manipulated by Nicodemus

“But the real reason I called was to suggest that you take steps.”

“If you think I’m going to put a contract out on Rafael, then you’re out of your—”

“No, no, no. Nothing like that,” laughed Sunday. “I’m suggesting something more immediately practical. I think you need to make sure that someone else has access to the overall network. Command, I mean. I think you need to delegate some of the responsibilities.”

“Oh, sure. To whom? To you?”

“That’s not what I’m suggesting,” said Sunday. “Perhaps to a kind of board. Under your authority, but clearly sharing the responsibility for plans drawn and actions taken.”

“Why the hell would I want to do that?”

“Because you have enemies, my friend,” said Sunday. “Ledger may be out there crashing and burning because that level of madness isn’t self-sustaining … but Church undoubtedly sees you as the principal threat. And, let’s face it, he’s not at all above sending assassins out to take you off the board. He believes that if he cuts off the head of the dragon, the whole empire will collapse into infighting. I doubt he’s wrong about that. I mean, if—god forbid—something happened to you, can you see Santoro, as emotionally compromised as he’s become, running your empire? On the other hand, if there is a clear infrastructure in place, you stop being a critical winner-take-all target.”

Kuga sat on the edge of the bed.

“I’m listening,” he said.

...

“What do you want?” he asked.

“Oh,” said Sunday, “everything.”

“The hell’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m delighted that you followed my advice about delegating so much of the organization to talented department heads. That’s wise of you, but really, it’s very convenient for me. After all, most of our customers—and really the world at large—see you not as a person but a brand. Kind of like Colonel Sanders. At the end of the day, does it really matter who wears the white suit and string necktie?”

-Relentless pg. 397-467, Kindle Edition