Page 76 of The Mafia King's Baby

The files I display show organizational charts, operational plans, and target lists that read like something from a military campaign rather than law enforcement activity. Lang’s handwritten notes, pilfered by one of my people who broke intohis house late one night while I was on the run, detail strategies for eliminating rivals and expanding territorial control.

“If I hadn’t stopped him, Lang would have controlled organized crime from both sides of the law within five years.” I close the laptop and meet both their eyes. “He was that close to creating his own version of justice where criminals paid him instead of facing prosecution.”

“And you stopped him by killing him.” Lipsey’s statement is drenched with accusation.

I shake my head, remaining calm. “I killed him in self-defense when he broke into Celia’s home and tried to murder her.” I don’t flinch from the directness of the question. “Lang had discovered I’d stayed at her house during my investigation, and he viewed her as a loose end that needed elimination.”

“You could have called local law enforcement,” says Lipsey.

“Local law enforcement couldn’t protect her from a corrupt federal agent with Bureau resources and criminal connections.” I lean forward, letting some of my anger show through. “Lang had already proven he was willing to kill innocent people to protect his operation. Celia was pregnant with my child, and he was going to murder her to send me a message.” It doesn’t matter that I didn’t know she was pregnant then. Even she didn’t know yet, but I’m still angry whenever I think about it.

Patricia writes something in her notes, but I can’t read her expression. The fact that I saved her life might buy some consideration, but federal prosecutors don’t ignore homicide regardless of circumstances.

“What exactly are you proposing?” Lipsey sets down his pen and looks directly at me. “What kind of deal are you looking for?”

“Complete cooperation in exchange for immunity and new identities for myself, Celia, and Leonid.” I’ve thought through this negotiation during my hours in federal detention. “I’ll provide testimony to bring down the entire corrupt network, turn over all evidence we’ve collected, and help clean house within federal law enforcement.”

“And Celia’s mother, Loretta.” I add quickly, remembering how much Celia misses her family. “If she wants to relocate with us, she should be included in the protection arrangements.”

“That’s asking for a lot.” Patricia speaks for the first time since we began reviewing evidence. “Immunity for multiple homicides, witness protection for four people, and new identities that would cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

I don’t bother to share that we’ll slip out of WitSec and assume our own new identities once the heat dies down, after I’ve fulfilled my obligations. I don’t and can’t fully trust the government with my family’s safety.

“Yes, but that’s in exchange for evidence that could save dozens of federal agents’ lives and expose corruption that reaches into the highest levels of Bureau leadership, like Director Frayne.” I gesture toward the laptop. “What I’ve shown you so far is maybe thirty percent of what we’ve collected. The rest is firewalled behind passwords that would take you months to break, if you can break them at all.”

“Or we could charge you with the murders you’ve admitted to and let you explain your justifications to a jury.” Lipsey’s tone suggests he’s testing my resolve rather than making an actual threat.

“You could try, but while you’re building that case, corrupt agents will be destroying evidence, eliminating witnesses, and probably killing more innocent people.” I meet his stare without blinking. “Do you want justice or convictions?”

The silence that follows stretches long enough for me to hear the building’s ventilation system cycling. Lipsey and Patricia are weighing options and considering political implications alongside legal ones. What I’m offering could make careers, but it could also destroy them if the corruption reaches higher than they’re prepared to confront.

“We’ll need to verify the evidence independently.” Patricia finally breaks the silence. “And we’ll need guarantees about your continued cooperation.”

“I’ll provide whatever verification you need, and my cooperation continues as long as the people I care about remain safe.” I pause, then add the crucial element. “I need protection for Celia now, not after you’ve spent months investigating. She’s pregnant and vulnerable, and Lang’s associates know she exists.”

“Where is she now?” asks Lipsey.

Patricia answers. “I have her in a safe house, under federal protection.”

I’m glad to hear that but have to point out, “Federal protection means nothing if the protective detail includes corrupt agents.”

There’s another exchange of glances between Lipsey and Patricia. They’re beginning to understand the corruption I’m describing makes normal procedures potentially dangerous for everyone involved.

“What kind of timeline are we talking about?” Lipsey opens his legal pad again. “How long to turn over all evidence and provide the testimony you’re promising?”

“Depends on how fast you can arrange new identities and secure relocation.” I remain relaxed and leaning back, signaling I’m negotiating from a position of strength rather than desperation. “I’m not providing anything else until I know Celia and our child will be safe.”

“New identities take time. Background documentation, employment history, financial records—you’re talking about creating entire life histories for four people.”

“Then we better get started. Every day we delay is another day for Lang’s associates to regroup and eliminate loose ends.”

Patricia taps her pen against her notes. “You mentioned Lang’s associates. How many people are we talking about?”

“At least eighteen corrupt agents across six field offices, plus judges, prosecutors, and political figures who were taking Lang’s money. That will lead to multiple crime families and potentially hundreds of arrests.” I gesture toward the laptop again. “All documented, all provable, and all ready to be prosecuted if you’re willing to follow the evidence where it leads.”

“What if some of that evidence implicates people in this building?” asks Lipsey.

Once again, Patricia answers before I can. “Evidence suggests it does, from what I’ve seen. We’ll deal with that problem when we come to it, but I’m not protecting corrupt officials just because they happen to work for the federal government.”

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