Confessions and complications

"Vince, Tomas's past isn't just dark; it's a story that will make you question everything you thought you knew," I began, my voice direct, leaning in slightly. "Yes, he absolutely has a criminal history, there's no denying that. However, one horrific event completely reshaped his entire life."

Vince’s eyes were fixed on me, his expression unblinking.

"His child – an adult child - unknowingly walked into an active crime scene and was tragically killed in the commission of that crime," I explained, the words feeling heavy. "Tomas was on the lam as a fugitive when he received that his kid had died. That moment, that death, it shattered him and made him turn his life around. He came back and turned himself in, telling law enforcement everything—every crime he was involved in, and everyone else who was part of those operations. You don’t want to know how many wanted lists or watch lists he was on then but today, you’d never know it."

"He confessed to everything?" Vince asked, a note of genuine surprise in his voice. "Just like that?"

"Yes, he did," I confirmed. "Because of his full confession and cooperation, he ended up serving a short time in prison—eight years – but with crimes like he was committing; fraud, robbery, scamming. And ever since he got out, he's been entirely focused on helping people, especially those he interacts with through his business."

Vince paused, taking this in, then frowned. "But how did he get all his money back after being released from prison? I mean, that kind of wealth doesn't just reappear for someone with his past."

I hesitated, glancing around the bustling arena. I couldn't reveal the truth.  Tomas had entrusted me with all of his money before he went inside, and we had both laundered it through an intricate, untraceable web of accounts. It had passed through so many financial layers that no law enforcement agency could ever follow the trail. I'd simply given it all back to him, trusting him implicitly. Instead, I gave him the agreed-upon story.

"Tomas gave all of his money away before he went in," I stated, maintaining a casual but firm tone. "Then, after his release, a very generous but anonymous donor essentially re-established his financial foundation."

Vince looked skeptical, his brow furrowed. "A donor? That sounds a bit too neat, doesn't it?"

"I’m telling you only what I know,” I said, my voice dropping to a serious undertone, my eyes locking with his. "Vince? What I'm telling you right now? You cannot tell a single soul; not ever. This conversation stays strictly between us."

He glanced around, a flicker of concern in his eyes as he took in the thousands of people. "But how can you even risk telling me this here? In the middle of an events center, with all these electronic devices, someone could be recording us?"

A subtle, knowing smile touched my lips. "Tomas knew this moment was going to happen tonight, between you and me, around this exact time. Trust me, his IT department are top notch. These isn’t your typical IT; in their previous lives they were hackers, criminals, former IT employees of different governments, the best of the best—they have a way to block all electronic devices from recording within a certain radius, even their own."

Vince looked at me funny, a mix of disbelief and bewilderment on his face. "Are you serious?"

"Check your phone," I prompted, nodding towards his hand.

He pulled it out, tried to swipe, tap an app, then scroll. Nothing. The screen was utterly frozen, completely unresponsive. His jaw visibly slackened.

"Promise me you won't say a thing?" I reiterated, my gaze unwavering.

"I swear it," he vowed, his voice a hushed whisper, as he slowly pocketed his inert phone.

Knowing how utterly ridiculous I was about to look but having promised Tomas I would go through with this, I tilted my head back far, gazing up at the dazzling lights of the arena. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, then opened them with a theatrical sigh. I knew that someone who worked for Tomas was watching. "The night is still young," I said, "and I wonder what it will bring." Vince looked at me strangely

Just then, both our phones buzzed with a text notification. I brought my head down, and Vince simultaneously looked at his. The text was from the events center, reading: "We sincerely apologize for the unexpected loss of service in the building this evening. This was due to a persistent technical issue we have been actively working to resolve throughout the day. We appreciate your understanding."

“Is his IT team legit?” Vince asked.

“My understanding is that they are,” I said. “Apparently, they had to go through a very rigorous background check….recent crimes, who they spend time with, where their money goes, do they not go back to what landed them in prison, electronics are scanned.”

******This chapter contains both fictional and nonfictional elements. Tomas Ezekial is a completely fictional character—I do not know anyone by that name or anyone who bears any resemblance to him. I am not involved in money laundering or any other illegal activity, and I do not have any personal associations with hackers or other individuals engaged in criminal conduct.******