Present Day: Day after the Arrest at the Courthouse Jail
The corrections officer returned to Jasper’s cell.
“Hey, man, I hear there is a special retired judge who is coming here to review your case. They are waiting for him to fly in from Washington, D.C.”
“Really. Does this judge have a name?” Jasper asked.
“I’m sure he has a name, but no one is saying. Who the hell did you fuck with? FBI wants a piece of your ass, I heard the Ignacio family has half a million dollars for your head, and the assistant DA is considering adding a conspiracy to commit murder charge.”
“What the hell . . . murder?” Jasper lost his composure. He grabbed the cell bars. He was unable to speak with Antonio Ignacio when he was initially arrested. He realized it was too late. The wheels were already in motion. He stopped and bent his head down. After a few seconds, Jasper calmed down and asked, “Sir, what is your name?”
“Officer Williams.”
“Officer Williams, I have not had an opportunity to call my wife when I was first brought in here in what is going on two days now. I have not heard anything. I was supposed to call my attorney.” Jasper now has strong desperation in his voice. “I have not been afforded an opportunity to reach out to either. You know who I am. I am a wealthy man, and you said anything I need you’d help take care of for me. Do me a favor and call my wife. I’ll give you her number. Call my attorney. His law office is Edwards, Edwards & Cloise. His name is Phillip Cloise. He is listed.”
“Man, you asking for a tall order. Word has it your ass is toast. I’ll reach out if I can.”
Jasper sat back on his cell bench in disbelief. He wondered, What the hell is going on? Conspiracy to commit murder? What did FBI Agent Lawson do? That prick didn’t afford me an opportunity to further negotiate. Jasper looked out his cell window. How could this be?
Jasper reminisced on the day of his arrest moments before the FBI agents arrived.
The Morning of the Arrest
Tracey and Jasper sat in Jasper’s fiftieth-floor office facing the windows that overlooked Manhattan’s East River.
“Jasper, you know I love you. What you ask is more than I can handle,” said Tracey.
“I am not going to spend the rest of this life without what’s important to me.” Jasper looked at Tracey sternly. “You are my life.”
“How are we going to stage this?”
“Laura is due in less than four weeks, and my son will be born into this world. She is scheduled to deliver in Mercy Hospital, and a simple visit to her room can mean a lifetime together. As we discussed, when you visit Laura, tell her you are my family member, my cousin from Memphis that happened to be in town. You’re related to Annette, my mother. There will be a small jar of crushed sleeping pills hidden in the side zipper of her overnight bag. When she is distracted, simply empty about half into her drink, and she will doze off. From there, place a pillow over her nose and mouth, and she will rest easily.”
“Oh, dear god, Jasper. I cannot be part of this.”
“Listen, Tracey. It’s the only way. I love you, and I’ve always loved you,” Jasper said calmly.
“Stop making it sound so . . . uneventful. I am not a murderer. Jasper, there is never a perfect crime, there certainly is never a perfect murder. I have far too much to lose. Be sensible. Divorce Laura and seek custody of your son. Use your power and influence in this city.” Tracey rose and firmly stated, “Let your legal connections work for you, goddammit!”
“Work for me?” Jasper sarcastically questioned.
“Yes. What about Harold Simmons? Justice Smalls?”
“Are you crazy, Tracey? Do you want an investigation of my affairs? Smalls will be up my ass in minutes making a name for himself if he even smells the notoriety I could offer his career. You want me to be a convict? Destitute?”
“Your financial affairs mean absolutely nothing to me. I have my own money.”
Jasper rubbed his temple. “Your wealth is meaningless compared to my empire, lady. My affairs keep those diamond necklaces on your long skinny neck.” Tracey was appalled with his remark. He rubbed his temple more and regained composure. “Tracey, I want us to be a family.”
“Not this way.”
Jasper lost composure again and shouted, “You barren bitch. You are the reason why we must do this. You married that sexually promiscuous fuck and let him scar you, infect your tubes irreparably, not me. You know you can’t conceive my son. Yet I still want you. I love you. I gave you—”
“Oh my god,” Tracey cried. “I can’t believe . . .” Tracey is numb. She was terrified of the man she saw before her. She had never known this man. She got up to leave.
Jasper scurried behind her.
“Tracey, no, I’m sorry. I am totally too stressed. I have a lot going on. There is too much on my mind at the moment,” Jasper confessed.
“Tracey, look, the SEC is heavily interested in the affairs of my firm. Shit, this could bring my entire organization down,” Jasper said defeated. “Increasing these troubles are several audits we are in the process of completing for Ignacio Industries. Funds of the subsidiary companies are being channeled to the personal accounts of Antonio Ignacio. He defrauded investors of billions over the past several years, and this firm has looked the other way.”
