Page 60 of Paranoia

Finally, he said, “You want something from me or you wouldn’t have come here. What do I need to do to get out of this?”

I said, “We need you to get enough info on someone for us to charge him. We want to hear and see everything he does.”

Nantes looked between Trilling and me. Then he said, “Who are you talking about?”

“Antonio Deason.”

CHAPTER 86

JAIME NANTES LOOKED at me like I was crazy. I could have slapped him and gotten the same response. Finally, when neither Trilling nor I filled the silence, Nantes said, “I don’t know about that. That’s a lot of risk for a charge I’ve already taken care of. I knew Deason’s dad. If Antonio’s anything like his old man, I don’t want to get on the wrong side of him.”

I said, “We’re just looking for a little help. Tip us off when he’s leaving with some product. Something like that. You don’t have to do anything dangerous. Just be our eyes and ears.”

Nantes had to think about that one. I didn’t push too hard. We were already out on a limb. This was much closer to blackmail than it was to law enforcement. But I was getting desperate.

“How well do you know Antonio?” I asked.

“I’ve recorded a couple of conversations for Hernandez when the guy was over at our warehouse.”

Trilling cut in. “Technically you just transmitted the conversations. Detective Hernandez made that clear.”

Nantes shrugged. “Whatever. You guys already know he’s been coming by our warehouse or you wouldn’t be talking to me now.”

“Have you had any dealings with him outside of the ones Detective Hernandez heard?”

Nantes shook his head. “I’m trying tostay outof trouble, not get into more of it.” He took another pause and then added, “This doesn’t sound like something I want to do.”

I immediately stood up from the table. Trilling followed my lead. I said, “Okay, do what you need to do. It’s your choice.” I started to turn and I mumbled, “Good luck.”

That took all the defiance out of Nantes. He barked, “Wait, wait. I have another idea.”

I hesitated, then partially turned to hear him out.

Nantes said, “I can show you some documents back at the warehouse. Stuff that would bury Deason. His name is all over them.”

Trilling asked the important question. “How do we do it without the other guys at the warehouse seeing?”

“There’s no one there right now. We got at least an hour.” Then he looked at me and said, “Your choice.” He stared me down as he stood up and casually walked to the front door, then turned around to hear my answer. His right hand rested on the door.

Maybe this guy wasn’t the dumbass I thought he was. It was worth the risk. I said, “Let’s go.”

CHAPTER 87

KEVIN DOYLE CURSED the timing of the car that stopped directly in front of him. It almost completely blocked his view of Island Delight and the bodega. He’d seen Nantes standing on the inside of the glass door. It looked like he was talking to someone inside the bodega. But an older Chrysler minivan with a couple of kids in the back blocked him. They were in line to get take-out chicken.

Doyle didn’t want to call attention to himself by doing something crazy, like backing over the curb and going across the sidewalk. There were too many potential witnesses who could then identify him later. He didn’t want to risk it on what was possibly one of his last days in New York.

Doyle patted the pistol he’d shoved into his belt holster. The gun was a distant backup plan. He had time. If he didn’t see the opportunity today, he could come back tomorrow. That may nothave been his preference, but it was an option. He took a deep breath and concentrated on the word “patience.” Patience was the motto of every successful contract killer in the world. If you rushed a job, you’d be caught. It was that simple.

Then he thought about Tammy at the diner. Maybe she was influencing his haste to get out of the city. Romantic entanglements always caused complications. Even ones he wasn’t pursuing anymore.

Perspiration formed on his forehead. Just because he knew he had to be patient didn’t mean he liked it. He’d almost rather be under fire than have to wait like this. Even the cute face of the little girl in the car seat in the van didn’t calm him down. She turned, stared out the window, and smiled at him.

Doyle mumbled, “Tell your mom to move forward.” And just like that, the minivan moved forward one space. It was like magic. Doyle didn’t wait for the next car in line to fill the gap. He pulled out onto the street. This wasn’t ideal, but it was better than being trapped in the parking spot.

He could still see Nantes standing just inside the door, talking to someone. Doyle took a breath and let Nantes continue his conversation. It was probably the last one he was ever going to have.

CHAPTER 88

---