Voss felt a tingling along his arms, looked up, and saw Morelli’s Impala coming up the dirt road to his farm.
Morelli got out and waved.
“Didn’t expect to see you back so soon. Still haven’t seen Gio. Don’t know where he is.”
“Couldn’t keep away. I need a favor.”
“Do I have to kill somebody?”
Morelli chuckled. “Sorry, that’s not in our charter. Did you have somebody in mind?”
“What’s the favor?”
“You have any outbuildings you’re not using? Empty? Maybe a small barn or big shed? And not near your house?”
“What are you going to use it for?”
“Storage. And I’ll pay any rent or fees you want.”
Voss cocked his head at him and snorted.
Morelli reached into his pocket and pulled out a roll of bills secured with a thick elastic band. “Off the books. Nobody needs to know. What’s your price?” He undid the elastic. Ben Franklin frowned up at Ed from the top bill.
“Don’t you work for the government?”
“Right hand left hand thing. I won’t tell anybody if you won’t. So?”
Voss kept his eyes on Morelli. “Last time I saw a roll of bills like that was in an FBI Al Capone movie. What d’you want the buildling for?”
“The Costner-Connery-Di Nero one? Yeah, that was a good one.” Morelli paused. “You’re not buying the storage story, huh?”
“Uh-uh. Your attitude makes me think this is something illegal. Is this illegal?”
“Hey, I work for the government, remember?”
“Is this illegal?”
Morelli wrapped the elastic back around the bills and shoved the roll back in his pocket. “I told them this wasn’t the right approach.” He sighed. “Can I ask you a question?”
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