Daniel watched and waited until Elsa went upstairs. He knew that it was an offense to a gangster to insult him or argue with him in front of his woman, so he didn't want to give Carlos any extra reason to get his back up. "Daniel Gorman, narcotics division," he repeated in introduction. "My partner and I executed a warrant two days ago," he informed Carlos, handing over a manila folder, and removing his glasses, placing them in his suit pocket once heâd handed over the folder. "I think you know what we found," he said as Carlos perused the high quality, glossy photos of his drug stash. "My partner and I," he said, motioning out to the shadowy figure of Brendan, in the passenger seat of the car, "are on our way to headquarters to put in a warrant for your arrest," he told Carlos.
Carlos hurled the folder back into Daniel's chest. "So what you want from me?" he demanded. He knew if they wanted to arrest him, he'd be in handcuffs by now, unless he came out shooting. Daniel grinned a big, toothy smile. "Those who know me well know I'm not against... alternative arrangements," he explained delicately. "After all, it would be easy toâ¦. change the report before it gets turned in, and say we didn't find anything." Carlos nodded in understanding. He'd done something like this before. "But the problem for you," Daniel went on to explain, "is that someone has already beaten to you making alternate arrangements," he informed the now-confused Carlos. "I think you recall a former guard named Brendan," he added.
Carlos steamed over this for a second. His mind was racing to process all this. What did Brendan have to do with all this? The very sound of that name brought fire to his nostrils. He thought he got rid of that guy. Now, he was coming back, like some vermin insect. "It's simple," Daniel added after a pause. "He wants your woman." Carlos almost punched the cop right in the face at that revelation, but he just barely held back from hitting him, steam almost rising off his head, he was in such a rage. "He wants you to break up with her, so he can take his chances with Elsa. He doesn't mind if you schedule some arrangement to visit with your son. And he wants to be safe. If you go after him, this 'misplaced' report," Daniel explained, holding up another folder, "will find its way back down to headquarters." He paused, waiting for Carlos' response, which took a while to come out. Many thoughts raced through his angry mind. His crew, his street family, needed him. Besides, he couldn't go away forever. But there had to be another way. It would be an incredible defeat to let Brendan win this one. "I need some time to think 'bout that," he finally told Daniel, a little calmer. He had to remain calm, his life was in the balance here. "How 'bout you come back tomorrow?" Not ready to fall for that, Daniel shook his head at Carlos. "I'll wait out in the street. You can tell me in fifteen minutes," he offered. "Fine,â Carlos sneered, slamming the door in Daniel's face, and storming up the steps to Elsa and his son.