I spent two years taking care of her; day and night. She was the love of my life and didn’t deserve to have a nurse do the things I was perfectly capable of doing. I quit my job, and my daughter eventually quit college to help out too. But the cancer was aggressive and before we knew it, she was just…gone.”
He shakes his head at the memory. “Anyway, I started drinking. Heavily. One day, not long after my wife passed, I was sitting at a bar telling the bartender my sob story when lo and behold Emmett was sitting a chair over, listening to everything I was saying. He took the chair next to mine and told me he was looking for an accountant for his company and that he would front me with the money if I came and worked for him. He told me I would only have to pay back a quarter of the debt through my paycheck, so I took the deal. I mean, who wouldn’t?
Desperation is a fickle bitch because what I didn’t know when I shook hands with him, is how much illegal stuff I would be doing. That’s why he didn’t need me to pay him back the full amount. I’m assuming he wants to send a message because I threatened I was done. The worst part about it all is my daughter knows and is involved.”
Oh, shit.
“How did she get involved?” I ask. Because this adds a whole other layer to this case I didn’t see coming.
He swallows hard and then recounts the story. “She overheard a conversation on the phone about how I couldn’t make the monthly payment Emmett required of me. Emmett knew what he was doing when he hired me. He gives me a shittysalary, which ensures I can’t even pay for basic necessities. So, my daughter gives me a lump sum of money every month to help me pay back the debt. But Emmett keeps changing the deal. He keeps upping the amount I owe while simultaneously having me doing his dirty work.”
He looks sad, defeated in every sense of the word.
“My daughter moved out because of my drinking but she’s loyal to a fault. The last few times we’ve met up, she’s told me to go to the cops. But what she doesn’t know is that he’ll kill me if I do. The kind of things I’m doing for him, and the cartel, financially are making them millions of dollars and that’s why he won’t let me go.”
Holy shit. “How do you know he’s involved with the cartel?” I ask, even though we’ve already figured as much.
He looks at me like I’m stupid. “José Garcia? You didn’t think the man who shot another human being in front of us was just some rogue cowboy, did you? No. They call him El Demonio del Infierno…”
“The Demon of Hell. Why?”
“Because he invests in people’s businesses and becomes a silent partner with the promise that the business will thrive when in fact it does the opposite. The owners eventually have to sell their portion of the business for pennies on the dollar. He creates whole communities like this until he owns them all and then funnels drug money through them. He’s a demon who creates hell on earth for everyone he comes in contact with.”
“And how did Emmett get involved in all of this?”
“That’s the kicker. His father might be acting CEO but Emmett has free reign over how he handles the company. Emmett loves money and because of his previous failings at his father’s other companies, he became desperate. I’m not sure how he found José, but José pays him a lot of money to launder cash through Cahill Technologies.”
“So, Emmett is threatening you and your daughter because you’re too valuable to him, but you won’t go to the police because this is cartel-related, and you don’t want to get beheaded…so to speak.” I reiterate to him. I’m still trying to process all this information.
“Basically. I’ve dug myself a hole and don’t know how to get out of it.” He takes a moment to pause. “At the end of the day, all I care about is keeping my daughter safe. And with Emmett threatening me, I have a feeling my daughter is next. I don’t know what to do. My daughter barely talks to me as is and only takes my texts once a month.”
“Maybe I can help,” I suggest. Because I do feel for the guy. That’s got to be a blow, losing your wife and then getting yourself involved with criminals. “Look, I don’t like Emmett any more than you do. He’s a piece of shit. If I help you, maybe you can help me.”
“What’s your vendetta against the guy? It’s not like you’re indebted to him.”
Good question. “Let’s just say I don’t like bad guys. Give me the weekend to come up with a plan and I’ll get back to you.” I stand up from the table, ready to leave. I’ve got a lot to talk to Miller about and a lot of thinking to do.
“Okay…” He sounds skeptical. I would too if the bodyguard of my nemesis wanted to help me.
“You might want to wear a scarf for a few days come Monday. I was told to choke you out, so you need to look afraid when you see Emmett and act like I did some damage to you.”
He nods as he stands up. “Got it.”
I walk towards the door and notice there’s a photo on the small strip of wall next to it. It looks to be of Conner and two blonde women. I’m assuming it’s his wife and daughter.
As I get closer, my heart stops. Because I would know that face anywhere. Even without the pink hair, she’s a knockout. She’s younger but not that much younger.
“That’s my wife and daughter,” he confirms.
I swallow hard. “What’s your daughter’s name?” I ask, even though I already know.
“It’s Jay, or rather Jordan. It was my wife’s maiden name, and we loved the idea of naming her that. We always call her Jay though.”
That’s why Conner seemed so familiar. Jordan has his eyes.
This just got a lot more complicated. “Right. Well, don’t open the door for anyone else this weekend. I’ll be in contact.”
I open the door and head down to my car.
