Page 54 of Doozer

“We could talk inside if you’d rather,” I said, pointing to the house. “I’d love to find out how much Mama knows about all of this.”

“I don’t want you upsetting your mother any more tonight.”

“Tell me, Pop. How much is it going to upset Mama when you go to jail for real estate fraud and tax evasion?”

“I don’t know where you’re getting all these crazy ideas.”

“Pop,” I said, placing my hands on my father’s shoulders. “The people you’re dealing with are as dirty as they come. The judge and his daughter are working with a criminal organization called the Beast, who are basically the new breed of the Dixie Mafia. The Beast is bankrolling the judge’s portion of the land buy, in exchange for his political influence within the Mayor’s office and the city council.”

“I don’t know where you heard such a crazy story, but I can assure you, I’m merely an investor—”

“In a real estate investment deal for the sale of the land my club currently occupies,” I said.

“What are you talking about? The land we’re acquiring is all undeveloped commercial space. We’re working with the city to rezone the area as residential, then we can begin construction on our condos.”

“You’ll have to forgive me if the thought of building condos on top of the Sanctuary doesn’t excite me.”

“Son, I can assure you. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“No way,” I said. “You’re way too smart not to have seen what was going on. This is all part of a plan to get the Burning Saints out of Portland…” I paused, my blood turning to ice water. “The job,” I said.

“What?”

“The job you offered me. What did you call it? Logistics Manager?”

My father nodded.

“You wanted me to help you.”

“Son, you have to understand. I—”

“You son of a bitch. You wanted to hire me to help you kick my club off their land.”

“Land purchased with blood money,” he snapped.

“Holy shit. I was right,” I said. “Judge Snodgrass is going to claim imminent domain so the city can acquire the land for pennies on the dollar. The city will then sell the land to Mayflower who will in turn build condos, car parks, and a shopping center.

“The Burning Saints are criminals who’ve taken from the city of Portland for too long,” my father sneered.

“The Burning Saints are my family.”

“Weare your family!Iam your family, Marco, and that motorcycle gang took you from me!” he shouted. “They took you from me and turned your heart against me.”

“I can’t believe you thought I’d go along with you. That I would put a bullet in the back of my own club.”

“Your club’s days are numbered in Portland. If it’s not this mayor who drives you out, it’ll be the next one. At least this way, your club stands to make enough money to set up shop someplace else.”

“And, what? I stay here and work with dear old dad, punching a clock at the Mayflower Development Group?”

“I told you, son. You’d be set up financially. You wouldn’t have to work for that gang anymore. This will be good for all of us. Don’t you see?”

“The only thing I see is a delusional old man who’s in way over his head,” I said. “You need to understand that Snodgrass is not your friend or even your business associate. He’s a corrupt judge who’s under the thumb of the new breed of the Dixie Mafia. He’s only using you to get to our club.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because the Beast wants to set up shop in Portland and believe me that’s the last thing you want. You’re right, the Burning Saints don’t have the cleanest record and we’ve spilled our share of blood, but that’s not who we’re trying to be anymore. And believe me when I tell you, that apart from some friends in high places, the Saints are the only ones keeping the Beast from running roughshod over Portland right now.”

“Even if you’re right, there’s nothing I can do about it now. The deal’s already in motion.”

---