rhetthawkins

[rhetthawkins]

Rhett did smile, and it was an earnest one. "Thank you," he said, and he meant it. While Lindsey might not be trustworthy to everyone, and often — much like him — she would pick herself, he knew that he could count on her. If he asked her to, and asked nicely, of course. "It is. I appreciate you," he said with a nod. "We'll touch base about it later."

— END.

Lindsey say silently, listening as Rhett explained the situation here. There was more here, something about the personal nature of it all that he wasn't quite telling her, but frankly, Lindsey didn't care. The personal had no place in the realm of business, but there were times, every now and then, when the two could overlap. "I'll look into it." Lindsey knew better than to commit to this particular task without first doing her own research. She would have to visit the establishment in the upcoming day, speak to its owner, and see if she could justify the attempted purchase of the business. "We'll have to do this by the book," she reminded. As if any of them needed a reminder of just how technical they'd need to be. Anything less and Hector would ensure that they never hear the end of it. "If that's all then..."

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @logan-porter

at la hacienda's private cigar lounge

Rhett wasn't so far removed from Paxton that he didn't remember the Porter family. If memory served him correctly, there was whole heap of them and they infested the trailer park that the community clung to much like their old traditions. It was all terribly storybook, but that was only as long as you liked old westerns — which Rhett found to be terribly boring. While the Cowboy Mafia certainly made this whole thing interesting, Rhett was slowly losing his patience. Not in the same sense as them, though. He wasn't the type to raise a fist. No, he was the type to slowly suck the lifeblood from someone and watch them suffer.

Which was how he ended up sat across from Logan. Some times the most interesting battles involved somewhat interesting ways to complete mission. Logan was... somewhat interesting. Not in his person, but in his motives. "Porter," Rhett said with a somewhat muted smile. The backroom of the La Hacienda was filled only with friendly company. It involved a private invitation and appointment. "How's the western front?" He asked, and moved to take a sip from his scotch.

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @chuckcharlesley

at la hacienda's private cigar room

Chuck was not the only one who could keep a secret, not the only one who kept more to themselves than they let on. Power was something allowed him that luxury, his position and influence — not to mention lineage — meant that he had an uncanny ability to find out things faster than he let on. It was something that was quite common between all the Board members and something that he knew Hector wielded as he pleased. It was why Rhett moved carefully. He could smudge when he was in possession of things, make white lies about the complexity of certain things, and Hector was none the wiser, but that was about it.

"Should come as no surprise to you that I know the name and face and of every single member of the Cowboy Mafia," Rhett didn't really start with pleasantries with her this time. He exhaled the smoke of his cigar, enjoying the taste. Cigars reminded him of his father, and perhaps this was a subconscious move to channel something his father would say. Adrian — for all his faults — knew what to say and how to say politically. "Hands, Top Hands..." Rhett shrugged. "I even know some of the folks they call 'Fingers'. How insulting." Rhett wasn't someone who was going to empathize with these drug peddlers. "Might consider the company you keep, given recent unveilings..." There was already an Obsidian person who was missing and a Cowboy dead because of their tanglings. "Already have one of us on a milk carton, rather not have two."

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @matidelacruz

at Oceanview Apartments

By now, it was no secret that Oceanview construction was completely on hold. Rhett didn't see cancelled as permanent that the public did. In a year or so, the construction would start again. Rhett was finishing a few things at his office there. He tended to continue to bounce around at different locations randomly. People would say that was the trademark of good leadership — showing up when staff didn't expect it so to see how it was ran. Which was part of it, the other part of it was that he knew that he was a harder target when he was unpredictable.

Today was a clean up day. Closing out invoices, making sure that the crew were leaving, and pulling access from people. "Hey Mat," Rhett said he walked in with a list of people. "I need to ensure that these people returned or return their keys to the site." Rhett handed him a list that also had copies of IDs on it. "Just make sure you shred that copy of IDs paperwork when we're done. I have a list in the system." He paused and looked to Matias. "It's going to get a lot more boring around here. I could see us needing some help at other locations. With a pay increase, of course. If that's something you're into."

