The Secrets Underneath the Lies

Chapter 3. Unexpected Visitor

It was a Saturday morning, but that meant nothing to me, duty calls me every day until whomever I am after is behind a prison cell. My team was deep into this Roads shit and needed all hands-on deck. If we were going to catch this son of a bitch, they need to go through every single case that was filed against the family. That meant going back to the beginning of time and although the statutes of limitations could only get us so far. It was vital to be able to tell the full story of the Roads family being one of the most corrupt bloodlines in American history.

"Where are we at on research?" I asked my paralegal Jamie Carpenter.

"Boss, it's crazy. I'm not at -," she pauses looking through the papers.

"Year 1892," she continues to explain. "There was paperwork filed regarding land deeds and rightful ownership by a Moses Roads."

I poured the black coffee into my FBI ceramic mug and turned when I heard the name Moses. "Moses Roads, the enslaved stable boy that was born on the property?"

Jaime shakes her head, "yeah, it said that he had proof of ownership of the land and took Gabriel Roads to court in 1892 to fought for the land."

"Why would an enslaved man have paperwork in the first place?" I questioned.

"I don't know, and I'm just as confused. That was unheard of back then and to go against an actual descendant was a death wish. Even if he somehow managed to own the land. The townspeople wouldn't be okay with it. As soon as that land was given to him, they would've found him hung the next morning." I nodded, agreeing with Jaime's conclusion because this would be a rare case of a slave master rewarding their enslaved.

"Okay, what else we got?" I asked the team.

One of the junior agents chimed in, Daniel Carusso. "Since Clayton has been with Ms. Brown, it seems like he's cleaned his act up. But that still won't protect him from his activity during his college years."

"What activities?"

"There were three different accusations of rape, one missing person, and there looks to be large amounts of money being transferred between June and November in 2017. The amount is screaming "hush" money." Carusso drops the bank statements on my desk.

I scan them over, "Who was the missing person?"

"Jessica Fray," Carusso replies.

"Hmm..."

Jaime and Carusso's attention are committed to my thoughts at this moment. "What'd you find?" Jaime is the first to ask.

"More like a connection, there was a cook Margaret Jones that worked for Walter Roads about two decades ago." I tell them.

Carusso asks, "what's that got to do with anything?"

I read the ending of Margaret's obituary aloud. "Margaret is survived by her daughter, Jessica Fray and a sister Stephanie Fray."

"Margaret was also a person of interest in one of the rape accusations. Do you think she was going to go public, and they killed her?" Jaime asks getting ahead of herself.

"All this is speculation, we need proof, but this is a good start. Track down the sister and see if you can dig out any information that could help us." I tell Carusso. He nods and grabs his things before heading out.

I look at Jamie, "keep working on this. I'm going to head downtown and have a talk with the future Mrs. Roads." I made her aware before grabbing my keys and heading out to the parking lot.

After moving down South I quickly became the stereotypical country boy. My first purchase was a Ford 250, blacked out with tinted windows. I was able to get a tax right off due to using it for "business purposes". I started the ignition and sped out the lot. Ms. Brown lived in a condo within walking distance of the courthouse. I had been surveilling her for some time and I think it's time to make my presence known. At first, we had to conclude that she was not a part of any crimes committed since her and Clayton had started dating. Once we realized she wasn't a threat I knew that whatever I told her would stay between us. We must hold these discussions now because when they get married, it will be impossible for her to help us considering she won't be able to testify against her spouse. She may not think she knows anything about his crimes, but you'd be surprised how the littlest details can help an investigation.

I find myself standing outside her door while pulling out my badge to announce myself. I give the red wooden door, three strong knocks before hearing footsteps and the sound of the chain being unhooked from the door.

"Can I help you?" She answers while peeping through the small slit of the door.

"Yes, Ms. Giselle Brown? I'm Sr. Special Agent, Dean Bishop. I was wondered if I could come in a discuss a few things?" I ask her while she looks at my badge.

"Yes, one second," she closes the door, and a minute late returns to open it.

She pushes the door all the way open, allowing me to come into her living room area. She motions for me to have a seat on the couch and I oblige. "What can I help with? Is this about the Landen case?"

"Um no, I'm not here for any case you're working on." I assure her.

"Then, what's this about?" She asked.

"This may not be easy to hear and I hope you know that what I discuss with you must be kept between the both of us." She nodded with a worried look painted on her face.

"My office has been tasked to look into the crimes of the Roads family; Walter and Clayton. We have been building a case for about eight years and have already linked them to several crimes, one as heinous as murder. We believe that you could very well be in danger if you remain in a relationship with Clayton."

She begins to laugh. "Ha, what are you talking about? Murder?! Clayton would never do such a thing. I think I would know a criminal being an attorney and all."

"Maybe, but in my line of work, I've also seen people as high as the federal level be manipulated and blind-sided out of love. Could it be possible that you don't know him as well as you think you do?" I ask Ms. Brown as I see how she's taken aback by the claims of her fiancé and her lack of attentiveness to his true self.

Admittedly, I see what Clayton sees in her. I've only ever seen her in local magazines with him and just assumed the makeup and hair is what made her so appealing. Now, witnessing her in person, she's truly a beautiful woman and extremely intelligent based off what I've researched about her. I watched as she walked around her couch, unintentionally swaying her hips. I saw the curve of her frame and her sun-kissed skin illuminated by the peeking sunset. Her hair was thick and black as the night and reached the middle of her back. Giselle leaned on the couch with her manicured fingers, and she was deep in thought. I could tell her mind was doing mental gymnastics by what she learned. I wanted to know how she felt and what she needed, even if that meant protection.

"Even if I did believe you, which I do not, but if I did. How am I supposed to get away from him? If you believe him to be dangerous, I can't just say 'hey babe, I'm going to the store and won't be back because the Feds are looking for you and you're a murderous son of a bitch.' Like what do you expect me to do Agent Bishop?" She's clearly upset, and I understand that I just dropped a bomb on her relationship, but she could be in danger as well. So, I try to reason with her.

"For now, I just need you to do one thing. Think about your relationship, from the day you met up until this point. What were things discussed that didn't add up? Maybe it was his whereabouts that you questioned? Think about the times you spent in their home, with his father, Walter. Just focus on that during the next week. I'll be in touch." With that I stood from the chair and made my way to the door

"Wait!" She calls for me which stops me in my tracks.

"What if he finds out you're investigating them? What happens then?" She asks.

"Unfortunately, Ms. Brown if you were to discuss our conversation with your fiancé and his father. They won't be the only ones I'd be placing in handcuffs." I tell her.

"You piece of shit, did you forget I'm an attorney? I know the law and the angle you're trying to pull. I never said I would say anything but if you've done your research like you claim to have. You'd know that they are powerful people with a long list of allies and money. I'd be careful if I were you." She reminds me.

"See, Ms. Brown, that alone should tell you that something is not right about that family." I walked out of her house, closing the door behind me.