The answer to his question was quickly denied him by Augustis who revealed that the aforementioned perpetrator was a person unknown to his knowledge. That seemed reasonable enough; a single person could not know everyone, especially at such clandestine meetings where information was scarce and true identities were rarely revealed. The situation actually became far more complex, however, when it was revealed that there were several security systems in place to deter those who would attempt to barge in on the auctions, or who attempted to bypass any exterior guardians through use of subterfuge. He had expected Augustis to simply act as a guide to the underground area, but it was quickly revealed that he was far more than that. He was the person who determined whether or not someone was safe to enter, or whether they would be shanked quietly as they entered the establishment, and he mentally congratulated himself on not disposing of the fidgeting mess earlier.
It was well and good that he learned of such measures, because they brought him to another fascinating question. “I imagine that you’re paid a commission for bringing new buyers to this place?” That seemed reasonable enough to the hybrid, because he couldn’t imagine that Augustis regularly made himself a target of more stress and anxiety unless he was getting something out of it. The alternative was that someone he cared about was being threatened under the knife, but then, he would likely have focused more upon solving that issue, or made mention of it before now in an attempt at gaining an ally. If he was correct in his assumption that Augustis was paid, then he would continue, “It stands to reason that there are others like you, who bring in customers. You know of all these, I would imagine.” People seldom didn’t know their rivals. “Would you be so kind as to ask them quickly if they know of him.”
And if they didn’t… that was fascinating, because it meant that no criminal had brought him here, and that he had instead found his own way. He had withheld a bid up until a specific person had appeared, and then offered all he had to gain her. That spoke of desire, a desire to have that young girl half of his age be with him… a daughter perhaps? That added up, because he could only imagine the desperation of a father whose child had been kidnapped.
He approached slowly, taking a seat besides the man, and uttering softly. “I don’t believe I’ve seen you around here.” That was obvious enough, but if the man was new as Augustis had claimed, then he wouldn’t be able to tell a newcomer from a veteran.