“Let me put on some clothes before you take me anywhere.”
Now we were leading him out the door past his two goons, who were being watched by the sheriff’s deputies.
I said, “Unlike restaurants, we’ll still give you service without a shirt or shoes.”
As we got to Sandy’s car, the dealer said, “Let’s see how funny you are when they let me go and I have your jobs.”
I said, “You can have my job, but I don’t think you’d like it. Seems like all you ever get to deal with is jerks.” I inadvertently slammed his face into the roof of the car when I tried to get him into the backseat.
Sandy didn’t mind the blood that leaked out of his nose onto the upholstery.
Chapter 65
Dell Streeter, still shirtless, sat in a chair with his hands cuffed behind his back. There was no one else in the Linewiler detective bureau. That was the way Sandy and I wanted it.
It was time to have a serious talk with the Texan.
Streeter said, “Where’s the bright light? Are you going to use the phone book to beat me so there are no bruises? Who’s going to be the good cop and who’s going to be the bad one?”
Sandy said, “You’ve seen a lot of movies.”
“I’ve had a lot of cops talk to me. And I’ll tell you right now I’ve got nothing to say.”
“Most drug dealers don’t.”
“Drug dealer! I run a successful appliance repair service.”
I said, “If you’re so successful, how come you live in that shithole?”
“Less for crooked cops to steal. Plus I like the tax breaks for having a home office.”
Sandy played it cool, sitting on the edge of a nearby desk. “I don’t think you appreciate the situation you’re in.”
Streeter said, “Why don’t you explain it to a simple country boy like me?”
I leaned in close and said, “Right now we can tie five bodies to you.”
He chuckled but kept his mouth shut.
“You think this is funny? You think it’s a joke?”
He grinned. “Yeah. I think someone is playing a joke on me. I’ll laugh tonight. When I’m home.”
“You could get life for this, easy.”
“Life is never easy. You should know that. I did a little research on you after our first meeting. You couldn’t even keep your own kid from selling dope. Who are you to threaten me?”
Even with his hands behind his back, it felt like he had slapped me. I had to get hold of myself. I had never punched anyone in handcuffs. I wanted to go my whole career being able to say that.
Streeter said, “I just want to make sure you get me in front of the judge for my arraignment before the end of the day.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the Rangers are on ESPN tonight, and I intend to watch it from my living room.” He gave us a smirk. He was daring me to do something drastic.
Sandy said, “There’s always a way to help yourself in a situation like this.”
“A situation like what? Like being kidnapped illegally by the police?” He looked back at me and said, “I’m starting to understand why so many people shoot the cops. You deserve it.”