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @lindseyxgallagher

at his office at castle rock resort

Rhett was staring off into the golf greens that laid out before his office view. The view was beautiful. Green with the red mountains of Arizona framing the edges, it was no wonder why they were here. Castle Rock was supposed to be a playhouse for the wealthy to do whatever they wanted, and now, it had come to bit everyone in the ass. The gambling rooms that were invite only were pushed to other locations, the appetites pushed to the Hacienda, and Rhett for once stood over a very normal golf resort.

It was no secret that Rhett knew what happened in that room that night. He knew everyone who was there. He knew who ordered it. Hell, he had video evidence and more to accurately understand what a disaster that night was. The rest of the set up — removing Madison, letting Oceanview fall on the sword, ideas that came from him, Lindsey, and the CLO. His face was a statue, until he turned and saw Lindsey at the door. Offering her a small smile, he asked, "Tea?" Rhett had never really been a coffee man.

He liked pleasantries before he got into business. Rubbing a hand on his face, he moved to where the kettle was placed on a butler's counter behind them. There was a mirror that he caught the look of himself in it. He looked tired. "Please tell me you ended up going to see that show I suggested." Rhett was a fan of Broadway and theater, as well as Opera. Mostly outside of Paxton, but Alleycats had a rather cute show the other day. "It was rather cute."

[rhetthawkins]

Disposable wealth... it was an odd thing. While Rhett had inherited a sum from Adrian, he still knew what it was like to grow up without it. He held himself to an impossibly high standard, but that had always been who he was. 98 was enough, where was the other 2 points he missed? It wasn't about being perfect, it was about being better. He was a man who was obsessed with the constant churning of growth. It was what made him successful. In these climates, he remembered who he was — despite the perfectly tailored tuxedo for the occasion.

Extending a hand, he smiled, "Rhett Hawkins, Chief Property Officer of Obsidian Holdings... and unfortunately, like a contributor this this event," he said with a tight smile. He didn't relish in the ostentatious wealth that was prone to being thrown around, the saving grace was that it was for a good cause. "I was a childhood friend of Melanie Christensen, she married the other Kastings brother, the eldest one," Rhett didn't even feel the need to say either names. Melanie lost everything and then her life because she put her faith into a Kastings. Rhett had warned her, but by then it was too late. She loved the guy and he had to stand by and watch.

Nowadays, Samara felt strange whenever she was out socializing. It had been some time since she'd last put on makeup and a nice dress, let alone heels, but the hospital was hospital was hosting their annual donor's event and Sam had never missed it. It was actually one of her favorite events of the year. Sam, of course, could not relate to the kind of people who had enough money to donate to a cause simply because they could, but that didn't stop her from talking to them. If these people were so willing to open up their check books in order to convince themselves that they were good people, then she was willing to tell them about all the ways their money would benefit the community. And it would. Her patients needed the kind of resources this event could provide. For the most part, this single event helped the hospital to provide care for those who would not otherwise be able to afford it for the majority of the year.

"Yes," Sam answered, glancing over her should at the man who'd spoken. She'd been in the midst of securing herself a drink, some sort of mocktail recipe that had been whipped up just for this event. "I'm sorry." Sam was not the best at remembering names but his face seemed familiar enough. "Remind me who you are again."

[rhetthawkins]

Rhett knew he needed to respect the people who played both sides. Empathy for the people was needed, but sometimes he wondered if the empathy was misplaced. “You need it?” Rhett’s teeth showed — it was something of a smile, but not really. Raj didn’t need more land to his empire. “Or you need a shiny new project to help your campaign? Because it could be arranged to help the campaign.” Rhett had no plans to help Raj further his own personal line items of wealth — the two were linked purely because of business. Some times Rhett wondered if the other also remembered how much of them Obsidian really owned.

Rhett moved to set himself align with the ball. He was mediocre at best with golf, but far better than most of the average folks. Enough to hold his own again bigger political hopefuls than Raj. A crisp swing sent the ball flying and it bounced down the course. A decent enough shot. He was behind par, but keeping pace with his usual handicap. "I doubt the locals would love you for adding to your empire." Raj wasn't a rancher — everyone knew that. Hell, even fuckin' Rhett knew it. Sure, he wore the hat, tried the boots, but he lacked the credibility of one. "And by doubt, I mean, I know for a fact it won't persuade the people it needs to. There isn't any persuading them, and I don't feel like playing the game of who's more a local. We won't win it."

