“You know what, Jordan,” Chase said with a smile on his face. “I don’t think I want to run his company. I know what I want in life. And I’d be happy to work for him, but I don’t want to be in charge of all that.”
“What about the money?” I asked.
It seemed like a shallow thing to ask, but really, Chase was talking about giving up millions of dollars. What did he want to do that was more important than millions of dollars?
“I don’t know. All I know is I am not going to let my father hold his money over my head forever. I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”
The conviction in his voice compelled me to believe what he was saying. He seemed to have a totally new view of the world and his place in it, and I was excited for him.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chase
As we walked out to face my father, I could hardly see straight, I was so scared. Even after 29 years with the man, he still scared me to death. He certainly wasn’t the kind of man who hit us or even swatted our backsides, but he still had the ability to put fear into my brothers and me, as kids and as adults.
“Father,” I said as I met him in the lobby.
My father stood there with Captain Bastrop at his side. There was no denying that the Captain had in fact called him. But I couldn’t quite figure out why. There didn’t seem to be a benefit to the Captain if he called my father and got him involved.
“I tell you what, Reynold. This son of yours is one stand-up guy. There are not many men that would come to the police with the information he had. You should be really damn proud of him,” Captain Bastrop said.
I stared at the Captain and then back at my father. Then, I turned and grabbed Jordan’s hand and looked her in the eyes. We both didn’t know what exactly was going on, but it appeared that Captain Bastrop had just made me look like a stand-up, responsible person. I had no idea at all what he was up to, even less than when I believed the Captain had ratted me out to my father.
“Chase, Jordan, I’m so glad you are safe,” my father said as he hugged me and then turned and hugged Jordan, too.
“Chase, I think you need to tell your father about the money that Escabar needs,” Captain Bastrop said as he looked at me.
“Umm…I…well,” I stammered.
“Reynold, Chase borrowed some money from Escabar to start a club, but then the club fell through and Chase couldn’t pay him back. He’s going to need a quarter million to pay the guy off. I think you should do it, considering the information Chase turned into us. We will make sure you get your money back when Escabar’s arrested, but giving him the money will make things a lot easier on you all while we finish our investigation.”
“Your investigation?” Jordan asked.
“Yes, young lady. We have an ongoing investigation with Escabar, and with your help, we can move forward and hopefully catch him in a few months.”
It suddenly became really clear that Captain Bastrop had his own agenda, and I was getting in his way. At least he didn’t want me to get killed, I was grateful for that. But I could see very clearly that he wasn’t about to help me if it would put his own investigation in jeopardy.
“Well, thanks for the call, George. I can take it from here,” my father said as he shook hands with the Captain.
“Chase, can I talk to you for a minute?” Captain Bastrop asked.
I was reluctant to talk to him. He seemed to be into some dirty stuff himself. I had to wonder what exactly he and Escabar were up to. He seemed to be protecting Escabar and pretending to protect me. But I couldn’t resist and went to talk with him.
“Sure,” I said as I walked with him to the other side of the room.
“I didn’t see a reason to involve your father in all of this. I think you should give Escabar the money and then leave the country. It’s your best option. You are lucky that your family has the means to pay the man off. We just found a kid your age in the river, and we suspect he’s a casualty of Escabar’s.”
“Thanks,” I said a
nd shook the Captain’s hand. “I appreciate you going to bat for me with my father.”
“I meant every word. You are a responsible and brave guy to have come here. I’m just sorry we weren’t able to help you any further.”
“Thank you again,” I said as I returned to Jordan and my father.
There was no need to get into things with the Captain. I would just have to take care of things on my own. I was fine with taking care of Escabar on my own, but I really hoped that Captain Bastrop didn’t think I was stupid enough not to know what was going on. I knew he was likely protecting some wrongdoing that was going on in his own facility.
I grabbed Jordan’s hand and leaned in to whisper to her.