He remained quiet, his eyes darting up and down. His expression was blank, but I noticed a line of sweat over his eyebrows.
“Is there something I can do for you, Dickie? I seem to have all the time in the world.”
“Unlock the door,” Dick barked to the officer.
“You’re sure about this?” the officer asked, hesitating.
“I have implicit orders to remove this prisoner into my custody for interrogation. Now, unless you’d like for me to have a chat with your superiors, I suggest you follow orders.” Dick snarled the command, which surprised the hell out of me.
I rose to my feet, trying to figure out what new game this had to be.
“Yes, sir,” the officer mumbled, moving to a console.
I walked closer, staring Dick in the eyes. He had no difficulty holding my gaze, but damn if I didn’t read something different behind his hard focus. Okay. I’d play along. When the door was opened, Dick merely pointed toward the corridor with one small tic.
He lifted an eyebrow.
He wanted me to remain quiet. My curiosity was piqued, even though I still wanted to put a bullet between his eyes.
The collection of my things took fifteen minutes and all in absolute silence. Once outside, I glared at the early morning sun. “Do you mind telling me what the fuck is going on?”
Dick darted a look at the police station, shaking his head. Another sign. He was afraid we were being watched.
“Get in the car, Dominick, and don’t argue.”
This had nothing to do with any interrogation. I nodded, scanning the parking lot and surrounding area before climbing inside. By the time he started the engine, his hand was shaking.
He roared out of the parking lot, checking the rearview mirror three times before speaking. “I want you to know that I’m putting my job, hell, my career on the line for you and your family.” Dick laughed bitterly. “Stupid. I have no idea why I’m doing this.”
“That begs the question. Why the fuck are you doing this?”
“Your arrest was a setup.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
He looked as uncomfortable as hell, now sweating profusely. “You have no idea the kinds of connections that Senator Hargrove has as well as the chief of police and the district attorney. They are hell bent on destroying your operation. And I think there’s more upper echelon politicians, law enforcement, and God knows who else in on this. This is fucking huge and terrifying.”
Wait a minute. What in the hell was he suggesting? “Are you trying to tell me that all three men are dirty and there’s more?”
Laughing, he wiped his brow, making a sharp turn to the right, tires skidding. “Huge.”
I checked the side mirror, unable to detect if we were being followed, but if what Dick was saying was true, the police would certainly put out an APB. “Talk fast because I have things to take care of.”
“All three have been investigated for some time now for some pretty heinous crimes. There were always rumors, clandestine meetings. At least that’s what I heard. Somebody got too close too fast. What that has to do with your family, I have no idea, but a bullseye was placed on your organization. Don’t get me wrong, the senator has wanted to put a noose around your neck for almost two years because of illegal gambling and casinos.”
“And you know the casinos are on the up and up.”
“Then there’s the drug activity.”
“Which my father believes was faked.”
“That man you killed at your casino? Undercover cop.” Dick snorted then wiped his mouth and nose.
Seething, I tried to make sense of what he was saying.
Dick laughed, struggling to keep sweat from his eyes. “Now, there has been an upsweep in drug-related deaths from some designer drug, the shit coming from South America as far as anyone can tell. However, the timing of the drugs was merely coincidental. They used it to get to you.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, in a sense the drugs were a perfect catalyst. Wreck your shipment, maybe the Columbian or whoever the fuck is running the drugs takes out a contract on your entire family for reneging on the deal. Your entire organization is either killed or high-ranking officials, including you and your father sent to prison. Either way it’s a win. This other shit about Chicago and Miami, I have no idea how the hell they think they’re going to pull that off, but maybe if this secret organization of theirs sweeps the country, then who knows.”
“What secret organization?”
Dick swallowed several times, taking two sharp turns and almost hyperventilating. “These are just my thoughts, but I’ve seen some emblem all of them wear. I don’t know what to make of it and every time I tried to get an invite, they blocked me. I’m too goody two shoes for them. If only they knew about my past.” He laughed, the sound full of hysteria.
If this was true, no one would be the wiser for their activities. “What’s your take in all this?”
He laughed as he screeched around another corner. “My take? Right now is to try and stay alive. I can’t go back to my life. It’s gone.”
“What the fuck are these people into?”
“That I don’t know. I swear to God, but I’ve heard chatter from officers. Sick shit is all I know. I’m low on the totem pole and in the wrong department to hear anything official. You have to know that.”
I eased the gun from my jacket, pointing in his direction. “Then how exactly do you know all this, Dick? Few men offer to get people like me out of jail and provide information of this nature.”
He gulped, his grip on the steering wheel white-knuckled, wheezing as he opened his mouth.
I placed the gun to his chest, leaning closer. “Don’t fuck with me, Dick. I actually don’t want to hurt you, but I will if necessary.”