Before entering politics, Henry Maldenado had sold used cars and trucks, and had been good at it. His office was large and well appointed, and reflected his love of cars with models of classic Chevrolets. Maldenado was a short, balding man in his fifties who looked younger than he was, wearing jeans, a short-sleeved shirt open at the neck, and cowboy boots. A bank president's desk sat at the far end of the room, bracketed by a glass wall overlooking the street and a couch. He came around his desk, offering his hand and a charming, natural smile. A second man sat on the couch.

It's good to see you again, Mr. Cole. If I haven't expressed this before, I want to personally thank you for the help you've given to Frank in the past. He is one of my closest, dearest friends.

I'm sure. Thanks for making the time, Councilman.

The other man was nothing like Maldenado. He was thin, with a sagging face and steel-colored hair. His sport coat and slacks fit like secondhand clothes draped on a rack. I made him for his late sixties, but he could have been older. He did not stand and made no move to greet me.

Maldenado waved at him as he showed me to a chair facing the desk.

This is another close friend, my advisor, Felix Dowling. Felix has been working the back rooms of this city longer than either of us cares to admit, isn't that right, Felix?

Maldenado laughed, but all Felix managed was a polite nod.

Maldenado hitched his pants and hooked his butt on the front of his desk, one foot on the floor, the other dangling in front of me.

So, Abbot tells me you have some concerns about my friends at Leverage. They're a fine firm. Been in business for many years. Just a fine group of people.

That's good to hear. I'm hoping you can answer a few questions about them.

Well, I'll tell you, I don't know much about those folks, but Felix here, well, Felix knows just about everything about everyone in this town, so that's why he's here. He knows where the bodies are buried, I'll tell you that.

Maldenado laughed again, but Felix still didn't join him.

Felix said, Why don't you freshen your coffee, Henry?

Maldenado glanced at his cup and appeared surprised at how empty it was.

You know, I'll do that. I'll be right back, but you boys don't wait for me.

Maldenado closed the door on the way out. I glanced at Dowling, and Dowling seemed to be sizing me up. The office felt different with Maldenado gone, as if it suddenly belonged to Dowling and maybe always had. I let him look.

He said, So. You're the boy got the sonofabitch who killed Frank's daughter.

My partner and I. I wasn't alone.

She was a sweet kid. I met her a couple times.

I nodded.

We looked at each other some more.