“To be clear, what didn’t they do, exactly?” Luke had learned a long time ago that it was crucial to pin Bill down to the specifics.
“You, your buddies, Baker. They didn’t do any of it. They don’t kill Feds. Killing Feds is dumb, and they’re a lot of things, but they aren’t dumb.”
“Stevsky wasn’t dumb, that’s true. But I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s true of the current leadership or of any of his competitors. How do you know they’re not involved?”
“Doesn’t matter. I know.”
That wasn’t going to be enough. “Let’s say I’m willing to believe you about Stevsky. How can you be sure it isn’t Stevsky’s competitors setting them up?”
“’Cause they had a meeting. They’re all in danger from this guy they’re calling the Tiger.”
“The Tiger?”
“There’s an Asian guy around. He’s prowling around like he’s stalking prey. And he’s got a tiger tattoo. Someone started calling him the Tiger, and it stuck.”
“Did this Tiger kill Thad?”
“No idea. Maybe? This guy is bad news. He’s made some interesting purchases. A few people have seen him. Not me,” he said quickly.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Everyone’s feeling the squeeze. Every Fed in the state is on alert. The local cops are edgy. Killing cops, killing Feds, that’s not how things are done around here.”
Bill had a point. Killing law enforcement officers was morerampant in some parts of the country, but not here. Well, it hadn’t been before this week.
“Like I said. Killing Feds is dumb. Everyone knows killing Feds brings heat. No one wants that.”
Was he telling the truth, or was this an elaborate ploy to take the suspicion away from the Stevsky family? “Where’s this Tiger hanging out? And if y’all are so worried about him, why don’t you take him out?”
“Now, that would be illegal.” Bill feigned shock.
“Right.” Like that had ever stopped them before. “So, where is he?”
“No one knows for sure. He showed up and started killing agents. We figure y’all done gone and ticked off some bad dudes. And I’m not gonna lie. We don’t care much. But the heat is ridiculous, and we’re over it.”
“How long have you known this guy was in town?”
“A few weeks.”
Luke took a deep breath in through his nose and blew it out slow.Count to five, Powell. Count to five.
“You could have called on Monday. Why wait until now?” Luke knew why. They wanted to let this stranger do their dirty work for them, then they could get the benefit. That was until he brought down the wrath of the entire law enforcement community and it got too hot for them to work.
Bill must have understood where Luke’s thoughts were heading because he reacted fast and, possibly, honestly for the first time. “Look, we didn’t know who he was or what he was up to. Okay? None of us knew. There might be some sick, twisted souls who found some enjoyment in the events of Monday, but there was no way to expect this.”
“I don’t know, Bill. Stevsky’s crew has been furious with ussince the old man went to jail. And they lost their ever-loving minds when the man died. They made lots of threats. How do you know Stevsky’s sons didn’t hire this Tiger to do their dirty work?”
Bill’s voice lowered. “I was there, man. When the Stevskys and the others met. This Tiger is a loose cannon. He’s not good for any of us. And we don’t kill Feds. I already told you that.”
Wait a minute. A random puzzle piece fell into place. “Do you know who killed old man Stevsky?”
Bill stayed quiet a few moments too long.
“You do, don’t you?”
“How would I know who killed him?”
That was the first thing Bill had said that Luke knew for certain was false. This could change everything. If the Stevskys already knew who killed the elder Stevsky, then they would know it wasn’t anyone in the Secret Service or any other law enforcement agency. They would get their revenge, but this wouldn’t be it.
