leaned an arm on the table and stared into the man’s beady eyes. “Mr. Fernández, I can guess at the nature of your dealings with the senator. While I find them detesting, I also recognize that you are a small fish. Who knows? Maybe helping us will inspire you to make different life choices after this?”
He swallowed, but didn’t look away from her.
Santiago Fernández was no one in the grand scheme. He was a go-between for the real criminals. He was complicit. But she wanted to catch the big fish. She wanted Dixon, Skilton, and the heads of the cartel to start. There was no doubt in her mind that other bad actors would shake free from Dixon’s coat tails the longer they looked.
“Do you really think you can protect me from...?” Santiago glanced around the room.
“From Dixon? Or Skilton?” She knew the real boogeyman here was Skilton.
Santiago leaned toward her and whispered, “Skilton.”
“This isn’t a children’s story. Saying his name won’t summon him.” Honestly, the more she saw how Dixon and Santiago acted about this Skilton character, the more disgusted she got.
“How much do you trust him?” Santiago nodded at Evan’s empty chair. “What if Skilton’s got his hooks in that one?”
Kelsey merely smiled. She wasn’t fond of how close to the mark Santiago was coming. She could trust Evan, but there were far more she couldn’t.
The door opened, admitting the topic of their conversation.
“Mr. Fernández?” Evan laid the agreement in front of Santiago. “If you will please sign these pages, we’ll get started lining up proper protection for you.”
Santiago snatched up the pen and began signing without reading.
His fear was very real.
She sat back and watched.
Santiago paused after the first signature and skimmed a few paragraphs before signing the other page.
Either he was naïve, or had been through this before.
Neither would surprise her.
“Kelsey?” Evan muttered.
“Hm?” she didn’t take her eyes off Santiago.
Evan placed his hand on her shoulder.
She glanced up at him and he nodded at the door.
Damn it, what now?
“Give us one moment, please?” She picked up her faux files and followed Evan out into the hall.
He pushed the door shut and rubbed at his brow.
“What?” she snapped.
Evan lifted his eyes and looked at her. “Robert’s dead.”
“What?” Her jaw dropped, and she stared at him.
The last she’d seen of Robert, he’d been pale and breathing hard, but he was hanging in there. The doctors said he had a long road to recovery.
“Overnight. He went into cardiac arrest and...died.” Evan dropped his hands to his side. “I’m sorry. I know he was a big piece of the puzzle.”
“No shit. Are they doing an autopsy?” she asked.
Evan nodded.
“Damn it,” she spat and turned a circle.
This was a massive blow should Dixon back out on their agreement. Without Robert to apply pressure, they were going to have to rely on Santiago. A much less reliable informant.
“Fuck. Okay. We’ll deal with this later. We’ve got Santiago on the hook. Let’s focus on him. You ready?” She grabbed the door and waited.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Kelsey took another deep breath and mentally wiped the news aside.
They entered the interrogation room again. Santiago was exactly where they’d left him. He still looked nervous, but he wasn’t sweating bullets now that he had his deal.
“What do you want to know?” His voice was resigned.
“Do you still want your lawyer?” she asked. That had to be cleared up first.
“No. I’d rather avoid pointless legal fees.” He tapped the paper. “This is enough for me.”
“Alright then, what do you know about Skilton?” she asked.
“Historically speaking? Or current events?”
The way he said current events made the hair on Kelsey’s arms stand up. She propped her chin on her hand in an attempt to appear casual.
“What sort of current events?” she asked.
Santiago licked his lips. “Word is...Skilton is here. In DC.”
Kelsey didn’t move. She gave no reaction, but inside she was instantly a mess.
Skilton?
Here?
Was that why there were so many people using their list of fake identities coming into the country?
Evan jolted. He clearly hadn’t been prepared to hear that.
“Why would he be here?” she asked.
“Dixon.” Santiago spread his hands. “Dixon is why. Skilton’s people don’t think very highly of South America. To them, that’s the asshole of the world. Sure, they can sell to people there. They’re happy to move drugs made in South America. But they don’t respect the people.”
“But Dixon does?” she asked.
He snorted. “That’s not what I’m saying. Dixon saw an opportunity to make money and not have to split the profit with Skilton. Dixon is in