"I run my own sources on the street. Shit, I can't believe I'm tel ing you this."

I heard rattling as he switched the receiver to his other hand.

"Word is someone was definitely going to church with the Angels back then, and the guy was American. But it was a two-way street."

"The snitch was working both sides?"

"That's the story my sources gave up."

"Risky."

"As a cerebral hemorrhage."

"Do you think the plant was Lyle Crease?"

"How else does a guy completely bury six years of his life?" I thought about that.

"But why would he reappear in such a public line of work?"

"Maybe he figures visibility confers protection." For a moment no one spoke.

"Does Claudel know this?"

"I'm about to give him a cal ."

"Now what?"

"Now I dig deeper."

"You'l question Crease?"

"Not yet. We don't want to spook him. And Roy owns Claudel's ass until this funeral is over. But then I'l get him to help me take a run at the guy."

"Do you think Crease was involved in the Cherokee murder?"

"There's no evidence of that, but he may know something."

"That cap didn't belong to Cherokee or Dorsey."

"How do you know that?"

"The inside is covered with dandruff."

"So?"

"Dorsey shaved his head and Cherokee was bald from chemo."

"Not bad, Brennan."

"Gately and Martineau were kil ed during the time Crease was underground."

"Yes."

"And Savannah Osprey."

Silence hummed across the wire.

"What about asking Rinaldi?"

"Frog?"

"Yeah, Frog. He was wil ing to spil his guts about the Gately and Martineau graves. Why not ask him about Cherokee? He might know something."

"Claudel says they've questioned Frog until they're blue in the face. He was wil ing to trade the St-Basile-le-Grand bodies because they're old news. He doesn't think the brothers wil take him out for that. On anything recent he turns into a potted palm.

"Look, I'l get Claudel to help me flush Crease once the circus is over tomorrow And, by the way, Brennan, keep your head low. Bandidos patches have been spotted in town, and there are rumors the Angels may make a move. Don't -- "

He hesitated.

"Yes?"

"Wel , your nephew might want to check out the action."

My checks burned. Claudel had discussed Kit with his CUM buddies.

"My nephew won't be anywhere near that funeral."

"Good. A Bandidos presence could force a show of strength by the Angels. Might turn hairy."

We'd hardly hung up when I started worrying. How could I keep Kit away if he was intent on going?

What did Morin want to say about LaManche? Had my old friend died?

Could Ryan be in immediate danger? Had helping me compromised his cover? Had I put him in peril as I had George Dorsey?

I laid my head on the fuzzy green surface of my desk blotter and slowly closed my eyes.

Chapter 36