“It’s what they call in business an opportunistic situation,” Decker said. “Turn right on Hollywood.”

The unmarked whizzed by boarded buildings papered with movie posters, passed an empty arcade welcoming minors, boasting fun for all. Decker told Marge to slow down when they hit the Sunset overpass.

“Turn left at the next light, park in the lot, I’ll pay.”

Marge pulled the unmarked into an empty space, received a ticket from an Iranian attendant. She faced Decker and said, “Make it quick, huh? Your old buddy isn’t a good influence on you.”

Decker said, “You just don’t want to burn your ass sitting in a hot car.”

“That, too.”

“Want to come up?”

Marge said, “And what would you do if I said yes?”

Decker smiled. “I’d be stuck.”

They both got out of the car. Marge said, “Think I’ll take a walk, buy a Coke. Can I get you anything?”

Decker shook his head. “Be careful out there.”

Marge smiled, but it was a perturbed look. Decker said, “Just a phrase, Margie. You’re quite capable of kicking ass if you want to.”

“I don’t know, Pete,” Marge said.

Decker stopped her in her tracks. He placed his hands on her shoulder, looked her in the eye. She was a fine-looking woman, smart and sexy in all the right places. Often, he wondered why he had never made a move on her, and decided it was because he needed a friend more than a lover. Well, he certainly had a friend in Marge, and no way he was going to let some scumbag take her away from him.

“Trust me, Margie?”

“Look, Pete,” she said, “I know you mean well, but I’m not in the mood for a pep talk—”

“Shut up,” Decker said. “Just answer one question, okay? You trust me?”

“Not entirely.”

“Good,” Decker said. “Never trust anyone entirely. But trust me on this one. You’ll be all right.” He pointed a finger at her. “You’re going to take something out of this and come out better for it.”

“And when do we get to the part where I save the entire city single-handedly?”

“You’re not an easy person to console, Detective Dunn.”

She shrugged. “Never bullshit a bullshitter.”

He removed his hands from her shoulder, held them up in the air. “Go at it at your own pace. But as far as I’m concerned, you’re still on my tag team.”

Marge smiled. “Thanks. Now go make your peace with your ex-rape-o friend.”

“Friend is good enough,” Decker said.

Abel was staring out the window when Decker walked in. Still gazing outside, he asked Decker, “Who’s the broad?”

“My partner.”

“Nice-looking. Big. Even from up here, she looks big.”

“She’s big.”

“A lot to hold on to,” Abel said. “Think she’d be interested in fucking a gimp with a ten-incher?”