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“Mr. Dane. I don’t think you seem to realize how important it is we find him quickly,” Sheffield said, trying to block me from leaving.
I was about to shove his ass against the wall but figured it wasn’t in my best interest. “I get it. You need to save face with your superiors and with the public. And you know I’m the only man who can do it. If I take this case, it’s going to cost you.”
“Name your price.” Walker grinned, already thinking he’d won this round. Why not shoot the moon at this point?
“Two hundred k in cold, hard cash.”
I was surprised when they didn’t blink or give each other a gloomy-eyed stare. Sheffield walked closer, holding out his hand. “You have yourself a deal, Mr. Dane. As long as you can start immediately.”
I thought about it again and sighed. Tracking someone of this caliber wasn’t going to be easy. And if I had to guess I’d say it would be time consuming. I wanted to spend time with Lily, getting to know every inch of her. After debating the issue, I made my decision. “Fine. I’ll do it. But there will be other conditions.”
Gage cocked his head, giving me that same look I’d seen since I’d met him. He had no doubt I’d get into some trouble, and someone would wind up dead.
“That’s fine,” Sheffield said, although I noticed he’d clenched his jaw.
“I assume you have a piece of clothing with his scent? I have a tracking dog.”
Gage was the one who handed me a shirt. I didn’t need to pull it to my nose. The damn thing was ripe with sweat. There were also spots of dried blood.
“This was Fed-exed in this morning,” Gage said, already exasperated.
“Just know he’s violent, capable of killing with his bare hands,” Walker added.
Both Gage and I started to laugh, Gage addressing the man’s comment. “Maybe the dossier you have on Maverick doesn’t adequately describe the man’s skills. He can be a killing machine.”
Smirking, I noticed Sheffield paled. I wanted to laugh even harder. I folded the shirt, putting it under my arm.
“What do you want me to do with him if I’m lucky enough to track him down?” I asked. Few people understood how difficult tracking fugitives could be, especially ones who’d planned their escape, which Bruno Escavetti had obviously done. There wasn’t a prison system in the world that could compete with most mafia organizations, their network insides just as powerful as in the free world.
“Then you call us,” Walker answered.
I had to laugh. “You’re assuming he’ll cooperate.”
“We’ve heard your methods are… creative in trapping a criminal,” Sheffield added.
Creative. I threw another look at Gage.
“I’ll get started in the morning.”
“No, now,” Sheffield barked.
It would seem I had no choice.
I took a minute to pull out my wallet, finding one of my cards inside. It already had my bank account information on it, but only for law enforcement officers. The everyday Joe was required to pay me in cash. “Then you’re going to deposit half the funds into my account within one hour. And it’s nonrefundable.” I dared them to balk at my terms.
They didn’t.
They wanted this son of a bitch bad. After Walker took the card from my hand, I grabbed the file. “I need one of your cards so I can give you a call when I’m in range. And don’t tread on my turf. I work alone and that’s the way it is.”
“Alright. But you need to produce.”
I moved closer to Sheffield, laughing. “I always produce. Iamthe best in the business.”
As I walked out of the building, I could feel all eyes on me. I was certain Gage would make a call later, either berating me or laughing at what I knew would be called ‘disturbing’ behavior.
As if I gave a shit.
Gage decided to make it sooner, catching me before I made it ten feet.
