We handle it ourselves. That's what I'm afraid of. Another chuckle. Smart kid, but here's the thing, you're in this now whether you like it or not. Dalton knows you have his evidence.
How long you think before he comes for you? Tonight? Tomorrow morning? And what are you going to do when he shows up with that badge and those dead eyes asking real polite where Arthur's things ended up?
Caleb's hands were shaking. I could give it to the FBI. You could. And they'd open an investigation that takes 6 months while Dalton disappears every shred of real evidence and you end up in a ditch somewhere. Clutch's voice was matter-of-fact, almost gentle.
Or you could give it to us and this ends quick. Quick how? That's not your concern. It is if I'm handing you the gun. Silence again, longer this time.
Then you got a code, kid. I respect that. So, here's the truth. We're going to take that evidence and we're going to make copies, lots of copies. And we're going to send them to every federal agency that might give a damn.
DEA, FBI, ATF, Homeland Security. We're going to bury Dalton in so much scrutiny, he won't be able to take a piss without three agents watching. And then? And then if he's smart, he runs. If he's not, Clutch trailed off.
Well, that's between him and his conscience.
Caleb moved to the door, his hand on the lock. How do I know I can trust you? You don't. But you saved Arthur's life when you could have walked away. In our world, that means something.
It means you're under our protection now, whether you asked for it or not. A pause. It also means you owe us the truth. Did you look inside that roll? Caleb swallowed hard.
Yeah. Then you know what's at stake. You know why Arthur was willing to die to keep it from Dalton. Clutch's voice dropped lower. We've been building this case for 2 years.
Arthur went undercover, played nice with the cartel, got close to Dalton's operation. That leather roll is everything. Every transaction, every payoff, every name. Without it, Arthur's sacrifice means nothing.
The word undercover hit Caleb like a physical blow. Arthur's a cop. Was. 20 years with Phoenix PD before he patched in with us. But that's not public knowledge, and it can't be.
Not yet. Clutch's tone hardened, which means you keep your mouth shut about it. Understand? Caleb's head was spinning. An undercover cop, the Hells Angels, the sheriff, the cartel.
This was so much bigger than some highway accident. If I give this to you, Caleb said slowly, I need your word that Dalton goes down legal. No vigilante justice, no desert graves. I need to know I'm not helping you commit murder. You got my word.