Page 40 of Rattler
“He’s got almost a million dollars’ worth.No way he can use that himself without raising serious questions.No, that kind of volume is being sold to a cartel or the mafia at pennies on the dollar.Even if he sold it for ten percent of face value, he’d have a hundred thousand in profit, and he’d still have the plates.He could print more.Chances are this isn’t his first run.”
A lot of questions followed, and Ace patiently answered every one of them.Shadow was going to coordinate with the FBI to set up the sting, creating a fake persona as an offshore buyer.A time and place for the sale would be arranged, and the Secret Service would pose as the buyers.Real money would be exchanged for the counterfeit stock, and as soon as the asshole accepted the money he’d be busted.Bennet figured he’d get roughly twenty years in jail, given the size of the operation.If they managed to dig up solid evidence on prior sales, they could go for consecutive sentences and he wouldn’t get out at all.
“What about the plates?He could just have someone else keep printing the money while he’s in prison.We all know money can buy you a lot of comfort on the inside.”That was Ghost.If there was a downside, he’d find it.
Ace shook his head.“The FBI is already arranging for a search warrant for his house.While he is out selling the cash, they’ll swoop in and seize the plates and any other evidence that’s there.They don’t want to involve the local cops in case they’ve been paid off.It looks like this operation has been in place for a long time, and it’s hard to believe the local law enforcement hasn’t noticed.Theory is there’s been a steady payoff going on.Once they have him in jail, they’ll start an investigation into that too.
“So we get to sit back and let the cops do all the work this time,” Ace concluded.He pivoted to address me.“Lily just needs to be careful and stay out of sight until we get the nod that it’s over.”
“Any idea what the timeline looks like?”
Shadow spoke up.“I just set the bait, a nice easy cash offer from an Arab businessman.Past few deals I managed to find say that’s his preferred customer, and he likes to close the deals quickly.We know they took place but evidence that will stand up in court is sketchy.This time we need to make sure we have enough evidence for the DA to get a solid conviction.I figure we can get him behind bars before the wedding.”
That was less than three weeks out, on the winter solstice.“Sounds good to me.”
“Are you going to tell Lily what’s going on?”
I shook my head.“Club business.There’s no need for her to worry about it.If something changes, I’ll reconsider.”
Ace nodded.“Good plan.”He looked around the room.“Any more questions?”
He waited for a few minutes.“Great.We’re done then.Chinese food should be here by now.Mom said she’d set it up for us buffet style, by the BBQ pit.”
“How long before the kitchen is functional again?”Thor asked.
Ace thumped him on the back.“Should be done in about ten days.Lots of time before the wedding.The electrician is done, and the painters are starting tomorrow.The flooring guy is in on Thursday, and they’re delivering the new tables and chairs as soon as I give the word.They’re all picked out and paid for, just waiting for everything else to be done.”
Joker paused on his way out the door.“Not that I wanted the job, but who picked them out?”
“Mom and Jake.They spend more time than anyone in there, so it seemed only fair.”
Joker nodded in agreement.
Ace motioned me to stay behind.“This will only take a minute.”
When everyone but Shadow had left, he shut the doors and motioned me to have a seat.“Just thought you should know we have the DNA results back, and Lily is definitely Jack’s sister.Didn’t want to make a big deal about it in front of the entire group.”
Shadow handed me a card with a bunch of graphs and squiggles on it that meant nothing to me.I frowned.“That’s what this says?Looks like a math test I failed in high school.”
He nodded.“Yeah.You can give it to Lily.She might want to keep it.Or not.It’s up to her, but it does prove she is who she says she is, if it ever comes up again.”
“Okay, thanks.”I studied their faces.“That’s it?”
“Yeah,” Ace said.“That’s it.Looks like you two are getting serious real fast so I wanted you to have one less thing to worry about.”
“I appreciate it.”I stood up, pocketing the paper.“I’ll see you at dinner.”
Ace grinned.“I’m kind of liking this week without a kitchen.I ordered a pile of steaks from the Grillers place for tomorrow night.Steak and baked potatoes.I’ll probably order a salad in to keep Emma happy.She thinks I should eat more veggies.”
Shadow smirked.“Pay attention, Rattler.Yet another reason to stay single.”
I snorted.“I think I can survive a vegetable or two.”
Ace shook his head.“Spoken like a real newbie.Vegetables are only the beginning!”
Chapter Ten
Lily