“Disaster is a fucking understatement.” When did it all start to spiral into a huge shit show, who knows? Is he currently glossing over that chain of thought to ignore the fact that he’s culpable as the rest of Paxton? Yes. “It’s like everyday there’s a new twist or unfortunate development.” The notion of a peaceful Paxton has long since gone out the window. Damage control is needed if anything is to progress beyond the current point of stagnation. ”Everyone knows that part of town is an eye sore,” he sighs. “You’re preaching to the converted here, man.” Denial is a hell of a thing. Yet they’re people fighting to hold onto that rundown, mismatched pastel hued building. 

“The jobs, offers, and new housing development that will come along are totally overshadowed now.” Rajendra can see both sides of the ‘fight for Paxton’ with their merits. He understands where they’re coming from; one wanting to bring Paxton into the future (as gimmicky as it sounds), while the other wants to cling to what they know. Rajendra isn’t saying that it’s wrong, but at the same time Paxton can’t be left behind while surrounding towns forge ahead. There are ways that both sides can blend for a truly unique Paxton experience. Alas, they’re a long way from everyone coming together and singing kumbaya. 

“This is why I need the Blue Rooster under my care.” There’s probably some nugget of wisdom here related to coveting thy neighbours property, but he frankly doesn’t care. “The lands bordering it,” he suggests instead. The ranch of course is not an option, yet. He’s been playing a long game with regards to awaiting it from the owner. Now, the lands bordering the other side of the Blue Rooster, that’s more in Rhett’s wheelhouse. “At least that would be a start to spinning this ship around.”

[rhetthawkins]

He shook his head slowly, “I want you to lead the conversations. Figure out if there’s a viable angle, or if it’s even a viable decision.” Rhett would be more than happy to stand behind her and let her do what she did best. She was entirely better at it than he was, especially when it came to this particular establishment. “Personal as in, I want to crush the establishment and owner on a past vendetta and that’s only something I can do if it’s viable via the business.”

There was a hard line with Rhett. He wanted to squash the seedy strip joint that was full of deplorable threads on Reddit. However, he couldn’t and wouldn’t let himself be so personally blinded that it would cost the company or his coworkers. That was the line that differentiated him from Hector. The other was that when he felt it into the territory of personal, he asked for help. “So I need you to advise the situation, lead it. I’m not sure I fully trust myself to not be impartial as I usually am. The property reports look good, but…” he shrugged slowly. “Everything has potential in this town. I worry my personal desire might see numbers as more promising than they are. I don’t want to lose sight of anything… but the grudge demands to be explored.”

"What, you?" Lindsey's voice was tinged with mock shock. "Never." Lindsey chuckled at that. She'd interacted with enough men of Rhett's ilk to not take offense to the fact that they so very often underestimated her, and Lindsey had never had trouble proving everyone wrong. She waved a hand imperiously, knowing that a favor was sure to be around the corner. So, when he made his intentions clear, Lindsey was not surprised in the least. "And you want me to what," she asked, "smile and look pretty? Make promises that no one but I can even hope to cash until they agree to sell to us?"

That was the one part of the job that Lindsey hated the most -- making more and more exorbitant promises that either went unfulfilled or caused her internal tension to fulfill them. So far, though, she hadn't had to promise anything too remarkable in the pursuit of purchases in Paxton. "Personal? As in, I have future plans for this particular establishment that will benefit the company or I have history with this establishment and my future decisions will only affect me?" She leveled him with her most serious look yet. "If we're to work together on this, I need you to be honest. I'm happy to support you, Rhett, but I will not be putting my name on the line knowing full well that this can implode."

[rhetthawkins]

While Rhett was far from the Chief of Public Relations, he was well versed in front of cameras and well versed about what sort of press would be bad press. He didn't need his properties in the limelight any more than they already where. With the police tape still lingering from two different incidents, Rhett was keeping his happy ass right at this location until the worst reared its head again. Then he'd knock it the fuck out. "When I said things were boring here, I didn't suspect life would throw this at me." Rhett let the ghost of a smile on his lips linger and then he shook his head. "Can't say I've had this happen before, but, I do wonder if we market this place as haunted if it would help with leases." A snort colored his features, the sounding missing.

