Page 98 of Holding On

“Do you know how many people use the same username across social media platforms? I had the profiles of fifteen key players at Lux, and I would’ve been fine with any of them taking my bait to be their friend, lover, whatever they needed. It was child’s play. Wells and Jack may not have liked what I brought to the table, but I do know my shit when it comes to tech.”

“Just not well enough to hang with the big dogs, huh?” I poke.

“I was framed. They were jealous and knew that I would steal the spotlight from them if they kept me around. They have no proof that I gave Spectate any proprietary information; they just have assumptions and wishes. They wanted a reason to get rid of me and ruin my life.”

“Just like Rick is setting you up here for the brake tampering?”

“Yes! I was only doing what he told me. I hate New York, but Rick said I had to be the one to go there. He wanted me to cut the entire brake line, but I said it might not even drive very far and it would be better to just damage it so it would cause a crash later. It was all his idea, and I was just doing what he made me do.”

“So you could get the payout?”

“No, so he could get the payout and then he would pay me.”

“Just like you would get the payout with Meteor?” Harlow adds.

“Yes, but the lawsuit brought too much attention, so Craig Baird never…” Kane’s coloring is downright green. In his emotional tirade, he just confessed to two federal agents that he had in fact committed the corporate espionage that Jack and Wells have long suspected.

“Craig Baird is going to be very disappointed that you finally let his name slip, Kane.” But Spectate’s CEO will be even more disappointed when law enforcement starts investigating him for stealing trade secrets and economic espionage.

I shake my head and look to Harlow who looks less than impressed. “I think we’re good,” she says.

I nod. “Yeah. I agree.”

“That’s it?” Kane looks between us.

“Yeah, you aren’t telling us anything new, other than that charge you’ll deal with now for unlawfully recording that journalist and whatever else they find when they execute a warrant on that.”

“What? But I helped!” Kane cries out as Harlow and I stand.

“No, you really didn’t.” I take a drink from my coffee as he sputters in panic before I raise a hand to tell him to take a breath. “Like they went over with you yesterday when you were informed of the charges against you and read your Miranda rights, you are facing federal charges including⁠—”

“But not necessarily limited to,” Harlow adds and I nod in her direction.

“Right, not necessarily limited to, oh, will you hold this?” I hand Harlow my coffee cup so I can tick the charges off with my fingers. She fights a smile. “I don’t want to miss any. Where was I? That’s right, Kane Daughtry, you are facing federal charges including, but not necessarily limited to, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, tampering with a vehicle resulting in death, and aiding and abetting armed burglary and assault.” Waving my fingers at him, I continue, “These charges alone? You’re likely facing thirty years to life in federal prison. Oh, don’t forget the racketeering charges.”

“Federal RICO charges?! What?! No, I didn’t commit a federal crime!” Kane is yelling and crying at the same time.

“Did you miss the U.S. marshal outside your door, Kane? You were arrested by a federal agent, me, and you are part of an interstate crime spree that resulted in multiple deaths and attempts of life, assault, and other charges. The crime spree the three of you have committed included more than two events over a ten-year time period, and across state lines. That’s racketeering. Those are federal level charges, sir, and my supervisors agree. Once you are released from the hospital, you will be taken to a federal holding facility and set before a judge to be formally charged, but it sounds like you better enjoy your last few days in Tennessee.”

“What? Why? Where am I going? I want a deal! I didn’t want to kill Tinsley! I just wanted the money—I’ll do whatever you want. You don’t know her; she’s a terrible person just like her mom was and that rat stepdad of hers. You don’t understand! Her brother is terrible and so is Jack Callahan. I am an honest good man, and this has all been a mistake! Wells and Jack have been setting me up for years!” He is grasping at straws and desperate, but there are no lies to help him right now.

“Mr. Daughtry, if I may offer a word of advice?” Harlow asks as she hands me back my coffee. Kane squawks in response before Harlow continues, “The next time someone reveals personal information about themselves, pay attention so that you don’t inadvertently insult them in the conversation.”

His eyes widen—he really is clueless. “What are you talking about? Who did I insult?”

“When we arrived, my colleague Agent Bennett told you that you didn’t remember him at your arrest yesterday when you were bleeding out … all over his brother-in-law’s floor.” Harlow gives a small smile as she turns to leave.

“Jack … Jack Callahan…”

“Jack is my brother-in-law, yes. Which is why I am more than happy to be the first to let you know that there will be no deals for you or Rick Wilson in this case. Enjoy the rest of your life up north, Mr. Daughtry. I hear their winters can be brutal up there.”

Kane calls out as I open the door to his room, “What do you mean?”

“Your case is being presented to a federal grand jury seated in Manhattan. Enjoy federal prison in New York!” I don’t look back as Kane cries out after us, nor do I miss the snickering U.S. marshal that we nod to as we walk back out.

As the elevator doors close, Harlow turns to me. “Are you satisfied that he won’t be a threat to your family in the future now?”

“That guy?” I point up to the floor we just descended from as I shake my head. “Do you know those little yellow guys that talk gibberish and bounce around on the cartoons? That’s what that guy is—he’s a minion for Rick and Debbie Jo Wilson. So long as those two are dealt with, I think Kane Daughtry will be handled as well. I couldn’t get a read on the guy when he was unconscious yesterday, and I just wanted to make sure we didn’t miss anything.”