Bow Down(39)
I opened the doors. Ethan and I stepped into Arturo Barone’s office.
It was about what I expected. Arturo sat behind a huge wooden desk. Along the walls were pictures of Arturo with powerful men plus several civic awards he won for all his philanthropy. There were filing cabinets, an old stereo system and turntable, and of course a built-in bar.
“Wyatt,” Arturo said, smiling. “Come in. Glad to see you.”
“Sorry to drop by unannounced like this, Arturo,” I said.
“Nonsense. Drink?”
“Okay.”
“Good. Get me a whisky.”
I nodded, went to the bar, and made the drinks. Ethan had already sat down, staring at his phone. Arturo pretended like Ethan wasn’t even there, which he really barely was.
I handed Arturo his drink and then sat.
“What can I do for you?” he asked, sipping his drink.
“I thought we might discuss a little business.”
He arched an eyebrow. “More business? I thought you were busy with the last job I gave you.”
“I told you, I don’t have much say over that. I spoke with the chief and he said he’d do what he can.”
“Fine,” Arturo said, waving his hand. “If you’re not here for that, what are you here for?”
“Something else that might benefit you.” I took a sip of the whisky. It was absolutely delicious. “Your business has been affected by the dealers moving in on the south side, hasn’t it?”
He nodded slowly. “New gang, something about the Dark Knight?”
“Black Knights,” Ethan said.
“Black Knights. That’s it. They’ve been pushing into my territory. Very annoying.”
“They are very annoying,” I agreed. “They’re violent and dangerous.”
“What can you do about them?”
“Well, the reason they haven’t been prosecuted yet is because of a particular lawyer.” I glanced at Ethan. “We happened to have taken care of that lawyer. These guys are scrambling to find new representation, and they’re ripe for the picking.”
“Interesting,” Arturo said. “You want to press some cases against them?”
“I do. I want to get some of these mad men off the street.”
“That would take a little pressure off me.”
“Exactly. Maybe free up some of your guys to deal with your other problem.”
He nodded slowly. “I can see why this would benefit me. But why come to me first, then?”
“Well, this clearly helps you. But truthfully, it doesn’t matter to me either way. These cases won’t matter to my career.”
“I see.” He stroked his chin, frowning.
“But of course, one hundred thousand dollars would do a lot for me.”
He paused, his face falling. “That’s a lot to ask for,” he said.
“It is,” I agreed. “But I’m offering a lot.”
“Who’s to say I don’t go around you, make my own calls? I have connections in the court system, you know.”
“You could,” I agreed. “But not as fast as I can move. I can get you more guys put away faster.”
His frown deepened, and I could see the anger begin to boil up around him. Ethan, meanwhile, kept typing away on his phone, but I noticed a subtle shift in him, like he was paying closer attention.
“You come into my house,” Arturo said slowly, “and you demand an absurd price. I try and negotiate, and you do not come down.” He shook his head slowly. “I’m disappointed in you, Wyatt. After everything I’ve done for you.”
“We’re even, Arturo,” I reminded him. “You don’t own me. If you want to negotiate, negotiate. Don’t make vague threats.”
I smiled calmly at him, though inwardly I was sweating. I knew this was a dangerous game I was playing. It wasn’t a normal thing to walk into the lair of a dangerous mobster and demand a bribe. But I knew Arturo was hurting, and he needed a little leeway to move. The only thing he had plenty of was money.
He bridged his fingers, staring at me. “Twenty thousand.”
I laughed. “That’s not even worth my time on the ride over.”
“Thirty.”
“I’ll come down to seventy.”
He clenched his jaw. “You’re making me angry, Wyatt.”
“Let’s not act like you’re hurting for money, Arturo. But you are hurting for turf.”
He grunted. “I’ll do forty. Not a dime more.”
“I’ll take fifty.”
He smiled. “Done.”
I stood. He stood. We shook hands. All of his anger had suddenly melted away, and I realized that he was putting it on just for the negotiations.