Thirty-Seven
1783 Words
Snapping orders, Hans looked at Ross over the top of his computer. His gaze narrowed as he issued more orders. “My daughter, it seems, has a knack for worming her way out of having a guard. David, Declan and Cal were grabbing a meal when they accidentally found a lead to the East End Empire that popped up a few years back. Quinn, take a team to infiltrate and document the owner of Barb’s Diner and his family. Ross, get a security team sent from Everett Holdings ASAP to cover the building. Jeremy, have the intelligence team dig up any and all dirt I can use to twist this to my advantage.”
Ross grinned, “Just like old times, huh?”
“You bet,” Hans laughed. “Except, this time, I’m older and wiser. Callum sent Dec to the hospital with an injured waitress, and has David locking the building down. If you want to really catch a big fish, you use big bait. If those contracts are legit, I want that building as a vantage point in taking down that crew. This is my f*****g territory. You wanna set up here, you go through me, and that’s final.”
“Okay, people,” Ross bellowed. “You heard the boss. Someone stepped on his toes, and he wants them brought own, so get to it.”
Another call came through as they were leaving the office. Answering it, Hans almost dropped the phone. “Say that again?”
Callum sighed over the line, “I got the younger one, but Temperance is at the hospital with Declan. I’m right, aren’t I? They’re Frank’s kids?”
“Yes, but what the hell happened to Francis and his wife? He was my best informant, and you say his daughter said they’re dead?” Hans winced, not liking how messy the situation was becoming.
“Yeah, that about sums it up,” his son replied. “When I asked if they could come get her, Kennedy said they were dead. I only realized who they were after she said her last name. It’s not one you hear a lot of around here, so I knew there had to be a connection. What now?”
Humming, Hans turned to Ross. “Look into Francis Rubin. There’s a possibility he’s no longer with us.”
“Will do,” Ross replied, getting to work on the task.
Turning back to the call, Hans said, “On our way now.”
“Understood,” Callum said before disconnecting.
Walking out of the main door, Hans got into the waiting car. Settling, he waited for Ross, who was sitting with him, to find what he was looking for. Glancing at his now pale friend, he knew that the information the child gave Cal was the truth after all. “I see. You don’t need to say anything, Seeker.”
“I wouldn’t know what to say anyway, King. I mean, he was a huge help in making you the King of Canada’s underworld, but his poor girls… Is there anything we can do?” Ross asked, understanding the pain the man was struggling with. The loss of a good informant meant a harder time getting things done without losing numbers. Yet, he couldn’t help feeling that there was something more to it than what they already knew.
“I’ll deal with it later. Right now, we need to relieve my son and David. Perhaps today is the day we finally see Declan lose his s**t,” Hans mused.
“He’s strong, but he’s never shown an ounce of anything resembling betrayal. The decision to have him join -”
Barking a laugh, Hans shook his head. “I never asked, Rossy. He asked me if it was an option because he didn’t want to lose his family. It seemed the twins relied more on each other than their parents, so I allowed it. I wanted to see his reaction, his determination, yet he’s been nothing but respectful and obedient since his arrival. Not to mention how Callum seems to enjoy hanging out with him.”
“You never told me that,” Ross grunted with a glower. “So, he’s a pity case, then? And I get that he’s kept his head, but what’s with the excessive amounts of freedom you granted him?”
Was it excessive? Hans didn’t think so. “Really? Huh. I just wanted to play a little, Ross. I wanted him to show me his true colours, but he’s never snapped. Not yet. On one hand, I need him to break, to give me any kind of reason for a quick death. On the other hand, however, I hope he proves to be as invaluable an asset as his sister is.”
“Fine. Play your game,” Ross laughed. “I just hope this doesn’t blow up in your face.”
Arriving at the building, Hans moved over to Callum. “Report.”
Seething angrily, the younger man said, “The manager was hiring young girls under the guise of giving them a decent-paying job. He was then selling them to the East End Empire.”
He handed over the papers he had taken from the desk and watched as the rage grew in his father’s eyes, “I want his ass taken to the Red Room.”