“So you are going to add murder to your portfolio of misdeeds? Are you insane?”
They paused and looked at each other. A deafening silence overcame the room. Jasper’s wife, Laura, walked into the office. They were unaware that she had been listening to the entire conversation from outside his partially opened office door. Laura behaved as though nothing was wrong.
“Jasper?” said Laura.
Tracey picked up her purse and said, “Hello, Mrs. Cunningham. I’m Tracey Bodden.” Tracey extended her hand, and Laura did not acknowledge Tracey.
Tracey nervously continued, “Cunningham, Gates & Waddell handle my investment banking clients.” Tracey looked at Jasper. “Mr. Cunningham, it seems as though your hands are beyond full at the moment. I’m sure the last thing you need to address are these quarterly financial statements.” Tracey lifted a batch of files from Jasper’s desk. Laura watched Tracey as she exited the office.
“What was going on in here?” asked Laura.
“Tracey is the investment banker on many of the client deals that I represent. Why? What are you thinking?”
“JASPER, YOU WERE PLANNING TO KILL ME!”
“Laura, calm down. Stop overreacting. That’s not what you heard.”
“I KNOW WHAT I HEARD. YOU WERE PLANNING TO SET UP A LIFE WITH THAT WOMAN. IS SHE YOUR WHORE?”
“Laura, lower your voice. Can we discuss this?”
“DISCUSS? JASPER, DO YOU HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?”
Jasper and Laura heard shouting and crying down the office hallway. They paused to listen to what was going on. Employees were reacting to the events transpiring with the FBI on the lower floors. Jasper’s telecom beeped. He walked over and pressed the button to answer.
“Jeanette, what’s going on out there?”
“Mr. Cunningham, there are men in the offices with guns. It is unclear who they are and what they want.”
Laura shrieked, “Men with guns?”
“Where are they now?” asked Jasper.
“They are on the floor below,” Jeanette replied.
“Thanks, Jeanette.” Jasper was calm but had a sense of urgency in his voice. “Laura, now is not the time to discuss this. You heard nothing. I have other matters to address right now.” Jasper walked over to hug Laura, and she started wildly swinging her arms to hit him.
“Back off! Don’t come near me!” Laura shouted. “Don’t touch me!” she cried uncontrollably. “Where is the love and support and caring you promised me for a lifetime four years ago? How could you do this to me? And our baby? Our baby? You and your whore?” Laura marched to the door. “I’m going to the police!” She swung open the office door to leave, but Jasper intercepted and slammed the door closed before she was able to exit.
“LET ME OUT!” They struggled at the door. “I’ve done nothing but given you everything you asked of me. I never complained about the horrible way you treated me. Not once, you son of a bitch!” They continued to struggle as she attempted to leave the office. “Love, honor, and obey. I loved you. I even obeyed you. I was faithful to you. And you . . . What did you ever do for me? What happiness did you ever bring me? You bastard. Who is she? Who are you for that matter? What trash did I marry? The naysayers were all right about you. You are an untrustworthy snake. You betrayed me. You betrayed me in the worst way.” She touched her stomach. “Our son. Oh god, I would have never known my son. YOU BASTARD!” Laura was hysterical punching and kicking Jasper who tried to contain her. Jasper attempted to grab her arms to control her, but it was difficult. Jasper accidentally hit Laura in the abdomen.
“Oh god,” she cried and bent over in pain. She held her pregnant belly.
“Laura, what have you caused . . . what have you done?” The intercom was beeping nonstop. Jasper ran over to his desk to answer.
“Mr. Cunningham, I just got word from Mr. Waddell’s assistant that the men with guns are headed up the stairwell to our floor.” He released the intercom and went over to Laura. He firmly held both of her arms and looked her in the eyes.
“Stop talking insane about going to the police with what you THINK you heard.” Laura tried to break free from Jasper’s grip. “Stop it. Stop it now,” Jasper urged. Laura remained still. “Laura, calm down. You have to leave now. I don’t want you here.” Jasper walked back to his desk and pressed the intercom.
“Jeanette, tell Henry to bring the car out front. Mrs. Cunningham is coming downstairs now, and he is to take her home immediately.”
“KISS MY ASS, YOU BASTARD! I DON’T NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHERE I SHOULD GO OR HOW I SHOULD GET THERE! IT ENDS NOW, JASPER! IT’S OVER! I’M GOING TO THE POLICE. I WANT A DIVORCE, I HATE YOU!”
Jasper lost his patience with Laura coupled with the added pressure of his unknown armed guests who were on their way. He attempted to speak to her calmly.
