Another car pulled into the lot. Doors opened and closed. Feet hit the ground, and footsteps drew near.
Howell commanded his associate to "See who that is.”
The other officer hustled to the window and peered out. “Shit. We’ve got a problem.”
51
“Ihope I’m not interrupting anything,” a man with a Spanish accent said as he hovered near the door.
Two armed thugs escorted him.
A woman stood behind the Spanish man. They were all silhouettes.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people,” Howell said.
“If I was sneaking up on you, you’d be dead.”
“I wasn’t expecting you. What can I do for you?”
“I’m so glad you asked,” the Spanish man said with a smile in his voice.
The other goons flooded into the space and surrounded the officers with fluid movements.
The officers shifted with unease, but the Spanish man somehow commanded their respect. The tension in the room was thick.
“You have two things that I want,” the man said.
“Just name them,” Howell said, trying to be accommodating.
“The man you have in custody has been a thorn in my side. I will handle him.”
Howell glanced at me, then back to the Spanish man. “He’s yours, as long as he’s never heard from again.”
The Spanish man smiled. “I can assure you of that.”
A long, awkward silence filled the room.
“What else can I do for you?”
“There is the matter of a certain shipment that was intercepted.”
“Circumstances beyond my control.”
“But I pay you to control the circumstances.”
“Force Mejure. Act of God. There are still officers on the force who aren’t on the take.”
“Well, that merchandise, or the cash equivalent, needs to find its way back to me.”
“That was a significant amount of product.”
“I’m aware,” the Spanish man said in a subtle but unmistakable tone. He was pissed.
“Look, Mr. Navarro. I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen again. But that product is locked up in evidence, and I don’t have that kind of cash. We’ll make it up on another deal.”
Navarro was silent a moment. “If that’s the best you can offer, then I guess I’ll have to accept it.”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
