Nolan hesitated, debating what to say. He’d been sent by Xavier to scope out the new dealer. Giving up Xavier was not an option, especially right now when he was so desperate. With a hard stare of insolence, Nolan spoke. “I don’t know, man. It had nothing to do with me.”
Vinny shook his head. “You’ll have to do better than that if you want to leave in one piece. Try again.”
Nolan swallowed. “I swear I don’t know anything. All I know is that after Slasher got popped, our supply chain bit the dust. What do you care anyway? As long as you get your money, and we get the roids, everyone’s happy.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Ramos stepped closer, looming over Nolan. Vinny wasn’t going to get it out of the kid, so he took over. “We know you’re buying steroids for your teammates, Nolan. I can make life hard for you, and your whole team, if you don’t help me out. If the coach were to find out what you’re doing, how long would it take before you got kicked off the team? Or even worse, suspended from school? While you think about that, I’m going to ask one more time. Who killed Slasher?”
Nolan pursed his lips, thinking this was Xavier’s fault. He never should have agreed to help him.
Deciding he needed a little nudge, I spoke. “What does Xavier have to do with it? Did he put you up to this?”
Nolan’s mouth dropped open, so I continued. “He did, huh? That’s interesting. Why do you think he did that?” Nolan was thinking that Xavier had lost his supplier when Slasher died, so he’d asked Nolan to find another dealer.
“Were Xavier and Slasher partners or something?” I asked.
Nolan wondered how I knew all of this. How did I know about Xavier anyway? He’d never mentioned Xavier’s name to anyone outside the team, so how did I know? He glanced at Vinny, and then Ramos, knowing he was in a tight spot.
“You might as well tell us,” I said, hoping to encourage him. “No one’s coming to your rescue, and there’s nowhere to go.”
He sent me a glare. “Xavier got the drugs from Slasher, that’s all I know.”
“Does Xavier drive a gray BMW?”
Nolan’s eyes widened. How did I know that? Was I a freakin’ cop? “Look, are you selling me the drugs or not?” Nervous, he tensed his muscles, ready to shove Vinny out of the way and run like hell.
I held my hands out, palms up. “Give us Xavier’s full name and where he lives. You can buy the drugs, and we’ll let you go.”
Nolan licked his lips. Could it be that easy? Would we keep our end of the bargain? He didn’t trust anyone, but now he had no choice. “Fine. His name’s Xavier Bronson. I don’t know his address, but he lives in the cove, and he goes to Skyline High School. Can I go now?”
Before I could answer, Ramos stepped in close and grabbed his shirt with his fist. “If you want to live, I’d suggest you keep this conversation to yourself. Your friend, Xavier, doesn’t need to know you gave him up. But please be sure to tell him you got the drugs from Vinny, and he’s a good supplier. Think you can do that?”
Nolan struggled against Ramos’s grasp. “Yeah, whatever, man. Let me go.” Ramos released him, and Nolan stepped back, his breathing harsh in the quiet office. He thought there had to be someone else who sold juice, because he wasn’t coming back here, no matter what Xavier wanted.
Seemingly unconcerned, Vinny handed him a piece of paper. “I’m not using this place anymore. It’s too visible. So next time you need to score, just text that number, and I’ll set something up with you.”
Nolan nodded, slipping the paper into his pocket. He handed Vinny the wad of cash for the packet of pills and took off so fast it was like he’d never been there.
Vinny scratched his head and glanced at me. “So who’s this Xavier person?”
“He killed Tommy… uh… Slasher. I don’t know why, but I’m pretty sure he did it.”
Aaron didn’t know what was going on, or how I knew that, but he was ready for this little scene to be over. “So… is that it?” He didn’t like the risk of dealing drugs in his store, especially since he wouldn’t get anything out of it.
“Yeah.” Ramos caught Aaron’s gaze with a hardened stare. “You’re done selling drugs here, but I’ll make sure Manetto knows that you helped us tonight. He might cut you a break. And if anyone else ever approaches you about the business again, you’ll be sure to let me know first. Got it?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Good.” Ramos turned to Vinny. “It looks like this was all Slasher’s doing, but if it ever comes back to Manetto, you’re taking the fall.”
At his nod, Ramos continued. “And, in the future—if I hear any more about your drug business infringing on Manetto’s organization, there will be no second chances. I will hunt you down and end you, and you’ll never see it coming.”
Vinny’s olive skin turned pale, and he took a step back. He nodded and swallowed. “I get it. I’ll make sure it never happens again. You have my word.”
Vinny worried whether his word was enough, and he wanted to ask Ramos to give him a chance to explain, if something came up in the future, but he knew that wasn’t an option. He’d just have to make sure everyone in his organization knew he’d kill them if they ever tried anything like Tommy had.
That seemed like a good idea to me, and I nodded to show my support. He tried to send me a smile, but couldn’t quite make his face move.
Glancing between Vinny and Ramos, I spoke. “Well, if that’s all, I guess we can go now.”
That seemed to break
