meeting of the minds

Wilson Fisk occupied the top two floors of an attractive skyscraper baring his name in Downtown Manhattan. Black Widow had been the one to receive the invitation, but had been informed to bring her associates. She represented S.H.I.E.L.D.'s vested interest in Hawkeye as a covert operative, as well as her own as a former lover and ex-wife. She brought Misty Knight, employer of Hawkeye under Heroes For Hire franchise. Moon Knight was also in attendance.

Upon entering the lobby of Fisk Tower, the heroes were escorted to the Penthouse elevator by 3 tough-looking 'assistants'.

After a smooth ride to the top of the building, the elevator doors slid apart, and they found themselves in a reception area. Two more 'assistants' greeted them. One of them takes them to a door in the opposite wall. He knocks politely, and a deep voice says "Show them in, Roger."

The Kingpin's office is almost unfurnished, with only a desk and enough chairs for all of them. Except for the lamp over the Kingpin's desk, it was very dark. He was sitting there in the shadows, his immense bulk supported by a high-backed chair. "Please be seated." Wilson Fisk says. "We have important matters to discuss. A war is brewing and we must devise a plan to stop it."

The Persuader, and a captive Hawkeye, sat in a darkened corner of the office.

The Kingpin looked at each of the Heroes for Hire with a penetrating gaze. "I want this war between the Maggia and the Faces of Fear to end quietly," he says. "Before it disrupts enterprises of my own. If my empire or organization are threatened, the streets will be washed with blood."

The self-proclaimed Kingpin of crime swiveled his chair to look out over the glittering lights of Manhattan. He looked on the city from his ivory tower as if surveying a world of his own creation.

Suddenly awakened from his reverie, the Kingpin continued. "But, i don't think any of us assembled here wish to witness a blood bath, do we? So, I have decided to act as a sort of arbitrator between the two organizations. Unfortunately, the Celestial One refused to attend the meeting, but Hammerhead is available via a video link-up.

"You have been invited to this meeting because i require your support. Having you on my side will prove the legitimacy of my position to Hammerhead. I just want what's best for my city. Now let's bring Hammerhead into this conversation."

Kingpin presses a button on his desk, and a panel on the wall slides open to reveal a video-screen. On the monitor is the unmistakable face of Hammerhead. Hammerheads glaring eyes quickly survey the room.

"What's goin' on!!" He yells. "I thought this was gonna be Fu Man Chu, not these costumed idiots!! They nearly bankrupted me! What're you tryin' to pull, Fisk?!"

"Please keep a civil tongue," commanded Kingpin. "These people have come here to help us resolve the gang war, which would get you out of a rather uncomfortably tight spot. Correct?"

"Youse guys know i didn't get to my position in the Maggia by bein' a fool," said Hammerhead. "And I think i see what you're gettin' at here, Kingpin. If i send my men to deal with Fu Manchu I'll get my name and the Maggia name splattered all over the papers. No publicity is good publicity in my line of work."

"You seem to be catching on," smirked Fisk. "Let us get to the heart of the matter then, shall we? I believe i have a way to resolve the gang war which will allow for the Maggia to avoid unwanted publicity. Recently, i uncovered the location of Fu Manchu's lair. What i suggest is that we petition these capable individuals to go and capture Fu Manchu. I'm sure the police will be more than happy to take him into custody once he is apprehended."

"And with Fu Manchu as a scapegoat for the media," interjected Hammerhead. "The Maggia's involvement will be forgotten."

"Why should we help the Maggia?!" Misty asked increduously.

"If youse guys don't put Fu Machu on ice, real quiet like," said Hammerhead. "Me and the boys will be forced to do it with a lot of noise. I dont know how to be quiet. Innocent folks will get hurt, even killed. Youse don't want that, do you?"

"By capturing Fu Manchu," interjected Kingpin. "Your people can successfully put an end to a wicked gang war. The ebb and flow of tension in the criminal underworld will return to a normal level."

"What do you get out of this?" Black Widow inquired of Kingpin.

"If Fu Manchu manages to defeat the Maggia. His next target will be my organization. I'm doing this simply to protect myself." Kingpin flatly stated.

"What's in this for us?" Hawkeye interjected as he joined his companions in the parlay.

"The Heroes For Hire, Alias Investigations, Nelson and Murdock Attorneys at law, Rand International, and even S.H.I.E.L.D. will get good publicity." said the Kingpin. "The media will go on and on about how you put an end to the gang war and captured the notorious Fu Manchu. Isnt that what you costumed vigilantes live for, is the recognition? If that doesn't motivate you enough, both the Maggia families and my organizations will make a generous $100,000 donation to the Heroes For Hire franchise. $10,000 up front of course."

"Where is the location of Fu Manchu's hideout?" Misty asked.

"I've learned that the lifelike manikin factory in Chinatown is a front for Fu Manchu's operation. You'll find the celestial one there, I'll stake my reputation on it." kingpin answered.

"What do you know about the book stolen from the Met?" Moon Knight asked.

Both Kingpin and Hammerhead confessed knowing that Fu Manchu held the book in his possession in his hideout.