Chapter 40

Before I could say more, the office door opened, and Ben stepped in, immediately sensing the tension between us. When he noticed my face, his normally easygoing manner changed.

"What's happening?" Ben inquired in a tone a bit too informal for the circumstance.

I wasted no time. "Ben, have a seat. This is something you must hear."

Ben didn't appear as shocked as I had anticipated as he approached and looked at Ethan before settling in. A certain knowingness was evident in his countenance.

I expected Ethan to tell Ben the same story he had told me, so I turned back to him. "Tell him," I said.

Ethan leaned forward and eventually met my eyes, his mouth clenched. "My father engaged in illegal arms deals. Monroe Enterprises was a front for it."

I thought Ben would be shocked, dismayed, something. However, he simply gave a tiny nod, as though this was nothing new.

The revelation hit me like a kick to the stomach, and I froze. "You knew, didn't you?"

Ben turned back to me after shifting in his seat and glancing at Ethan. "Yes, I was aware."

Anger tightened in my chest. "You were aware? And you remained silent? Ben, I'm the fucking lawyer! I ought to have knew this months ago!"

Ben remarked, "Calm down, Jack," while making a pacifying motion with his hands. "I myself didn't know until recently."

"Recently?" I said it again, raising my voice. "And you still hadn't considered telling me? You two geniuses thought you'd keep this small information to yourselves while the FBI is investigating us?"

Ethan interrupted sharply, "Because we didn't want to cause more panic. Jack, I didn't want to involve you in anything. I believed that we could resolve this without exacerbating the situation."

"Making things worse?" I sneered. "You're sitting on an illegal arms operation, Ethan! How much worse can things get, in your opinion?"

"I was at a loss for what to do," Ethan retorted. "I didn't want to cause a commotion. I reasoned that we could deal with it internally if we kept quiet."

"Take care of it?" I raised my hands in shock. "You ought to have approached me right away! I could have assisted in handling this-think of a legal plan, something to lessen the harm. But you and Ben chose to keep me in the dark instead."

Ben leaned forward in an attempt to diffuse the tension. "We knew it was risky, Jack, so we didn't want to engage you. The fewer people who knew, the better."

"The fewer people who knew?" Incredulous, I repeated. "I'm your attorney! Knowing these things is the sole reason I'm here-to defend you from this kind of fallout. But you both thought I wasn't worth telling the truth?"

Ethan leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. "That wasn't the point. I simply didn't want to drag you into this situation."

I paced once more while muttering, "And see where that got us. "The FBI is already investigating, and they will eventually uncover something that will destroy us all."

Ben sat for a while in silence, looking from Ethan to me. "Look, Jack, we're trying to keep this from blowing up in everyone's faces. I understand, though; you ought to have been informed. We are responsible for that."

My eyes narrowed as I turned to face Ethan. "Has Victor Alvarez gotten in touch with you since your father passed away?"

Ethan's face became blank as he froze. He eventually replied, "No," but there was a strange tone in his voice. The words sounded planned and practiced.

I leaned forward and crossed my arms. "Are you sure about that?"

Ethan's jaw tightened again, and I could see the lie forming in his eyes. "Yes, I'm sure."

I looked at Ben, looking for any indication that Ethan wasn't being honest. But Ben, with a bland expression, was an expert at deflecting. Ben said in a level voice, "He hasn't gotten in touch, Jack."

However, I didn't believe it. The numbers didn't add up.

Trying to take in the mess we were in, I stepped back and ran a hand through my hair. "If Victor is involved, things will quickly get out of hand. Ethan, you can't continue to lie to me. If he has gotten in touch"

Ethan got up from his desk and interrupted, "He hasn't. I told you, we haven't heard from him."

I looked back to Ben, my gaze narrowing. "And you think I'll believe it? How long have you both been involved in this, and now I'm just meant to believe that you're both telling the truth?"

Ben shifted uneasily, but I continued before he could respond. "This must be resolved before it explodes up in our faces. Telling the board is the only way to accomplish it. We might be able to save what's left if we come clean now."

Ben and Ethan both leaped to their feet as soon as I finished speaking.

Their shouts echoed around the room as they all yelled, "No!" together.

I was shocked by the intensity of their response and blinked in amazement. "No, what in hell do you mean? The truth must be communicated to the board. Monroe Enterprises will be shut down when the FBI finds out if we don't notify them."

With hard eyes, Ethan firmly stated, "Jack, we're not telling the board. We lose control if we do it. They will panic, which will exacerbate the situation."

Ben steadied his voice and swiftly backed him up. "He's correct, Jack. We cannot afford to have the board turn against us. It ends when they find out."

My annoyance grew as I gazed at them both. "You're making a big error. The board should be aware of the future. We must get ready for the consequences."

Ethan reiterated in a final tone, "We're not telling them."

The weight of the situation was pressing down on me like a crushing weight, and I could feel the walls closing in. Why they were both so determined to keep this a secret baffled me. Unless there was more to the narrative, it didn't make sense.

I looked at Ben, becoming more suspicious. "Ben, what else are you concealing?"

Ben looked up at me, his face unreadable. "Jack, I'm not hiding anything. Our only goal is to prevent things from getting out of control."

I didn't believe him, though. Ben had always been skilled at avoiding awkward truths and diverting discussions. Now I could see it well.