Page 140 of Maddy's Justice

“If you’re sure you want to,” Carvelli replied.

“You want to put a ski mask on?” Floyd asked.

“No, there’s no point. This may be the least of the illegal shit we do,” Carvelli said.

Carvelli and Sorenson entered the room in the basement. When they did, their guest went silent until they pulled up chairs close to him. Then he started.

“Do you know who I am?” he arrogantly yelled. “You are in more trouble…”

Carvelli slapped him a little bit. Just enough to shut him up.

He opened his mouth to say something and Carvelli raised a hand as if to slap him again and put his index finger to his lips.

“Of course, we know who you are. Do you think we’d do this if we didn’t?” Carvelli said.

“Now, we need to set some rules here. You with me, Troy?” Carvelli asked Troy McGovern.

“If you want money…” Troy started to say and Carvelli slapped him again this time a little harder.

“Rule number one, you speak only when we tell you to. Nod your head if you understand.”

By now, a terrified Troy McGivern realized he was in a lot of trouble. That these guys were not going to be impressed with an egotistical lawyer. He vigorously nodded his head up and down three or four times.

“Good. See, we’re already making progress. Rule number two. Do not lie to us or withhold information from us. Nod your head if you understand.”

Troy did and Carvelli thanked him.

“We’re not here for money although of course we can always use some. No, we’re here for information and you are going to give it to us.”

Troy simply stared at him for several seconds and this time it was Sorenson who said it.

“Nod the head, dummy.”

Again, Troy complied.

“A very dear friend of ours was kidnapped last night…”

“I don’t know anything about that,” Troy said too quickly.

This earned him another firm but not hard slap.

“Remember, rule number one,” Carvelli said. “She was taken to a place north of Chicago. Either northern Wisconsin or Michigan. Where is it?”

“I, ah, I don’t know anything about any such place,” Troy said. But when he said it, his eyes shifted just enough to let Carvelli and Sorenson know he was lying.

“Your turn,” Carvelli said.

Quick as a cat, Sorenson was out of his chair and slapped Troy so hard he and the chair tumbled over.

Carvelli and Sorenson both helped him back up and straightened him out. Blood was trickling out of the corner of his mouth and tears were starting to flow. Troy was beginning to realize exactly how much trouble he was in.

“Where is it?” Carvelli repeated.

“They’ll kill me,” Troy babbled.

That statement made the detective in Carvelli believe that Troy knew a lot more than Carvelli thought. In fact, he might know it all.

“You better start worrying about what’s going on in this room,” Sorenson said.

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