Matias had seen entirely too much. Rhett, much like a bird of prey, tilted his head to look at him a little better. "I know this isn't what you signed on for, and I do apologize for it."

Given the most recent scandal, Matias was not complaining about the slow day. He stood up from his desk, yawning a bit, giving one last good glance at any security cameras, before stepping out of the security office. He needed to stretch his legs and also figured it would do him some good to patrol the apartments a bit too. Besides one resident asking for help with something minor, Matias found himself with nothing to currently do. It was dangerous to let his mind become bored, if only because that’s often how he thought up of ways to get a rise out of the town, but he was trying very hard to keep himself in line. He really could not afford to have any more cops around him or draw more eyes in his direction at the moment.

As he enters the hallway he spots a familiar face, a face that instantly makes Matias straighten up a bit. He nodded in return, “ Nah, not at all. How are you holding up?”

[rhetthawkins]

All of this gave him a headache. He wasn't supposed to be some oil baron, killing innocent people in a foreign land for oil rights. This was a small town for fucks sake. "At some point we've got to ask the question if any of this is even worth it?" It was a rhetorical question, and he waved off the question because, well, he had a built in answer. "Of course it is, the town is controlled by common thugs who have no fucking problem peddling drugs in order to have some fictional ideal that they're cowboys." Rhett snorted and shook his head. "A cowboy hat doesn't make them a cowboy when they're fuckin' drug dealers." A point and hill Rhett Daniel Hawkins would die on, apparently. It came at the cost of the innocent people in the town.

"It might be necessary." Rhett shook his head. They'd have to escape the obvious, that this was very linked to their more unsavory trade and it wasn't a damn Cowboy Mafia or whatever the fuck they wanted to call themselves thing. "We have a contact that is... somewhat parallel to the investigation. I might see what Hector can sniff out before we decide anything." Rhett would have to move in tandem with the rest of the Board and Hector, on this. It was too soon to go rogue. "I might influence a certain direction that helps us a little more."

~~*~~

Chuck eyed Rhett right back as he stared at her. It felt like she had been spending most of her time lately sizing up her coworkers. The leadership. Anyone in town that she spent any time with. This same scenario had played out with Joel not just a few weeks ago. Trying to decide if they could trust each other. That was one she still didn't know. She was used to seeing enemies in every corner but this felt like it was a whole knew level. "I've always been more of a strike first person but I guess that makes sense," she finally looked away with her brows pinched together. An idea forming. "Just in case you needed something else to roll around in there with your plan, there is a built in scape goat here. One that can't deny their involvement."

[rhetthawkins]

I've been doing my own digging into the numbers and it's not looking good. The phrase that rattled around in Rhett's head was 'it's not looking good'. For the thirty-eight year old man, he suddenly felt like a child again. Joel was one of the last threads of family he had left, one of the last connections to his father. Despite failing to have the last name, Rhett was the only Sinclair left. His mother still kept the name-brand Sinclair family somewhat at a distance... however she quite like the Montgomery side. So, Joel was the only sense real family he had left.

Failing to get a handle on this company could very well sink them both.

"Adrian wasn't driving that vehicle," Rhett re-iterated, mostly to convince himself. He knew that Joel was the only one who really believed him. At the time, he'd been stupid to accept that his father took the fall but he never said he was a fully accountable man. It was cowardly of Rhett to not fight back then — even if nowadays he liked to think he was just trying to play his cards better by biding his time.

"My fear is that this goes a lot deeper than just... corporate hits that are shrouded in plausible deniability. Someone, somewhere is going to take the fall, and I don't think it will be Hector," Rhett rubbed his face. The cat in his lap stretch and Rhett gently smiled at the sight of the toes stretching. He always liked that. It was calming, when nothing else was. "So, how deep do I dare go to look, because it's already pretty fucking bad?" Rhett had a remains found at Oceanview Apartments, just months after a whole body was found at Castle Rock.

"Only if you plan on scooping the poop," Joel smiled. They both knew they didn't have time for animals. He could hear Rhett's mother, and his own mother, lamenting at how hard it is to travel with animals. Technically, when it came to his mother, Joel never found that any of the animals slowed her down. Then again, he felt like all of their animals were living with other family and friends these days -- he made a mental note to ask her about it the next time they talked.

