Exploitable Weaknesses by Brian Keller (best interesting books to read txt) 📕

transactions. These purchases needed to be legitimate, even if the coins themselves had questionable origins. It took them thirty minutes to walk to Miller’s Flats, and they walked along almost every street in the neighborhood until lunchtime. They had made several inquiries, stating that they were comparing the property values of Miller’s Flats, the Dregs and the Trade Quarter. Learning that properties in the Dregs were nearly worthless came as no surprise to either of them. What they hadn’t expected was that most houses and businesses in Miller’s Flats were nearly every bit as expensive as those in the Trade Quarter. The exceptions to this were those houses that were adjacent to a mill, and those properties on the south end, especially those to the southwest which bordered the Dregs. This news seemed to lift Cooper’s spirits slightly, “At least one of the properties needs to be towards the south end, but not next to the Dregs. We should avoid properties near the mills, however. Too much activity at unpredictable hours.”

They identified an empty house for sale on the south side that was priced comparatively inexpensively. They only needed a quick glance around the immediate vicinity to see why. The property to the west belonged to a brick maker. Though the prevailing winds blew from east to west it was easy to see that the house was covered in soot and grime from the kilns next door. Birt raised an eyebrow and Cooper nodded, “Buy it. If they’re not prepared to provide the documents today, then leave them with some earnest money but obtain a receipt showing not only what we’ve paid, but also the remaining balance. Even if they drag their feet completing the sale, it’ll be enough to demonstrate our intent to use the property and may be enough explanation if questioned as we move to occupy it.” Birt nodded to acknowledge but offered additional insight, “You realize, of course, that there will almost certainly be a couple of guys at the brick maker’s kilns? All night? Every night, whenever they’re firing bricks?” Cooper shrugged, “A couple of guys falling asleep while tending fires is no cause for concern. Not like a mill. Farmers bringing in carts of grain, miller’s grinding it, and merchants coming to purchase the flour or meal… all those people, in any combination, at all hours of the day or night…? That’s what I’d rather avoid.” Birt turned his attention back to the house in question. He considered the location. Several of the houses along the street were very close together. So close, in fact, that it might be possible for neighbors to each open a window and shake hands, without requiring either of them to leave their houses. This house, perhaps due to its proximity to the brick maker’s, had no neighbors close enough to accomplish that feat. The seller couldn’t know of the importance of that to the Guild, or even that it was the Guild making the purchase. He would certainly know, however, the expense required to replace all the broken windows and damage to a few interior walls and flooring; and that was a point that Birt might use to haggle the price down further yet.

In less than an hour, the two of them were walking toward the center of Miller’s Flats. Birt had a receipt firmly in hand and a satisfied expression. The seller reported that he’d be prepared to finalize the sale tomorrow. Since Birt would be carrying coin, and would be expected at a certain time and place, he’d have at least two Journeymen with him; in case the seller was more intent on robbery, rather than an actual transactions. Rukle could go along too, if he’d concluded his business in the Dregs today.

The second house was a little closer to the Dregs than Cooper originally wanted but the fact that this house had a side and rear entrance, in addition to an ample front door, appealed to him. He gave Birt a nod to conduct the transaction before he faded back, remaining close enough to show his presence, but far enough to encourage anonymity. In this instance, coin and deed changed hands and a bill of sale written up on the spot. There would be no need for a return visit. This house was now legally theirs.

As they walked, Cooper asked Birt about which businesses, especially inns and brothels, were partly owned by the Guild, adding “I'm sure several of them would appreciate some maintenance and repair work, at Guild expense. These businesses need to see that they can also gain from our ongoing arrangement, rather than simply being forced to pay every month. This could also provide another venue to assess carpenters, masons and other laborers.”

Birt warmed to the task but asked, “How much are we looking to spend?” Cooper had expected this question, “On a few of the larger inns and brothels, those that are in a position to expand, both in size and volume of clientele, spend what is needed. We will want a couple of ‘showcase’ establishments. This will act to set the tone. Other neighboring businesses might find it difficult to compete. This could make them vulnerable to our advances, or it might cause them to seek outside funding to remain competitive, perhaps even from us.” An expression of understanding crossed Birt’s face, “Subtle, in its own way. Encouraging businesses to seek us out as a partner rather than us reaching out to enforce our will.” Cooper nodded, “We’ll be stretched thin already, until we can recover our members. But once we have, we’ll need to already have multiple funding streams in place that can support that growth. If all goes to plan, we’ll grow from the eight of us, to almost a hundred over the course of one night.” Birt smiled, “But, of course, that one night is still several weeks away.” Cooper turned his head to direct his gaze east, towards the prison