“When we land, you can have access to any of the software at the warehouse that you need. When the time comes, I’ll share everything I found on Triage. Maybe you’ll have better luck.” Davian placed his glass on the table and leaned over with a deep sigh. “I have to warn you, though, you may not find what you are looking for. I’ve been trying for years to find anything on Triage to discredit him. He is squeaky clean.”
“No one is a saint. There has to be something?”
“I know how much you love Kenzi. If there is anything on River Stevenson, I haven’t been able to find it. I have faith that you will.”
It comforted me that Davian had my back. Starting tonight, everything about River Stevenson would come out. There wouldn’t be anything left of his relationship with Kenzi. When I got done with him, Kenzi would have no other choice but to run into my arms.
~
Setting foot in Atlanta couldn’t have come any sooner. As exhausted as I was, my mission to find all the dirt I could on Stevenson gave me the extra energy I needed. When we got to the warehouse, I headed to the computer room to begin my search. This was going to be a long night, so before I got started, I went to the coffee station and fixed a full pot of coffee. Davian never ceased to amaze me, nor did Patton. Planning to join right in with my search, they each sat down at a computer station.
“You guys don’t need to stay and help. This is my fight.”
They looked at each other in confusion. Patton said, “You realize you are part of the team and your fight becomes ours?”
“Okay, but this could be an all-nighter.” I looked at both of them as I filled the coffeemaker with water.
“Who’s up for pizza?” Marcus shouted as he headed into the computer room. “I get really cranky if I don’t have something to eat before searching the dark web.”
Before I knew it, all the guys fromThe Societywere seated in front of a computer. I loved these guys like brothers and even though they didn’t have to help me, I was glad they were. With the eight of us searching for anything and everything on Stevenson, one of us was bound to find something. Making eye contact with each of them, I lowered my head. “Thanks, guys. You really are awesome brothers.”
Walking to my computer station, a smile rose on my face, knowing that I had so many great friends to help me. I hoped that if the time ever came, I could return the favor. After all, that was what family did for one another.
I took my seat and brought up my computer. The guys were already ahead of me, typing rhythmically on their keyboards. It was music to my ears and I couldn’t wait to see how the melody ended.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Patton chuckled across the room. “You guys have to look at this. If I told you what I found, you would never believe me.”
“What is it, bro?” I asked as I rose from my chair and walked over to his station.
The guys followed suit and rose from their chairs. We were all gathered behind Patton, staring dumfounded at his computer screen.
If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes and read the legal document on the computer screen, I would have never believed it. Just like I thought, River Stevenson had skeletons in his closet—to be exact, two of them. Van Wilkerson and Niles Harris were his brothers. Stevenson wasn’t even his last name. His real name was River Harris Wilkerson. His father, now deceased, was Claude Wilkerson. I knew nothing about this man, but Davian did.
“I haven’t heard that name for a while,” Davian blurted. “Claude Wilkerson was a ruthless man. He was one of the biggest drug kingpins in Chicago. My father had his share of run-ins with this man when he tried to expand his business to Atlanta. Claude Wilkerson must have pissed someone off, because the next thing we heard, his body was found on the banks of the Chicago River.”
“Says here,” I leaned over and pointed to the screen at the words I was focused on. “River Wilkerson legally changed his name 15 years ago. Looks like Niles did the same thing, using his mom’s maiden name instead of Wilkerson.”
“Have you found any information about River’s mom? She might know the reason behind her sons changing their names,” Davian chimed in.
“Not yet, but I’ll keep digging,” Patton replied.
While the other guys headed back to their work stations, I remained near Patton. Of all the men, he was the most knowledgeable about computers and how to get information that wasn’t available on the web. As I watched him type away like it was second nature, using codes I had never seen, I waited patiently for more information to pop up on the screen.
I was exhausted, but before I could stand to get another cup of coffee, his computer screen was flooded with information. Magdalena Lea Harris, born September 5, 1959 in Rome, Italy. She married Claude Wilkerson in 1980 in the US and became a citizen shortly thereafter. Magdalena and Claude had three sons, River, Van, and Niles, all born in Chicago. After the death of Claude, she returned to Italy.
“Magdalena must still be in Italy. Is there anyway we can find out if she still lives there?” I asked, a sense of hope radiating through my body.
“Make another pot of coffee. This might take a while,” Patton said as he continued to type away at his keyboard.
When I returned to my seat, Patton still hadn’t come up with any more information on Magdalena Wilkerson. I still had hope that he would.
The night quickly turned into morning and I could barely function. Marcus and Stone called it a night several hours ago, with the rest of the guys following close behind. It was only Patton and I who remained in the computer room, still searching.
Patton began rubbing his temples, and I knew he was getting tired. Maybe it was time to get some rest and try again in a few hours. Pushing my chair from the table, I stood and said, “Let’s call it a night. I’m exhausted.”
“I thought you would never call it quits,” he replied.
“I’m not. After a few hours of sleep, I plan on trying again.”