“Emily, it is complicated. There are people. It is better not to bother.”
“What kind of people?”
“Influential, connected to the government. If I talk, not only will I suffer.”
“Ethan, you are facing life in prison. There can be nothing worse.”
“Yes, there is. People like me do not last long in prison, especially if they find out I have ratted out the wrong people.”
“Who are you talking about?”
Ethan looked around, making sure the guard was not listening.
“Uncle Nick, Nicholas Ortega, deputy commissioner of the IRS. He runs the whole operation.”
Emily struggled not to show her surprise. So a high-ranking government official was involved.
“What exactly does he do?”
“He provides information on wealthy taxpayers, lists of properties, data on heirs, marital status, and he also provides protection. If any relative suspects, he buries the case.”
“In exchange for what?”
“Half of the profits. Ortega takes the largest share, but he also runs the greatest risk.”
“And now, now he probably wants to get rid of me. I know too much about his connections, his foreign accounts, his shell companies.”
“Ethan, what if the investigation guarantees your safety?”