“Where’s the lab, Melvin? Give me the info, and I’ll make sure you get a good deal. A safe deal that keeps you far away from Devlin and his motorcycle gang.” Pierce pressed him.
Nick glanced at me. “Pierce is pretty good at this, but I’ll bet you twenty Melvin lawyers-up before giving the info.”
“I’ll take the bet,” I murmured, leaning forward. Melvin was starting to sweat, and his thin hair was looking greasy from the extra moisture. “Pierce has him.” Where was the Beast lab, and who was the distributor?
Pierce sighed. “All right. Let’s go easier. You’re obviously a genius, having learned how to cheaply mass produce opioids. You’ll be famous if word gets out.”
Melvin flattened his hands on the table. “I work for a seed company, splicing all sorts of grass. Legally. No opioids.”
“You know how I know?” Pierce leaned forward. “Remember a guy named Mark Channelton? Young guy?”
Melvin paled.
“Yeah. Channelton turned snitch about three months ago because he helped you acquire the yeast. This guy can finger you. The walls are starting to close in,” Pierce murmured.
Melvin looked away from the table. “Never heard of him.”
Nick cleared his throat. “We have Channelton in Boise on ice as we wait for a trial. Gave the asshole complete immunity and will hand him over to the US Marshals for a new life once this is over.”
Pierce pressed Melvin harder. “Tell me about the distribution plans. We have a copy of the map, so we know the routes and times. How are you planning to transport the opioids?”
Melvin looked toward the mirror and then back at Pierce. Red burst across his thin facial skin, highlighting the myriad of early dark spots. He’d definitely spent some time in the sun to have aged his skin so badly so young. “Opiods? What in the world are you talking about?”
I bit my lip. “He’s really not a good liar.”
“No. A jury will hate him,” Nick agreed.
Pierce leaned forward. “Work with me, Melvin. I can protect you from these guys. Tell me about the manufacture of Beast, give me the location of the lab, and fill me in with the distribution plans. For all of that, I’ll give you a deal you won’t believe.”
“Immunity from all,” Melvin said evenly, dropping his chin.
Pierce sighed. “Not a chance. Plead guilty to manufacture, and you’ll only serve five to ten years. That’s a phenomenal deal, but you have to tell me everything.”
Melvin studied him. His shoulders dropped.
I held my breath.
“I want a lawyer,” Melvin said.
Nick snorted. “You owe me twenty, counselor. Told you.”
Darn it. I thought we’d have him. Well. Maybe Pierce would get more out of Aiden. I kicked back to wait for the next show, my heart battering my rib cage.
* * *
Aiden walked in before Pierce;his hands cuffed behind him. Even so, he looked dangerous, and once again, bored. When Pierce uncuffed him, Aiden pulled out a chair and winked toward the window.
My breath caught and my abdomen performed a slow roll.
“What a jerk,” Nick muttered.
Pierce sat in the same place as before.
Aiden cocked his head. “The bulletproof vest and gun at the waist don’t impress me, Pierce. You might as well get comfortable for this one.”
Pierce didn’t move. “You ever worn one of these?”
“Nope,” Aiden said.
