Lisa's P.O. V.
The media had been blowing up since I released the video of Daniel and Chris. Darnell's business took a big hit, plummeting in stocks quickly. Of course, there were still people that defended them, for whatever reason, saying they didn't know the whole story. Dad took a smaller hit than anticipated since the focus was more on Daniel and Chris, their attack being the worst. The news broadcasted them leaving the hospital with sunglasses and hats to try to hide their faces. They kept their heads bowed and continued to say no comment until they made it to their car.
It made me feel good, knowing they were getting what they deserved. Sadly, it had dragged Jared's name through the mud as well. He was being shunned by his friends as well as the public. They would boo him at times. If I were ever around when it happened, I would defend him and tell them how he helped me on that day. Usually that shuts them up, but I'm not always with him. Davis decided to give him a bodyguard for the time being, since he was receiving death threats. Through it all, Jared never once complained. In fact, he was happy that his brother and father were being brought to justice, even if it hurt his image too. He said it was well worth it with a smile on his face. It's hard to believe he's related to them.
He 's a good kid.
"You ready to go?" Davis asked me from the doorway of our bedroom as I finished brushing my hair.
"Yeah, let me get my shoes on."
We were heading to meet Mandy at Carter's house. She had been digging up dirt on Dad and she had found a few things for us and sent them throughout the week. However, for whatever reason she wanted to meet with us this time. She said what she had found she didn't want to say over the phone. I'm not going to lie, it freighted me. What had Dad done that was so bad?
Lucas was supposed to come, but he stayed home as Liv had started to throw up. She still hadn't told him about her cancer and he was starting to grow impatient. He didn't understand why she hadn't said a word yet. It didn't make sense, and we were all starting to wonder what she was waiting for? Was she secretly starting treatment without telling anyone, because she didn't want to bother us? Or is she just being delusional and trying to pretend she doesn't have cancer?
"What do you think she found?" I asked Davis, as I hopped on the back of his bike. I loved riding on a motorcycle with him. I liked it better when I was driving, though.
"No idea, but it can't be good."
With that the motor came to life, muffling out all other sounds. I sat quietly, holding onto Davis tightly as he drove us through the city streets to Mandy's loft in New York City. It took about 15 minutes for us to reach her place, pulling up to the large building that looked so much like the others that it was easy to mistake. My ears rang for a minute, even after Davis had turned the bike off.
Daniel held his hand out to me, looking ahead at the building before us. He seemed determined, unwavering in his need to bring my father down. I took his hand without a thought, letting him walk us inside and towards the elevator. Something was gnawing away at me, but I couldn't place. It was like this feeling of dread and I wasn't sure what it was that caused it. Perhaps it's the not knowing that's worrying me. Maybe it's all the secrecy around whatever Mandy found. Either way, I am really not liking it. The elevator doors opened too soon for my liking, letting us out on Mandy's floor. Mandy was the one to greet us at the door. She looked down the hall as if to check if we'd been followed.
What the hell is going on?
"Come on in, hurry," she whispered to us, rushing us inside.
"What's with all the cloak and dagger stuff?" Davis asked her, seeming a bit annoyed with it all.
"Let me start out by saying this isn't about Idris, exactly."
Somehow that sentence seemed to relax all the muscles in me. If not about him, then what is this?
"Okay," Davis said skeptically.
"You remember how you asked me to find what Idris had on the judge?" Davis nodded, allowing her to continue. "Well, I found it and it's bad." Her head waved from side to side as if trying to shake the memory from her head.
"Don't make me wait any longer, Mandy. Spit it out already."
"Turns out the judge has a son, and not a good one. The son was out partying on some yacht with rich friends from his boarding school. A girl died on this trip. According to the police report, what happened was an accident. According to the video Idris had, it's anything but. They tortured that girl, did unspeakable things that resulted in her death. The judge paid off the corner and they and the body burned before the parents could see it, blaming it on some paperwork
mistake. None of the boys or the judge's son were punished. They got away with murder, and that's what Idris is holding over him."
