Page 38 of Degrees of Control
“This is what I’ve been trying to tell you. Jay’s men never came into contact with Ty. You’re right that Chase isn’t innocent. In fact, after they got the information they needed to clear Jenny he was working to expose Ty publicly for the lying piece of shit that he really is. The intent was to do exactly what you said, put him behind bars for years, but he was attacked before Chase could do that.”
“Wait Dad, you’re saying that Chase’s team wasn’t responsible?”
“Katarina, that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say. Ty’s assailants broke into his condo and you already know how brutally they beat him. The sole point of the attack was to draw very public attention to the fact that our family was connected to this. It worked, just as they anticipated,” he says.
“I’m trying to comprehend all of this, but if Chase didn’t do this, who did?” I ask.
“Katarina there were some pretty telling marks left on Ty’s body. Someone wanted the police to believe my family, namely myself, was involved in this attack. Any detective worth his salt would have linked Jenny to her best friend and then to Chase which would have brought them right to my doorstep, which is exactly what happened.”
“I don’t understand how Chase being involved would have brought anything to your doorstep. Are you saying he told the police you did it?” I ask.
“The police made the connection they were intended to make. Once they learned of Chase’s involvement, the rest was easy. He and his family have a strong and well-known relationship with our family and the marks I referenced would have brought them directly to the Larussio family door.”
“The mafia markings,” I say, swallowing at the implications.
“I’m afraid so, Katarina.”
“So, someone is trying to make it appear as though you are responsible for Ty’s assault?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to say. The police came straight to me as soon as they learned about the markings. Chase had kept me informed about what happened to Jenny.”
“Who would want to do that and why didn’t someone tell me what was happening?” I ask.
“It was evident at that point that it was someone in the family. Chase asked me not to mention it to you. Something about short term issues and long term trust. He’s a hard one to follow sometimes Katarina, but he is clearly devoted to you. Chase and Jay believe your uncle Joey was responsible for Ty’s attack. They have not been able to prove it, yet, but that doesn’t surprise me. They would work carefully,” he says.
“So the mafia markings stories are true and would lead police to the Larussio family?” I ask.
“Katarina, our family has a lot of history, some I am deeply proud of and some that I am not, but you have to believe me when I tell you that Chase and I were not involved in this. There is nothing that I would do to cause your mother worry and Chase has done nothing except assist in her rescue and your friend’s exoneration. The only regret I have is that we weren’t able to secure Alfreita.”
“I recall Chase telling me that Uncle Joey wanted to take over control of the family empire. You think he’s responsible?” I ask.
“Sadly, that may be the case,” he says.
“Thanks for sharing this with me, Dad,” I say, getting out of my seat to go and stand beside him, giving him a quick awkward hug as he stands up. “Now if you’ll excuse me I need to find Chase,” I say, sending a quick message to him to find out where he is.
“Katarina, there’s one more thing that you need to know. You are not going to find Chase upstairs. He and Jay left about half an hour ago. They took the yacht and last word I got was they were going to be traveling off the coast of Brazil into the South Atlantic Ocean. That boat Chase has is Platinum and it’s powered by four MTU diesel engines. The fastest money can buy, Katarina. It’s probably upwards of twenty six knots by now.”
“Why, where is he going?” I ask, looking down at my phone. There’s still no response to the text, so I send one to Jay.
Message: Jay where is Chase?
No response from him either. My heart is now racing uncontrollably. “Where did Chase go? I thought Jay was going to have the teams get into United States waters and we were just waiting here until they did?”
“I’ll let Chase explain the details later, but he had to be on the yacht to make things look legitimate. Alfreita’s men are watching.”
“What!” I exclaim. “The guy’s been after Chase for the last year, kidnapped Mom, and he plans to use himself as bait?”
“There’s no talking to him when he gets something on his mind. He asked me to take care of you while he was gone.”
“Take care of me hell. I’m going after him!” I exclaim.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“They are in the middleof the ocean and you will never catch up to them, besides it’s not safe!” I just need a few moments to think about how to handle this. I know Chase wouldn’t leave me without security, but my guess is they have been instructed to keep me where I am and I have no doubt they will run to Chase if they have so much as a hint what I have in mind.
“You’re right, Mom. I think I’ll go to my room and wait for him to call,” I say, dismayed at how easily the deceit rolls from my tongue. My dad’s eyebrows raise and at first I think he is going to call my bluff, but he does not.
Outside of their suite I pass security and Sheldon is glued to my side as I enter the elevator and push the button for the suite above. The elevator doors open and Sheldon takes vigilance outside of our room. “Thanks for your help today,” I say as I enter my room and close the door behind me.
