“What?” It’s weird, but his one-word answer gave me visions of him sitting up in his chair at full attention.
“You heard me.”
“You found one?”
“Yeah. I think I might’ve stumbled upon something.”
“Where?” Now comes the hard part. Does he even remember?
“Sicily!”
“Si… Is this connected to your thing?” Shit, he remembers.
“Sorta, yeah. So, how do I do this?”
“That depends on the size and scope of the operation. What have you got?”
“I think this one might be pretty big. From what little I’ve seen so far, there seems to be a lot of players involved, spanning the globe.”
“OK! Do you feel safe sending me what you got?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have contacted you otherwise. I’ll shoot it to you now.” I sent the file I’d compiled through to him and hoped I was doing the right thing. It’s true that I’ve done good work with the organization and had lots of fun doing it.
I usually stuck to hacking, and that was mostly people in high positions who weren’t living up to their public persona behind closed doors. The truth is, I never really changed course after I was inducted. I’d started hacking as a way to get to Ricci since we were thousands of miles apart. But once they reached out, I had no problem using my skills to help out, but I just never got as involved as some, like Memnon.
My interest never changed from then to now, and quite frankly, I kept my hand in because I get a high from bringing down men like Ricci. Men and women who shit all over the world with their bullshit while pretending to be angels. I want them all exposed and made to pay for their misdeeds. But I’ve never really dealt with trafficking cases beyond the surface level. Now it looks like I might become knee-deep in that hell.
I saw on the screen that he was typing less than ten minutes after I sent him the file, and from the looks of it, he had a lot to say. His words popped up on the screen. “Holy crap, do you know what this is?” If typed words had a tone, his right now would scream tempered excitement.
“I understand some of the lingo but not all. What is it?”
“The motherlode. I’ll try to break it down later, but I have to share this with my team. I’ll try to keep your name out of it because I’m sure you’re afraid of crossover, not to worry, brother, I won’t dox.”
“I never thought you would. So, I can safely leave this in your hands then?”
“Yeah, it may take a while, though. This is not your everyday scumbag trying to make a quick buck. This is the real deal. Catch you later; I’m going to work.”
We signed off from each other, and I sat back to think about his words. It would be perfect if it took a while; that would give me time to make my own moves. I imagine taking down a trafficking ring like the one he described would take time and planning, and while he was taking care of that side of things, I’ll be doing mine.
In the morning, since I didn’t have to take the twins to school, I asked them to pick up Gia so that I could make a run. I hadn’t taken into consideration that she’d need a ride to school in the mornings once she moved back home. It will be a while before she gets her license, after all, so it would fall to me to take her.
I wasn’t avoiding her purposely, though; I really had somewhere to go. I hadn’t had an opportunity to thank the one who’d helped me get this far and, in essence, had helped bring grandpa home, so I needed to stop my gramps before going to class. I needed some input as well because things had taken a turn.
Before, we both believed that the partygoers were little more than uninterested bystanders. People who’d seen the act and kept their mouths shut. They should be held accountable, sure, but now that I know they were willing participants, their punishment must now fit the crime. For this, and for what I’d already come up with on my own, I’m going to need some guidance.
After the pleasantries were shared, I got to the point of why I was there. I laid it all out, my thoughts, my hopes, and where I wanted things to go. I acknowledged that what I once thought was going to be a quick in and out action may now take years. Not just because of what I’d stumbled upon, but because of all those involved.
Somehow, I feel even better about this change than I thought I would. The thought of a long slow, drawn-out torture spread out over years made my blood sing, and my vengeful thirst ignite. That’s the Sicilian in me. Speaking of which…. Before my mind could go to someone else that I’d subjected to such, my thoughts were interrupted.
“If you do this, they’re going to come after you. Is that why you got rid of the girl?” The question jarred me for a sec, but I don’t know why I’m so surprised. It’s why I’m here, isn’t it? Because I’m known so well between these walls.
“Yes.” The comforting hand on my shoulder the pat on my hand in commiseration went a long way to easing the hurt I’ve been keeping at bay.
Before, I was sending Gianna away to protect her from my loss, but now there’s an even bigger danger involved, one that I will protect her from no matter what. I don’t plan on letting Ricci get near my family. I don’t plan on him seeing me coming until it’s too late. But I won’t risk her not if there’s the slightest possibility of me being found out, and there is always that.
Since I’ve made up my mind to walk into the lion’s den alone, I must prepare myself for the fallout when the time comes. That means ensuring both she and Ma are safe. Pop has Ma covered, but Gianna, I have to send far away from me so that there is no connection.
Hearing these same words said in a different manner only reassured me that I was making the right decision. Now that my mind was made up, and I’d gone so far as sending that file to Mem, there’s no turning back. Today, I should do it today, I have months of planning ahead, and I can’t have any distractions; it’s best if she leaves now before I can’t let her go. The pain that thought caused was excruciating.
DRACO
“Commissioner, we need a meet.” I had to wait until I could speak rationally before making this call. I’m still so beyond pissed I can’t see or think straight, but that’s neither here nor there. Some things in life you can put off for another day, some things you just shouldn’t. I'd already wasted a whole night, but that couldn't be avoided since I like to have as much available information at my fingertips as possible.
“Draco, hello, how are you? How’s the family? Your father and mother doing, OK?”
“They’re fine for now, but my dad is not about to be, not once I tell him what the hell is going on.”
“What do you mean? What’s going on?”
“One of your subordinates crossed the line.”
“I don’t understand. How? What happened?”
I gave him the scoop on Dempsey. “I spoke to my lawyer; do you know how illegal it is for someone in his position to blackmail a kid like that?” He hemmed and hawed and made up excuses like I knew he would. These people, succubus who would take and take and still want more. Pop’s been paying this hump off long before we moved up here for good.