Chapter 16 #2
“That was my partners,” Mac said. “I was young, and I trusted my mentor to do the right thing. Why do you think I went out on my own after that? Alessandro, you have to know by now that no business exists in a vacuum. It’s a system where there are cycles and things happen; some companies prosper while others fold. You know this.”
“I also know about your relationship with my mother,” Bernini spat.
“That was about six years before you were born. You’re grasping at straws here,” Mac said, shaking his head. “Do you know why you came here and tried to destroy something wonderful?”
“I know why,” Heather said softly.
All eyes turned on her. Pointing to the papers strewn on the desk, she continued, “He’s doing it for the money. Nothing else. All of that nonsense about his family and his mother is a smokescreen, I think.”
“What money? From the mine?” Mac asked. “But it’s not that much.”
“Not yet, but there are plans for turning another three towns into mining towns. It’s all right there on the desk,” Heather said. She lunged forward, looking for the papers, and Bernini shifted as though he meant to stop her.
Mark stepped closer and pointed his gun at Bernini’s temple. “Let her be,” he said.
Bernini stepped back, looking sullen.
Heather picked up several sheets of paper and handed them to Mac. “See, it’s all there. How he plans to turn this area into a huge mining complex using slave labor. Then he’ll pocket the money and leave these towns broken and destroyed.”
Mac nodded as he read. “Yes, well. These will come in handy at your trial, Alessandro. I’m sure everyone will want to hear what your plans were. I’m just thankful that we were able to stop you.”
Mr. Bernini smiled a sour, evil smile and shrugged. “Well, if that’s all you have on me, then I’ll be out in no time.”
“I don’t think so,” Mac said. “You’ve written here how you planned to defraud the federal government by avoiding paying taxes.
You really shouldn’t have scribbled that down anywhere, especially not on a page attached to the area’s geological report.
” He flipped a page over, and his expression changed to one of surprise.
“My goodness. The copper seam really does stretch all over this area. And you were planning to call it the territory of Copper Canyon. What hogwash.” Mac laughed.
“It’s not hogwash,” Bernini snapped. “It’s a way to get filthy rich, but you’re too narrow-minded to see it.”
“No, he’s not,” Lukas said. “Mac can see it, but he’s not a snake. Unlike you. What about your bandits? What did you promise them? More money than even they could spend in a lifetime?”
Bernini looked sulky. “Something like that. But you wouldn’t understand.
You’re a greedy man who wants all the money from this mine for himself.
How you convinced all of these people that you’re on their side, I will never know.
It’s a good trick, especially when you pull the rug out from under the?—”
“We’re not doing this,” Mark said angrily. “We are not having this conversation. Mac is not crooked; he’s not a criminal, and you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“No, actually,” Mac began. “Things haven’t been handled right at the firm. My partners, Jude Devlin and Peter Harding, were siphoning off funds from the repayments you were making. They kept saying that you weren’t producing, but I knew you were.
“That was my first clue and how I managed to find out about Alessandro. He got his hooks into Peter first. He has a gambling problem and is in debt up to his ears. Then Alessandro found out about Jude’s mistress, whom he couldn’t afford on his salary.
That’s how he managed to get Jude to turn on me.
This whole exercise has been very enlightening,” Mac said, glaring at Bernini across the desk.
“You can’t prove a thing!” Bernini said.
“Actually, he can,” Steven said. “We have boxes of evidence against you in our office in Chicago, and both men have given their statements to us already and agreed to testify in your trial. Your goose is well and truly cooked.” He laughed.
“I have always wanted to say that to someone. And now I think it’s time to place you under arrest, officially,” Steven continued, smiling happily.
“Pedro, Nick, we’ll be happy to talk to you privately.
You never know; there could be a deal in your future. ”
Bernini’s face had turned beet red. He tried a self-assured smile, but he just looked scared. He turned to his men. “Don’t you say a word,” he said. “Remember … loyalty!”
Lukas chuckled as he began to lead Nick and Pedro out. “With the charges they’re facing, I think their only option is to sell you out.”
He left the room with the two men looking dazed. It was clear that they hadn’t known what Bernini was planning or how he wanted to disappear with all the money.
“Oh dear, Alessandro,” Mac said with a shake of his head. “I think you overestimated yourself. It might be time for you to come clean too. I’m sure the Pinkertons will go easier on you then.”
Bernini’s lip curled as Steven marched him to the door. “It’s all your fault.”
Mac sighed. “No, it’s all yours. Take him away, Steven. I’m done trying to understand this madman.”
Steven nodded and marched Bernini out through the doorway.
Bernini’s plaintive voice still echoed down the passage. “I’ll get the best lawyers, and you will regret this. I’ll make sure that none of you ever work again!”
Mac sighed. Heather shivered, and Mark put his arm around her shoulders.
“I can’t believe that he was such a repugnant man,” she said. “I thought he was so sweet and kind. I was terribly wrong.”
“You see the best in people,” Mark said. “That’s why I love you so.” He kissed her cheek.
Heather grinned at him.
“Come on, let’s go and help with the clean-up,” Mac said. “I imagine the fighting should end now. Without Alessandro promising them the moon, the bandits won’t hang around. They’ll scatter like roaches in the light.”
“I hope so,” Mark said. “But how will they know he’s gone?”
“We’re going to show them,” Mac said. “I should imagine this will all be over in a matter of minutes.”