Chapter 13 - The Cleaner
On Thursday morning, I sat in the grand leather chair of my father’s downtown executive office.
The heavy mahogany doors swung open, and a woman walked in unannounced.
She was tall, wearing a sharp charcoal suit, and carried a sleek silver briefcase.
Her eyes were completely devoid of any human emotion.
"I am Evelyn," she announced, locking the office door behind her with a definitive click.
I recognized the perfectly neat handwriting in my head immediately.
She was the one who had written the note in Mia’s hospital bag.
"I brought the transfer deeds for the South Side ports," Evelyn said, sliding a stack of legal documents across my desk.
She didn't sit down. She just stood over me, radiating a quiet, lethal danger.
"What happens after I sign these?" I asked, keeping my hand hovering over the pen.
"We take control of the imports, and you get to play happy family with your little girl in the suburbs," Evelyn replied flatly.
"And what stops you from taking everything else?" I challenged, trying to hide the tremor in my hands.
Evelyn leaned down, placing both hands flat on my desk, her face inches from mine.
"Because if you sign it, we have a mutually beneficial relationship. If you don't, I pay a visit to Mia's physical therapy center."
My blood ran cold.
"If you touch her, I will kill you," I promised, the words escaping my lips before I could think.
Evelyn actually smiled. It was a terrifying, hollow expression.
"Sign the papers, David. The board meeting is tomorrow at noon to finalize the transfer."
I picked up the heavy gold pen and signed my name on the dotted lines, sealing my deal with the devil.
Evelyn snatched the papers, placed them in her briefcase, and turned toward the door.
"Caldwell expects you to be on your best behavior tomorrow," she warned before slipping out of the office.
I waited until I was absolutely sure she was gone.
Then, I reached under my desk and pulled out a burner phone I had purchased with cash two days ago.
I dialed a number I had found buried deep in my father’s hidden safe.
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"Agent Vance, FBI Organized Crime Division," a gruff voice answered.
"My name is David Miller," I said, taking a deep, shaky breath. "And I want to give you Doctor Caldwell."
