Chapter 16: Discovering Garner’s Father’s Secrets
The morning sun streamed through the windows of the police precinct, casting a warm glow that seemed at odds with the tense atmosphere inside. Anjo sat at his desk, his brow furrowed as he poured over a stack of old case files, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. The quiet hum of activity surrounded him as officers moved around, but his focus was unwavering.
Across from him sat Garner, his face pale and drawn. Sienna was beside him, her hand resting on his, offering silent support. She knew how much this was weighing on him, the uncertainty gnawing at him since they’d started to delve into the murky past of his family.
Anjo finally looked up, meeting Garner’s eyes with a steady, serious gaze.
“Garner, I’ve been digging into some of the records that connect your father to Barron’s syndicate. I didn’t want to believe it, but there’s evidence here that can’t be ignored.”
Garner’s face tightened, his hands clenching into fists.
“What… what kind of evidence?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Anjo sighed, choosing his words carefully.
“I came across some documents linking your father, Mark, to a series of transactions with Barron’s associates. They were hidden under shell companies, designed to keep him untraceable, but the connections are there. These documents show payments made directly to Barron’s operation.”
Garner’s eyes widened, and he looked down, his expression a mixture of shock and pain.
“No… that can’t be right. My father… he wasn’t a criminal. He couldn’t have been involved with Barron’s syndicate.” 
Sienna squeezed his hand, her voice soft and reassuring.
“Garner, I know this is hard to hear, but there has to be more to the story. Maybe he was forced into it.”
Anjo nodded, his expression sympathetic.
“Sienna could be right. Sometimes, people get involved with criminals for reasons they can’t control. But it’s also possible that your father thought he was doing something to protect you. These things… they’re never as clear-cut as they seem.”
Garner shook his head, trying to process the idea.
“I just don’t understand. Why would he put us in danger like this? Why wouldn’t he tell us?”
Anjo leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm.
“That’s what we’re going to find out, Garner. There’s a lot more to uncover here, and I’m not saying your father was a bad man. But he may have made some difficult choices—choices that he thought would help his family. It’s possible he was caught in something he couldn’t escape from.”
Garner stared at the table, his mind racing. Memories of his father flashed before him—moments of warmth, of laughter, of the strong and protective man he’d always known. Could it all have been a lie?
Sienna leaned in, her voice soft but confident. “Garner, no matter what we find, that doesn’t change who you are. And it doesn’t change the good memories you have of your dad. You didn’t know about any of this, and that means it’s not your fault.”
Garner looked up at her, gratitude and pain warring in his eyes. “Thank you, Sienna. I… I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”
Anjo cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. “There’s one more thing. I found a lead on a man named Victor Alonzo. He’s one of Barron’s top associates and, from what I’ve gathered, was in frequent contact with your father. If we can locate Victor, we might get some answers about what exactly your father was involved in—and why.”
Garner swallowed hard, his gaze sharpening. “Then let’s find him. I need to know the truth.”
Anjo gave him a nod, his expression determined. “I’ve already got a team working on tracking Victor down. This won’t be easy—he’s a slippery one, always on the move. But if we can get to him, we might finally start piecing this puzzle together.”
Sienna put a reassuring hand on Garner’s shoulder. “We’re with you, Garner. No matter what we find, we’ll face it together.”
Just then, another officer approached Anjo’s desk, handing him a file. “Detective, we just got word that Victor was spotted at one of Barron’s known hangouts—a rundown bar on the outskirts of town. He hasn’t been seen there in months, but we’ve got eyes on the place now.”
Anjo’s eyes lit up with a fierce determination. “This could be our chance. Garner, Sienna, I want you two to stay here. It’s too dangerous.”
“No,” Garner replied, his voice steady. “I need to be there. This is my family we’re talking about. I have a right to know what happened.”
Anjo hesitated, glancing between Garner and Sienna. He could see the resolve in their faces, the shared determination to uncover the truth. With a reluctant nod, he finally agreed. “Alright, but you stick close to me. And the second things look risky, you’re out of there. Got it?”
Garner nodded, his expression resolute. “Got it.”
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A few hours later, they arrived at the bar—a dingy, dimly lit place that reeked of stale beer and smoke. Anjo led the way, his posture tense and alert, while Garner and Sienna followed closely behind. The place was nearly empty, save for a few patrons hunched over their drinks.
“Stay sharp,” Anjo whispered, his eyes scanning the room. “Victor is here somewhere. Let’s split up but keep each other in sight.”
Sienna nodded, her gaze fixed on Garner. “Be careful.”
“You too,” he replied, giving her hand a quick squeeze before they separated.
Anjo approached the bar, ordering a drink as he subtly observed the bartender, who seemed oddly nervous. Sienna moved toward the far end of the room, keeping an eye on the door. Garner circled toward a hallway leading to the back.
As he approached the hallway, he spotted a shadowy figure slipping through a door at the far end. His heart raced—was it Victor? He moved quickly, following the figure down the hallway.
Just as he reached the door, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to see Anjo. “Hold up, Garner. We’re doing this together.”
They both took a deep breath, Anjo giving him a nod of reassurance before they pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The room was small and dimly lit, with stacks of boxes and shelves lining the walls. And there, standing in the center of the room, was Victor Alonzo—a tall, wiry man with a hard expression and a scar across his cheek.
“Well, well,” Victor sneered, a mocking smile on his face. “Looks like the police and the son of Mark DeSantos have finally decided to pay me a visit. What took you so long?”
Anjo stepped forward, his tone icy. “We’re here for answers, Victor. Tell us what you know about Mark’s involvement with Barron.”
Victor chuckled, shaking his head. “You really think you’re going to get anything out of me?”
Garner clenched his fists, his voice trembling with anger. “I deserve to know the truth. Why did my father get involved with Barron? Why did he put us all in danger?”
Victor smirked, crossing his arms. “Your father was a desperate man, kid. He got in too deep, made deals with Barron to keep his family afloat. But you know what they say—once you’re in with Barron, there’s no getting out.”
Anjo took a step closer, his gaze piercing. “If that’s the case, why target Garner’s family now? Mark’s gone. What does Barron want with his kids?”
Victor’s smirk faded, replaced by a look of discomfort. “Barron doesn’t let loose ends lie. Your family… they’re a loose end, Garner. And now, thanks to your father’s mess, you and your sister are caught in it.”
Garner’s eyes blazed with anger. “That’s not fair. My father tried to protect us. He made mistakes, but he didn’t deserve this.”
Victor shrugged. “Fairness doesn’t mean much to Barron. All he cares about is power. Your father crossed him, and now you’re paying the price.”
Anjo moved forward, handcuffing Victor before he could protest. “You’re coming with us, Victor. Maybe some time in a cell will loosen your tongue a bit more.”
As they led Victor out of the bar, Garner felt a mix of anger and grief. The man he’d idolized was suddenly someone he barely knew, tainted by secrets and dangerous connections. But he knew one thing for certain: he was going to stop Barron and protect the family he had left.
Sienna slipped her hand into his, her gaze filled with understanding. “We’re going to get through this, Garner. I promise.”
He looked at her, gratitude softening his face. “I know, Sienna. Thank you… for being here.”
As they walked out into the night, a new resolve burned within Garner. This wasn’t just about justice for his father—it was about ending the cycle of violence and protecting the ones he loved. And with Sienna by his side, he knew he had the strength to see it through.