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- Richie, did something happen?
"It's okay, Dad. I need fifty acres of land next to the one we subleased to the Minister of You-Know-What."
- Why do you need land, son?
"Bribing the right person, who holds a high position in that very ministry. It's necessary for my personal affairs. I've discovered that Rich Group owns such a plot. Can you arrange for it to be transferred to my name?"
"Okay, but you'll have to pay market value for this land. If I'm not mistaken, four hundred and seventy pounds per acre."
"No problem. Send me the invoice, and I'll arrange for payment at the bank. Dad, and also, keep the third plot of land in the same area. Maybe I'll build something for myself there: a house or a business. It'll be handy if I have to work with unusual people."
- Richie, remind me, what is the second section?
- One hundred thirty-five acres.
- Ah-ah-ah! I remember that one. There's a small lake on the edge of that plot, so its price is thirty percent higher. Anyway, Richie, I'll give you a discount. I'll sell both plots for a hundred thousand pounds.
- A hundred thousand? That's practically all my available funds.
Richard lied. In fact, he has three times as much in his account.
"Oh well, we need land," he continued after a sad sigh. "Thanks, Dad! You're the best!"
- Ho-ho! Richie, you should have bargained. Any scoundrel could cheat you this way.
"If I can't trust my own father, how can I go on living? Dad, I believe you. If you said these plots are worth that much, then it must be true."
"Okay, okay," Gerald grumbled. "Will you at least have something left in your account for candy?"
"A little. Maybe a couple of pennies. I'll steal candy from the kitchen..." Richard sighed loudly and sadly.
Gerald's loud laughter came from the phone speaker.
"Poor child," he said mockingly. "A childhood without sweets... I hope you won't report your father to child protection services for abuse?"
"I'll think about it," Richard chuckled. "Dad, thanks again. Have a great time."
Richard was pleased. So far, things are going well and without any hitches.
By evening, Darth Vader returned with a reply letter from Harry Potter. In it, Harry wrote about starting a new school and how an owl had visited him during recess, causing a minor commotion. He asked that no more letters be sent during the day on weekdays. The future hero scribbled a few lines about the school, suggesting he'd been well received there.
The main point wasn't the correspondence, but the testing of the carrier bird. The experiment demonstrated that owls can indeed carry mail. And somehow, they can find the right recipient, unlike homing pigeons, which fly to a specific location they've been trained to.
By Wednesday, the land deeds were finalized. Richard began drafting the letter. He pondered the wording for a long time: how to write to an adult wizard with a respectable position in the Ministry of Magic so that he would agree to meet with an unknown wizard in the world of ordinary people? Ultimately, he decided to compose a letter that was more like a business letter.
Richard took an electronic typewriter from the shelf, inserted a sheet of stamped paper into it and began typing.
To Mr. Arthur Weasley.
County Devon, Ottery St Catchpole.
Dear Mr. Weasley, Lord Richard Rich welcomes you.
Please forgive our lack of introductions. You, as an expert in enchanting everyday objects, were recommended to me by the esteemed sorceress, Madam Marchbanks.
I have the honor to invite you to a business dinner at my home this Friday at 7:00 PM. I look forward to seeing you at 69 Rich Street, London. Casual dress code.
The meeting will be held in an informal setting, and I hope its results will be extremely beneficial to both of us. I dare not commit more to paper.
Earl Rich
It seemed official, but at the same time, it felt like a no-brainer. After all, it was a Lord who was inviting you to the meeting. And yet, the letter doesn't offer any loopholes for refusal. It doesn't say, "If you want, come" or "If you agree, send me a reply." Nothing of the sort! When a Lord "politely asks," it's practically tantamount to a command to show up for dinner, otherwise, by failing to show up without a valid reason, the invitee risks offending the influential person. Moreover, the letter is intriguing: I can't tell you why I'm inviting you because it's a secret. And secrets, as we know, pique people's curiosity. And the added hint of money-making is a double whammy.
Richard sent the letter via Darth Vader late in the evening, ensuring Mr. Weasley would return home by then. The boy had no doubt the wizard would attend the meeting.
The London house was chosen because it had only one housekeeper, who could be released during the negotiations. Who knows how Mr. Weasley might behave? Perhaps he'll start discussing Muggles and magic.
All that remains is to invite Detective Potter to the meeting to act as a bodyguard, and to notify the driver. Naturally, the housekeeper should be instructed about the guest, his arrival, and the need to prepare dinner.
On Friday, Richard rescheduled his fencing practice for the morning. By midday, he was already on his way to London.
There was little time left to prepare. At the request of young Rich, the driver-bodyguard purchased several CCTV cameras, which he hastily installed on the ground floor of the house. He ran cables to the second floor and connected the CCTV to several televisions, which were also purchased to accompany the cameras.
Literally half an hour before the guest's arrival, Richard began to instruct the men and the housekeeper gathered in the living room.
"Madame Stein, set the table and you may go to your room. Our guest and I will serve ourselves."
- Yes, sir.
Jane immediately went to the kitchen and began setting the table in the dining room.
"Mr. Potter, Steve, I have a business meeting with a... uh... hypnotist. I'm a little worried he might try to influence me somehow, but that's just paranoia. But just in case, be on your guard."
- Hypnotist, sir?
For once, Richie got the driver to speak. Until then, the boy had thought the bodyguard was mute.
"A hypnotist," the detective confirmed for the boy. "I've encountered his kind before," he said, touching the healed bruise.
"I will keep a close eye on him, sir," the bodyguard said calmly.
"Since this meeting is confidential," Richard continued, "you will leave us alone. You will monitor us from the second floor."