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“Jack. I know you think you’re doing the right thing. But don’t go sticking your nose in where it ain't warranted. Don’t think you want to step on anyone’s toes, right?” He paused, taking a big drag from his cigarette.
“We got an understanding in this town. Me and the old boys got these scumbags under control. We take them down, someone else steps in their place. Better to keep the peace, keep everyone happy. In the green, right?”
He flicked his cigarette into the gutter next to his feet. He took a step towards me, one hand in his pocket, the other pointing a finger at me.
“People gonna be smoking meth no matte
r what. Not much else to do around here. So why not see me and the boys later for a beer. We can work something out. Keep everyone sweet, make a deal. Get it?”
I stopped, my hand on the door. I turned my head to look at the balding, fat detective who was appraising me with bloodshot eyes.
“No. I don’t get it. People come into this town, our town, and start selling meth to kids and junkies? Start intimidating and killing people? And you want me to make adeal with them?” I let go of the door and turned to face the old detective.
“How the hell do you sleep at night? Did you become a cop because you were too much of a pussy to become a gangster? I hope you enjoy spending the dirty money you get on strip clubs and hookers and holidays for your family who think you’re a fucking hero.”
“Whatever you say, Jack. You ain’t got a clue how things work. Just be careful you don’t end up getting yourself in something you can’t handle. Keep running your mouth off, and me and my boys will see you don’t cause any more trouble. Understand?”
He had stepped closer to me as if to intimidate.
I laughed in his face. Then I grabbed his shirt and put my face inches from his.
“Where are your boys now?” I gestured around me.
“Can’t see them anywhere. You threaten me again, I will destroy you. You think you got something on me, doing my damn job? ‘Cause you don’t. All you got is empty threats, old man.”
His eyes widened as I spat my words aggressively in his face.
“You and your boys better leave me alone from now on. You do that, and I’ll leave you alone. Let’s just all do our own thing, right?” I glared at him. He raised his hands, as if he was surrendering.
“Look, Jack. Do what you want, OK. I’m just sayin’ there’s another way. If you change your mind, I’m all ears. Otherwise, we’ll stay out of your way. Sure.”
“Good.” I let go of his collar and headed into the building. I wasn’t sure of the consequences, if any, of what I’d just done. But I wasn’t gonna end up like one of his boys.
Hell no. They get in my way, I’ll take them down too.
I reached the Lieutenant's office a short walk later. I knocked gently, seeing he was on the phone. He smiled and waved me in.
“... yeah, I know Marlene. Right. Ok.” He paused, making a talking gesture at me with his hand.
“Alright. Dinner is booked for 7, be home by 6. No, I don’t want to piss your parents off. Ok darlin’, see you later. Love you too.” He hung up the phone. Marlene was his wife. She usually called him at least once per day to remind him of something. As if he didn’t have enough to deal with.
“Sorry Jack.” He gestured at the seat in front of his desk as he took a gulp of coffee.
I sat down obligingly, leaning forward on my elbows.
“No problem, sir. You got a minute?” I said, a serious expression on my face.
“Sure thing. What you got for me? I’m guessing this isn’t a social visit?” He sighed, staring into the corner of the room wistfully. “Hell, if I didn’t have dinner with the wife’s parents later I’d suggest we have this conversation in a bar over a few ice-cold beers.”
“Well, I’m always down for a few beers. What about next Friday? Just tell your wife you got a police meeting or something.” He laughed, nodding.
“Anyway, I got some info earlier this week. From my old pal Lucas. Said he busted some young kid with biker meth. Which is almost identical to the meth the O’Rourkes used to push, before we took them down.” I waited for the Lieutenant to look up at me, concern in his eyes.
“No shit. Not just an old batch? Or a new cook following the old recipe?”
“Well, of course that’s always possible sir. But I took the liberty of obtaining two more samples, from different sides of town. Both look exactly the same as the stuff Lucas brought me. He said there’s other cops finding the same stuff as well.” I took the three samples from my jacket, arraying them on the desk in front of the Lieutenant. All had the exact same yellowish hue, and they sparkled blue in the light as he studied them.
“Amazing. Looks exactly the same.”
