Alistair's Pov

The ride back home was silent. It was me who was doing the listening and Eminem who was doing the rapping. I freshened up, after taking some puffs of my cigarette.

Dad was seated in his study, his legs crossed, hands fixed on the table in front of him. A pair of spectacles surfaced his nose as he was busy going through the documents. I silently walked inside and comforted myself on the chair in front of him. He took a brief glimpse of me and then continued reading the papers again.

I refused to initiate the conversation as I wanted to first understand his reason to talk. It was a serious matter because if it wouldn't be, it would've been in a place elsewhere. I removed my phone to go through the notifications which made my phone twinkle. I was shocked to see Evelyn's missed calls, which made me fret.

"So, I assume you've to talk about something", my father initiated the conversation as he neatly folded the papers and placed them in a folder.

I smirked, "I guess you wanted to talk, too"

"I see", he placed his spectacles in a box and continued "Look, Alistair, I know everything. I've always known everything. Just because I choose to ignore, it doesn't mean that I'm unaware of your doings. You very well know that this part of the city belongs to me. Even a dog, if wanting to, shags with my permission"

I pretended to be dumb when I exactly knew where the conversation was going. I shut my phone and placed it on the table. "Look, dad, if you want to have this conversation then you have to be very straightforward. I'll really appreciate that. You need to articulate your thoughts clearly so that I can articulate mine", I placed my elbows on the table and settled my chin on my entwined fingers.

"I know what's going on", he looked at me, in my eye, "I know about Arnold Clarkson. I've always known about him. You think you're smart and I agree my dear son, but I'm smarter. If you're bad then I'm your dad"

"How...?" I questioned shocked. The fact that he didn't reveal to me that he knew what I was doing and stopped me from being pretentious was more shocking to me than him knowing it. "Why didn't you stop me?" I questioned again when I received no response from him.

"You were of no harm to yourself or your name. You wanted to enjoy life, my son. Which father doesn't want his son to have the time of his life? I knew that it was about time and you yourself will stop when you realize your responsibilities", he furrowed his brows as he spoke calmly. To be honest, I expected a more furious reaction. Was it the silence before the storm?

"How long have you known and why didn't you confront me earlier. Also, how did you come to know about it?" I knew my questions were repetitive but I couldn't refrain from bringing them up.

"I've known it ever since you've been disguising. It's been 9 years, roughly. I had someone looking after you, clearing out the messes you made every time. Why do you think no one from the media showcased your true self even once? Do you think it's really so easy to disguise as local after being so famous? Someone was always clearing the vessels which you were dirtying. I always watched your back, Alistair. I always will", he nodded with an assuring smile.

Every second line said by my father confused me even more. I took a long breath to digest the facts I was coming across. "It doesn't make sense-"

"What's so hard to take in?" my father didn't allow me to complete the sentence.

"You being so nice"

"I've always been nice to you. I'm your father. I can be strict sometimes but that's about it"

"Yeah, right..! Sometimes", I exaggerated the word sometimes. "But why are you talking about it now?"

".....because the glass is full now. We can't afford to continue it. Even a drop if spilled further can be used against us. It had always been a win-win race for me, son", he walked towards the wardrobe and came back with a photograph. The photograph consisted of him when he was approximately my age, his father, and his grandfather. They all were dressed up in suits.

"Oh!" I exclaimed.

"None of us had ever fought with a tough opponent. The fields were always clear for me and my father because of my grandfather", he pointed towards great grandfather "He made sure to create a monopolistic opportunity for the Dickman's", and he cleaned the picture with his thumb, a sting of nostalgia surrounding his senses.

"I don't understand---"

"You're underestimating the potential of Samuel Collins. You really are", dad pulled out a file from the drawer, "You see him", he pointed out removing Samuel's picture. He was a man in his 50's, approximately some 5-10 years younger than that of my father. He had a well-built physique. His eyes were grey, which spoke so much about his character.

I looked at the picture carefully, "No one knows about his son, who might be running for the election this year. Him against you! He fought against me, during my time, but I was powerful enough to tackle him. After my victory, I've been attacked several times. I also encountered tons of death threats. I'm very certain who they were from. He'll only be enlightened to crush you, Al. This time, he is way more strong and cruel. It can be him against you or his son"

"Then why don't you fight him yourself. I know you can", I let out an exasperated sigh, yet unaware of the context.

"I can't. Anyone can be in power for 10 years. It can be stretched but the chances are low. I don't want to risk it. You're the man like I always say", he opened the files and propelled certain papers in my direction. "Have a look"

"These are---?"

"Have a look yourself", he pinched his eyebrows, pushing for me to read the papers.

I read the first page which looked like a normal resumer of Mr. Samuel Collins with his picture on the top. When I turned the page I saw several pictures of him in his teen years, adulthood, the early thirties, and present. His appearance and style throughout the years were pretty much the same.