I shuddered, understanding why Mandy was being so secretive. It sounded like something out of a horror movie, and my stomach churned, curdling the food I'd just eaten. My mind came up with the most horrific images, thinking of what Mandy just told us.
"Do you have the video?" Davis asked, swallowing down whatever anger was plaguing him at the news. I am sure he thought of what happened to Grace. Probably even imagined what he would have done if it were Izzy that had been on that boat.
"Yeah, I got it. Who do you think you're talking to?" Mandy asked, digging through her desk drawer. She tossed a USB drive to Davis, who caught it with one hand easily.
"No offense meant, Mandy."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"Get justice for the girl, of course. I'm giving it to Derek. He'll get it to the right people. That guy won't be a judge for much longer. Now tell me the dark secret you got on Idris. I know there's more," David said, surprising me, as I thought this was the only news.
I had stayed silent this whole time, just watching and observing. My mind was still reeling from the story of the judge's son, unsure of how people are able to get away with such monstrosities. Mandy came around her desk with a sigh as she plopped onto her small leather couch.
"There's a few things actually," she eyed me as she spoke, pressing the side of her finger over her lips horizontally as she held her chin. "Are you sure you really want to hear this? It's a bit dark."
"I'm sure," I said, but I'm reality I wasn't. There's a deep-seated need to take down my father and finally be free of him. The problem is, I'm not sure I really want to know what evils he's hidden behind closed doors. I still can't believe he was fucking the maid.
"Alright, so let's start with the affairs. He had two affairs while married to your mother. One was with your maid and the other with his secretary at the time. The secretary got too attached and your father had her resign and kicked out. The maid, well, you may want to sit for this." I felt scared as she waved to the large love seat to the left of her.
What is she about to tell me that I have to sit for?
"Tell me what you remember about your maid leaving? Was it abrupt? Did she quit or get fired?"
I thought back to it, remembering her sweet smile and young face. She was beautiful and kind, and I'm sure Dad was taking advantage of her. Still her image is forever ruined knowing she was sleeping with dad under mom's nose.
"She said she had to go back home and take care of her mom. Dad offered to get a nurse for her but she was insistent that she had to go."
"Sounds about right." Mandy sat back, looking exceedingly tired. "She got pregnant by your father and ran away to hide it. Your father has a whole file of pictures of the maid and a young girl. You have a half sister, Lisa."
I think my mind forgot how to work.
The news shocked me to my core. I couldn't speak as all words had left me. My mind scrambled trying to figure out what I should do with this news. Am I supposed to reach out to them? Do I meet her? Would she even know about us? Our maid did right by running away. She'd seen how dad treated us all, and she did what was needed to keep her child safe. Good on her.
"Your father hasn't made contact. He does send money to them anonymously. Now that we got the shocking news out, let's move on to the illegal stuff."
At this point I should be asking what Dad hasn't done?
"One he's embezzled money from the company many times throughout the years. Two he helps launder money through the company for a cut for a man named Giovanni. He is the head of one of the larger mobs here. Three, he visits an illegal sex house every Friday night. He gambles and then ends the night with a woman of his choosing. Lisa, your father is a vile man, and I don't understand how he has avoided the law for so long. It's insane!"
"Did you get the evidence for all of it?" Davis asked, because again I found myself unable to seek.
I knew Dad was a bad man, but I guess I never knew the depths of his evil. He's vile, cruel, abusive, and selfish. My head was spinning with the news, making me feel like I could hurl at any moment. It wasn't until Davis took my hand that I came to my senses. His touch alone can drive away my panic, my fear, my darkness. I looked up at him appreciatively as he caressed my hand with his thumb.
"Of course. It's on the same drive. I say give it to Derek and Frank and let them do what they do best."
"Thanks for this, Mandy. You should put in your notice tomorrow," Davis told her, letting me know our plans were moving up.
Your time is up, Dad.