Page 167 of Always Us

“Doesn’t matter what it is. Let’s just say they had enough power to make certain things happen. Do you really think exposing them would take them down?”

“Why wouldn’t it?”

I roll my eyes. “Seriously? You really think that would work? This is real life, Carson. This isn’t a movie where the bad guys get taken down at the end and the good guys walk off into the sunset. In real life, the bad guys get together with other bad guys and they usually win.”

“And you’re saying your dad and this group are the bad guys.”

I sigh. “No. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m not talking about my dad. I’m talking about how bad people don’t just go away. And if you go after them, you could be putting yourself in danger. It’s like when you’re a kid and some bully starts bothering you on the playground. What happens when you go tell the teacher?”

“She tells him to stop.”

“Yeah, and then he gets pissed that you told on him and he beats you up even more. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“This isn’t elementary school. And I’m not telling the teacher. I’m telling the FBI.”

“And what if the bully had friends in the FBI?”

He looks down, his eyes darting to the side. I don’t think he thought about that. Shit, he’s really naive. He has no idea what he’s getting himself into.

He looks back at me. “Do they?”

“This is hypothetical. There’s no secret group. What I’m saying is that bad guys almost always have people on the inside. That’s why they don’t get caught.”

“If this group had people on the inside, the agent we’re working with would know.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. The point I’m trying to make is that if this was really going on, you wouldn’t be able to stop it. And if you keep making allegations against people, especially rich, important people, you’re going to piss them off. They could destroy your reputation. Prevent you from ever getting a job. Are you really willing to risk that?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“And you think if you got rid of these so-called bad guys, new ones wouldn’t show up in their place?”

“Not if the government did their job and made sure groups like this couldn’t control the system.”

“The government is run by politicians. People who get into office by lying, cheating, and making promises they have no intention of ever keeping. People who will do most anything to make sure they win, even if those things are illegal. And you’re trusting these people to keep the bad guys away?” I laugh. “Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, but I can’t believe you really think that way.”

“So what’s your solution? Just let the bad guys win? Do nothing?”

“I don’t have a solution. I just know that things aren’t always what they seem. Just because someone has a lot of money doesn’t mean they’re doing bad things or that they belong to some secret group. Sometimes the people you think are good are the ones you need to watch out for the most. Like this FBI guy you’re working with. Are you really sure you can trust him?”

“He’s doing this on the side, not as part of his regular job. There’s no open case.”

“And why would he do that? What’s he getting out of this?”

“He wants justice. He wants to bring these people down.”

“That’s it? He’s spending his free time helping Hanniford just because he wants justice? I don’t believe that.”

“Why else would he be doing it?”

“I’m not going to stand here all day and analyze his motives. You need to think this through yourself. I need to go inside. I want you to leave now and I want you to stop coming over and stop following my family around.”

The speaker attached to the gate comes on. “Garret, do you need assistance down there?”

It’s the security guy. I waved at him when I came out here so he’d know I didn’t need him. But he’s probably wondering why this is taking so long.

“No, I don’t need any assistance.” I look at Carson as I say it. “Carson was just leaving.”

The speaker clicks off.

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