Despite the cats curling around them like smoke, the atmosphere was anything but serene. If anything, Joel felt the air leave the room and his lungs. So, Rhett wasn't sold on that night either? Rhett had been there. Rhett was also seeing things. Joel came back to that moment with shocking clarity. He felt like he could see every stray cat hair on Rhett's clothes. The smell of fresh bread filled his nose. Laughter all around them muffled. "I'm glad you said that -- about Adrian. I've been doing my own digging into the numbers around that night. It's not looking good."

"Neither is the company, which is obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes," Joel muttered. He shook his head at the latter half of what his cousin said. "I don't know, I don't think we're pivoting as much as we need to," part of that was purposeful, the Paxton Rancher's Association did a good deed but they had no idea that their funds wasn't just from carnival admissions and local business donations. He left that detail out for now. "It hasn't broken the news, but I'm pretty sure a certain account received two large sums in the fall. One of them, I'm about 90% certain, is connected to the situation that didn't reach the news. The other one, I can't say."

[rhetthawkins]

Rhett considered most of this market to be tacky, but hell, when it was in season, the produce was killer. Not that he cooked these days. The truth was that Rhett had yet to settle in when it came to coming back Paxton. His house in Portland was still his home, but he considered a move to Miami after this. He could use a vacation already — and he had only been traveling back and forth here for about a year. It was always difficult but Rhett had been unprepared to learn that local legends proved accurate and it was far more of a problem than he’d initially imagined.

The Kastings man was recognizable — all three of the siblings had the same jawline and set of their eyes. He was an acquaintance in another life, but Rhett no longer claimed that life. It was buried now. He wondered how much this sibling felt the same way. They had a bit more in common than either would like to admit. “I’m not in a hurry. Especially not for tchotchke junk. I’m wasting time instead of answering slack messages.”

who → open where → main street market (post PD 3)

He just-- had to get out of his house. His mother had gotten a call from the detective on his brother's case (if you could even call it that, they weren't doing anything), that his brother's body was finally being released. Then like clockwork, his sister had shown up on his doorstep and had been staying on his couch ever since. Then it was the constant back and forth of what to do, how the funeral would be-- when it would be. It was all a lot, and he couldn't handle her anymore. He couldn't handle his mother coming over and staying all day. Noah Kastings was a self described people person, but his own family was going to be the death of him. Three days in and he was just done. They didn't like his suggestions, they didn't like his ideas-- anything he said wasn't good enough for them. So he just quit. 'Let me go out and grab some stuff.' Was the excuse but he'd been wandering the market for the better part of an hour with no direction and no inclination that he was ever going to leave. More or less, he was merely just in the way. "Oh." He said looking up, "let me get out of your way, I'm in no hurry." Understatement of the year.

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @samaraxcross

at desert bloom winery

Rhett bounced between Obsidian owned places. He usually was posted up at either Castle Rock or, lately, Oceanview, but tonight he was attempting to enjoy what Desert Bloom was doing for an event. Posted up at a table, he found himself not fully in the festive mood. It was a charity event to raise money for some outpatient programs, and an auction to raise money for the programs was going to happen later. They had several medical personnel to advocate for the programs and while Rhett, personally, was all for it, he found his mood soured by the town. It had always seemed to stand tall in the face of bettering itself. The people were adverse to change.

Eventually he put on a more charming persona, attempting to let the wine sooth over his tastebuds and create artificial happiness. He recognized a nurse — she had once been married to a Kastings, so he while he kept his distance from the family, he did know who they were. “Samara, right?” He was working off an old memory. Once upon a time, Rhett was known through Melanie. Melanie, who married the eldest Kastings and was cast aside just as quickly. The Kastings had a reputation for that. “I think we might have once before in passing many years ago.”

[rhetthawkins]

He glanced to Lindsey. "Maybe I was selling the vision all that for me," Rhett said. "Doing that annoying thing where I process aloud through someone else. Could you believe I've been accused of being self absorbed?" Rhett's smile broke out fully, the amusement touching his eyes. He knew he was self absorbed. Rhett was the sort of man that was in love with his own purpose these days. A purpose that was feeling more and more flimsy by the day. While him and Lindsey worked well together, he didn't know where she stood. Perhaps she thought all of this was her way to the throne as well.

