Page 135 of Hunt Me
I chuckled. “I don’t think that would do any good. One reason I thought I’d come by was to ensure you knew that investigating my family or my corporation will be futile. We are law-abiding citizens and you’ll be wasting your time.” It sounded good on paper.
“And I think you’re a smart enough man to realize who I was formally investigating.”
“Be careful biting the hand that fed you. I’m aware you took a bribe over twenty years ago, which is the reason Connor’s sentence was reduced to time served.”
“You don’t understand what was happening at the time or the threats I received. They sent me pictures of Bristol in daycare. They followed me and my wife, even appearing in the grocery store. She was pregnant at the time, almost miscarrying our daughter Callie.”
“Yet instead of going to your superiors or to the FBI, you chose to look the other way. You got into bed with the devil,” I told him.
He nodded. “I’m well aware of my actions, but at the time, I felt I had no other choice. I returned the money, not that it matters at this point.”
“It matters because they had evidence you were dirty. They still do, which is why they approached you about creating a framework of deceit around my family.” I don’t know if I was really interested in his admittance, but I was curious as to his reaction.
Appearing even more haggard, he moved behind his desk. “I’ll be honest with you, Mikhail, because whether or not you choose to believe it, I do respect both you and your family. Yes, I was contacted again by Tristen O’Shaughnessy, and he did ask me to work with him on a land development project. I was no fool. I knew he was looking for favors, but I heard him out. At first, I did nothing more than tell him I had nothing to do with approving citywide projects and sent him on his way. Then he began hounding me, sending me pictures of things I’d done in the past. I hadn’t realized the depth of his surveillance all those years ago. Once again, I called his bluff. The threats continued, including threatening Bristol. I reached a breaking point but had thoughts of how to turn the tables.”
I chuckled openly. I hadn’t given the man enough credit. “So you devised a plan of pretending to investigate the Dmitriyev family knowing that O’Shaughnessy and his clan would feel as if they could begin undermining my reputation.”
“Yes, but if you noticed, I didn’t mention names in the press conference or with any other methods of communication.”
“And you led people to believe I had a hand in Jax Shane’s murder.”
His exhale was heavy. “There are several dirty cops within the department, those completely loyal to Tristen. I had to see how far the treachery went.”
“You are aware I have friends in the department.”
“I’m aware, Mikhail. But as you told me twenty-two years ago, I owed you. I still do.”
“You remember.” I was surprised.
“How could I forget. You saved my daughter’s life and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. Coming here was never about placing your family in the crosshairs.”
“I find it convenient you did. What was the purpose?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, Mikhail. Perhaps I thought I could keep Las Vegas from spiraling out of control. I knew the best way to keep the city free of men like O’Shaughnessy was to keep a closer eye on their activities.”
“A noble effort however short sighted.”
“Maybe so. However, it felt damn good to have a hand in shaping rules regarding casinos, which helped keep crime low. For a while, the Irishman left me alone. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew one day Tristen would use blackmail, but I thought I’d be strong enough to handle him.”
“You’re still in danger and the longer you play the charade, the more likely it is that you’ll wind up dead. Your family as well. I’m not going to allow you to pull Bristol into your dangerous vacuum.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning, as you said yourself, you still owe me.”
“I’m through with playing in the gray area. My daughter reminded me that I was the one who’d taught her right from wrong. Your actions reminded me that she wouldn’t be hereunless you saved her life back when I still believed good could win over evil. I no longer wear the rose-colored glasses.”
I thought about what he was saying. “I’m in love with Bristol, Sebastian, and I am going to marry her. I would suggest you don’t try and change her mind.” Admitting my feelings to her father was completely out of character for me.
He opened his eyes wide and instead of becoming angry, he laughed. “My daughter has always been a dreamer. She believes in all things good, including in people. She also believes in karma and when she was a little girl and had nightmares, she would tell me about a monster who’d turned into a knight on a big steed, keeping her safe from the demons. As she grew older, she told me that one day she’d meet the perfect hero. Be that hero for her always, Mikhail. She deserves nothing less.”
I was shocked at his answer. “I plan on it. What about O’Shaughnessy?”
His smile was broad. “Well, you see I learned a few tricks over the years, Mikhail. I learned how to play dirty. I have in my possession several documents that will help in the indictment of Tristen, Connor, and other members of the O’Shaughnessy Irish mafia. In addition, I have damning evidence that several high-powered officials in Las Vegas worked in collusion with the Irish mafia. I’m working with the FBI and DEA on drug-related charges stemming from their illegal drugs and weapons activity. In addition, they will be charged for the murder of Sergio Pavel.”
I thought about the contents of the black book. “Perhaps I have some additional documentation that will provide you with the nail in the coffin.”
Sebastian cocked his head, his smile wry. “That would be… appreciated. I am curious. I understand one of your employees betrayed you. I learned who he was from my daughter. Unfortunately, he appears to have vanished after extensive efforts to locate him. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
