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4 - Something to work with.

When he reached his destination, he adjusted his jacket and grabbed the suitcase that was filled with money he had withdrawn on his way here. "If I'm not back in ten, come find me. Then, call the police."

Griffin frowned. "That wasn't funny."

Dylan flashed him a grin as he opened the door. "Wasn't trying to be. Stay safe, Griffin," he said, the moment he got out of the car.

"Don't you freak me out with such words!" Griffin screamed, his voice muffled behind the closed doors.

Dylan laughed as the warm November mist hit him. He had dressed light for exactly this unpredictable weather. Adjusting his shades, he meandered down the stone paths, his shiny blond hair flailing behind him.

Dylan found the man on the park bench on a narrow path northwest of a city monument, sitting quietly and alone on a slanted bench, motionless despite the barks of hounds on tangled leashes and toddlers screaming around.

He stood when Dylan approached but didn't offer his hand. Not that Dylan was going to accept it if he did. He introduced himself as J Baldwin. Dylan nodded, not believing, and suspected it to be a cover name.

Dylan sat and he followed without preamble. Instantly, Baldwin cut to the chase. "The money."

Dylan smiled and stretched out the suitcase in his hands towards him and at the last moment, he withheld it right out of his reach. "There's exactly $30,000 in here, however," he paused, watching the pudgy man whose deep brown eyes had narrowed before continuing, "I'll need  information about the girl I'll be expecting tomorrow."

Baldwin's deep brown eyes narrowed even further as his voice came out flat. "All information you will need about her will be sent to you on the 1st of December, including her, as we promised."

They became silent, staring out at the trees sharp against the pellucid sky. The temperature had dropped drastically and a slight chill could be felt in the air.

Dylan knew the crack was eventually going to come so he pushed further. "I would add $200 to the stipulated cash. This would be just for the information that you disclose now, that is."

Baldwin's widely spaced eyes increased, bulging out. He cleared his throat then muttered, "But the price isn't negotiable."

Dylan raised his eyebrows. "It was stipulated that it's slightly negotiable. Yet, I'm paying you thirty thousand dollars. What's there if I decide to add another two hundred?"

Caught off guard, Baldwin stared, lost of words. After a few seconds of silence, he cleared his throat again. "Alright, just this once."

He bought out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. Not waiting for Dylan to turn it over, he snatched the case from Dylan's grasp.

Dylan smiled, letting him have it. "Nice doing business with you."

He nodded before rising slowly in an attempt for Dylan to hand him the money. Amused, Dylan watched him standing awkwardly then decided to save him from his misery. "The two hundred dollars is already in the suitcase."

Baldwin stood shocked, while Dylan simply smiled. He had waited exactly for this reaction. He knew he always got what he wanted, hence, he had prepared the money down already for the information.

A child came running by screaming on top of his lungs, this broke Baldwin out of his bewilderment, and with a stiff nod, he walked briskly away.

Dylan watched him go then stood up to leave. He glanced at his watch. Nine minutes had passed. He better leave before Griffin appeared with the cops.