Page 15 of No More Lies

She looked up surprised. “Darla.”

“Darla. This is for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thousand dollars. Her eyes went wide.

“Thank you, sir.”

He nodded. When you treated people well here, you got treated well. Money was not an issue for him, and he had learned that it could buy you anything you wanted in America. You never knew when you might need a favor.

He’d been introduced to this club by a member of the Havana club. The Havana club was a back-room cigar and scotch club for California’s finest. His father had been invited to join when his company had taken off. At this club, he had landed some of his biggest contracts. Pharmaceutical. Military. The hazardous chemical transportation business was in high demand. Nuclear energy was alive and well, and together with other dangerous substances that needed moving securely, endless profit was all but his to have around the world.

Being invited into the Havana Club built trust. Where you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. The membership included other successful businessmen, but also, politicians, law enforcement, senators, colonels, admirals and even judges. His father had introduced him three years ago, and he’d made many contacts of his own. He’d also learned how much of the American dream was built on lies and deceit. The members all spoke freely about politics, defense, allies and enemies. There was much hostility towards Russia, especially because of the ongoing war against Ukraine. Because his father had moved to the US and basically turned his back on the land of his birth, voicing his disgust at their leadership, they assumed Vladmir Volkov felt the same.

They were wrong. But he played the game.

Volkov had few memories of Russia. His mother had told him many stories as they built their life in the US, wanting him to remember where he was from. She had followed his father here, but she had never truly felt at home. She missed Russia dearly. As he got older, he studied and learned everything he could about his native homeland. Visited regularly. He tried to persuade his father to move the business to Russia, but his father had refused. Vladimir stayed patient, vowing he would return one day. The time had come. His mother had returned home soon after his father passed. He had assured her he would join her shortly and he would bring her granddaughter with him.

As his father’s son he was trusted in the Havana Club, which worked well. After more than a couple of drinks one night, Judge Henry Dolan had let slip about another type of club. That’s how he had found this place. He’d been coming here for two years now. Was known. Trusted. Judge Dolan was one of many of the Havana club members he saw here regularly.

He walked toward the bar. Nico was working tonight. He caught his eye, nodded, then moved to the far end. Nico joined him seconds later.

“Is it done?” Volkov asked.

“Yes sir. It will be delivered to you as arranged.”

Volkov smiled. “Excellent.” Yes, money could even buy you sole custody of your child.

Chapter 5

“I could have got an Uber,” Steve said as he and Dex climbed in Dex’s truck. It was eight-thirty, Saturday morning and they were on their way to retrieve Steve’s truck from Jerry’s.

“I’m heading to the Farm, so it’s no big deal.”

“On a Saturday?”

“Yeah, Sam wants to meet.”

“New op?”