Ross came back from the kitchen area, dragging a fuming David behind him. Breaking free, David punched a stone pillar, dust fell as he pulled his now bloodied knuckles away.
“He is responsible for nearly eighty girls being sold into prostitution and escort services, Don Hans. The turnover rate of the restaurant is equal to the number of girls,” Ross was seething under his calm facade. The last time they had to handle something like this was when the twin’s father was in the business.
“Hey, Callum, remember that girl Declan took a liking to earlier? Well, I found out the manager was using her kid sister as leverage. Her name is Temperance Rubin, twenty-one, and her sister is the only family she listed on her employment papers.” David said as he slapped the folder with her information down on the table in front of Hans.
Hans cut a deadly glare to the other man, making David fall silent. Composing himself, Hans asked, “Declan took a liking to this girl?”
David and Callum nodded, each knowing what this meant for their friend.
“Then it will be Declan who deals out the punishment,” Hans replied. He was actually eager to find out if the man had a mean streak, and whether or not he was able to control it.
Ross spoke up, “Sir, should we prepare to raid East End?”
“Not yet," Hans said calmly. "I want you to send in an infiltration team. Have them report back everything they find regardless of how insignificant it might seem.”
“Of course, Don Hans,” Ross nodded once before moving off to the side to make the call.
“Callum and David, take the child and go to the hospital. I want a completed medical report for both on my desk in the morning, understood?” Hans said.
“On it,” David said, watching the blond with him talk to the child. When she got up to follow them, he sighed in relief.
Hans took a deep breath. Had it not been for Callum’s team being in the right place at the right time, they would never have known this was even happening.
The front doorbell jingled, signalling the beginning of Act Two of this little charade. He smirked, seeing the young woman walking with the older man. Without waiting for introductions, the man sat down across from Hans. “What is going on here? I was in the middle of a meeting with my executive team.”
“Mr. Ryan, how good of you to join us,” the Don said. “My name is Hans Stevensson. I’m sure you recognize the name, Sir.”
The older man looked slightly confused. Paling, he nodded, "Yes, from when you and your friends were young. Listen, I am old, Mr. Stevensson, and business is very tiring these days. With my ailing health, I chose to leave the restaurant management to my daughter, Selena.”
“I understand, Mr. Ryan,” Hans looked over his shoulder as a file was handed to him.
The woman behind Silas Ryan paled as she read the title on the manila file in the man’s hand. Bristling, she snapped, “Mr. Stevensson, our employees are given a full background check.”
Hans glared at her, “Then explain to me why your manager had contracts with the East End Empire?”
“That’s completely false allegations. I’ll sue you if you don’t stop harassing us,” she said, her face showing her emotions.
Sliding the yearly turnover across the table, he asked, “I said explain, not give me pathetic, empty excuses.”
Her father turned his eyes to her, “Clarify it for the man, Selena. He is an important figure in our business society.”
She fell silent, not bothering to utter a single word to either of the men. Hans smirked. He knew the longer she stayed quiet, the guiltier she looked. He slid a sheet of paper over to the man. “I would be happy to take the business off your hands, Silas.”
The man looked over the paper and sighed, “I did want to keep it in the family.”
The woman stomped her foot on the floor, “Papa, how could you sell Mother's restaurant like this?”
“Silence, Selena,” Mr. Ryan demanded darkly. “I will deal with you later.”
Hans waited patiently. Finally, the man looked up at him, “I will sell Barb’s to you under the condition that you keep the name.”
“Agreed,” Hans added the clause to keep the name of the building and handed the man his pen.
“Oh, by the way, there was one more thing I had to do while I was here.” Hans nodded as he saw two police officers walking over. They grabbed the woman, cuffing her as they read the charges. “Ms. Selena Ryan, you are hereby under arrest for violation of Human Trafficking Laws, uttering false documents, accessory to kidnapping, possession of illegal drugs and related paraphernalia, and extortion.”
"That's a lie!" Selena snapped.
"We can talk it all out at the station," the other officer said.
- Writer
