Page 81 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
Cliff worked under a company called Privatize Solutions. On the surface, it was a Canadian warehousing company with an interest in commercial real estate. The bland name hid a host of companies connected via personnel and funding – a telemarketing company that lied to people to fundraise; a cancer “charity” that absorbed ninety percent of donations for
administrative activities; a hedge fund that had lost the state of Pennsylvania’s teachers pensions before folding up; a security company known as IronClad Elite; and, last but not least, the rapidly expanding business of home reorganization, Flex Knock.
Privatize Solutions also happened to be the company suing the Canadian government, arguing it was violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by limiting donations in political campaigns.
Rick about fell out of his seat when he heard that. This previously squeaky-clean company had brought the case Addy’s husband was currently hearing.
She had debated if she should tell her ex-husband or go to the press. Ultimately, she did both. The mighty Judge Shane didn’t seem interested in what she had to say until it became national news.
Mob Tied to Election Donation Lawsuit.
Onlythendid the honorable Judge Shane run with it. The reporters ripped the rest of the story apart, exposing the endless avenues of fraud and corruption from the organization and its goons. The public lambasted Privatize Solutions’ plot to bring dirty money into Canadian politics, citing the disaster of repealing Citizen’s United in 2010 in the US and allowing unlimited anonymous money to flow into politics.
For a solid seventy-two hours, it was the only story in the whole of Canada. Rather unfairly, Addy didn’t receive any credit. The case was dropped, though, and that was enough for her.
“I don’t want them knowing I figured it out,” she argued. “They’re dangerous people. We saw that. I don’t want them thinking about me again.”
Rick could only stare at her. “I know, but you put your life in danger to find this out.”
She shrugged. “All in a day’s work. “
He laughed. She was far too humble.
Back in the US, things were moving quickly, too. Cliff was arrested on racketeering charges. The Washington Attorney General brought a case against Flex Knock, and after a tip from an anonymous hacker citizen, both Sebastian and Julian had their parole revoked for separate violations.
The odd tragedy of it all was that Rick had no excuse to stay any longer. There was no threat left to Addy, and IronClad Elite still wanted their car back.
“I got a ferry ticket for tomorrow,” he said weakly.
Her eyes fell. “Oh. Yeah, of course. You need to get back to your life. What do you think you’re going to do next? “
“Nothing is going to live up to this job.”
She grinned. “Sorry, buddy. You can’t uncover an international scandal every week.”
That evening, Addy went to the tea shop for one of Patty’s famous tea parties. Mackenzie was on the island, and Marilyn and Lawrence were there to celebrate getting their money back.
Rick lagged behind to pack up his things. It was strange to be separated from Addy. It felt wrong, but he had to get used to it.
He thought it might trigger a panic attack, but it didn’t. Instead, he wandered around, tidying things that didn’t need to be tidied, staring longingly at places that held memories for him.
When the front door opened, he looked over with a leap in his heart, hoping Addy had come back for him.
Unfortunately, it was Marilyn.
“Hello, young Rick,” she said, waltzing in, draped in a puffy red coat, the cuffs lined with feathers.
“Marilyn. It’s nice to see you.”
She took the coat off her slim shoulders and let it drop onto the couch. It feathered out as big as a blanket, draping over half the cushions. “I was afraid I wouldn’t get a chance to thank you for what you did.”
He looked down at his hands. “I was about to head over. I’m tidying up a few things.”
“Tidying up a few things,” she repeated, nodding. “I talked to Patty, you know.”
There was nothing he’d like more than not to know. “That’s nice.”
She let out a huff. “You’re not understanding me, Rick. I’ve come to do you a favor.”
