“Of course. Under our control. Ethan will try to contact his boss, ask for help. We will catch the contact and get to Uncle Nick.”

“And the risk minimal. Ethan will be under constant surveillance. At the first real escape attempt, he will be arrested again.”

Emily thought about it. The plan was risky but tempting. Capturing the entire criminal network would mean protecting other potential victims.

“Agreed. What do I have to do?”

“Visit your husband in jail. Tell him you are willing to forgive him and help him. Maybe he will share information about his boss.”

“But I have filed for divorce.”

“Tell him you have changed your mind. That love is stronger than resentment. The important thing is that you convince him of your sincerity.”

Emily agreed.

The next day, she went to the detention center where Ethan was being held. Her ex-husband looked terrible, unshaven, thin in a prison uniform. There was nothing left of his former arrogance.

“Emily, I can’t believe it. You came?”

“Yes, I came.”

She sat down across from him.

“How is Noah and the baby?”

“Forgive me. I was a fool. Pamela tricked me. The money blinded me.”

“They are fine,” Emily lied.

“I have been thinking a lot about us, about our family.”

“And what conclusion did you come to?”

“That I do not want to destroy our family because of your mistakes. Yes, you were wrong, but we can fix everything.”

Ethan’s eyes lit up with hope.

“Are you willing to forgive me?”

“I am. On one condition: tell them the whole truth about your accompllices, about who helped you, gave you information. Maybe the investigation will be lenient and reduce your sentence.”

Ethan hesitated.

“Emily, it is complicated. There are people. It is better not to bother.”

“What kind of people?”

“Influential, connected to the government. If I talk, not only will I suffer.”

“Ethan, you are facing life in prison. There can be nothing worse.”

“Yes, there is. People like me do not last long in prison, especially if they find out I have ratted out the wrong people.”

“Who are you talking about?”

Ethan looked around, making sure the guard was not listening.

“Uncle Nick, Nicholas Ortega, deputy commissioner of the IRS. He runs the whole operation.”

Emily struggled not to show her surprise. So a high-ranking government official was involved.

“What exactly does he do?”