Free Florida Heatwave by Michael Lister Page A

life of a big city cop he hated. Loved her enough to take constant shit from this idiot.
    Loved her enough to hide information about Trafficante, the reputed mob boss of Florida, from Casano.
    Casano dropped into the chair next to Hawkins. “Tampa ain’t Key West, ya know? Down there, you have small-town law and order. Sure, where I learned to police in Jersey we did things the same small-town way you fellows did down in Key West. But, hey, up in New York City that wouldn’t have shook it. New York was the big city where they did big-city law. Now, I ain’t meaning to imply that Tampa is New York, ya know, but in comparison to itty bitty Key West, it could be. Big cities do things that could result in a whole different interpretation of the facts. Are you following me here?”
    Hawkins clenched his teeth. “Johnny, if I’d known Mort Goldstein was your source I’d never have gone to his place without telling ya. I told you that. I told you several times.”
    Casano sighed, whipped out a white hankerchief to wipe the sweat from his face, then carefully refolded it. “Danny Boy, Mort told you, didn’t he? When you and that big galoot buddy of yours from Key West waltzed in? Before the guns blazed? He mentioned my name, didn’t he?”
    “No, he didn’t. There wasn’t time. It all happened so fast, Johnny. We didn’t have no conversation with Mort, ya know. He pulled a gun on us the minute we walked through the door. If we hadn’t shot ‘em, he would’ve killed one or both of us. I told ya it was self-defense for me and Tom. Either shoot him or get killed, pure and simple. Ain’t nothing small town ‘bout that.”
    Casano’s nostrils flared like he was about to rev up for more ranting and raving, but instead, he folded his arms, closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall, looking for all the world like he was napping. Several minutes passed before he leaned forward and slapped his hands. “This may not be as bad as I had previously anticipated. If Mort didn’t say nothing about me or the fact that he was my snitch, then it all may just be so much water under the bridge.”
    Surprised by Casano’s change of mood, Hawkins waited for the other shoe to drop.
    Casano rubbed his callused hands together. “In fact, Danny Boy, this may have actually created an opportunity for me and for you.”
    Hawkins relaxed. He might make it out of this jam okay, depending on what Casano had in mind.
    “Now, I don’t want you to think I’m condoning the fact that you and your friend out there in the hall blew away a gold-plated snitch of the Tampa PD without so much as a howdy do, but this thing may not be as bad as I first thought.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and squinted at some notes in his handwriting. “You know I got a little action on the side?”
    Hawkins shrugged. “I’ve heard some talk. You and some other captains have a detective agency, or some such. I’ve heard it mentioned, but I don’t ask no questions ‘cause it ain’t none of my business.”
    “Yeah, keep it quiet. Chief understands because he knows a police salary don’t go far. One day when you and Jeanette have a houseful of kids, you’ll be needing extra money too.” Johnny picked up a paperclip from the clutter atop his desk, bent it open and cleaned his fingernails. “In fact, one day when you get to be my age, you’ll be needing more money and something else that’s about as important.”
    “I’m sorry, Johnny, I don’t follow you …” Hawkins began.
    Casano chuckled as he dug deeper at his nails. “A man has needs, Danny.” He stopped digging to wave a finger towards his crotch. “The little woman gets older, and the guy down there needs more attention.”
    Hawkins felt the blood rising in his face as he stood. “I love Jeanette. If you and Viv are having problems, maybe …”
    Casano threw back his head to cackle. “We ain’t got no problems, Danny. It’s a fact of life that if—and with