Page 48 of Collateral Claim
I’m afraid, but still, I nod.
“As the head of one of the largest arms-manufacturing companies in the world, your father oversees the supply and demand of about half the weapons that circulate in the world. Some of those are carried by ground troops, others, the much more serious weapons, are carried by airplanes or naval vessels. It is no secret that our government supplies other governments with weapons. Sometimes, or more accurately, oftentimes, they don’t want a paper trail that can be traced to their involvement. Other times, the cargo they’re exporting gets stolen en route, gets hijacked, gets lost.
“On all occasions, without exception, no matter what the media outlets or current leaders or whoever is lying to us at the time say, when we help, we never do it out of the goodness of our hearts. We expect something in return. Money is the easiest exchange, but not the only one. But for the purpose of our conversation, there is always an exchange of goods for money. When the sale falls through, someone isn’t happy. Either the seller or the buyer. Something is owed. In my experience, baddeals are bad for business as they incite a dispute that, at best, ends up with a few people dead. At worse, it can trigger an all-out war.”
Endo pauses as if allowing me to absorb all this.
My head feels full already, and he seems to have just gotten started.
“When big deals with big weapons and big orders go really bad, it’s often because of the involvement of people at a very high level. In my experience, failed deals reek of politicians nobody can touch. In public, they say one thing, but behind the scenes, they’re doing the complete opposite. I assume your father will become one of those politicians, and if that’s the case, I need to sort out my brother’s disappearance before your father becomes more powerful and hides behind his official title.”
Endo pauses again. “That is the truth.”
“It doesn’t make sense.” I wince at the sting in my head, an oncoming stress-induced headache, no doubt. I reach into my purse and take out two pills, then wash them down with water. “He’s worked so hard to get where he is now. Any involvement with illegal arms trading will jeopardize his position. Why would he do that?”
“The people in power are blurring the lines of justice. What is legal no longer holds any merit. Global corruption is real. In my line of business, I’ve witnessed it more times than I can count.”
“Yes, but why? Why would my dad be part of it?”
Endo chews the inside of his mouth. “Some people get into this business for personal gain. Others for a higher calling. They think that’s the only way to save their country or family. Hell, I had a man tell me God sent him.”
“Why do you do it?”
“I do it for the money because it buys me power over men like your father, who do it for sport.”
I shake my head. “That can’t be why. I know my father. If he’s involved in anything like this, he’s in it for us, for his family. He’s running for office to make our lives better.”
Endo throws back his head and belly laughs.
Asshole. I push my chair back as if to rise, just as Tom arrives with the cheesecake. Strawberry syrup decorates the teal-blue ceramic plate. I do love cheesecake, but I won’t be having any right now.
Tom sets the cheesecake in the middle of the table, along with two spoons.
“Youcanhave your cake,” Endo says. “And eat it too.”
“The saying goesyou can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
“And yet, I’ll have mine.” Endo forks a piece of cake, and I take the opportunity to get up.
“Where are you going?” He drops his fork.
Home? Clinic? For a walk? “Away from you.”
“You know that’s not possible.”
“And yet, I’ll walk away.” I throw his words back at him.
“Fine. Go ahead. You look nice from behind anyway.”
Unbelievable. “I hope you choke.”
“There we go with the viciousness again.” Endo gets up and steals my dessert plate. “You don’t even know where you’re going. Dec has your puppy. I have a car, a warm home, and delicious cheesecake. Don’t let your temper outsmart you. I’m the right choice today.” He pauses. “Actually, I’m the right choice most days, but that’s beside the point. My point is, it’s going to rain.” Endo eats a piece and moans.
“I’d rather walk five miles in the rain than spend another moment with you.”
“And the puppy?” he asks.
I glance at the little bundle sleeping in his comfortable cot near Declan’s leg. “That’s Marquis’s puppy. If you take him to your warm home, you can put him in my room.”
