Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
His face slackens and then hardens again as he turns his glare on me. “Get to the fucking point then.”
Right now, I need him to admit to his crimes. I need hard evidence that links him to the drugs he’s running, the money he's laundered, and the people he’s trafficked. If I can’t get him recorded incriminating himself, then this entire meeting and me showing my hand was pointless.
“I think there’s still a way for us to make a deal.”
He huffs a laugh and shakes his head. “You had your chance.”
“I proved that I can crack into your financials,” I tell him, and he hesitates. “I saw the books and what Paul did for you.”
“So?”
“So maybe if I keep quiet about that, you leave Kelly and Marco alone.”
“Not a chance.” He’s arrogant in thinking that he’s untouchable.
“Why? I could just as easily launder your money like Paul did. Or was it the property acquisition you were more interested in?” Paul forged documents in his dad’s name so he could buy property with Vince’s money. Then he would sell the properties and put the money into offshore accounts. “I have the capital to keep that line of business going for you. I just need you to tell me what you want.”
Vince is quiet for a long moment before he looks over at Maxim. “And what’s he here for?”
“My cheerful disposition,” Maxim answers coldly, and I want to laugh.
“Maxim is an investor too.” It’s not technically a lie. He did invest in my security company back in the day.
“Why should I trust you? You’ve already double-crossed me and taken my kids.” Vince turns his glare back on me.
“Because you of all people should know that there’s no honor among thieves.” If I’m not mistaken, I see the corner of his mouth twitch. “And I needed to see how connected you were. Holding Kelly and Marco as collateral keeps you honest.”
“I’m sick of this back and forth.” Vince waves us off like we’re annoying gnats. “Get to the point.”
“I’m willing to replace Paul and use his connections to continue his work for you.” I slowly reach into my jacket and pull out the documents I had Maxim create. “This is a list of properties I can have liquidated by the end of the day.”
Vince can’t disguise his excitement as he leans closer and looks them over. “And you could get my money clean without it being seen?”
“Yes.” Internally I’m fist pumping because that’s one admission of guilt. “There’s also this place here.” I point the map on the second document. “Its location is secluded and could be used for privacy.”
This part was Maxim’s idea. It’s actually a map of the national forest, and the cabin on it is the park ranger’s house.
Vince and Jackson share a look before he addresses me again. “You and Paul spoke?” He’s testing the waters to see how much I know.
“He told me that you’ve been looking for a holding facility.”
This is definitely an outright lie because I haven’t talked to Paul since he went to rehab. But from what I could tell, he was researching private residences that were secluded. Vince is either wanting to store drugs or people, and our intel has that he dabbles in both.
“This could work,” he says noncommittally, but I can see he’s overly interested.
“It could be modified to your needs,” I offer, hoping he’ll take the bait.
Jackson leans closer to the map and speaks for the first time. “We could expand the business like we’ve been talking about.”
He’s talking to Vince, who is going over the first document with all the properties on it. Vince is nodding as he points to the earnings spreadsheet. “With this alone we could double the inventory.”
“I could bring in twice the girls and sell them on sight,” Jackson says, and Vince agrees.
“Yeah, and there’s enough room to expand. We could move production out of my building and do it here.”
It’s like they’ve forgotten we’re sitting here, and I’m trying not to come across the table and stab their eyes out. The way they talk about selling women and drugs like it’s nothing is disgusting. All I can do is remind myself to stay cool and get the evidence out of here. Maxim knows the good guys that can be trusted with this intel. If we can keep it together long enough to get out of here, then we can put Vince and Jackson behind bars.
“So do we have a deal?” I ask, and the two of them look up like they’re surprised I’m still here.
Vince takes a breath and then nods. “I think we can make a deal—”
Before Vince can finish what he was going to say, one of the guys that was watching the exit door walks over and whispers something in his ear.
“Is that right?” Vince asks the guy and then gives me an evil grin. “I’m sorry to have to cut this meeting short, but it looks like my kids are home.”