Chapter 245: Confession
"You're not stupid. You should've realized that I invested in your bar for a reason," Frank said bluntly.
"Huh? You had another reason!?" Kevin exclaimed in surprise.
"Shut up." Veronica pinched the soft flesh at Kevin's waist.
"Hiss!" Kevin sucked in a breath and muttered under his breath, "If you didn't want me to ask, you could've just said so. Why the pinch?"
Kevin might have been a big guy with a slow brain, but Veronica wasn't. She'd long sensed something was off. Frank's admission only confirmed her suspicions.
"I'm giving you two options," Frank said, holding up two fingers. "Option one: I'll give you a set amount of money every month, which you can treat as the bar's net income. Don't worry about the books or the accounts."
"Option two: I'll tell you the whole truth. But once you know, you're on the boat and there's no getting off. Of course, you'll still get your share of the money — just make sure you're sure about this."
The proposal was simple:
Option one made Kevin and Veronica little more than employees — glorified staff at best — even if they technically owned half the bar.
Option two? That was a real partnership. But it also meant stepping onto a ship that might be sailing into murky waters.
Frank was being secretive for a reason. Whatever he was doing definitely wasn't above board.
Veronica hesitated. She didn't give an immediate answer but pulled Kevin aside for a private discussion.
When they finished, Frank asked, "So? What's your decision?"
"We choose the second option," Veronica said firmly.
They were veterans of the South District — no one there had clean hands. If there was a chance to make more money, why not take it? Besides, they trusted Frank. They had years of history together.
"Alright then," Frank nodded, and briefly explained the money laundering operation.
"No wonder you never let us look at the accounts," Veronica said, suddenly enlightened.
With the truth out, Kevin and Veronica had officially boarded the money-laundering ship.
But Frank didn't intend to shortchange them — they'd receive commissions based on the amount laundered.
"From now on," Frank instructed Anfisa, "they'll work with you. Just don't let outsiders see the accounts. Prepare two sets of books — one internal, one external. Don't leave any loose ends."
With Kevin and Veronica helping Anfisa, Frank could finally relax. Soon, his goddaughter Karen could also be freed up from managing the bar and focus fully on her studies.
As for where the money came from? Kevin, Veronica, and even Anfisa didn't know. Frank hadn't told them, and they didn't ask.
Everyone understood one thing:
Knowing too much is never a good thing.
"I've got another question," Anfisa said after they finished discussing the partnership.
"What is it?" Frank asked.
"These electricity bills — what's going on here?" Anfisa pulled out a few invoices.
"8,700 dollars in electricity charges. Nearly 9,000! This rundown bar couldn't possibly use that much electricity, even if we ran 24/7. I called the utility company, and they said the usage was normal — that this was the correct amount," Anfisa said.
"Over nine grand in electric bills? That's insane. Is someone stealing power? We should have them send someone to inspect," Veronica said, eyeing the bills.
"Wait, let me see that," Kevin suddenly said, grabbing the invoices.
"Holy sht! F**!" Kevin slapped his forehead like he suddenly remembered something.
"You know what's going on?" All three turned to look at Kevin, clearly realizing he knew something.
"Uh… how should I put this… V, promise you won't get mad," Kevin said nervously, wiping sweat from his brow.
"What did you do? How did you rack up this much electricity?" Veronica demanded.
"Come with me. You'll understand when you see it," Kevin replied.
He led everyone to the back of the building and down a stairwell into a basement.
"You all know Ethel likes gardening, right? The tomatoes in my backyard — she grew them. Big, round, healthy. Something about using these live bugs… and some kind of fertilizer."
"So, I asked Ethel to help me out," Kevin said as he took out a key and unlocked the basement door.
"Who's Ethel?" Anfisa asked.
"She's their adopted daughter," Frank explained.
"And what does this have to do with the electricity?" Veronica pressed.
"Well, you know how every year we plant a bit of green stuff — make a little money to get through the summer and stock up for the winter? This time, I used the bugs and fertilizer Ethel had... and, uh…" Kevin opened the door.
They were greeted by rows upon rows of lush green plants, growing tall and vibrant — some more than waist-high. The spacious basement had been transformed into a full-on greenhouse. The lighting was so bright it felt like daylight.
"What the f***!?" Frank and the others gawked.
"Ahem… I didn't mean to grow this much. Usually, I just toss in some seeds and leave it. When they sprout, I pick the best ones and get rid of the rest," Kevin explained, running a hand lovingly over a leaf.
"But this year… they just grew too well. They're like art pieces! I couldn't bring myself to cut them down." He scratched his head, embarrassed. "Then I got busy and totally forgot about the electricity."
Whump!
Before Kevin could finish, Veronica elbowed him hard in the stomach.
"I know, I went too far… but just look at them! They're beautiful," Kevin protested.
"Oh! You're all here," Ethel walked over in gardening gear — apron, gloves, and watering can — like something out of a farming ad.
"Aren't they amazing? Mr. Kevin said he'd use the money to help elderly people who are going blind. I'll give him my full support," Ethel beamed.
"So you used that excuse to trick Ethel into helping you grow weed?" Frank stared at Kevin.
"How much is here?" he asked, surveying the endless rows of greenery.
"I'm not sure… but at least a few hundred pounds. Don't be mad, V. I know I swore I wouldn't sell more than four plants this year… but look at them! Every single one's better than anything I've grown before," Kevin pleaded.
---