Page 27 of Wifey
“Yes. They’re a crime family here. They specialize in racketeering, which includes but is not limited to murder, kidnapping, money laundering, and drug trafficking.” He pauses. “And also bribery.”
I know what game Ethan was playing and I had time today. “Oh.”
Ethan stared at me for a long moment and then continued. “Some of the men on the force recognized a few members come to your home last night.” He pauses for a beat. “You were consoled by the leader, Cameron Page.”
My body becomes yardstick straight and I stare into Ethan’s eyes. “I’m friends with Cameron.”
“Just friends?” Ethan’s eyes twinkled.
I held up a hand. “There’s no ring on my finger.”
“My men said he hugged you like someone he was very close with.” Ethan stared at me. “Just friends?”
Tesh warned me not to talk about Cameron and I wasn’t about to start. “Just friends.”
“When your father was killed, I opened up a private investigation on Clayton. He was involved with another crime family called the EAC, East Atlanta Cartel. We’ve been investigating them and the Administration for years.” Ethan nodded. “It seems there is a war between them now.”
I feigned ignorance. “What does this have to do with me?”
“The families are at war with each other over land and property all over Atlanta and they’re going neighborhood by neighborhood. I’m sure you’re aware of the shooting at the nightclub just last year where two people died? It was rumored that was a stand-off between the families. Two members of EAC died that night; one was severely injured with a groin shot. He survived but he’s not talking who did it.”
And neither will I. “Okay.”
Ethan is becoming frustrated with the lack of progress our conversation has. It’s clear he wants to ask more but it would require bringing me in for questioning and a lawyer that’ll put an abrupt stop to all of it. “Do you have any information at all what’s going on?”
“Ethan, I’m running a business during a pandemic. I don’t pay too much attention to what’s going on when I’m trying to keep roofs over my employees heads. Don’t act like you haven’t been paying attention to the news stories about the break-ins and multiple businesses being shuttered around here?” I mentioned. “The economy isn’t good for a lot of people. A lot of businesses are suffering and I’m sure crime has gone sky high.”
“Some businesses are boarding up or getting cheap but efficient security on their property. Your security is a different ballgame.” Ethan’s lips puckered. It’s clear he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying and honestly, I can’t blame him. But I also can’t afford to tell him the truth. “I didn’t realize the coffee shop was bringing in so much money you can afford private security detail.”
“Unless I’m breaking any laws, Ethan,” I emphasized his name, “I don’t see the point of all of these questions.”
Ethan held up a hand in defense and stood up. He began to walk out before he stopped and turned towards me. “Your father was a great man. He had strong community ties and values. A real, proud American, your father was. He worked very hard and gave back every chance he could. He was a great man of integrity and that was something I’ve always admired about him.” He briefly nodded and left.
A deep, laborious sigh exited my mouth as Ethan’s last words crushed me. I know it was a thinly-veiled insult to my association with Cameron and what my father stood for. My father may not have known about Cameron’s activities, but he didn’t care for the Pages.
I turned towards the TV monitors and watched as Ethan picked up his coffee and pastries before he headed out. I waited until Ethan had completely left the parking lot before I could finally release the breath I’ve been holding.
Just when I was about to call Cameron, a knock interrupted my plans. “Hey Boss!” Gabe comes in with a huge bouquet of roses. Just looking at them tells me how expensive they are. “These came in for you.” He sets them on the desk.
“Thank you.” I smile at him.
“Is everything okay? I saw Ethan just left.” He pointed behind him.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. He just wanted to check up with me and talk about life, you know?” It wasn’t exactly a lie.
“Good to know.” He pointed to the roses. “I guess from the benefit last night?”
“Um, yeah.” I picked off the card. “We had a lot of people come through so I imagine it’s probably a customer.”
“I hear that.” Gabe nodded. “Aight. I’ll be heading back out. Let me know if you need anything.” He leaves and closes the door behind him.
I opened the card and read it.
Dinner at Bones tonight. Security will take you there. Wear something sexy for me, angel.
My cheeks turn crimson as I hold the card to my chest. Amazing how my mind went through rollercoasters and hoops throughout the day, only to finally settle on love. It’s not a question if Ethan knows what’s going on and he’s slowly piecing together everything.
Now I have to wonder when the house of cards will finally tumble down.
