“Not around Century or La Tijera.” Decker thought out loud. “And on Imperial Highway, there’s nothing to speak of except aviation freight companies and Hughes Aircraft.” He paused. “You know what’s out there? The unfinished Century Freeway. It’s next to LAX and to Four-oh-five freeway. That could account for the noises I heard. That stretch of land’s deserted this time of night. Don’t know if there are any phone booths around there, but I’m going to have me a look.”

They arrived at the car. Decker pulled out his keys and said, “I’m going to update Marge. Then I’m going to drive you to your car. You’re going home.”

At first, Rina didn’t reply. Then she said, “Fine. Take me to my car. I’ll go home.”

Decker didn’t like it. She was agreeing way too easily. Was she sincere or was she planning to do something stupid? Return to the terminals or—worse—follow him.

Goddamn it, if only he could trust her.

He hated to admit it, but he couldn’t. At least not with this case. It was probably better to have her near him so he could watch her. Control her. He despised his decision, but at the moment, he felt as if he had no choice.

He said, “This is what I’m going to do for you. You really want to come with me, come with me. Just don’t get into any trouble, okay?”

“Really?”

He opened the passenger door. “Really.”

“What’s up your sleeve, Detective?”

“I like your company,” Decker said. “Besides, if you’re next to me, I don’t have to worry about you, do I?”

“You’re giving me mixed messages,” Rina said.

Decker ignored the comment. “You can call in for backup if I need it.” That part was true. “I figure you can’t get hurt too bad locked in the unmarked with the keys.” He smiled. “Hop in.”

Rina smiled back, but knew something was amiss. Not that Peter’s face was offering her any hint as to what was up. He could be unreadable when he wanted to be. Rina didn’t believe him at all. But she kept her thoughts to herself.

28

After the phone call, Nick-O seemed better.

But it was too late.

Hank had made up his mind. The last time, man, it’d taken him too fuckin’ long to react. Yeah, he did react, one of the reasons why Hank didn’t do him on the spot, but in Hank’s mind, Nick-O had blown it.

If Nick-O hadn’t been there, Hank would have planned it all differently. First off, he would have had the gun. He would have shot the mother himself, not waited for Nick-O to finally snap out of it and do something.

No, Hank didn’t like that at all. Nick-O was definitely more trouble than he was worth.