“Go on,” frowned Gaspar.
“Thoms has almost two hundred grand in student loans. He has a law degree from Southeastern Louisiana University but has never actually practiced law.”
“Why? I mean, why go to school all those years, take the bar, and then not practice law?” asked Miller.
“He struggled to find a firm that would take a chance on him. Four DUIs, a reckless driving incident, and two accusations of sexual assault. It’s politics at its finest. Let’s just sweep things under the rug. Especially if daddy is a high-profile oil man.”
“What a prince,” growled Bull. Code nodded.
“Levon Mays is one of seventeen children from the Ninth Ward. All of the siblings are younger than him, starting at age three, up to twenty-seven. His folks are dead, and he’s the sole guardian for all the children.”
“Let me guess, he had no money, and now he has a bank account that’s brimming with possibilities,” frowned Wilson.
“Something like that. It was slow, over about three months. Four or five grand every few weeks. Then, two weeks ago, a deposit of five hundred thousand was made into his account, and he suddenly moved from the four-bedroom home in the Ninth Ward to a brand new ten-bedroom build on the lake. He doesn’t even live in the district he represents any longer.”
“Doesn’t that make him unqualified for the role?” asked Pork.
“It does, but apparently, no one knows about the move. Or, no one has said anything. Think about it. He’s a homegrown Ninth Ward boy making it good. I’m going to guess he helps out the old neighborhood.”
“Shit. We need to send some people to speak with them. And when I say people,” growled Gaspar, “I mean reasonable, adult people who can ask questions, listen, and not kill.”
“Spoil sport,” frowned Alec.
“Seriously. Can’t we have any fun anymore?” asked Tailor.
“No, you can’t,” said Nine. “Get Rory and Zeke to go. Tell them to ask nicely what the fuck is going on.”
“Rory and Zeke? You think they’ll be nicer than me and Tailor?” frowned Alec.
“Yes. Yes, I do.” The two mammoth men stared at Nine in disbelief. “Okay. No, I don’t. But at least I know they won’t kill them unless they have to.” Alec nudged Tailor.
“See.No fun.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Rory stared at the massive mansion on the lake. Levon had bought three lots in order to make the house big enough for him and all his siblings. They were impressed with his dedication to his siblings, but not so much with how he did it.
“Huge fucking place,” frowned Zeke. Rory nodded.
“Yeah, it’s definitely not Ninth Ward material. I’d say this guy got a deal with Snow. What I want to know is what the deal is for.”
“Then let’s find out,” said Zeke. He knocked on the door and waited, hearing laughing children and someone calling out. When the door opened, a young woman of about twenty smiled at them.
“Hi,” she said. “Can I help you?”
“We’re looking for Levon,” said Zeke with a friendly smile. The woman looked over his shoulder, staring at Rory with his stone gaze and intimidating physique.
“My brother’s done nothing wrong. He’s a good man,” she said defensively.
“We’re not here to cause any trouble, miss,” said Zeke. “We just want to ask him some questions about Alan Snow.”
“Oh. Him,” she sneered.
“You know him?” asked Rory.
“He comes around now and then. The guy gives me the creeps. Always staring off into corners or up at the ceiling like he’s on drugs or something. I told Levon he was no good.”
“I’m sorry, what’s your name, honey?” asked Zeke.
