I was still sitting there when two uniformed officers came through the picket gate, walked up the drive, and saw me. Then they saw Angel's body through the open doors and told me to raise my hands.

Chapter 23

TAKE IT easy. I was just calling you guys.

The older officer said, I've heard that a thousand times.

Their names were Giardi and Silbermann, Giardi being a senior P-III training officer. Silbermann was a first-year boot, still on probation, and was big on shouting instructions. Giardi told him to settle down. Both of them eyed my face, but neither asked about the bruises.

I identified myself, told them I was armed and why I was present. They didn't handcuff or arrest me, but they checked my ID, took my pistol, and the three of us went to the French doors without entering.

Silbermann said, Yikes.

His name was Angel Tomaso, also known as Andy Thom. He was a witness in a murder case three years ago.

Giardi said, You shouldn't talk without a lawyer.

I'm not admitting to anything, Giardi, I'm just telling you. I've been trying to find him. Connie Bastilla down at Robbery-Homicide knows about it.

She knows about him being dead?

She knows I've been trying to find him. As of last week, she was trying to find him, too.

Silbermann checked out my face again.

You get in a fight with him before you killed him?

Giardi told him to stop. He called in the situation, then walked me out to the radio car to wait for the roll-outs. Silbermann stayed at the guesthouse, guarding the scene in case anyone shot their way past me and Giardi.

I said, How did you guys know to come here?

Anonymous male caller reported a DB. Was that you?

Not me. Like I said, I was about to call when you guys arrived.

Save it for the detectives. They're on the way.

Two more radio cars arrived, one with a sergeant-supervisor who ordered the street blocked off, and then the detectives arrived. One of the detectives was Crimmens.

Giardi met them on the drive, then pointed my way. Crimmens never took his eyes off me as Giardi gave his report. When Giardi finished, he took Crimmens's partner back to the guesthouse, but Crimmens came to me. He grinned when he saw my face.

What happened, Cole, you mouth off to the wrong guy?

I thought you were downtown.

No more task force. They sent me back to North Hollywood. Is that really Tomaso back there?

See for yourself.

You kill him?

He was dead when I got here.

When did you get here?

Five minutes before Giardi and Silbermann.

We'll see.

Too bad I didn't get here last week when you and Bastilla couldn't find him. He might still be alive.

Sit tight, shitbird. You're going to be here a while.

Crimmens left to see the body as Silbermann returned and slid in beside me.

Silbermann said, Did you kill that guy?