“Fair enough,” Clinton replies. “I run a private manufacturing operation out of Jersey. Clean facility. No paper trail. My team used to contract for overseas buyers before we shifted domestic. We build everything in-house…slides, barrels, receivers. High-grade steel. No outsourcing.”
“Steel sourced from where?” I ask quietly.
Clinton’s eyes flick to me. He wasn’t expecting questions from anyone but Maverick.
“Domestic suppliers,” he says. “Midwest. We can provide documentation.”
“Documentation can be forged,” Maverick replies evenly.
Clinton chuckles. “So can death certificates.”
The room cools several degrees.
“You claim to know about the weapons misfire that injured my men,” Maverick says, voice still level. “What were you told?”
Clinton doesn’t hesitate.
“Suppliers from Palm Springs sold the Italians faulty weapons in order to take down their Don. All us dealers know the Shadows operate out of the desert. Several of your men were injured. Seven hospitalized. Two critical. One dead.”
“Interesting,” Maverick says mildly. “And how would you know the severity of injuries within my organization?”
Clinton shrugs casually. “Information flows. Especially when people are angry. Especially when they’re looking for revenge.”
“And you,” Maverick says softly, “are offering to help me find that revenge.”
“I’m offering better product,” Clinton corrects. “And maybe some cooperation. You don’t want unreliable partners. I don’t want desert bikers muscling into distribution lanes I’ve been eyeing.”
There it is.
Territory.
Not sympathy.
“You’re expanding west,” Maverick says calmly.
“Opportunities are opening,” Clinton replies. “Vacuum’s forming.”
Because the Shadows are supposedly unstable.
Maverick leans back slightly in his chair.
“And you believe I would dismantle a long-standing arrangement over rumor?”
Clinton smiles again.
“I believe powerful men don’t tolerate embarrassment.”
The silence stretches.
Clinton thinks he’s winning.
He thinks he found a fracture.
Maverick steeples his fingers.
“Bring your samples tomorrow,” he says finally. “You will demonstrate. If they perform as promised, we continue this discussion.”
Clinton stands, smoothing his jacket.