“You’re being emotional, Laura. You don’t know what you heard. Go home now.”
“YOU WERE PLOTTING TO KILL ME FOR CHRIST’S SAKE! YOU SHOULDN’T BE WALKING THE STREETS NOR SHOULD YOUR WHORE WOMAN!”
Jasper strongly urged, “Laura, things will be difficult in my office very shortly. For the benefit of our unborn son, please leave.”
Laura dashed for the doorknob, and he allowed her to leave. Although Jasper understood the importance of easing Laura’s concerns, he couldn’t focus on her at this moment. His firm was under siege. As Laura left distraught, Jasper heard the men coming up his private staircase. He didn’t know whether or not his life was in danger. Believing they were underworld hit men coming to kill him, Jasper walked over to his desk to ensure his .38 caliber was loaded. He put it in his hip pocket and walked over to his office window and waited. He wished he had never met his underworld connections—the Ignacio family.
The Year 2001
Over three years earlier, Paul Ignacio sat in his office at his iron and steel firm outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The plant covered about ten acres in the middle of green fields and open space. The Ignacios employed over four hundred local laborers to produce iron, steel, and other metal parts that were sold to various companies in the automotive, cycling, and appliance businesses. Paul reviewed his financial books and was somewhat discontent with the success of his business.
Paul migrated from Bogota, Colombia, in 1965 at fifteen years old with his parents. They were hardworking immigrants without a high school education. They lived in Detroit, Michigan, where his father secured factory work in a small automotive plant. Within ten years, his father became foreman of the plant and purchased a modest home for their family. Paul, however, had loftier goals than his father’s success. As a teenager, Paul joined the Salinas crime family and committed a host of felonies and misdemeanors from petty theft to first-degree murder but was never arrested. His Colombian gang members thought of him as a blessing and most requested that Paul accompany them on jobs for good luck. Over the years, Paul accumulated enough money to set up his own iron steel works business as a front for his international drug and diamond smuggling operation.
Paul’s thoughts were interrupted by his six feet two inches dark-haired son, Antonio, who entered the room. Antonio customarily dressed like a Wall Street business executive with a dark gray pin-striped suit and wing-tipped shoes. He was in his midthirties, extremely handsome, but short-tempered.
“Poppy, you need to fire Lucy! She is never at her desk.”
“Relax, Antonio. You are always ready to fire someone. Remember this is MY company.”
“Yes, I know. But it won’t be much of a company very long if you don’t take the business public in the stock market like I have been saying to you for two years now.”
“Are you back on that again?”
“You need to bring fresh investments into the company. The ways in which you operated business years ago are no longer viable to meet market demands and shelter your personal assets. You can’t keep putting your personal finances at stake. Not to mention, if this company goes down, how the hell are you going to explain the jets and homes you have from your other endeavors? This company needs to be positioned as profitably as possible.”
Paul whispered to Antonio, “There is no way, no fucking way in hell I want to start opening my company to outsiders, the SEC and investors. It will no longer be my company. It will be their company. I need to do business my way and my way only.”
“You can still do business your way, Poppy. As chairman of the company, you would hold the top seat.”
“I sent you to the finest business schools to help me run my affairs. Instead of coming back home, you go work on Wall Street to make strangers rich. Did you think of me? Then when they chewed you to the bone and tossed your ass in the gutter, you came back here. I embraced you. You are a smart man. But don’t come to me anymore talking about mergers and stock offerings. THIS IS MY COMPANY, AND IT WILL STAY THAT WAY! Do you heAr me? Now get the fuck out of my office with your public company bullshit!”
Antonio walked out of his father’s office furious. It was the last time he was going to be treated that way by him. This business would be his one day, and he intended for that to be sooner rather than later.
Three days later, Antonio called his former Wall Street buddy Jasper Cunningham. Antonio and Jasper began their careers together working for the largest merger and acquisition consulting firm in the world, Williams and Watts. Antonio knew he could trust Jasper in working through his needs.
“Jasper, it’s Antonio Ignacio.”
“Antonio. Hey, a voice from the past. How have you been? What are you up to these days?”
“I pulled out of the Wall Street life, and I’m now chief financial officer of my father’s iron and steel business near Grand Rapids, Michigan.”
Jasper thought how boring that must be. He looked at his watch as he was running late for an important client meeting.
“Fantastic. Life must be good,” Jasper replied.
“It is. It is. I’m married. Two girls, Lucia and Teresita, four and six. How about you?”
Jasper was growing a bit irritated as he wanted people who seemed to call out of the blue to get to the point right away. Everybody always wanted something, he thought.
“Still looking for the right one. Can’t seem to find someone crazy enough to deal with me,” said Jasper. Antonio laughed.
