Chapter 11
"How didyou come to be an FBI informant?" Ian questioned. "It seems out of character for you. At least from what I remember about you when I was growing up here."
"I think you probably remember that I love the law more than anything beside my family." Matt said.
Ian nodded. He did remember that.
"It goes hand-in-hand with that." Matt went on. "I can't stand to know someone is on the take and do nothing.All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.That's a quote from Edmund Burke that I've tried to live my life by.
And Ian had no trouble believing that part. It was knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that the mayor loved his family more that made it seem so out of character. Going after evil men generally put your family in danger. But done was done.
"And…well…hm…when I was a younger man it seemed kind of James Bond cool." Matt laughed. "I'm sure that's hard for you to believe."
"Not at all," Ian said. "I think we all want to be the cool guy at some point in our lives. It was part of the reason I was hell bent on becoming a Navy pilot. It had to be Navy because they take off and land on aircraft carriers. Guess I sawTop Guntoo many times at a young age. And there was the fact that Daddy taught me to fly the crop duster. That was the most freedom I think I ever experienced in my life."
"So, this guy who you believe put the hit out on you. Why haven't you called the police and had him taken in for questioning?" Ian asked.
Matt laughed. "He already in prison. Serving a very long sentence for corruption. No need to find him."
"Was he questioned about this?" Ian inquired.
"Of course." Matt said. "And he denied any knowledge. No surprise there."
Ian sighed. "Of course."
"The only one I turned in that I regret is my brother." Matt said into the silence.
"I didn't know you had a brother."
"No. You wouldn't. He's been gone a long time." Matt shifted on the old couch. "He was gambling on the side. Setting up things like dog fights and taking bets on them. I tried to talk him out of it, but he laughed in my face. Called me a goody-two-shoes."
"So you turned him in?" Asked Ian quietly.
Matt nodded. "My own brother. Family. I thought he'd get a slap on the wrist. Back then it wasn't as big a deal as it is now and I thought he'd get some sense knocked into him and straighten up."
"But that's not what happened."
"No. The timing was bad. Right about then there was a push to clean up that kind of gambling and he got caught up as an example. He got ten years." Matt's hand shook and he put them on his knees. "I sent my brother to prison for ten years out of pride and arrogance. Thinking I knew best."
"Where is he now?"
"Dead." Matt stood up and paced the small room. "Dead and gone. He never came back here after prison. He went out west. Got married and had a son. I hope he was happy."
"What about the wife and son? Do you ever see them?"
"His son moved here about a year ago. He lives up the road in Hernando, but drops in for dinner pretty regularly."
"That must be nice." Ian observed.
Matt shook his head. "You'd think so. But he's a bit different. I can't put my finger on it but he just makes everyone uncomfortable. Piper says he's a geek. She doesn't much like him either. But it's the least I can do for my brother's son. Give him supper sometimes. I tried to get him to move to Mercy, but he didn't want to."
Ian steered them back onto topic before things got too maudlin.
"Getting back to the hit on you. The best case scenario would be for me to be somewhere close to your house so that I can keep an eye on you easily. If you have to call me, it might be too late."
The other man frowned. "I don't think that will work. I don't want Piper pulled into this."
"There's no way you can avoid it." Ian stated. "And they may come after her to get to you." His blood ran cold at the thought and his determination to be on the scene hardened.