I saw a family portrait of him which was black and white and was with his family. He stood tall with his wife behind the sofa and his wife held a young kid in her arms. His son---then aged 3-4 grinned whilst sitting next to his mother. It was difficult to interpret from the picture whether it was a boy or a girl in the hands of Mrs. Collins.

I read through his age, his brilliant education where-in he did his masters in Global Management and Public Leadership, his businesses which involved mostly trading in textiles, rubber, luxury goods, etc. "How do you expect me to make sense out of it when this information can be available on free space easily"

"Read further, dig deeper"

Open Massacre resulted in the death of 50 laborers

Wife of a businessman raped and killed

How Eliza lost her life in the act of casual violence

Import of billions of pounds of drugs sealed by the authorities

The worrisome headlines drew my sense of curiosity to read further and as I read, I slowly turned the pages and saw heinous criminal activities.

It was believed by the authorities that the activities were backed by a strong group. I glimpsed through the acts which included human trafficking, illegal weapon dealing, involvement in drugs, etc. I ran my eyes quickly reading the material content from the first page to the end.

I read all the articles and it took me a while to reach the end of the document. I tried finding a similar name that took the action of the crimes but I failed. They were all open cases/ mysteries and the authorities were still in search of the leader/ gang/ group/organization.

"You know what they mean right?" dad waited for me to complete the document and allowed my brain to register in the details.

"I'd like to know from your research", I knew what they meant but I just wanted to leave no benefit of the doubt.

"I've been following Samuel for a while and I'm certain that it's him behind everything. He's as cunning as a fox. He knows what he wants but most importantly he knows how to acquire what he wants, be it any means", he dragged the file in his direction and continued "Some of my men are tracking him and they have confirmed with me that it's him so I've left no tabled unturned to obtain the information"

"How can he do this all by himself?" I questioned.

"Only a fool will do such a thing by himself. He has people who do it on his behalf. That's how he has stayed safe all this while and he will continue to be safe. There's no fucking evidence or a person who is ready to testify against him. His slate is clean, even cleaner than us. I've tried innumerable times to gather evidence against him but was unsuccessful every single time"

"How can I person go unnoticed from the eyes of the authorities?" I interrogated again.

My father half lifted himself and patted me softly on my shoulders and then regained back his original position as he answered "Come on son, we're talking politics here. How do you not expect the higher authorities to not be involved with him?" he questioned rhetorically and waited for a response but when he didn't receive one he proceeded "Of course, he's backed by the senior-level officers. He needs permits and they need money. They're both happy and this is how they sustain peace.

"It's wrong but it's business", I pouted with displeasure. One proverb made sense; never consider your opponent weak.

"I may be a dominant father but I have always been an authoritative study when it came to politics, or for that matter the entire Dickman family. We've served the people and the society at large. That was your great-grandfather's vision. But beyond the family heritage, our people have served us too. They've let the goodness in us stay, they've helped us help and protect them."

I nodded agreeing to my father "As much as we need them, they need us, Alistair. They don't deserve a leader like Samuel. He'll disrupt their peace and eventually end their happiness. He will bring dictatorship again to this place. He will ruin you. He will ruin me. He will ruin our people", dad paused for a while. "It's still your decision if you want to fight the elections but I want you to give your two hundred percent if you are in. We need to start preparing you"

I thought for a while. My head was spinning with the amount of exhaustive information I was taking in. I wanted to leave the place, clear my mind, and think in a state of tranquillity, but I couldn't. I had to answer dad, right now, and at this moment.

I waited all my life for the opportunity to back out from electing myself and continuing the line but when I was actually having an option to exercise it, I wanted to abstain from it. For once, I wanted to stand up for the people, my people. The incalculable love I and my family have received over the years demanded me to stand against Samuel, to be a shield.

"I'm all in. Let's get the ball rolling", I smiled slightly, as my father engulfed me in a hug. I hugged him back as he proudly rubbed my back.

"I knew I can count on you", he smiled stretching his lips to his ears. "You're already a winner for me", dad's face shined as he complimented me. He genuinely was very happy.

I, after a period of time, left his study and made my way towards my room. I took a hot shower to relax my mind and body. I surfaced a robe over my body and dried my hair with a dryer. Suddenly, Evelyn's thoughts crossed my mind, sending a sudden realization to call her back. I at once redialled from my logs.

She answered after two rings but something felt disturbing. Her voice shivered whilst she greeted me.

Was she crying?

*******

Quick Note

This is a fictional story so there's no particular lineage of authorities or roles for one to play in order to elect himself as a politician/ minister. A politician here is given the same power and respect as that of a regional king. However, a politician's higher order of authority is the country's minister. So the politicians of all the provinces/ states/ cities are directly reportable to the country's minister. So, the hierarchy could go like this. (Top to Bottom)

3. Head Minister (Country)

2. Minister of affairs (Direct link between 1 and 3)

1. Chief Minister/ Politician (Does the groundwork of a particular region)

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