“Jasper, I have a business proposition for you. I’d like you to do some work for my family’s business.”
Jasper did not immediately reply. While he was keen on expansion, he questioned how profitable a Midwest iron and steel company would be to his firm.
“Jasper, are you there?”
“Yes, yes, sorry, my assistant just gave me some papers to sign,” he lied. “Can you elaborate?”
“We’re thinking of going public in the stock market and buying two smaller steel firms to build our infrastructure and outreach. Why don’t you fly out next Thursday about 2:00 pm to meet me, and we’ll talk more specifically.”
Jasper paused again. Would this be worth his time? But then he reflected on an incident years back when Antonio helped him with pricing a stock deal that could have cost Jasper his job if Antonio hadn’t corrected Jasper’s financial estimates. Jasper knew he owed him.
“Hold on. Let me check my calendar.” Jasper put Antonio on hold and pressed the telephone intercom. “Jeanette, what does my calendar look like on the afternoon of Thursday the twelfth? I need to fly out to Michigan.”
“You have an underwriting deal with Kellogg fund investors in Boston.”
“Aw, dammit. Listen, have Jonathan attend in my place. Is his calendar free?”
“Yes, it is, sir.”
“Great, thanks.” Jasper put Antonio back on the line. “Antonio, I’m all set. I’ll be out there next Thursday.”
“I look forward to seeing you, Jasper.”
The following Thursday, Jasper flew out from LaGuardia Airport to Michigan to Ignacio Industries. He rented a car when he arrived and drove to their business location. The company grounds were well-manicured with maple and weeping willow trees. A five-story glass corporate office building was in the front with the address One Steel Drive. Jasper thought how cute and quaint a location. He just wanted to get in, do Antonio the favor, and head back to New York, where the real action was, as soon as possible.
After the security guard buzzed Jasper into the building, an assistant led him to Antonio’s office. The halls were modern contemporary with silver and black furniture and dark hardwood floors throughout. He entered Antonio’s office. It was extremely new wave. There was a built-in stereo system and flat-screen television. He had a separate adjacent entertainment room with a fully stocked bar, leather and mahogany barstools, and contemporary couches.
“Jasper!”
“Antonio.” The two men hugged.
“How long has it been? Seven, eight years?” asked Antonio.
“More like eleven years.”
“How was the flight?”
“Not bad at all.”
“Thank you so much for coming out. I’m sure this is not your usual Manhattan client deal.”
“I didn’t grow my partnership from judging clients by their location.” Jasper smiled.
After reminiscing about their early days on Wall Street, the men spoke of opportunities to make Ignacio Industries a public company on the stock market and, second, how to target acquiring two major competitors in Indiana. Jasper estimated the financial potential to Cunningham, Gates & Waddell to approximate $2 million—not overly significant, but profitable.
After they discussed the proposals for about four hours, Jasper had gathered sufficient information to understand the strategy and goals of the company.
“Here’s how we will proceed. I will need the company’s financial statements for the past five years, bank statements for the past two years, and access to books and records as we deem necessary. I’ll have my senior auditors begin working on certifying your financial statements as soon as you can have those documents compiled. After the financial statements are certified, I’ll bring in my valuation team to begin pricing the deal.”
“Sounds good.” The men shook hands.
“I thought for certain your father would be here today,” Jasper remarked.
“No, he’s actually traveling to Africa.”
“Africa?”
“South Africa to be exact.”
“Really? On business?”
“Everything to my father IS business.” They laughed. But Jasper sensed that Antonio’s evasiveness had more meaning, but he did not pursue further.
“So where are you staying tonight?” asked Antonio.
“I actually have a 10:00 pm flight back to New York.”
“Nonsense. Come stay with my family tonight and catch an early shuttle in the morning.”
“It’s really quite all right. I didn’t even bring a suitcase.”
“Listen, my home is a mansion,” Antonio bragged. “We’ll not only find you a bed, but a pair of underwear too.”
“You got damn show off.” The men laughed.
“We have a fantastic chef on staff. Tonight is Thursday? Are you in the mood for baby lamb chops with garlic roasted red skin potatoes and spinach in fresh garlic?”
“OK, I’m there.”
“I’ll bring my car up front, and you can follow me there. It’s about twenty minutes away.”
Jasper entered his rented Lexus and followed Antonio who drove a Hummer. They pulled up to a huge brick mansion. Jasper realized Antonio wasn’t kidding about his home. There was a gate with a uniformed security guard at the entrance. Jasper found it to be highly protected—in fact, his curiosity grew about the nature of the supposed iron and steel company and the family’s ties to South Africa. They pulled up to a driveway area that had several luxury cars parked including a Mercedes Benz and Porsche.
