“Why use Valencia to get to you? That’s what bothers me.”
“That I can understand. If you wanted to get to me and for whatever reason you don’t want to go through Rain, approaching me through the company makes sense.” Black thought back to the first time that he met Valencia. She dropped Ezequiel Simmonds’ name as part of her introduction that night.
I believe we have a mutual friend.
“And whatever this is, he’s had Valencia working on it for the last year.”
“What do you think it is?”
“I know what I hope it is, I hope that they just wanna move their product through Freeport.”
“But if that were all it was, why involve me?”
“I don’t know.”
“And that’s what bothers me.”
With its stunning historical detail, European-inspired opulence and stunning views of Fifth Avenue and Central Park, the rich, regal aesthetics of The St. Regis Roof Ballroom was the venue for that evening’s announcement of Martin Marshall’s run for the soon-to-be vacant Senate seat.
As the wait staff wandered around with trays of Caribbean lobster, seared crab cakes, Prince Edward Island mussels and Cajun seared scallop appetizers, the assembled guests talked politics and speculated on whether the event was just another cancer awareness fundraiser or was the keynote there to announce something big.
When dinner was served, it was a meal fit for the kings and queens of the city. there was roasted free range or chipotle marinated chicken breast and guava barbeque-braised short ribs. You could choose an eight ounce filet mignon or a grilled ten ounce New York steak with smoked bacon and mushrooms; grain fed veal medallion or pan roasted beef filet and for those who were looking for something unique, there was chocolate mint-crusted rack of lamb.
Seafood lovers could choose the roasted Caribbean lobster, pan seared black bass, seared yellow tail snapper filet or steamed mussels, all served with lobster mashed potatoes, caramelized cipollini onions, sweet potato and spinach mash.
After the fabulous meal was consumed and enjoyed, the band played and the political positioning among the powerful and well connected continued in earnest over cocktails. It was during that time that Martin was able to slip away and met privately in a suite with Black and their friend and longtime business partner, Wei Jiang, a Chinese-American businessman.
Although his legitimate business concerns included partnerships in wholesale supply firms, factories, banks, employment agencies and the entertainment industry, We
i Jiang’s business was money laundering, credit card fraud, software piracy, the illegal import and export of legal goods and drug trafficking from the Golden Triangle into Europe and North America.
Wei also had contacts with some high ranking members of the government in Beijing, so he was there as an unofficial representative of the government.
“China wishes to reduce environmental degradation, increase the share of consumption in national income, promote productivity growth, and reduce waste,” Wei said to Martin.
“That is the stated policy, yes, but the real purpose is to extend Chinese influence in South America and Africa,” Martin said, and Black, as he usually did, remained silent until he had something to say as opposed to his colleagues who enjoyed debating policy for the sake of debating policy. At the end of the debate, it would always be agreed that what was important was the money they all stood to make.
“China’s economy is expected to surpass that of all individual European countries in terms of GDP within the next two decades,” Martin said.
“And that is good for all of us,” Black pointed out and then he brought it back to why they were there. “So, what can we do for you?”
“China, like other textile and apparel producers, will benefit from the phaseout and elimination at the end of quotas that have restricted international trade in these products. These quotas have artificially restricted China’s apparel exports to the United States since the first bilateral textile agreement was signed,” Wei said, knowing not only Black’s influence with Martin, but Shy’s interest in the textile and apparel business.
“Since China is a lower-cost producer than many other current suppliers of apparel to the United States, it almost certainly will displace at least some apparel exports from other countries once those restrictions are phased out,” Martin said.
“Yes, however, Senator Riedel has consistently voted in opposition to the easing of those restrictions.”
“Should I decide to run, I can assure you that you would be able to count on my vote.”
Wei stood up and held out his hand. “Then I see no reason why you wouldn’t have my support,” Wei paused. “Should you decide to run, of course.”
“Of course,” Martin said, and they shook on it.
While the meeting was wrapping up, Shy was at the bar getting a drink when a man walked up and started talking to her.
“I hate coming to these things,” he said, and leaned against the bar. “Whiskey neat,” he said, when the bartender came and stood before him.
“Then why do you come?” Shy asked without turning to look in his direction.