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JAIME NANTES LOOKED at me like I was crazy. I could have slapped him and gotten the same response. Finally, when neither Trilling nor I filled the silence, Nantes said, “I don’t know about that. That’s a lot of risk for a charge I’ve already taken care of. I knew Deason’s dad. If Antonio’s anything like his old man, I don’t want to get on the wrong side of him.”

I said, “We’re just looking for a little help. Tip us off when he’s leaving with some product. Something like that. You don’t have to do anything dangerous. Just be our eyes and ears.”

Nantes had to think about that one. I didn’t push too hard. We were already out on a limb. This was much closer to blackmail than it was to law enforcement. But I was getting desperate.

“How well do you know Antonio?” I asked.

“I’ve recorded a couple of conversations for Hernandez when the guy was over at our warehouse.”

Trilling cut in. “Technically you just transmitted the conversations. Detective Hernandez made that clear.”

Nantes shrugged. “Whatever. You guys already know he’s been coming by our warehouse or you wouldn’t be talking to me now.”

“Have you had any dealings with him outside of the ones Detective Hernandez heard?”

Nantes shook his head. “I’m trying to stay out of trouble, not get into more of it.” He took another pause and then added, “This doesn’t sound like something I want to do.”

I immediately stood up from the table. Trilling followed my lead. I said, “Okay, do what you need to do. It’s your choice.” I started to turn and I mumbled, “Good luck.”

That took all the defiance out of Nantes. He barked, “Wait, wait. I have another idea.”

I hesitated, then partially turned to hear him out.

Nantes said, “I can show you some documents back at the warehouse. Stuff that would bury Deason. His name is all over them.”

Trilling asked the important question. “How do we do it without the other guys at the warehouse seeing?”

“There’s no one there right now. We got at least an hour.” Then he looked at me and said, “Your choice.” He stared me down as he stood up and casually walked to the front door, then turned around to hear my answer. His right hand rested on the door.

Maybe this guy wasn’t the dumbass I thought he was. It was worth the risk. I said, “Let’s go.”