The home was lavish. He later learned the house was twenty thousand square feet with a 1,500-square-foot pool and a tennis court on the nine-acre grounds. The sun had set, but the bright airy parlor with glistening white marble floors mimicked daylight.
A Philippine woman greeted the men. She took their briefcases and escorted Jasper to his room on the second floor. Jasper entered an enormous bedroom with high tray ceilings and a private bathroom. He thought, Hell this is the life. There is no way their iron and steel company is yielding this type of return. And to think I presumed far less.
The blinds were drawn, and he looked out to see a lit garden area. Antonio was outside having a cocktail and talking to three broad-shouldered men each standing at least six feet four inches and 270 pounds. They wore double-breasted shiny suits, and their shoes were not corporate attire. Jasper opened the window to attempt to hear what they were saying. Antonio was upset and pointed in the face of one of the men who stood in front of Antonio with his arms folded across his chest unmoved. The men were getting louder and heated in their conversation when Jasper heard Antonio angrily say that his father better not whine about what was right for his family’s future. Jasper attempted to listen more intently when someone knocked on his bedroom door.
“Mr. Cunningham?” It was the Philippine woman.
“Yes.”
“Mr. Antonio would like for you to join him for a drink on the back patio before dinner is served.”
“Sure. Tell him I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Jasper opened the closet; and there were several suits, khaki pants, and shirts hanging on the rack in various sizes. There was also a selection of silk ties. The dresser draw contained packs of brand-new undergarments and pajamas. He entered the bathroom to reveal a five-star hotel-like décor. After washing his hands and face, Jasper joined Antonio downstairs.
“Is your room comfortable?”
“Antonio, you are incredible. You’ve done well.”
“Thanks, Jasper. What can I get you?”
“Vodka on the rocks with lime.”
Antonio poured Jasper’s drink.
“Here is to a newly forming profitable business relationship that will flourish for years to come. Cheers,” said Antonio.
“Cheers.”
Two months into the audit of Ignacio Industries, one of Jasper’s staff members brought to his attention that it appeared hundreds of thousands of dollars were missing from various cash accounts. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of dollars of investment securities, stocks, and bonds that the company supposedly owned could not be substantiated. Jasper asked his staff member to leave the information with him. The Ignacios’ extravagant lifestyle had become clearer to Jasper. He called Antonio to request a meeting in person. Jasper flew out to Michigan the next morning and met Antonio at his office.
“Antonio, what’s been going on here in your company?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t fucking play games here, Antonio. You know what I am referring to. There are literally millions of dollars worth of assets that are reported on Ignacio Industry’s books and records that are missing.”
Antonio took a deep breath. It was time to allay Jasper’s concerns of impropriety. He stood up and said, “Jasper, come with me to have a drink.”
They entered Antonio’s entertainment room adjacent to his office.
“What would you like?”
“Vodka on the rocks—” said Jasper.
“With lime,” said Antonio, smiling since he had remembered.
Antonio poured a straight whiskey for himself.
“Cheers,” said Antonio. The men toasted. Jasper heard Antonio’s office door open in the adjacent room but could not see who had entered. Jasper sat on the couch while Antonio remained standing with his glass in his hand. Antonio reached for a cigar from behind the bar.
“Do you smoke?” asked Antonio.
“No.”
“Do you mind?”
“Of course not.”
Antonio lit a cigar and paced the room.
“Jasper, we worked very hard on Wall Street in our day.”
“Yes, we sure did.”
“Ninety—one hundred hour weeks. Traveling the globe, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Europe. We learned a lot though. How to value companies, predict the stock market, estimate how much investors will pay for a company, and speculate on deals.”
“Yes, the fun days,” remarked Jasper. Jasper was not in any mood to travel down memory lane.
“Don’t forget the business relationship side. NO deal was insurmountable when you knew your allies, knew your adversaries, and priced it accordingly.”
“That’s right.” Jasper tried to conceal his discomfort, particularly wondering who had entered the adjacent room.
“Jasper, everybody has a price.” Jasper concluded where Antonio was going and chose not to respond.
“Jasper, have you ever wondered why I left the Wall Street game?”
“Quite frankly, Antonio, I didn’t. None of us could stand it very long. It seemed like a logical, healthy career choice that many of us made.”
“Yeah, but I totally left. Jasper, I have four homes in the U.S., two villas in Europe, and one in the Caribbean. I own a yacht and a sailboat. I drive many cars—just name a luxury make, and it’s in one of my garages. I’m married with a beautiful wife. But I have many women to choose from.”
“What’s your point, Antonio?” Jasper asked annoyed.
