Page 161 of Power
Mr. Newburg glared at him. “Did you just tell me no?”
Luciano nodded, once.
“Why the hell not?”
Sin sat, crossed his legs. “Because we say so.”
“Never mind,” Newburg yelled out before shutting the door.
When he lowered himself into his desk chair, the furniture creaked from his weight. “Are you law enforcement?”
“I’m Sinclair Develin with Develin and Associates.”
“The Fixer, right?”
An acknowledgment nod from Sin. “This is Malvagio Peccatore with the Bureau. We spoke with Guy Chenkus about his side gig here.”
Newburg’s elbow jerked out, like a nervous tic. “What side gig?”
“You forced him to create passports for Haqazzii terrorists on the No-Fly list.” Luciano said.
“Now, wait one goddamn minute. I didn’t force anyone to do anything, and I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.” Beads of sweat broke out on Newburg’s temples.
“Who do you work for?” Luciano said. “Who’s behind this?”
“Behind what? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Silence.
Mr. Newburg fidgeted in his chair, the creaking sound bouncing off the walls of his drab government office.
“I get why you’re scared,” Luciano said. “Chenkus is dead. Let us help you. Tell us who you work with.”
“If you don’t, we’ll open an IG investigation,” Sin said.
“I… um, er… Guy was lying,” Newburg said.
“This is a serious offense that carries jail time,” Luciano said. “And the Bureau will come down hard on a traitor.”
Newburg feigned surprise, but his open mouth and wide eyes only made Luciano want to shove him against a wall and knock the answers out of him. This was a total shit show and a complete waste of his time, but they had to do it this way first. When this failed, they’d do ithisway. That would get them the answers they needed.
“If you don’t cooperate, not only will the Inspector General be on your ass, you might find your investment accounts have a zero balance,” Sin growled.
A sound, like the air being released by a balloon seeped out of Newburg. “This is much bigger than me and the small part youthinkI played. If I were you, I would march your asses out and crawl back under the rock from where you came.”
Luciano and Sin exchanged glances.
“Wrong answer,” Luciano bit out.
Sin flashed a smile. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
“Get out!” Newburg shoved out of his chair and waddled to his door. He threw it open and glared at them.
The second they exited, he slammed the door shut.
As Luciano and Sin strode down the hall, Sin said, “He should have told us.”
“He is.” Luciano checked his watch. “My money says he’s making a call right now.”
