Ghosts by Matt Rogers (ap literature book list txt) 📕

Violetta said, ‘Interesting. They look very much alive to me.’

‘They perished in an unfortunate training accident working for a private security firm in Virginia, only a couple of years into their post-military careers. Frontline Security compensated their families handsomely, and there was rumour of an unsanctioned operation, but time makes everyone forget rumours. Everyone moved on. Everyone forgot.’

‘What is your point?’

‘My point,’ Kerr said, clasping her hands, interlocking her fingers, ‘is that some people will do anything for money. Even abandon their families, their old lives, their old identities, to come work for me. What that also means is that they are free to do as they please without consequence. So, for example, if I asked them to come in here and shoot you in the back of the head, they’d be happy to oblige.’

Violetta didn’t respond.

‘You know why?’

Silence.

Kerr said, ‘Because they’re ghosts.’

That’s funny, Violetta thought. I’ve got my own pair.

She kept that little secret to herself.

Violetta said, ‘Are you done?’

‘I’m done.’

‘Good. Now can we get down to business?’

‘Depends.’

Violetta smirked. ‘No, it does not depend. Now, how many establishments are you running within the city limits?’

‘That’s none of your goddamn business.’

Violetta mock-patted herself down. ‘No guns. No wires. You can speak freely.’

‘I know I can,’ Kerr said. ‘Why should I? I have no idea who the hell you are.’

‘I am someone you should be very worried about. I am bringing my operation here. I have more resources than you, more experience in this business, and less public responsibilities eating up so much of my precious time.’

Kerr didn’t respond.

Violetta said, ‘Do you think you are the only one who has killers working for you?’

‘I assure you Tony and Eric—’

Violetta held up a flat palm. She didn’t rush the gesture. She made it commanding, all-powerful.

It silenced Kerr.

Violetta said, ‘You have killers. I have killers. You would not have lasted a day growing up in my part of the world. You are surrounded by comfort. I know you think you are above it, but comfort is insipid. To this day I live in squalor. These clothes I wear, the car I drive — it is a … performance. I will not allow myself a moment’s reprieve until I own this city.’

‘You think I’m not the same?’ Kerr said. ‘You think I took this public position for anything other than my own best interests?’

‘Of course I know why you are the DA. I know everything about you.’

‘No,’ Kerr said. ‘No, honey, you don’t.’

Silence.

Kerr said, ‘Tell me about your operation.’

‘No.’

‘I thought as much.’

‘What do you think, exactly?’

Kerr said, ‘Here’s what I think. You’re talking in vague generalities because you don’t have a fucking clue what you’re getting yourself into. You’re not as influential as you’re portraying yourself to be, and you’re framing everything in an attempt to get information out of me. Do you think I got to where I am by being stupid? Do you think I don’t see right through your little act?’

You’re losing her, Violetta thought. Do you take a risk?

Or do you give up?

Never the latter.

So she took a risk.

She said, ‘I thought you might accuse me of that. So I figured I would send a message in advance. Call Armando Gates. Ask him what happened to four of his men last night. Ask him if they ended up with bullets in their heads in a lot beside the Spring Mountain gravel pit.’

Kerr froze.

Violetta said, ‘Do it now, or the same thing will happen to your men before they make it through that door.’

Kerr only paused for a couple of seconds.

Then she picked up the phone and dialled.

31

Violetta was impressed by the DA’s calmness.

She stared at her the whole time she was on the phone, unblinking, intimidating.

Kerr wasn’t fazed.

She spoke in a low voice, making enquiries without the slightest waver in tone. Two separate conversations, with only a ten-second pause between calls. The first person she called was calm, the next was erratic. It was obvious from the babbling squawk coming faintly from the receiver.

Kerr finished the second call with, ‘You won’t believe me, but it wasn’t Ray.’

Something that sounded like ‘You’re goddamn right I don’t believe—’ barked out of the receiver before Kerr hung up and put the phone on the desk.

She took a shallow breath and said, ‘Okay. You’ve made your point.’

Violetta looked at the door. ‘Are Tony and Eric coming in?’

‘No.’

‘Can we talk?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good.’

‘What do you want?’

‘Cooperation,’ Violetta said. ‘There is no reason this has to be messy. We could do big things together.’

‘You killed four people to suggest we become friends?’

‘Four useless thugs,’ Violetta said. ‘Would you argue with that? And, yes, we can be friends. Better than the alternative.’

Violetta didn’t need to elaborate. She knew Kerr would understand. Set an example early, start with an overwhelming display of force, and there’s no need for the war for power.

‘I won’t kill you here,’ Kerr said. ‘I could if I wanted to. But clearly your forces are already here, so your death will make them leaderless, and I’m not a fan of messiness — it doesn’t help anyone. That doesn’t mean I’m going to roll over for you.’

‘I do not expect you to.’

‘I’m glad we’re on the same page.’ A pause. ‘How did you find Gates?’

‘Does it matter?’

‘Yes.’

‘His greed makes him short-sighted. He does not screen the people in his establishment. All he sees are dollar signs. He let my people in without a moment’s hesitation.’

Kerr thought about it — thought about all she knew of Gates — then nodded. ‘I’ll need to shut down his operation.’

Violetta shrugged. ‘There might be value in it. From what my people saw, it is profitable. But adjustments will need to be made.’

Kerr didn’t say anything.

Violetta said, ‘Do you have any establishments with similarly reckless owners?’

Kerr shook her head. ‘I’m watertight. I have a holding facility on the outskirts of the city where I keep some of my product. It’s invisible. No one will ever find it. Not even you.’

‘You keep your product alive there?’

‘Of course. Usually it’s my girls that