“Don’t get irritated with me,” Antonio slightly raised his voice. He puffed on his cigar. “There is more to playing this game than you could ever imagine. How much does your pencil-pushing firm gross each year?”
“Don’t worry about my partnership’s finances. We do well.”
“Well? Is WELL good enough? You do WELL. I have WEALTH, Jasper.”
Jasper was silent.
“Come on, Jasper. You’re a professional genius who could latch onto an opportunity that could skyrocket your success in more ways than you ever imagined. My family can offer you business opportunities that would generate millions, for you, personally.”
Jasper swallowed his drink in one swoop and stood up. He buttoned his suit jacket. He was ready to leave. “Antonio, thank you for considering me to work with your company. But my firm is not in a position to continue work for Ignacio Industries. Tomorrow, I’ll have your books and records FedEx-ed back to your offices.” Jasper exited into Antonio’s office where there were three men. He recognized the same two burly men from Antonio’s home during his last visit standing by the door. The other man sat in Antonio’s executive chair. He later learned it was Paul Ignacio. By the look on their faces, they had heard Antonio and Jasper’s conversation. It was clear to Jasper that the scenario was troublesome. Antonio scurried behind him. He had requested that his men join them; however, Antonio had not anticipated that his father would be there.
“Poppy, what are you doing here? I told you to stay out of this.”
“Stay out of this?” asked Paul. “I didn’t even know what was going on. When were you going to tell me? I have to learn about this from Lorenzo and George?”
Antonio looked at Lorenzo and George with despise. They had betrayed him. Antonio wanted his father left out of the affairs with Jasper. Paul continued, “It sounds to me like you can’t get your shit together. I told you this whole idea was fucking ridiculous. You wanted to take a stranger into my company and open up my books to the world behind my back? What the hell is wrong with you? I worked my ass off to get where I am today. Who the fuck are you, Antonio? What have you done in this company to make a mark for yourself?”
Antonio shouted, “This was going to be my mark!” Antonio is clearly embarrassed in front of Jasper, in particular, as well as the other men. “What the hell do you know? Your backward ways won’t move us into the millennium. You don’t even have a fucking education!”
Paul jumped up and walked over to Antonio and slapped him in the face. Antonio grabbed his father and put him in a headlock. Lorenzo and George grabbed Antonio and held him down on the desk.
Paul spat in Antonio’s face and shouted, “You ungrateful son of a bitch! You are not my son! You are just a goddamn bad sperm that jerked out of me! You know nothing about running your own business. Creating something from nothing. Everything was given to you. You goddamn jackass.” Paul punched Antonio in the jaw as the two men held Antonio down. Jasper stood on the other side of the room in fear. Paul kicked Antonio in the groin.
“You are no son of mine. You are a coward and louse. All that you own is mine, and I will take it back. You can’t even make a son to carry the family name!” Paul walked away and sat back in Antonio’s executive leather chair. “Let him go. That fucking spineless punk.”
Lorenzo and George released Antonio who was physically hurt and humiliated. Even worse, however, he knew his father would take away his wealth and future financial pipeline. Antonio was raging mad. He anticipated this moment would come sooner or later, and he needed to act now. Antonio reached into the back of his pants and pulled out a .38-caliber gun. With deep-heated anger, he quickly walked up to his father and shot him between the middle of the eyes before Lorenzo and George could stop him. His father fell back on the floor in the chair.
“Who’s the fucking punk now?” said Antonio to his father’s dead body. He shot him again in the head.
Jasper was petrified. He had never seen a man killed before. He wasn’t sure what would happen next.
George said, “Antonio, you are fucking crazy!”
Antonio drew the gun at George and shot him in the stomach. He fell down bleeding to death. Lorenzo was silent and sweating.
“Lorenzo, do you see anything wrong here?”
“Antonio, you are the boss. George was the one who told Paul. That wasn’t my business. I work for you.”
“You are full of shit! What should I do to you for siding with them? Holding me down? For what’s rightfully mine?
Antonio paused and looked Lorenzo in the eyes.
“Call your boys, clean up my office. Get rid of these sons of bitches. Jasper, come with me.”
“What? Are you insane?” asked Jasper.
Antonio cocked his gun, aimed it at Jasper, and sternly replied, “Who the fuck are you now? A witness? Move your ass.”
They walked to the back exit of the building and scurried to the parking lot.
“Come on, we’re going in my car,” said Antonio.
“Listen, I’m catching a plane to New York. You’re not leaving my car here.”
“Get in my fucking car now, Jasper, and drive. Let’s not ruin your trip.”
“What . . . are you going to shoot me too?”
“Jasper, I have little patience and no time.”
