Chapter 17
Crash
I stared on as Elle was escorted out of the restaurant by what I could only assume was her date.
I tinge of jealousy struck at me with the thought.
“A friend of yours?” It was Lithgow, that f*cking degenerate, sitting back down at the table.
The fool had no idea why he was really here. I hadn't yet revealed my true intentions. No, I had to get him to meet with me first.
I'd spoken to Lithgow recently to apologize for how I may have reacted when he told me he was pulling his investment. I said that I had another potential project he might be interested in and that I'd like to discuss it over dinner.
It was a lie.
“She's no one,” I said. “Just a stupid girl.”
I could see Lithgow eyeing her up as she was taken away, his sleazy eyes sliding over her like a snake. Keep your f*cking eyes off her.
I was telling the truth there though. She was a stupid f*cking girl. What the hell was she playing at?! She was clearly drunk, her words completely unrestrained. She was like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: quiet and reserved when sober but completely f*cking insane when drunk. She has some balls, I'll give her that.
“Right Crash, let's cut to the chase. What exactly is it that you've brought me here to discuss?”
I was finding it hard sitting there with this man without telling him how I really felt, without telling him exactly what was going to happen to him.
The man had murdered my father. Everything inside my body was making me want to stand up right there, grab the steak knife from the table, and saw his f*cking head off.
But no, I needed him to do something for me first.
I'd managed to convince him to meet, but was yet to reveal my true purpose. He'd help me secure the investment I needed for my casino development. He'd do that, or his public persona would be completely destroyed.
And when he'd served his purpose, when he'd done everything I needed of him, then he'd face the consequences of what he'd done to my father. Once my use for him was spent, so was his life.
“Mr Lithgow, I wanted to get you here to talk about another proposal I have. As you know, my family have always been enterprising and are always looking for opportunities to expand.”
He nodded, his eyes filled with memories of how he'd f*cked over my father. He didn't know I knew. But I did.
“OK, let's hear it.”
I reached for my whiskey and took a sip, letting a short silence fall between us.
“My new proposal is simply this: rethink your position on my original proposal.”
His face contorted into a deep frown.
“Your original proposal? I told you already what my position is on that Crash. I haven't, and won't, change my mind.”
I nodded. “I understand that, but some things have come to light that might make you think again.”
“I'm afraid the decision is done. No changes to your proposal will alter my thinking, or my decision.”
He made a move to stand, an irritation in his words that I'd wasted his precious time.
“Now, if that's all you've brought me here for, I'll be going."
“Sit down,” I said, my words drawing cold.
It was an order, something a man like Walter Lithgow wasn't used to.
“Excuse me,” he said, his eyes narrowing on me. “Do you have any idea who you're talking to young man?”
“Oh, I believe I know more than you think.” I smiled as I spoke, a devious look spreading over my face.
His eyes widened slightly at my words, his brow still furrowed and deep.
“What do you mean?” His words were no longer inflected with indignation. Now he sounded worried, the look on my face and the confidence with which I spoke unsettling him slightly.
Yes Walter, I know your secret.
....
It was almost a week ago that Jones had called me to his office once more. This time he had the information I was looking for.
“I've got the information you want about Lithgow,” he'd said.
“Is it good?” I'd asked excitedly.
He'd nodded slowly, “Oh yes, it's good.”
“Tell me.”
He'd launched into it from there, spilling Lithgow's dirty little secret, a secret he'd been living with for years. A secret which, if revealed, could spell the end for him. After they knew what he'd done, no one would want to work with him, no one would want to be associated with him. He'd be finished.
It was a long time ago, when Lithgow was a younger businessman building his fortune. He had a young wife and child, a family he was supposedly devoted to.
He'd built on that image his entire career: the image of a devoted family man, a man with ethics and morals, a man who would always make a steady return on any investment.
But back then, he also harbored a need that he would see attended regularly. He hired attractive secretaries who he'd f*ck in his office. He'd cheat on his wife and family, playing the family man in public, and abusing his power behind closed doors.
It was a secret that he'd kept carefully hidden until now. But nothing can be hidden from someone like Jones. He had his methods of extracting information, and it sounded as though he'd used those to full effect.
“By any means.” That's what I'd told him. He didn't need to be told twice.
But there was more.
One of the girls Lithgow cheated on his wife with got pregnant and raised a son. He'd secretly supported that woman and his illegitimate son for years in return for her silence. One paternity test and word to the press and Walter Lithgow's name would come crumbling down around him.
I knew that he'd do anything to keep that secret safe in his vault. I knew I had him by the f*cking balls.
And now - now I'd get exactly what I wanted as a result.
....
Lithgow sat back down into his chair, staring at me like a rabbit caught in the headlights. F*cking coward. I'd see him give me what I want. Then I'd see him burn.
“Correct me if I'm wrong, Walter, but you've built your name and your fortune on the back of your reputation as a family man, a man with unimpeachable morals and ethics, a man who will always do the right thing, no matter what.Is that all correct?”
I was going to enjoy torturing this old f*ck.
He nodded suspiciously, still wondering where I was going with it.
“Interesting. I wonder how your name and reputation will suffer if, suddenly, you had been shown to be a fraud all this time. We wouldn't want that, would we?”
His eyes began narrowing, a realization hitting him. He knew what I was talking about.
“You know?”
I nodded and smiled. I must have looked like a smug cunt but I didn't care. In fact, that's exactly how I wanted to look.
"About Andrew? You mean your illegitimate son who you've been trying to hide for 20 years?”
I hailed the waiter and ordered another whiskey, giving Lithgow time for the information to settle in.
When he next spoke his tone was dreary, defeated. He knew I had him.
“What is it that you want?”
“You know what I want Walter. You're a smart man, I'm sure you can figure it out.”
“Your casino? You want me to back your casino?”
I clapped sarcastically. “Give this man a gold star. Yes, you dopey old f*ck, I want you to back my casino. If you don't, then expect to wake up tomorrow with the press all over your front lawn.”
“I can't do that. I've already set the wheels in motion. I can't just do a u-turn, not now.”
My teeth gritted, my jaw clenching. I leaned in closely, staring through fierce eyes.
“You will do this Mr Lithgow. Or be prepared to suffer the consequences.”
I leaned back and sunk my whiskey.
“I'll give you 24 hours to make your decision and give me positive assurance that my project is being put into action. One day, Mr Lithgow, nothing more.”
With those parting words I stood and paced straight past him towards the exit of the restaurant, leaving the old shit to pay the bill.
In 24 hours I'd have my casino back. In 24 hours, after Lithgow had corrected his wrongs, his days would be numbered.