Page 115 of Nuts

“Your answers.”

“Why’s that?”

He pushed his plate to the side. “Club business is club business. I won’t discuss club business.”

“I wouldn’t ever expect you to.”

He crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath. “I’ve got some business of my own, though.”

“Okay.”

“I need some advice,” he said. “And I don’t have anyone to get it from but you and Smoke. I know Smoke’s opinion, and I’m thinking I might want yours.”

“Well, when you’re ready, let me know. I’ll give it.”

I acted interested in my enchiladas, even though I wasn’t. I’d lost my appetite, but didn’t really want to get up from the table. I wanted him to continue with our discussion, but doubted he would.

“I’ve got a guy in a box up by mom’s place.”

I looked up. “Excuse me?”

“One of the big metal things that they keep construction materials in.”

I blinked a few times. “You’ve got a guy in one?”

“Yep. Remember when I told you that I do bad things but--”

“But you have great intentions?” I said.

He nodded. “This is one of those times.”

I took a drink of water and then shook my head. “I just want to make sure I heard you right. You have a guy in a metal box up by your mother’s house? Did I hear you right?”

“Yep. Between Fallbrook and Highway 15.”

“Okay. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess this guy’s a cop.”

He pulled a dollar bill from his pocket, folded it, and began to pick his teeth. “Yep.”

“A fed?”

“Yep.”

“Is he alive?”

He nodded. “For now.”

“Why?”

He stopped picking his teeth. “Why what?”

“Why’s he alive?”

“What do you mean?”

“If you have him in a metal container, and he’s alive, there’s a reason for it. You would have killed him yesterday or the day before or whatever. But, if you’ve kept him alive for a few days, there’s a reason.”

“Few months.”