Jasper stared in Antonio’s eyes. This was not the man he knew. The man he worked with side by side for years. This man had become a violent criminal, and the circumstances here were beyond financial affairs. One man’s greed had brought him to execute his own father. Money had become more important than the person who gave him life, who nurtured him to become a man. Jasper thought, when does a person cross the demarcation line where the desire for wealth and power could drive them to kill? In business, there are financial wars daily. But when does one become Antonio? Murders had occurred. He was a witness to these crimes and was concerned that he might be deemed an accomplice, particularly since his rented car was left at the scene.
Jasper entered the driver’s seat of Antonio’s car.
“Give me the key,” Jasper said. Antonio handed the keys to Jasper.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Drive south to I-95. I’ll direct you from there.”
“Where are we going, Antonio?”
“You’ll know soon enough.”
The men drove for approximately forty minutes to a remote location. There were abandoned warehouses in the otherwise deserted surroundings. It was windy, and dust flew through the air.
“Pull up near the building to your left.” Jasper obeyed and put the car in park.
“Turn the car off.” Jasper obeyed again. Antonio’s cell phone rang.
“Yeah, Lorenzo. It’s done? Shit, you guys are quick. There’s a rented car in the parking lot. Jasper, what car were you driving?”
“A gray Lexus.”
“Where did you park it?”
“In the fucking lot.”
“Jasper, do I look like I’m playing games? Don’t fuck with me now.”
“How the fuck do I know? It’s on the right-hand side of the lot. How many fucking gray Lexuses could there be in the parking lot? There’s a raincoat in the front seat.”
“Lorenzo, it’s a gray Lexus with a raincoat in the front seat. It might be on the right-hand side of the building. Grab it and bring it to Highlands. I’m here waiting.”
Jasper now knew where they were located. He was certain Antonio was going to kill him. Jasper realized he had to plan an escape. What immeasurable value did he have to Antonio? None. He witnessed a tremendous crime that could put Antonio in prison for life or get the death penalty. They remained seated in the car.
“Jasper, you saw some things today that you should not have. I’m sorry for that.”
“There’s no need to apologize. Why are we here?”
“Let’s get out of the car so we can talk.”
“Get out of the car? There’s nothing surrounding us?”
“I have a place in the building here.”
They walked into the abandoned building. Jasper hesitated, but his options were limited. He did not have his cell phone. It was in his coat pocket in the rental car. Antonio had a gun, and there was no place to go. After they entered the building, to Jasper’s surprise, he saw the area in the warehouse was modestly furnished. He concluded that Antonio used this location for secretive business.
“Have a seat. Let’s discuss some things.” Jasper walked over to a black leather sofa.
“I suppose you’ve learned a lot about me today, Jasper.”
“I won’t say that I haven’t.”
“Jasper, what you may not understand, what you don’t see, is that there are many circumstances, many issues leading up to what you observed. My father was holding me back. There is so much more that I can do now, for this family, my way. Do you know how difficult it is to breathe when someone else has captured all of your air and they ration the amount you may receive? However, now, there’s plenty of oxygen. Hell, now I can breathe freely. I can fill my lungs.” Antonio hit his chest. “When I can’t breathe, I can’t run, I can’t walk, and I can’t even fucking crawl to where I need to be in life. Fuck. I was dying. It was him or me.” Antonio walked around the room almost in a daze. He was in deep thought about his situation. He was not expressing his thoughts to Jasper, but instead reflecting upon his situation, his unsteady relationship with his father and justifying his actions. Jasper looked for ways to make an escape.
Antonio ceased pacing around the room. He sat on an armchair and directed his comments to Jasper.
“Lorenzo will be here shortly. Jasper, in my business, I’m surrounded by men who have brawn. No intellect. I can’t make the things I need to happen if I’m alone. I need educated people who I can trust. I need you.”
“Antonio, this is not what I do. You are beyond what I can engage.”
“Work for me, Jasper.”
“Antonio, maybe I’m not being clear. I can’t work for you.”
Antonio ignored Jasper. “First, there’s the IPO. We need to make that deal happen.”
“Look, Antonio. I think that your father was right. If there is illegal shit going on here, you don’t want the S.E.C. on your back.”
“MY FATHER? MY FATHER?” Antonio wildly shouted. He pulled out his gun and tapped it on Jasper’s chest as he continued.
“What are you talking about?” Jasper remained silent. “Just fucking listen to what I have to say. NOW YOU ARE GOING TO WORK FOR ME!” Jasper was afraid but was careful not to show it. Realizing his unjustified temper, Antonio returned the gun to his waistband.
“I need new outside money flowing into this company. The potential is huge. I can raise billions in capital. This brings me to the second reason. My father was doing business with Botswanans in South Africa. He broke off talks when things were not going his way. He was weak. I am strong. I want you to help me.”
