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Of course as expected, the guy was trying to ignore me and his responsibilities to tell us everything, including the asshole who’d provided the information for what we’d learned was a series of articles. That had been easy to find on the man’s computer. When we’d stormed into his house, he’d been working on his laptop.
After a few seconds of him ignoring me, I fisted his hair at the scalp, jerking his head up forcefully. “You know, Chase, I have to admit that you’re a damn good writer, one of the best reporters I’ve read in a long time. However, whoever provided the information to you about our business and our family was entirely wrong. We’re not monsters nor are we killers, well, at least for the most part. We’re businessmen just trying to make a living to feed our families.”
Styx stifled a laugh. “A little melodramatic, bro?”
“Why the hell not?” I countered. “It’s a beautiful day. I have big plans for later and I’m in a damn good mood.”
“It’s love. I’m telling you,” Creed said under his breath.
I shot him my middle finger on purpose and for fun.
Chase murmured something, which was muddled given his swollen and bloody lips.
“I didn’t catch that, but maybe you were trying to confide, as you need to do, who supplied you with misinformation.”
I kept my fingers wrapped firmly around his thick locks of hair, leaning in a little closer.
“What did you say? I couldn’t quite catch that.”
He managed to grin, which shocked the hell out of me. “Fuck… you. All true.”
Sighing, I glanced at my two brothers, shaking my head. “Look, Chase. We’re not stupid. We know you have a family, including a new fiancée. I’m certain you wouldn’t want to be the reporter who announced their gruesome deaths. Now, would you?”
Sometimes, all it took for a typical, or maybe I should say normal guy was to allude to hurting his family. Now, with all the horrible things we’d done over the years, we’d never taken out our need for revenge on women, pets, or children. There was simply no need. But our reputation and the ugly whispers that had continued to formulate and build over the years had led some people with very active imaginations to believe we were capable of doing anything.
So, at this moment, seeing the glimmer of fear in his hooded eyes was exactly what I was looking for.
“There’s our good buddy. So, who was it? All we’re looking for is a name and an assurance you won’t allow the stories I just read to see the light of day. Ever. In turn, I’ve done you a small favor.” I pulled out the jump drive I’d purchased, shoving it into the small pocket of his jammies, patting it after I did. “You might not know this, but in addition to being a professor at one of the best colleges in the country, I’d also a pretty damn good writer myself. In fact, I’m getting ready to pen my first novel. I’ll be happy to add a dedication to you as being an inspiration if you’re a very good boy.”
He almost started to blubber, which meant my Hitchcock-infused Jack Nicholson voice was working its magic. “Don’t… hurt them. Please.”
Both Styx and Creed were standing in front of him, and I could tell Creed was losing his patience.
“Then all you need to do is to tell us what we need to hear,” I said, offering a smile. As if I gave a damn about the rat ass bastard.
He was stupid enough to shake his head emphatically.
Exhaling, the sound as exaggerated as I could make it, I rose to my full height. “Creed. Maybe you can help explain the situation a little better.”
“I think you were doing a fine job, brother. I’ll just add a little emphasis.” Without hesitation, he backhanded the man with his Glock, knocking the entire kitchen chair where Chase was tied to the floor.
Now the guy was blubbering.
Styx jerked him back into position.
I waited a few seconds, listening to the sound of the guy wheezing, trying to breathe through his crushed nose before lifting the chair. I crouched down once more, taking a few seconds to start talking again. Some days, I hated interrogations. “Let’s try this one more time. Who gave you the information? Talk or I’ll have one of my men head to the school where your fiancée teaches. Third grade, isn’t it?”
That got him finally. He jerked his head up, dragging his tongue through the strings of blood. “Pu-please. I don’t know. I was sent the information, including pictures from an unknown source. I tried to find him to corroborate but he threatened me when he knew I was searching for him.”
“Him? You’re awfully certain it’s a guy.”
He nodded like some bobble-head doll.
“Okay. You don’t know who this person is, but you do believe a male sent the ridiculous and false allegations, prepared to try and ruin a stellar family. You really mean to tell me that this is okay behavior?” So I was pouring it on a little thick. What the hell.
He tried to nod. “A call. He called me when I didn’t want to publish the damning shit. He said he was very good with explosives. I can’t let him hurt my family.”
“Hmmm…” I rubbed my jaw before lifting his chin a little higher using my index finger. “I assure you, buddy, that you would hate tangling with the three of us. We’re much worse than explosives.” Somehow, I believed him that he had no clue who the responsible party was. To that end, we’d have to poke that bear a little bit more to bring the perpetrator out in the open.