At the end of the day, he really did believe it. It was feeling further and further away, but the reason he was here in the first place was the make the place a better place to live. "I want to acquire Rattlesnakes," he said to Lindsey. "It's technically behind the priority of that land next to The Blue Rooster, but I want it nonetheless. A bit personal, perhaps, which if I can be frank, that personal reason is why I don't trust myself to keep it purely business." It was going to be tricky, the owner was something of a vendor to Obsidian. He provided ins on... well, people, to be served up on platters for their more... creophagous donors.

"Consider it done," Lindsey replied, her tone mirroring his. She wasn't expecting the apology -- men in his position so rarely admitted to their shortcomings -- so when it did come, Lindsey felt her lips tug up slightly. "I'm sure Millie James had her redeeming her qualities." She was sure of no such thing. She'd met plenty of debutantes in her day who were little more than the perfect dolls they'd been molded to be. Lindsey was not one of those women. She was positive her brain would melt if she'd been resigned to that lifestyle.

As Rhett continued to speak, Lindsey's eyebrow rose. She wasn't sure if he was being serious or testing her in some way. “You don’t have to sell me on the vision, Hawkins.” Lindsey had said the same words many times over, and she continued to believe them. Despite its flaws, Obsidian Holdings was helping people to achieve their goals. “I’m still loyal to the cause.” It felt asinine to have to say the words out loud, seeing as she liked Rhett, but given the way Hector had come down hard on the executive board, Lindsey couldn’t be sure where anyone stood. There was only one person she trusted outside of herself and he was not the man with whom she was currently trading quips. "Yes, yes. Honey versus vinegar. I'm aware."

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @milcgros

at the prickly perk

Mila had become an interesting opponent. She was incredibly skilled at property law, which Rhett knew enough to be formidable but he was no lawyer. He left that detail up to the Chief Council. Instead, he focused his time on finding properties he was interested in. He might occasionally talk to someone, but these days, he partnered closely with Lindsey because she was — well, better at winning people over. Rhett was too reserved and statistical, Lindsey was friendly and patient. Which was not to say that Rhett was unfriendly, he just wasn't always interested in the small talk. Glancing to the barista, "Consider her coffee on me, Belinda," Rhett said over his glasses and then closed his laptop. He enjoyed the coffee here and Belinda was a good worker. She was happy to have a job and bring home money to support her family. "Need to keep you sharp for court."

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @matidelacruz

at oceanview apartments

It was usually Castle Rock that Rhett liked to work out of. It was the place that the spotlight had been on for several months. Since that fuckin' Cowboy ended up dead there. Now, another body was found. Well, there was a death and then they found remains of someone else. So Rhett considered himself camped out permanently from the... well, he wouldn't call it a manager's office, because that was occupied. It was a little more like what used to be a dining room? Old hotels... who knew. Today was no different. Standing, he stretched for a moment before he shook his head at his laptop and then sat down again.

His coffee was cold, yet, he drank it like it didn't matter. Because it didn't. As Matias's frame colored the hallway, Rhett glanced up and nodded to the man. "I hope my presence here isn't too disruptive," Rhett said with a sigh.

[rhetthawkins]

starter for @rajnazir

at castle rock resort

No one needed to convince Rhett that the land was beautiful. Rhett hadn't really been a golf guy until he witnessed Adrian have many a business deals and partnerships on the golf course. It was then, he became something of obsessive over it. A decent golf game was important, especially when you had a member ship to a great many country clubs over the country. The same ones that president and politicians dwelled in. That being said, he carried on with a half decent game. "Oh, no, don't get me wrong, it's a complete disaster," Rhett said with a snort of a laugh. He was suffering. With the remains and then... Grayson Hall deciding it was his time to attempt to chase ghosts, it was a headache that Rhett didn't need.

Legends died hard. Until recently, Rhett had no reason to suspect the Cowboy Mafia was a real fucking thing. Now that was a whole other fish he had to fry. He didn't know who all was in it, but it definitely existed and wasn't just fairy tales that used to trade in school. Despite growing up here, he felt it was odd. "This place is so fuckin' odd. Imagine wanting to save Oceanview Apartments when it's been a fuckin' challenge to rid the place of dangerous criminals. The houses next to it... they're nice neighborhoods with good people, they don't deserve the crime spillover."