“How? Talks with Botswanans? South Africa? On WHAT matters?”
“We are interested in importing diamonds. There is a healthy market for what I can offer. We’ve established the pipelines. I need the intellectual business power with me on this. I don’t have it in-house.”
“What could I possibly offer?”
“I need you to establish the appropriate shell company and get the right business structures in place.”
“Antonio, you can do that yourself.”
“You are not hearing what I have been saying.”
“I hear what you are saying, but I am not . . . I cannot do this, Antonio. What the hell don’t you understand?”
“I need your expertise!” Antonio stared in Jasper’s face. “There is a lot to my family’s affairs that is complicated. A third reason is that we export product from Colombia.”
“What product?”
“Don’t be so fucking naïve, Jasper. I’m sure you fucking figured out we live beyond the means of that Michigan iron and steel company. It’s not THAT profitable.”
Jasper wanted Antonio to be explicit. “What product?”
“What the fuck do you think? Bananas? Drugs, Jasper, cocaine.”
“So what do you want me to be? A mule? Run coke up my ass and smuggle it into this country for you?”
“You see, now you are being a smart-ass. You’re not afraid though. You and I are rare people. We can play both sides of this business game. That’s why I like you, Jasper. You were never afraid. I envied that about you.”
“Look, Antonio, cut to the chase. Don’t try to bullshit around with me.”
“I have associates in my Colombian importing business here in the States who are very wealthy. They need guidance. It is hard for them to explain their $10 million houses to the government. They need your help.”
“Antonio, like I said earlier, you could do this just the same as I can.”
“WHO DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN DOING THIS ALL ALONG? THERE ARE TOO MANY ASSOCIATES. I CAN NO LONGER DO ALL THIS ALONE. I NEED YOUR EXPERTISE. I NEED YOUR HELP!”
Lorenzo pulled up outside in Jasper’s rental car. He entered the warehouse and stood at the entrance way blocking the door and was silent. Jasper assessed the scenario and recognized the implications of the proposal.
“I need time to think about this, Antonio. You’re asking a great deal from me. I won’t be able to do this alone. I will need to ask my partners . . . certain staff members.”
Antonio looked at Lorenzo standing at the door with his arms folded. Jasper noticed their eye contact and concluded what it meant.
“I need to know now. Are you committed to this, Jasper?”
“What would be in this for me, for others I need to bring on?”
“Millions.”
Jasper knew he couldn’t refuse. If he did, either Lorenzo or Antonio would ensure he did not leave that warehouse alive. But he also didn’t want to seem artificially enthused.
“Who will protect me . . . from the Feds for example?”
“NOW you’re asking what you should be asking. We will. You will be part of my family.”
Jasper pondered for a few moments. There was no choice. “Then we have a deal.”
“Good. Lorenzo, give Jasper his car keys. We don’t want him to miss his flight.” Lorenzo tossed the car keys to Jasper. “Have a safe trip home. I will speak with you in a few days.”
Jasper nodded his head and left the building. He was thankful that he was leaving the building alive. He was unsure of his next steps. But while the criminal activity concerned him, Jasper was interested in the financial gains he could achieve from their affiliation.
Over time, Jasper established an illicit business with the Ignacio family and their associates. Antonio referred other clients with unscrupulous books and records to Jasper’s company, and Jasper did not refuse. He spent weeks personally meeting with numerous drug-related families that were based in various parts of the United States. It was clear to Jasper, however, that these individuals were gullible, and Jasper found ways to embezzle their money for himself from these dangerous crime families.
One month before Jasper’s arrest, Antonio introduced Jasper to a cocaine-smuggling family named Dizilios. They needed to launder hundreds of millions of dollars in several transactions through a fictitious company that was incorporated in Arizona. Jasper set up the companies and the series of money transfers that occurred. Jasper later channeled over $600 million in total to his personal account. After the money was transferred, Jasper arranged a scheme against the Dizilioses by notifying the federal narcotics division and had members of their ring arrested at the airport when smuggling the cocaine into the United States. However, these individuals were merely a front operation. Jasper was unaware that the Dizilioses’ money and operations was really Ignacio family funds.
Present Day: Day after the Arrest at the Courthouse Jail
“Officer!” shouted Jasper. A new corrections officer approached Jasper’s cell.
“What’s your problem, man?”
“I have not yet heard from my attorney or my wife. Officer Williams was going to investigate the status, but he has not yet returned.”
“Well, I bet he’ll return with information, man. Stay calm.” The young officer approached Jasper’s cell more closely and whispered, “Man, you have some fly gear. Are you a model or something?”