James crossed his arms over his chest. “Then how do you know there’s a hit out on me?”
“Rumors.”
“And where did you hear these rumors?”
Miguel swallowed hard. “I don’t wanna get anyone in trouble.”
James stared him down. “If the person who told you didn’t put the hit on me, then neither of you have anything worry about. At least not from me.”
Miguel’s gaze shifted to me.
“She’s not a threat either,” James said. “Unless you become a threat to either of us.”
Miguel gave me a questioning look, but I didn’t react, unsure if I was the good guy or bad guy in this scenario.
“Don’t make me ask again,” James said in a low growl.
Miguel jumped. “I heard it from Stewie a couple of days ago.”
“The Stewie who used to work for you? How’d he find out?”
He took a deep breath. “He’s working for Dave Birch at his shop now. Birch Autobody.”
I’d heard rumors that Birch Autobody was also a suspected chop shop, but I’d never had any contact with the place.
“And Stewie just called to tell you?” James asked. “Like a hot piece of gossip?”
Miguel’s face paled. “No, Dave hosts a weekly poker game. He and Stewie both knew about it, but I don’t know any details.”
“You’re tellin me that Dave Birch and Stewie Crimshaw told you there’s a hit on my head, and you weren’t the least bit curious about who’d taken it out or why? No questions asked? They just dropped the info, and you played your hand as if they’d told you the weather forecast.”
Miguel swallowed.
“Okay,” James said with a heavy sigh, pushing away from the wall. “Let’s try again.”
Miguel shot me a pleading look.
I lifted a brow and said firmly. “I didn’t tell you who ordered it, so don’t look at me.”
Miguel’s chest rose and fell.
James took a step closer to him. “Remember the part where you cooperate and I don’t touch you? This is an example of not cooperating.”
“This is gonna blow back on me,” Miguel spat out. “And I don’t want any part of it. I’m legit now, Malcolm.”
“If you’re legit, then the guy who ordered the hit won’t suspect the information came from you, now will he?” James asked.
“You’re not gonna tell him?”
“I plan to make the asshole sorry he dared to cross me,” James sneered. “All I want is his name. He’ll never know how I found out, because unlike you, Dave, and Stewie, I’m not a goddamned gossip.” His statement ended with a menacing tone.
Uncertainty filled Miguel’s eyes, quickly followed by fear.
“And since you all are a bunch of fucking gossips, I know you know who ordered the hit. So don’t for one fucking minute believe I’m going to walk out of here without a name.”
Miguel’s breath started to come in quick pants.
“And let’s be clear,” James added. “If I find out you gave me the wrong name, I will be back to make you pay for your lack of cooperation.”
