Chapter Thirty Four
CARTER
Gravel crunches under my feet as I approach the chain link fence walling off the Twin Rinks construction site from the rest of the town. George didn’t ask questions when I texted him this morning, asking him to leave the padlock off the gate. It pushes open easily, allowing me to slip inside.
I almost jump when Detective Peterson’s voice sounds in my ear, jolting me back to reality. “Keep walking, straight ahead towards that light pole. It gives us the best visual to make sure the situation doesn’t get out of hand.”
I don’t risk nodding in acknowledgement, and opt to simply follow his orders. My heart is pounding so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if they pick it up through the wire I’m wearing. Everything hinges on tonight. This confession is the key to make sure my piece of shit father rots in jail for the rest of his worthless life.
The only thing that keeps me focused is I know exactly where Sophie and mom are. Sophie decided to wait it out with Abbie at her dad’s house, since he’s the one who’s been working with the detective until now. Mom is safe with a police detail guarding her house. Out of sight of course, so Dad doesn’t get suspicious if he drives by, but knowing they’re there lets me focus on the task at hand, instead of worrying about my family.
The weight of the bag of cash in my hand is like a physical representation of the burden I’ve been under the last nine years. Quickly checking my watch, which shows 8:55 p.m., my gut churns in anticipation, knowing that my final confrontation with my dad is only five minutes away.
“You ready, Carter?” the detective asks.
“As ready as I can be,” I mutter under my breath… I have to be ready.
Now, if only I could get my damn heart to stop racing.
The sound of a truck rattling closer puts my sense on high alert, and it takes everything in me to act calm and casual. What if he realizes what’s happening? What if he catches on and bolts before they can arrest him?
“Williams spotted, pulling up in a brown pick up,” another voice says in my ear. “The team is in position.” I’m not sure exactly where they are, but there’s plenty of cover with the construction equipment and work trucks parked nearby.
“Ten-four,” Detective Peterson says. “Remember, Carter, if there’s a hint of danger, you get out of there. My men are ready in case things go sideways, but you can never be too careful.”
Before I can make any move of acknowledgement, the slamming of a car door has my eyes drawing towards my dad. The street lights illuminate his triumphant sneer. Cocky bastard .
Little does he know he’s already lost. I can’t wait to see that look wiped from his face when the cops put him on the ground and cuff him.
He’s dressed up more than he has been since he’s been back, in a worn out suit and tie, like this is some kind of grand moment for him instead of him extorting his only son for money. He walks through the opening I left in the gate, looking around the area to make sure we’re alone.
“Dad,” I greet, keeping my voice even.
“You got the cash?” His voice is rough as he approaches.
“Clearly.” I hold the bag up. “But I want you to answer some questions first.”
He stops, his eyes narrowing. “You think you can give me fucking orders? You wanted me to leave, so give me the damn cash.”
I keep my face blank, playing the part of the confident, co-conspirator. “I know, but I think I know what you’ve been doing… and I want in.”
Dad will never confess to me unless he has something to gain from it. A textbook narcissist will only respond to one thing.
Stroking his ego.
“Oh yeah? What is it you think I’m doing, Mr. Big Shot?” He eyes me, stepping closer, his seemingly permanent sneer still present.
“You haven’t needed any extra money from me for the last year because you’ve been getting it from somewhere else, right? I’m not going to be a hockey player forever. I need to make sure I’m set long after I retire. Whatever you’ve got going on, bring me in on it.”
Dad’s expression quickly morphs from one of surprise to a cocky grin. “You want to know how your old man makes the big bucks, huh?” He lets out a low chuckle. “I never took you for a kid who would stray from the straight and narrow. Too high and mighty.”
“I’ll do what I have to do.” I give a noncommittal shrug. “Fuck everyone else. I need to look out for me .” The words burn coming out, and Dad looks taken aback for a second. Shit. Did I lay it on too thick?
“I’ve never heard you talk like that before,” he says, his tone indecipherable as looks me over with an assessing gaze.
Dammit. He’s catching on. I’m acting too out of character to be believable.
I stay silent, trying to keep my shoulders from tensing, hoping he’s not about to say fuck it and leave.
“Hm…” My heart pounds in my chest, waiting for him to question me. I wonder how I’m going to get us back on the right track. “I guess you aren’t quite the fuck up I thought you were. As long as you look out for your old man as well.”
It’s everything I can do to not sigh in relief. “The Twin Rinks are set to make big bucks once they reopen.” I offer, my throat burning at the words. “And I’ve ensured I never loose access to their POS system we’re installing. We can both be set for life.” I really hope I’m selling this because every word I speak makes my skin crawl in revulsion.
Dad considers me. He seems to accept my sudden turn towards financial crimes, and chuckles darkly as he takes a step toward me. “Okay, son.” Wow. He has never called me “son” in my life. It would be kind of nice if he wasn’t such a fucking asshole. “There’s only one problem. I have… an inside man. If you want in, you’ll have to get rid of him.”
“Get rid?” I startle. We just jumped the long gap from extortion to murder. “Get rid of him how?”
Dad smirks. “I don’t really give a shit as long as he doesn’t ever show back up here, looking for money.”
“Tell him you’ll do it, but you have to know what the operation is first.” Detective Peterson sounds in my ear.
“Okay…” I say slowly, shifting on my feet. “I’ll figure it out, but not before you tell me what the whole operation is about. I need to know if it’s worth it.”
“Oh, it’s worth it,” Dad says, shaking his head. “You’ll be swimming in so much cash you’ll be drowning. Think of it as an… initiation. As soon as you get rid of my insider, you can take his spot on the council, then I’ll fill you in on what you need to do.”
