Page 124 of Nightshade

“You knew it was a two-way street. You pay the guy off and you get leverage on him down the line.”

“That’s right, like that.”

“You keep any records of these… transactions?”

“Let’s just say I got enough to deal. You want my help, you keep me out of a cell—permanently.”

“If all you’ve got is the mayor taking kickbacks from a small-time tour operator, then we’re done here, Oscar. This is a murder investigation, not a minor corruption case. But I can give you a ride downtown where there are people who want to talk to you.”

Terranova smiled like he was the only one in the room who knew the real lay of the land.

“Oh, big man,” he said. “You think you’re so smart and tough. Tell you what, you didn’t have that badge, this’d be a different story between you and me, Stilwell.”

Stilwell just stared at him and their eyes locked in mutual hatred. Juarez broke the moment.

“Oscar, he’s right,” she said. “Talk to us about the killing of Henry Gaston. And remember, anything you tell us is useless if you can’t back it up.”

“I told you on the phone,” Terranova said. “I can back up every fucking thing I say. I got documents and I got tapes. You want to hear what I got, Stilwell?”

“Yes,” Juarez answered. “We do.”

“Okay, then,” Terranova said. “Let me give y’all a little sample.”

He dropped his hand below the table to reach into his pocket. Stilwell sprang up from his chair, ready to go across the table at him. Terranova immediately raised his hands.

“Relax, man,” he said. “Just going for my phone.”

“Slowly,” Stilwell said.

He remained standing while Terranova retrieved his phone and held it up to show it was not a weapon. Stilwell sat back down.

“What are you going to show us?” Juarez asked.

“I ain’t showing you nothing,” Terranova said. “Take a listen to this.”

Terranova opened the recording app and played what was obviously a recorded phone call. Stilwell recognized both Terranova’s voice and that of Douglas Allen, starting with the mayor taking the call:

“Hello?” he said.

“What the fuck you do?” Terranova asked.

“I told you never to call this number.”

“Fuck that, it’s a burner. What the hell, man? I just heard Gaston was dead in a fucking cell.”

“He was going to rat you out. That was not a risk I was willing to take. I was watching out for you.”

“Now you got me tied up in a murder, man. You should’ve talked—”

“I don’t need to talk or clear anything with you. You understand? Anddo notcall on this line again.”

The call ended. Terranova typed a command into his phone and dropped it on the table.

“Erased,” he said. “You want it, I got a copy stashed with my lawyer. You don’t get it unless we make a deal.”

Stilwell glanced at Juarez to see if she was going to respond, but she looked frozen. It was clear that Terranova still had a hold on her. This told Stilwell he needed to keep control of the interview.

“What about the abduction of Tash Dano?” he asked. “What did Allen tell you about that?”

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