Page 53 of Bold Encounter
The office looked different when they entered.The blinds were drawn against the morning sun, and multiple monitors displayed streams of financial data that meant nothing to Abe but clearly held significance for those clustered around Weston's workstation.
Gabriel looked up as they approached, his expression grim in a way that aroused Abe's suspicions.
"What did you find?"Abe said without preamble.
Weston swiveled in his chair, his fingers still dancing across the keyboard as he pulled up spreadsheets and database searches."We have details on Jason's funding sources," he said."I traced them back through six different shell companies and offshore accounts."
"And?"Genevieve said, moving closer to peer at the screens.
"The Barraco crime family," Gabriel said, looking at the screen, his tone making the name sound like a death sentence.
Abe had heard whispers about the Barraco family during his years with NOPD, but they operated in the shadows, their influence felt rather than seen."You're certain?"
"There's no question," Weston said, pulling up an organizational chart."It's a New Orleans Italian-American family that's been operating here for decades.Racketeering, gambling, prostitution—but their primary business now is narcotics trafficking.They pull in big money, and they need operations to clean it."
Amalie looked up from her laptop where she'd been cross-referencing social media posts and news articles."That's where Jason comes in.He's not directly involved in their criminal operations, but he provides two essential services.First, his music company is perfect for money laundering.It's a cash-heavy business with legitimate-looking transactions.It's easy to inflate expenses and hide profits."
"And second?"Abe asked, though he suspected he already knew.
"He promotes specific entertainers the family decides should succeed," Gabriel said."The artists who are useful to them, either for laundering money or because they provide other services.Jason gets substantial payments for both favors."
Genevieve sank into a nearby chair."So, when he sabotaged my career, when he destroyed my opportunities…"
"He was showing you what he could do," Abe said."The message was clear.Either work with him and prosper or refuse and watch your future disappear."
Weston pulled up another screen showing bank transfers."The amounts Jason receives are staggering.The money sheds light on a lot about the man."
"Your close connection to Abe is a threat, but not only to his inflated self-importance," Gabriel said to Genevieve."With Abe's protection and support, you could expose Jason's business methods.That potentially threatens crime family operations."
Amalie turned her laptop screen toward them, showing a series of social media posts and news articles."I found evidence of other artists who crossed Jason and suddenly faced mysterious career difficulties.A singer in Baton Rouge refused to sign with his label, then had her tour bus vandalized, and her sound equipment destroyed.A jazz musician in Lafayette who spoke out against Jason's business practices was arrested on trumped-up drug charges."
"The pattern is clear," Gabriel said."The Barraco family doesn't leave loose ends.They eliminate problems permanently.And Jason's arrogance, his confidence that he can destroy anyone who opposes him, comes from knowing he has killers backing him up."
Genevieve looked up at Abe, her eyes wide with fear she was trying to hide."What does this mean for us?"
"The magnitude of the situation is alarming," Abe said honestly."We're not just facing a stalker acting independently, but one linked to organized crime."
The implications were clear.Jason's threats weren't empty posturing."I need to call this in immediately," Abe said, reaching for his phone."This is under federal jurisdiction now."
"I've already arranged that for you," Gabriel said."I have contacts at the Bureau who've been tracking the Barraco family.Agent Crundall is at the station, getting up to speed on the case."
As they prepared to leave, Gabriel caught Abe's arm."I'll stay close to Brooke until this is over," he said."Just focus on keeping Genevieve safe.We'll handle everything else."
*****
The drive to the police station was mostly silent.Genevieve appeared to be processing the magnitude of what they now faced.
Abe kept glancing in his rearview mirror, checking for surveillance or any potential threats.Beside him, Genevieve stared out the passenger window, her hands twisted in her lap.
"I can't believe this is my life now," she said."A few weeks ago, my biggest worry was whether I'd get that recording contract.Now I'm swept up in organized crime."
"That's not your fault," Abe said."Jason ventured into criminal territory by choice.You're just trying to live your life and pursue your career."
"But I rejected him.I left his band.If I had just—"
"Don't do that to yourself," Abe said."You aren't at fault for refusing to be controlled by a manipulative psycho.His actions are criminal, not your choices."
"I want to be with you," Genevieve said."All the hesitations I had about that seem so insignificant now.Once we make it through this, I want a future with you…"