His place… on the council? Shit. His inside man is a council member?
“Keep him talking,” Detective Peterson mutters. We’re so close.
“I want you to bring me in now. ” I say, more confident than I feel. “If you want in on the rinks, you’ll tell me now, and then I’ll make a decision. Why would I do all the work to get rid of your inside man without my cash in hand?”
Dad is silent, his gaze going steely as he looks at me.
Stroking the ego isn’t getting us far enough, so it’s time to go the other direction.
I bark a laugh.”Who am I kidding? Maybe I need to approach the other guy since he’s probably the mastermind behind the whole thing.”
Dad’s vein pops in his head and his face turns red. “Don’t test me, you little shit. I’ve been taking what I’m owed from the town of Ivy Glen since before you even hit fucking puberty.”
A swoop of victory goes through my stomach, but I know we need more. He needs to admit to every foul thing.
“Oh yeah? Then why do you even need this guy if you can do it all on your own?” My words are a taunt. An invitation to spill all his dirty little secrets. Now, he just needs to take it.
“I don’t need Oscar Davis,” he sneers. “I was able to funnel out money for years before I had a little helper.” Shit. Oscar is who’s been helping him? I can’t really say I’m surprised, but it lights a fire in my veins knowing he’s been pursuing Sophie while tangled up in my dads business.
“Keep going,” Detective Peterson says, more to himself than to me, an edge in his voice.
“Why Oscar ?” I ask, letting true disdain drip from my voice, letting him think it’s about the perceived incompetence of his choice rather than the fact I just fucking hate the guy.
Dad smirks. “He knows exactly what to do and how to do it. He found the files his useless father kept all those years ago, and reached out, hoping to get in on it since he doesn’t know how to do it alone. How could I resist?” He chuckles. “The best part is, I didn’t even have to be here this time around. Then the contract year came around, and I was already coming back to find you. When I saw you on the TV, promoting this useless project,” he motions to the spot where only the bare structure of the ring now stands, “you told me exactly where you were. Now, I can clear my gambling debts, make even more money, and not worry about avoiding Ivy Glen anymore because the only person who had a clue what I was doing is dead and gone.”
Fucking bingo.
“Got him.” Detective Peterson hisses. “Move in.”
“Ten-four.” The other voice in my ear confirms.
I did it. I got him to confess.
“Thanks for the help, Dad.” I can’t keep the smug grin of my face as the armed officers descend from their hiding places. “You’re never going to touch Mom, or anyone else I love, ever again.”
Dad’s eyes widen at my words as reality sinks in. His face contorts in rage that is so, so sweet to see. He’s finally getting what he deserves. “You fucking rat! You set me up?!” He shouts, reaching a hand into his jacket. “I own you, you fucking piece of shit! If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me!” I’m so busy reveling in the rage on Dad’s face that I don’t even register the flash of metal as he pulls something from his hip.
“Suspect has a gun!” Peterson shouts into my ear, and then everything happens in slow motion.
I’m frozen in place as Dad’s arm raises, and two shots ring out, almost at the same time. Shock fills his face, a second before a sharp pain lances my arm.
“Fuck!” he screams out, the gun dropping from his hand as an officer tackles him to the ground, pinning his hands behind his back. Blood seeps through the material of his pant leg as he squirms, screaming obscenities.
I touch my hand to the spot on my arm that’s screaming in pain, and when I pull it away, it’s covered in blood.
My dad shot me.
Shit. Even I didn’t realize he had it in him to try to kill his own son. I stare at my hand in shock as the sound of a siren approaches, red and white lights going off in my peripheral. Paramedics pop out of the ambulances that park outside the gate, rushing a gurney to my dad.
“You good?” Detective Peterson comes up next to me, his eyes on my dad as the EMTs load him onto the gurney.
I grimace, showing my bloodied hand to the detective. He quickly inspects my arm. “It’s just a graze, but there’s a second ambulance coming to check you out.”
Swallowing, I nod. “I need to see him taken away first.”
The paramedics wheel the gurney past us, and I look coldly at the man who doesn’t deserve to call himself a father. Cuffed to the handrail and still bleeding from the bullet in his leg that took him down, he looks like nothing more than the scum at the bottom of my shoe. A miserable waste of space. Looking him dead in the eyes, I feel nothing but relief. “If you believed that I would really try to be a part of your pathetic scheme,” I tell him, “you obviously don’t know me at all.”
“You fucking piece of shit!” Dad screams, spit flying out of his mouth and his arms thrashing in rage. “I’ll fucking kill you! And that bitch you call a mother! I’ll end her and make you watch, you pathetic, useless?—”
His ranting is cut off by the paramedics closing the doors after loading him in.
Detective Peterson sighs. “Don’t worry. With the information we got and threats like that recorded, plus the additional evidence you found for shady dealings at the car dealership, not to mention the attempted murder we all just witnessed, he should have enough years racked up in his sentence to be behind the bars for the rest of his life.”
Attempted murder charge. Shit. A part of me is still shocked that Dad tried to fucking kill me. But I can’t find myself to be hurt by his actions. Emotionally at least. Physically, the graze from the bullet fucking hurts. Otherwise, I’m just so fucking grateful it’s all finally over and because of that, I can’t be sorry about how this all happened. I would do it all over again if it meant keeping Sophie, the baby, and my mom safe.
Despite the pain in my arm, and the pounding in my heart as I watch the man who raised me being taken away in an ambulance, I feel like I can finally breathe.
It’s over.
He’s never going to hurt us again.