“Coupla ex-delinquents warming up the grill with a little body heat.”

“Delinquents who got away with something spectacular,” I said. “That’s a huge high, and people who go through tremendously arousing experiences young often develop intense bonds to those experiences.”

“Pheromones and accelerant,” he said. “Then ten years of God-knows-what. What do you think of the fact that Backer turned outwardly respectable but Doreen ended up selling her body?”

“Maybe he was less burdened by guilt and she had enough conscience to want to punish herself. Or he was smarter and better educated, came from an intact, supportive home, and made smarter decisions. Whatever diverged them, they reunited here in L.A.”

“Chemistry.” Smile. “Organic chemistry.”

“For all we know, despite Backer earning a degree, he never abandoned his sideline and someone out to avenge Teddy’s victim made contact. Unfortunately for him and Doreen, the sultan found out. Their bodies left in the turret could be a warning to anyone else considering messing with sutma.”

He stood, raised his arms, touched the low ceiling. “Desi and Doreen play with the big boys, pay for it with a bullet and a choke-out. With time taken out to jam a bigger gun where it was never meant to go. What’s that got to do with the old ways?”

“That was intimidation, just as Jernigan suggested, to control the scene—or to obtain information. What Doreen and Backer knew, who else was involved. The element of surprise was a big part of the hit: That sperm stain on Doreen’s thigh suggests Backer was pulled off her just as he came. They were both overpowered, he was interrogated, shot, leaving a cowed, terrified Doreen. And just in case that didn’t impress her, out came the big gun.”

“You have that way,” he said. “Drawing ugly pictures.”

Perfectly put. Thousands of sleepless nights proved it. I smiled.

He got on the phone. “Moses? Busy? Good, c’mere. And start working on your charisma.”

CHAPTER

22

Moe Reed said, “Sure.”

Accepting the assignment to revisit the Indonesian consulate without emotion.

As he headed for the door, Milo said, “Don’t you want to know why?”

“I figure something came up on that dead-girl rumor, you want me to press my source for details.”

“Nothing came up, Moses. That’s why I need you to press.”

“Consulate closes at four, I’ll be there by three. She comes out by herself, I’ll try to get some face-time. She doesn’t, I’ll tail her till I get a clean opportunity.”

“What’s your source’s name?”

“She wouldn’t say, Loo, and I didn’t push, figured her telling me anything was more important.”

“Okay, Moses, like I said, charisma. If you need to buy her a few drinks, tab’s on me. If it’s a dim, cozy place I promise not to tell Dr. Wilkinson.”