Page 93 of Threaded Lies

“No one else is going to buy that shit land out there. They bought it without doing their research, reading the fine print, or who knows, listening to their lawyers, and got stuck with it.”

“Like it seems they do with a lot of things.”

“And now they’re going to falsify documents to a buyer saying there is nothing wrong with it, which is illegal and unethical.”

“Yes, it is, but since when has that ever stopped them?” I think to the deal for TinSpirits and Rhett’s greed that led him to forgo reading the fine print.

“But you’re going to yank the deal at the last minute. Send them in a spiral of despair and, what? Hope that they act out? Hope—?”

“That’s when I’ll be making a multimillion-dollar donation to Rhett Rothchild’s campaign.”

“What?” Confusion is etched in his tone.

“He’ll have a loan default hanging over his head. He’ll have no money to put back in the family trusts for him and Chad. They’ll be close to being found out—what a bunch of frauds they are—by everyone. So he’ll have a choice to make.”

“You think he’ll use the donation to save the loan default and his family’s name.”

“Campaign finance fraud is a big deal any way you look at it.”

“But that would be Rhett. What about Chad?”

“You actually think he’d hang his friend out to dry? Chad knows where all his bodies are buried and vice versa.” Don’t I know it.

“I shouldn’t have doubted that you knew what you were doing.” He chuckles. “You’re laying a trap for them and waiting for them to walk through it and make their own decision. They’ll be in charge over which one will be their demise.”

“People like Rhett and Chad don’t see it that way. They get away with everything, always have. Rules are bent for them because of the families they were born into. Consequences for them get swept under the rug.”

“And this time you’re going to prove that theory different.”

“That’s the plan, Bob. I’m giving them enough rope.…”

“And then what? Just dust your hands of them once it’s over?”

“Yes.” Just like they did Mason.

“What about the money they’ve siphoned from TinSpirits?”

“That’s gone. I don’t expect to see it. I’ve made peace with that. It’s leverage if I need it, but I don’t think I will.” I glance out my window where Rhett and Chad are talking animatedly in the hallway.

“Call them now. Tell them the land deal is back on the table. Give them the parameters.”

“You’re watching them right now, aren’t you?”

“I am indeed.”

“Would you like to be on the line to hear their reaction?”

I twist my lips and consider it, but I don’t need to be on his end because I’ll be watching from mine. “No. Go ahead. I’ll be sure to stop in and ask what they are so excited about in a few minutes.”

“You’re twisted, Knight.”

“Mmm. Yes. I am.” A smile creeps over my lips as Bob hangs up the phone, and I turn to watch the events about to unfold.

A few seconds pass, no doubt for Bob to switch phones and call from the burner, but the way Rhett’s face lights up when he sees the number has me shaking my head.

He motions to Chad, pointing to the phone animatedly before ushering him into the conference room and closing the door.

I wait for a few minutes before heading toward the conference room and opening the door without knocking.