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“Are you threatening me, Barrett? You and I go way back, but that won’t keep me from having you disbarred.” Renard was getting hot under the collar.
I pulled out the pictures, handing them to him one by one. “I think the commissioners will find your alliances very interesting, especially if they delve into your bank accounts, the large deposits that were recently made. I’m surprised you didn’t place them in a more secure account.”
His face paled as he looked at them. A full minute ticked by, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. “Where did you get these?”
“I have my sources like you have yours. Now, these will disappear, your secret kept if you destroy the evidence from years ago as well as tell me what organization has been investigating my family and our corporation.”
Swallowing, he continued shifting from one photograph to another, finally glancing at the lovely picture of him with his family he had on his desk. “You’re a repulsive man, Thorn. I could have you arrested for threatening me.”
“I’m many things, Renard, including the man who has you by the balls. I’ll be happy to expose these, along with screenshots of the deposits in your account if that’s what you’d prefer.”
My father had once told me that it wasn’t necessary to use violence in order to be an excellent negotiator. I’d learned over the years he was right. Blackmail was even more powerful.
Although it was early afternoon, he put the pictures on the desk then moved to the bar. I watched as he poured himself a shot of liquor, throwing it back without hesitation. Then he tipped his head. “All I know is that there is a special task force within the DEA, a representative coming to me a few months ago asking questions about you as well as the case. He told me little and no one else in my department knows about this covert organization.”
“Banks?” I asked. “Is he a part of his group?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but suddenly he wanted to reopen the case. Banks came to me, saying the witness had been found. From what I understood at the time, he made it sound like Ms. Wellington was eager to testify. I didn’t question him, although I knew it wasn’t a coincidence that the DEA had been keeping tabs on your family. I told Banks that it was a lost cause, but he insisted, the state determined to bring new formal charges against you.”
“And the DEA? Do you know their plans?”
He turned to face us, beads of sweat covering his upper lip. “No. What I can tell you is that this covert group has made it their mission to clean up organized crime. I found that out from a buddy of mine inside the DEA. And no, he didn’t tell me anything of substance other than the group works in the gray areas of the law. That’s all I know, Mr. Thorn.”
I walked closer, satisfied since he was able to look me in the eyes. “Call off the dogs, Renard, and we’ll consider this issue settled.”
“How do I know you’ll keep your word?”
I thought about his question. “Because I’m a man of integrity just like my father.”
He stared at me, remaining quiet.
“I’ll expect you at the charity event tomorrow night,” I told him, satisfied with the outcome.
“You won’t get away with this.”
“Yes, Chief Renard, I will.”
At least what little Barrett had found out was corroborated by what the chief had said. While the pieces were coming together, it still didn’t answer who was after Jade.
Once we were outside, I handed Barrett another envelope. “Once this shit is done, release these to the press.”
“Are you certain you want to do that?”
“Hell, yes.”
* * *
Jade
Prison.
I’d always wondered what living inside a prison would be like. Maybe I’d had a fascination because of the horror stories I’d been told about Constantine and his family, the insults hurled at him from the press that he should spent the rest of his life behind bars. If the aging prosecutor had gotten his way, the Thorn family would have been labeled heinous baby killers. With my naïveté and my mother’s inexperience dealing with attorneys in general, I’d almost believed every word Morechower had told me.
But the moment I’d looked into Constantine’s eyes, I’d fallen into a strange abyss where fear and desire coexisted and still did. It was the steel bars that had surrounded me for years. Six-inch-thick cinderblock walls couldn’t feel as oppressive.
Now I was standing in a gilded cage instead, staring out at beautiful spring blossoms and green grass, the leaves starting to fill out on the trees. I had almost every creature comfort I could ever want, including a new wardrobe provided by Constantine’s sister. Somehow, she’d known my tastes as well as my size. At least the two hours of company had been a joyful respite. While it had only been three days since he’d taken the letter and photograph, it had felt like weeks, every hour feeling like twelve.
He’d been anxious, pacing the floor of the house when he arrived from one of several meetings. Zane had been my constant companion, barely taking a break to get some sleep. At least Constantine had finally told him to take a few hours off, other soldiers filling in. Sadly, being alone had allowed me to continuously think about my father. At least most of the memories were good ones. My mother had known almost every time when he was coming to town, but she’d never mentioned it to me beforehand. It had taken until I was a teenager to realize that she was preparing for his visit.
