Chapter 8 - The Rules I Gave the Mafia Boss
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Jack Thompson's attorney contacted Elena that afternoon.
By the next day, the four of us were meeting in a downtown Seattle office overlooking the financial district.
I arrived ten minutes early.
Jack was already there.
He stood beside the window wearing a dark charcoal suit.
No entourage.
No dramatic entrance.
Just one very powerful man who appeared to have slept even less than I had.
“Mrs. Martinez.”
“Mr. Thompson.”
He examined my expression.
“Difficult morning?”
“Only if you consider potential financial fraud and a ruined marriage difficult.”
His mouth shifted slightly.
“I see.”
I sat opposite him.
His attorney, Thomas Reed, introduced himself and explained that the meeting was intended to discuss the financial records and whether I would voluntarily assist with a limited review.
Elena sat beside me.
Before anyone else could speak, I placed a notebook on the table.
“I have conditions.”
Jack raised an eyebrow.
“Of course you do.”
“First, I don't work for people who threaten me.”
“Reasonable.”
“Second, I won't participate in anything illegal.”
Thomas looked at Jack.
Jack nodded.
“Also reasonable.”
“Third, anything involving my identity goes through Elena.”
“Agreed.”
“And fourth?”
Jack leaned back.
“I'm listening.”
“You don't get to treat me like an employee simply because you're accustomed to people being afraid of you.”
Thomas appeared momentarily uncomfortable.
Jack remained silent.
Then he smiled.
“A difficult negotiator.”
“A former accountant married to a professional liar.”
“That explains quite a bit.”
Elena cleared her throat.
“Clare, let's remain focused.”
I opened the notebook.
“Fine. Here's what I know.”
I explained the three consulting companies, the suspicious invoices, and the accounts bearing my name.
Jack listened carefully.
When I finished, he asked:
“Have you ever met Marcus Vale?”
I shook my head.
“Should I have?”
“He's my director of waterfront security and operations.”
“Why does that matter?”
“His department approved several vendors that appear in these records.”
Thomas opened a folder.
Inside were purchase authorization summaries.
I recognized two company names immediately.
Rainfall Strategic Partners.
Blue Lantern Holdings.
I looked at Jack.
“Does Marcus report directly to you?”
“Yes.”
“And you trust him?”
Jack paused.
“I've known him for seventeen years.”
“That wasn't my question.”
Jack's expression changed.
He looked down at the documents.
Then quietly answered:
“Until yesterday, I thought I did.”
Thomas continued explaining the foundation's funding structure.
The redevelopment grants were intended for small contractors repairing older waterfront properties and supporting affordable housing projects.
Several approved payments appeared to have been redirected before reaching their intended recipients.
I felt sick.
“This isn't just rich people stealing from rich people.”
“No,” Jack said.
“These are families waiting for housing repairs.”
“I know.”
I studied him.
For the first time, I saw something beyond his reputation.
Anger.
Real anger.
Not because his pride had been injured.
Because people he had promised to help were suffering.
Still, I wasn't foolish enough to confuse one honorable reaction with an honorable life.
“Mr. Thompson, one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“If we're doing this, I need the truth about your operations too. I won't help cover up one crime just to expose another.”
The room became very quiet.
Jack regarded me for several seconds.
Then he turned toward Thomas.
“Give Mrs. Martinez the complete list of entities involved in the foundation's approved payments.”
Thomas hesitated.
“Jack, that may include sensitive information.”
“I heard her conditions.”
Then Jack looked back at me.
“You want honesty, Clare?”
“Yes.”
“Then be prepared for things you won't like.”
I met his gaze.
“I've had twelve years of practice.”
At that exact moment, Thomas's phone vibrated.
He read a message.
His expression changed.
“Jack, we have a problem.”
Jack looked at him.
“What happened?”
Thomas turned the phone around.
A photograph of me leaving the Rain Room was spreading across social media.
The caption read:
MARRIED WOMAN CAUGHT FOLLOWING SEATTLE BUSINESSMAN JACK THOMPSON INTO PRIVATE CLUB — SOURCES ALLEGE SECRET RELATIONSHIP.
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Jennifer had made her first public move.
And she wasn't planning to play fair.
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