“That don’t mean they didn’t do it, though,” he quickly added. “They both got long sheets, and doing a cop would put ’em away for a long stretch. They mighta kept it on the down low cuza that.”

“What do you know about them?”

“Simmons busted outta the foster system a million times ’til they finally gave up on him and let him go. He’s been on the streets since he was a kid. Rotten little bastard. Takes care of number one. Gardner’s a total douche bag. That girl who said he raped her?”

Sam nodded.

“She’s my second cousin. I saw her right after it happened. No doubt he did it.”

“Why’d it get squashed?”

“No fuckin’ clue. The U.S. attorney tossed it and never told us why.”

Something stunk to high heaven there, and Sam planned to find out what.

“You can’t go from me to them,” he said, looking like a fearful kid. “You’ll get me iced.”

“You’re not tied up in that shit any more. Are you?”

“Hell, no. That don’t mean nothin’ to them though. They hear I’m squealing to a cop, and my life ain’t worth shit. You know that.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

Roberto studied her for a long moment. “You still dream about it? That night?”

Sam nodded. “Not as often as I used to, but when I do…”

“It’s bad,” he said, his tone full of understanding. “I hear Quentin…”

“I do too. That’s the part I can’t forget.”

“Such a cute kid with two assholes for parents. Worst thing I ever did getting mixed up with Marquis Johnson.”

“At least you figured that out before you ended up in jail or dead.”

“Came damn close to dead,” he said, his hands resting on useless legs.

“How’ve you been adapting?”

“As well as anyone ever does, I guess.” He glanced at Angel. “Thank God for my girl. She’s got my back.”

“I’d like to get you together with my dad some time.”

“He’s in a chair too, right?”

“Yeah. C3-C4.”

Roberto winced. “That blows.”

“Big time.”

“If you want me to meet him, I’m down with that.”

“We’ll set it up. After the wedding.”

His face was transformed by the innocent smile. Not that long ago he’d been living a life of crime, and Sam couldn’t be more proud of the changes he’d made. “I’ve been reading all ’bout you and your senator.” He let out a low whistle. “Fancy, fancy.”

Embarrassed, Sam rolled her eyes. “Not all that fancy.”

“Whatever you say, lady cop. I watch the news. I see the way that guy looks at you. He’s diggin’ you big.”