Chapter 426

The first indication of how rich Casey and her father was how dark the road became. There were a few streetlamps on the road upwards, but not enough to fully light up the road, such that the driver turned on the high beams as they rose. The lack of cars on the road were another indicator, along with the lack of lights streaming in from houses pushed right up against one another, outdoor lights and light streaming from windows illuminating the road and the surroundings by accident.

No, it was dark because the gap between houses was massive on the hill they rose, the few houses that were around set behind large, automated gates and hidden behind winding roads in, providing an illusion of privacy as the mansions within loomed in the darkness, glimpsed only in quick snatches as the limo continued to climb.

Big stone walls, spikes at the top; some of the older variety utilizing shards of glass stuck to the top. Most, though, went with the more appealing metal spikes; less ‘stay the hell away’ and more ‘stay away, please’. No barbed wire here, not like the US embassy.

After a bit while on the winding road up, the car turned into a tiny driveway and stopped before a set of massive, wrought iron gates. Arthur smirked a little as the driver ran a security routine, answering questions before the gates swung open ponderously. He noted the cameras that took in both sides of the car and another one higher up to take in the road before, though he wondered how well they saw in the dark.

Probably some night vision or enhanced graphics in the camera there. It was not like there were no lights – the pair of glowing orbs on either side of the gate gave some illumination after all. So did the occasional solar enhanced lamps strung along the driveway, such that as they rolled towards the main building; the driver did not go off the road.

Good thing too that Arthur was not driving, since he stared up at the massive mansion that loomed in the background. He made note to keep his opinions to himself however, since the entire thing looked like the architect – or perhaps, the former owner – had really, really wanted to live in a castle. Massive turrets on either side, big glass windows, crenellations and doors; the mansion easily had a dozen windows facing them and two floors.

Big enough to make a headache for the cleaners and require a near constant running of robocleaners.

Perhaps the only thing that threw the entire faux-European castle look out of sorts were the constant glow of illumination from numerous lights on within, the edges of small-scale wind generators at the top and the slight tint to the windows that indicated they were using second-generation solar screen generators.

Interesting that they hadn't upgraded to fourth generation yet, though those had only released recently. Then again, the cost of upkeep of the grounds and the place itself must have been massive; and changing out all the windows would have been expensive and long. So, perhaps not just a question of money - though it might also indicate that the Chin's - or at least, Casey's dad - was not as rich as she liked to put on.

Arthur rubbed his chin, only to feel a toe prod his ankle.

"What?" he said.

"You're thinking hard," Casey said. 

"Always am."

"I know. Try to be present, will you?" she sighed. "It's going to be hard enough. Some of my uncles and cousins..."

"Exactly how many are in this 'small gathering' of yours?" Arthur said, frowning. "I know I agreed to it, but each time you speak of this, that number keeps growing." A nod to the parking lot in front and to the side of the entrance and the number of BMWs, Porsches, Mercedes and the like that filled the lot to indicate another flaw in her description.

"Maybe two dozen. Or three.'

Arthur grunted. Small indeed. It seemed the rich were different from the poor in another way - they did not care much about the restrictions on having more children. Then again, it always seemed to be the lower and middle classes who were most affected by that. Those who were really poor never cared, about their kids or their own lifestyle. Zero divided by two or ten still was zero. And there were some mild advantages in the basic income supplement for kids that made having more than one better.

A little.

"Well, I guess we're doing this." He muttered as the pulled up to the doors finally. No servant to open the doors, though the driver did hop out to attempt to do that but Casey had the door open and moving before him. Lam frowned a little at her motion, obviously unhappy at the breach of protocol, and even more unhappy as the other bodyguard took too long to scramble out to cover his charge on the other end.

Arthur exited last, hauling his bag and spear out of the car.

"Put it back. Amit will drive you back in the same car," Casey said. "Unless..."

"Unless?" Arthur said.

"Never mind," she said, spinning on her heels and taking the steps up to the main door. It was already open, her father standing waiting.

Wilson Chin – aka Papa Chin – was a man of average height, slightly graying hair and neat clothing. He was wearing a pale yellow polo shirt and slacks at this time of night, giving off vibes of casual formal that Arthur made note of and had the air of a man who was used to getting his way. Eyes so dark they might as well be black regarded Arthur, no sign of a pair of glasses anywhere.

Arthur knew he had to be a Climber too – as were almost all those within the building – but he sensed none of that deadliness many of the other Climbers at the end of the climb exhibited. None of the lethality that he knew he himself showcased, a smoothness and liquidity to their motion, the way their eyes darted around.

Climber or not, Papa Chin had not been back in the Tower for a long time it seemed.

Either that or he was very, very good at hiding who and what he was.

It took Arthur only a few moments to take all this in before he took the stairs two at a time, striding up smoothly to offer his hand and shake the other. He was, somehow, not surprised that Papa Chin decided to crush down on his. Was more surprised to realise that the attempt actually was succeeding a little, though he kept his face neutral.

“Good to meet you, Mr. Chin. Casey has said a lot of good things about you.” Arthur parroted words he recalled seeing in movies, all the while smiling and waiting for the man to give up on his games. If not, he might just boot the man between his all too inviting, wide open legs.

Which would be bad.

“And she, you. I hope you’ll be able to catch up to the expectations she has created for you.” Finally, his hand was released and the man turned, waving Arthur in. “Come in. Let’s have a drink and you can meet the family.”

On that rather foreboding note, Arthur stepped into their home.