Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“We’ll leave the past in the past,” I tell her. “And focus on the now.”
She seems better now that she’s gotten it off her chest, but before we can finish our conversation, Zack shoots me a text that gets my attention.
Meet me in Tobias’ office?
When we arrive, he shuts the door behind us. “You two have a minute?”
I nod and pull out a seat for Chandra.
I feel a little guilty. I almost forgot about the investigation he’s been doing, as to my knowledge there’s been nothing else suspicious since that one night.
Tobias is at his desk, and Zack stands near Tobias with a folder in hand.
“I’ve done some investigating, and I’ve found a few things out,” he says. “Does the name Fairwood Enterprises mean anything to you?”
I shake my head, and Chandra furrows her brow. “It’s vaguely familiar, but I can’t place it,” she says. “But I haven’t heard the name in years.”
Zack pulls out some papers. “It’s an organization run by the Bratva. One of their many sources of income, and their primary headquarters are in Atlanta.”
This means nothing to me. I don’t know anything about the Bratva or this organization, except some vague idea that it’s organized crime.
“Well, it’s weird,” he says. “A bunch of our newest members have a history with the Russian military.”
“Right.” I remember he said that a few weeks ago.
“Recently, I found out we have an undercover agent who’s been stationed with them for some time, and he’s just relocated to NYC. I didn’t know until yesterday and met with him last night.”
“Someone I know?” I ask him.
Zack’s jaw tightens. “I’m not at liberty to say. I’m sorry, but I’m bound to keep names and places confidential.” But his eyes tell me a different story. Yes, it’s someone I know and yes, he wants me to know. His voice lowers. “I won’t confirm or deny. But think about it for a minute.”
“Viktor.” Chandra’s face pales. “He mentioned his family’s in Atlanta.”
Zack shrugs a shoulder. It’s confirmation enough.
“Nothing I say in here gets repeated outside of this office.” He gives Chandra a stern look. “I mean nothing.” She and Marla are tight. I squeeze her hand and meet her eyes, underscoring Zack’s admonition. She nods.
Zack continues. “The new members of the club are friendly with our agent, and I’ve confirmed they’re all members of the Bratva. He knew they were coming here and made a play so he could join them. It goes without saying, we’re not too keen on having members of organized crime in our club, but our informant says he is unaware of anything they’ve done since arriving. If they did, in fact, have anything to do with covering the surveillance cameras, he’s unaware. His hands are tied being undercover.”
“Of course.”
“They’re here funneling sources into their most lucrative business.”
I fill in the blanks. “Fairwood Enterprises?”
Zack nods and blows out a breath. “And here’s where you come in.”
“Me?” I’m baffled.
“Yeah,” he says. “You. Turns out Fairwood Enterprises was affiliated with a Sacred Heart church in a little town outside of Louisville. And according to my research, that was where you were stationed as a priest when you met Chandra.”
A chill crawls down my spine. “Yeah,” I confirm. “But it doesn’t make any sense that a church has ties to the Bratva, Zack. C’mon. The diocese owns that property.”
He shakes his head. “Not all of it. The town’s archaic laws allowed bids to be placed on all property lots, so Fairwood Enterprises was, shall we say, the sponsor of Sacred Heart church. The diocese owns the actual church, but the rest of the property is owned by Fairwood.”
I shake my head. We have Fairwood members right here, in Club Verge, and they’re somehow connected to the church where Chandra and I met?”
“Yes. And my sources say because Fairwood Enterprises lost a significant amount of investments during the scandal, the Bratva’s looking to capitalize on that.”
I frown. “How?”
“Have you run into anyone you may have known?”
I shake my head but Chandra puts her hand on my arm. “We did,” she says, her cheeks flushing. “Remember? At the mall?”
I look to Zack. “She was a cranky old bitch. How could she possibly be affiliated with the Bratva?”
Zack shrugs. “I’m not saying she is. But someone’s looking for revenge, and sometimes those seeking revenge stop at nothing.”
“What do they want from me?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I have no idea.” Sighing, he leans his elbows on his knees. “But honestly, I suspect someone working with the Bratva has hired them to seek revenge and nothing more.”
“This is crazy, man. You think some old bitch is after me and Chandra because she lost her money in an investment?”
“I don’t know,” he says. “Give me her name and we run specs.”
Chandra worries her lower lip. “Is…is Marla safe?” she asks.