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I considered myself a smart man, and the thought that I let the trauma of my past fuck with my future to that degree, well it just pissed me off. “I have some intel on The Crusaders to barter with Marshall.”
“And you’ve been sitting on it?”
“No, but now we can kill two birds without getting our hands dirty.” It was a genius plan if I did say so myself as I explained it to him.
“Sounds good.” Jasper came to a sudden stop in the alley behind Jade House, stepping from the car and taking care of the valet in one smooth move.
“Let me do the talking with Marshall,” Jasper said as I followed him inside. “He’s a head fucker.”
“Not a problem.” Jasper swung the door open, knowing it wasn’t.
I didn’t resent Jasper heading the family or the business; he was best suited for the job. He just wasn’t the only one who had a few ideas. I’d set this up after all.
Agent Marshall was there, alone, thankfully, when we arrived. “What’s this meeting about boys? Ready to come clean about the twelve, or was it fifteen members of The Crusaders who have mysteriously disappeared over the past fifteen months?”
“Not today,” Jasper said with a grin.
“The recent murders of several prominent priests?”
Jasper shrugged. “Terrible thing. Then again, so is organized religion.” He removed his jacket and took a seat. “We need your help and we’re willing to pay for it.”
“I’m not a dirty cop.”
Jasper let out an annoyed sigh and rolled his eyes. “No shit. Life would be a lot simpler if you were. This is legit. Intel for you, help for us.”
Agent Marshall weighed his options and he had a shitty poker face, so it was written all over his face. He wanted to tell us to fuck off, but he was a cop and curiosity got the better of him.
“What do you need?”
“A family friend has found herself in some trouble and—”
“What kind of trouble,” he asked, his tone saying ‘don’t fuck with me’ as clear as day.
“She’s been kidnapped,” I spit out angrily. “Which is, legally, your jurisdiction.”
That got his attention enough. “By who?”
“The Crusaders,” Jasper said loudly, glaring at me for violating his one and only rule. “Who else?”
Marshall nodded and slurped at the miso soup that sat before him. “And how can I help?”
Jasper nudged me, giving me permission to speak. “She called this morning, but the call dropped before I could get a good trace on it. Red Rock Canyon is as close as I got.”
Marshall let out a long whistle and shook his head, but he sat up straight and held his hand out. “How long’s she been out there?”
“At least three hours, factoring in the drive from the hotel, plus it’s been nearly two hours since her attempted call.”
Marshall’s brown eyes stared, and I knew what he wanted, the asshole.
Jasper produced the flash drive. “This is the address of two houses owned by Ronan Rhymer, filled with underage girls. Spreadsheets and surveillance footage of just a few interesting visitors to these houses.”
His laugh came out deep and amused as he dropped the drive on the table and slid it toward Agent Marshall, taunting him.
“It’s not taking down the Ashby’s, but it is a promotion, maybe a pay bump so you can retire in style. Unless of course, the FBI doesn’t give a fuck about human trafficking?”
Agent Marshall let out a bitter laugh. “That’s rich coming from you, Ashby. How many brothels does your family own?”
Jasper stood. “All of legal age and there of their own accord. Just ask them. We provide legal employment for women and men who need it? Seems like the FBI has bigger fish to fry.”
After a long moment of contemplation, Agent Marshall nodded. “I’ll have coordinates to you within the hour, but don’t think this makes us friends.”
Jasper shrugged. “Not real eager to be friendly with you lot anyway. I’m fine with us being two people using each other for our own ends, Agent. You have yourself a good day.”
Jasper left the private room first and I followed, watching as he ordered a sample platter for two and had it sent to Agent Marshall. “Why?”
“He’ll make the call right now while he waits for his next course. Trust me. I’m an asshole, but I know what I’m doing.”
“I never doubted it,” I told him honestly. “I mean the asshole part is no secret either.”
“Very funny, come on. Sadie just texted. Terry’s got Joey,” he said. “Squeaker’s replacement,” he clarified and that was all I needed to hear.
“Let’s go.”
“Where is that motherfucker?” Sadie and Virgil were standing outside the thick metal door in the sub-level of the family home, the part that wasn’t in any plans.
“Calvin, why don’t you let Virgil and Terry handle this? This is their thing.” I knew what Ma meant, and I appreciated it, but I also resented it. I didn’t need her to coddle me.
