I suspect that regardless of the buildings that MJT is donating or footing the bill for, they're going to need extensive renovations to be able to pass city code for fire safety and other issues."
"I suspect so. I haven't talked about the details on that with Miss Williams yet," I said, taking another drink of cola. "Why?"
"Well, this city has a long and rich history of our construction workers and renovation experts having very strong union ties," Berkowitz said, smiling. "I would advise you to of course use only qualified unionized workers for the renovations. After all, better safe than sorry."
I nodded, understanding her threat. In addition to the construction union being under her control, Berkowitz was also head of the union that represented most of the city's workers, including the fire department and the city inspectors. If we were going to get our permits, we'd need their approval. "I see. Well, I’ll have to talk this over with Miss Williams, of course. MJT and the Spartans are running things, I'm just providing the political oomph to make sure we get good coverage of this."
"Of course, Councilman. I mean, such a position could be a coup for you, and turn this, what is it, two year term that you have until the next regular election for another five years? Why, you'd be the sort of young face that the city would love to see climb the ladder of politics, free from the constraints of either the Republicans or the Democrats. I would give you one more piece of advice, for free of course."