Page 125 of Blackwood

“Now, this is Tex,” I say lightly, almost sweet. “He’s very,verygood at making sure that you’re not going to lie to me. Micro-expressions and all that shit.”

The man’s breath catches.

“So, here’s the deal,” I continue, crouching just enough to meet his eyes again. “As long as everything that comes out of your little mouth from this point on is one hundred percent the truth,” I pause, letting the silence press on his chest. “We’ll patch you up and have you on your way before the sunrise.”

His eyes dart to Tex, then back to me.

“But…” I add, straightening. “If even one syllable feels off?” I look up at Tex. He cracks his knuckles. I look back at the man. “Well then… your new beginning turns into a closed casket.”

Tex grins. “Let’s have a chat.”

He squats in front of the guy, elbows resting on his knees. Calm. Professional. Fucking terrifying. “What’s your name?”

“Piotr,” the man says, voice rough with pain.

“How long you been working for Krolek, Piotr?”

He hesitates, then chokes out, “Seven years.”

Tex nods slowly. “You got family?”

Piotr’s eyes flicker. “Yes. Wife. And a son, seventeen.”

“Back in Poland?”

He nods.

Tex raises a brow. “Yeah, I’m going to need a verbal response, Piotr.”

“Yes. In Poland,” Piotr says quickly.

“You ever personally hurt one of the kids Krolek brings?”

“No. Never. I… I don’t touch kids.”

Tex tilts his head. “Did you ever watch it happen and stay quiet?”

Piotr hesitates. “Sometimes… I look away. But never help. Never.”

“Did you ever deliver one of them? Take a kid from one place to another and know what you were doing?”

Piotr swallows hard. “Y-y-yes… I knew. I don’t touch, I swear on my son. But I know where I take them.”

Tex studies him in silence. Just long enough to make him sweat.

Then he glances at me. “So far, so good. He’s telling the truth. He’s guilty as sin, but he can be useful.”

I cross my arms, watching carefully. I nod.

“Okay, Piotr,” Tex says, voice suddenly all business. “Here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to call Krolek. Tell him everything went smoothly. The transfer is on the way right now.”

He nods to Knox. “Knox, send the funds.”

“On it,” Knox replies from behind me already tapping at his screen.

“And,” Tex continues, leaning in, “you’re going to tell him the wife was way wealthier than expected. Loaded. Filthy rich. And she needs girls.”

Piotr frowns slightly, but Tex barrels on.