“Nope, Daddy-dear did the checking.”
“Matias Lopez?”
“The one and only. He was especially interested in William Simms’ financial status, not to mention his interest in regularly visiting several brothels in Nevada.”
“I don’t recall that being part of the profile we created.”
“I added it once I found a connection between Matias Lopez and Bastian Conti. From what you said yesterday, I had a hunch that Olivia’s interest in you was about more than sexual attraction.”
“I’m listening.” Jared was impressed that Cruz had taken the initiative based on a hunch— which was in line with his own.
“Conti is the child of Matias Lopez’s stepsister. She was fifteen years old when he was born. Back then, having a child at her age was a cardinal sin. The baby was shipped off to Mexico. He grew up on the streets. Since he’s a pretty boy, he got picked up by a movie scout for a small role in an action film at the age of eighteen. The rest is history. He was a hit and immigrated to the U.S. two years later.”
“How did he manage to worm his way back into the Lopez family?” Jared finished his latte.
“How, I can’t say but I found photos on the dark web of them together ten years ago, around the time he got his first Emmy award.”
“So, Lopez probably kept tabs on Conti over the years. A movie star with known contacts to various financial moguls, politicians and fellow celebrities must be a well of possibilities to a drug lord.”
“Not to mention a very lucrative sex trade.”
“I wonder if Lopez is aware of the affair between his daughter and step-nephew?”
“She might be Lopez’ inside mole, for lack of a better reference.” Cruz appeared pensive as he scrolled through his iPad. “Her arrival on the scene coincided with her return from a two-year stint in Europe.”
“What was she doing there?” Jared straightened.
“I have no idea. Not yet anyway but it’s possible that Conti doesn’t know she’s Lopez’s daughter. She’s never been seen publicly with Lopez. It’s the one thing about him. He keeps his personal life out of the limelight. I can’t find any pictures of his wife or his stepsister.”
“Apart from the photos of Lopez and Conti, have you found anything connecting them to the sex parties and slaves they use?”
“I sure have but they’re clever. The payments and financial transactions are done through offshore accounts in... ahh, there’s the connection... Switzerland and the Caymans. That must be what Olivia had been doing during the two years abroad— setting up the business accounts.”
“I need confirmation, Cruz. Dig deeper.”
“Yes! Got the fucking bastard!” Cruz pumped a fist in reaction to a ping on his system. His eyes glowed as he stared at Jared. “It seems the esteemed Mafia leaders are regular guests at the parties in Colony Beach.”
“That’s the kind of intel I was after.” Jared’s fingers tapped on the desk. “Except it’s not enough to put them behind bars for too long.”
“True, but Lopez and Conti aren’t the only two financially benefitting from the profits made at those sex parties,” Cruz said with a grim expression.
“Spit it out.”
“Isabella Boneiro has a Swiss account. Deposits made into that account coincide with each party but the proportion is bigger than the other two.”
Jared’s jaw locked as he stared at the photo of the still beautiful dark-haired woman on the screen. “That doesn’t compute with the intel we have on her. I find it hard to believe she’s funding or is linked to the illegal sex trade.”
“I agree. It’s quite possible that Marco opened the account in her name. I’ll reach out to my contacts over there. I should have an answer in a week or so.” Cruz leaned back in his chair. “What are you gonna do?”
“I’m going to play along with Olivia Lopez. If I can get an invitation to the next party, we’ll be able to expose everyone associated with it. We’ll close down a sex and pedophile ring and if we’re lucky, we might get Boneiro as a bonus.” Jared frowned in thought. “The Mafia hadn’t been involved in sex slavery for centuries. Why would Boneiro take the chance of getting caught and kicked out of The Commission?”
“Good question, Commander.”
“Work that angle. I’m impressed with the intel, Cruz. Keep me informed on anything else you find.”
“Will do. When can we expect you back?”
“The plan was to return tomorrow but it’ll depend on the progress I make with Olivia Lopez.”