“No, she isn’t relatively innocent, she is completely innocent. Lucy had no idea what was in the package, nor did she know that my father was in town. I told her as a little information as I possibly could to protect her legally too. I know she suspects. She’s not stupid, but I believe we should allow her to claim ignorance in this aspect. I never confirmed anything for her. And as her boyfriend, wouldn’t you want to offer her some sort of leniency forgiveness. Especially since this is such a gray area of the law,” he says trailing off.
I stare at him for another moment not saying anything.
“Oh for chrissake Kent she didn’t know, not really.”
“She should’ve come to me,” I snap.
“And said what? Hi I think my dad is selling drugs again. Please don’t arrest him,” Noah mocks throwing a derisive look at me. “Like she could have said any such a thing. Like you would have listened to her. You would look at her just like you’re looking at me now. You’ve always had such a fucking God complex Kent,” he snarls at me. “I don’t know why you think you’re so fucking special. You’re no different than the rest of us. So get your head out of your ass and listen to what the fuck I’m telling you!” he argues, his voice raising higher. I see that flash in his eyes. The warning of danger that every drug lord needs to keep the respect of the people under his command.
“How were you able to move the drugs?” I ask ignoring his insults and rage knowing that it will only infuriates him more.
He sits quietly for a moment and I can all but see the steam spewing from his ears.
“Granola,” he says. “My father hypothetically had quite a large shipment of heroin he needed to be moved in a way that wouldn’t raise suspicion. So I stored it in boxes of granola and had it sent to Annie’s convenience store where Lucy works.”
“Did Annie know anything about this?” I ask.
“No,” he shakes his head. “Annie did not know that there were drugs in the granola. All she knew was it I had a long-time friend who she’s had a soft spot for I was in a tight spot, and somehow ended up with twenty pounds of granola.”
“Twenty pounds? Are you fucking telling me there are another twenty pounds of heroin in this town right under my nose?” I roar.
“Allegedly,” Noah smirks. He’s obviously proud of himself, which does nothing to convince me that he’s truly reformed.
“Continue,” I grit out.
“Allegedly twenty pounds of heroin was stored in granola and sent to Annie’s convenience store. I told her that a buddy of mine had ordered them in bulk by accident and was looking to re-distribute them. For every sale of the item she would get twenty-five-percent on top of the shelf price. So there was a large shipment that needed to be sold. Annie told Lucy to store the granola in the back because there was too much of it out on the storefront shelves.”
“You were just going to sell heroin from the shelves in a convenience store?” I ask a little dumbfounded at the boldness of it all.
“Hypothetically it wasn’t the worst idea in the world, simply because he would never see it coming,” he says. “Also it was in this ridiculous flavor. But no one likes apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice in the summer.
I nod my head remembering how Lucy had talked about it being a strange option.
“But don’t worry, it wasn’t going to be all available for long. We stored it with the immediate intention of hypothetically, the new buyers slipping in and buying the granola in bulk off Annie’s hands. Annie has no idea that there is heroin, and suddenly she makes even more profit so she’s happy. Lucy is called in for time and a half work because there’s a lot of boxes and gets paid overtime. Everyone is happy, my dad’s off my back, and I no longer worry about the safety of my children.”
“Wow,” I say shaking my head in shock.
“Kenton, listen to me. If a man came to you, a man that you knew was insane, and he told you that if you did not do exactly what he said, or he would hurt Charlie. What would you do? Don’t tell me you’d go to the police because you are the police and you have absolutely no ability to help.
Even though this is all hypothetical, I definitely have enough information. And if I truly wanted to, I could track it all down and hang him. But I believe under all the bullshit is a man who truly cares about his daughter. The daughter that I happen to be in love with.
“Okay, so let me get this straight. In summary, you weren’t involved in drugs, you actually were becoming clean from the industry, your dad showed up, demanded money or help, it’s easier to help him and you believe that he will leave your family alone and not murder your children. So everything went to plan, the drop happened, and the granola was sold to an anonymous buyer. So why is Lucy still in danger?” I ask wondering how all the pieces finally fit together.
“My father wants more money, and I won’t give it to him. I want my children safe, but I also don’t want to be under his thumb forever. Lucy helped me see that my solution will not work in the long run, and walking away isn’t an option, call it pride. I thought that I would be able to get ahead of it all but I wasn’t able to and now he wants more money. I’m done with drugs, so I’ve hidden my children somewhere safe, and I’m coming to you, asking for help to catch the real bad guy. The one who will not hesitate to murder the young woman we both love.”
That hits home for me. I watch him over my cup of coffee. He’s a smug bastard, but I honestly believe he is telling the truth. Making my decision I nod my head for him to continue.
“In exchange for all this information, and my help in catching a major drug lord who flew in from Vegas, you’ll agree not to press charges against my daughter. This is not the life you want for her, and if you send us to prison, you will lose the best thing that ever happened to you. My daughter.
I stand there for a moment contemplating his words.
“Okay I agree. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I believe you and I both want Lucy safe, no matter what the cost.”
“Good,” he says rising from the chair. “Let’s go arrest the son of a bitch that calls himself my father.
Grinning at him now, I shake my head. “You know Lucy‘s a lot like you?”
“Yeah, I know she is. It can make things a little difficult in relationships,” he says with a quick shrug, “but be patient with her,” he says.