Page 74 of Trace of Doubt
“About five years.”
“Did you recruit him?”
Hanson nodded.
“What about Arthur Shell?”
“Never heard of him.”
Mike folded his hands on the table. “Tell us about Chandler.”
“That would put me on his hit list.”
“You’re already there just by talking to us.”
“What kind of deal can you offer me?”
Mike eyed him. “Depends on what you give us.”
“Never met Chandler. He calls when something needs done.”
“Like what? Hit contracts?”
“Errands.”
“Give me an example.”
“Drive-through Sonic. Pick up his dry cleaning.”
Mike stood. “Denton, take over. As far as I’m concerned, Chandler can have him.”
I’d played this game before. “Nick, you’re wasting our time, and neither of us is in the mood to sift through lies.”
Hanson laughed. “Black-and-blue agent thinks he can intimidate me?”
I nodded. “You know the saying ‘Don’t mess with a wounded animal’? Exactly how I feel. You have a choice—answer my questions or face Chandler.”
Hanson swore. “All right. I might have one answer.”
“Question number one—how long have you been working for Chandler?”
“Ten years.”
“As a hit man?”
“I collect money owed to him or whatever he needs.”
“Give us your job details regarding FBI Special Agent Isaac Sims and Shelby Pearce.”
“I didn’t know the old man was a Fed. The woman had just gotten out of prison and knew something Chandler didn’t want her telling.”
I held up a finger. “What?”
“No idea.”
“Hmm. Chandler wanted Shelby Pearce dead because he was afraid of being blackmailed?”
Hanson shrugged. “He didn’t trust her. But the order could have come from Chandler or his boss.”
