Corwin Gray, Ep.6 Downtime

Corwin started of his meeting with Gus White directly, as he always did.

"Lucius is going to buy the Parks estate when it goes up for auction tomorrow."

"I'm not surprised. He's asked me about it once or twice."

"Even if he buys it, he can't be allowed to take a seat on the council."

White raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his brandy. Corwin always set the best for his guests. "Now I am slightly surprised. I'd always suspect that you had a hand in his actions."

Corwin chucked and took a sip of his own brandy. "Very briefly, it's true. During the time I did work with him, however, I became certain that his instability and frankly blinding lust for power undercut his usefulness."

"You're definitely not alone in thinking that. I assume you have a suggestion?"

Corwin took a deep breath before saying, "Yes. I think you should retire."

White coughed. "Excuse me?"

"You'll be out of the council anyway. Jeffery Newton's will explicitly states that his property can't be broken up, so regardless of who Abrams decides is actually going to be the beneficiary they're going to have more land than you. So if you take your retirement now and sell off most of your land, you'll have a generous nest egg, not have to worry about management, and someone else will take your place on the council."

White pursed his lips and sighed. "I'd hoped that it wouldn't come to this. I mean, I've enjoyed being a part of making Newton what it is."He looked distinctly resigned. "As long as I'm out, I suppose, I might as well keep that sniveling bastard from enjoying it. The only problem is that since the town's boundary's just opened up, there's land for the taking for just about anyone. Values have never been lower. Anything I own outside of the central town area is going to sell for a substantial loss."

Corwin nodded. "That would be true, but fortunately, I've received word of someone coming in to town whose desires are going to far exceed the little plot of land we're giving to veterans. An old friend, actually, and he'll pay market price for any land he can get."

"Who?"

"Lewis Bryant. Remember him?"

White cradled his head in his hands and sighed. "Good thing Bill's dead."

"Why do you think he's coming back? It's water under the bridge, anyway; I would gamble not a dozen people in town can even tell you what their feud was about. Regardless, it's not like Bill exiled him or anything; they just went their separate ways. It'd be a good sign of reconciliation if it was him you sold land to."

"Maybe, but do we want him on the council any more than Lucius? Better the evil you know; after all, nobody's really spoken to Bryant outside occasional correspondence in something like 15 years."

"I think he'd make a good addition to the council. His disagreement with Bill was one of concience, remember, not passion. Some level-headedness in power would do the town good."

White shook his head. "All right. If you think it's a good idea I'll look into it. I can't promise any more than that, of course..."

"Not that I would expect you to. And if you need any help, just let me know."