Callaway said nothing as they climbed the stairs to the first floor, then went outside. Harley could sense the anger coming off him in waves, however. As they climbed into the truck, he glared at her, his face red.

Dont you ever undermine me like that, he said. You dont get to apologize for me.

His petulance was starting to annoy Harley. Im sorry I wounded your pride, she answered, but dont you get what just happened down there? Did you see how Roth stepped in?

He protects his own. So what?

This is all one big power trip for him, she continued. If he thought one of his guests was threatening that, he wouldnt risk his neck for them.

Callaway stared at her, baffled. You think Ferrero is innocent?

Not innocent. I just dont think he acted alone. He might be the brawns, but Roth is the brains.

Felix walked toward them, pausing a short distance away with his arms crossed. His message was clear: They werent welcome any more.

So how do we get him to talk? Callaway said as he started the truck.

Im not sure we can. She paused, picturing that pink room. I want to see whats behind those locked doors. That judge is a friend of yours, isnt he?

Callaway grunted. Every friendship has its limits, but Ill do my best.

They passed through the open gate. As it closed shut behind them, Harley thought of the Mercedes they had seen leaving the property.

Drop me off at my car, would you? she said. I want to keep an eye out here, see whos coming and going. Roth cant stop me from running plates.

They crested the hill, and the compound disappeared into the landscape behind them. Nobody builds way out here, Harley murmured. Not unless theyve got something to hide.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Harleys eyes sank to half-mast as she slouched in the drivers seat of her Corolla, hamburger wrappers and French fry cartons scattered on the seat beside her. The sun had set a few hours earlier, and the darkness pooled like oil beneath the few stunted trees scattered across the landscape.

Her car was tucked beneath a pair of mesquites a few miles out from Roths villa, close enough to the dirt road for her to jot down the license plates of the passing vehicles, after which she would open her laptop and run them against the database. It was one of the only places along the road where she had a good enough signal to turn her phone into a hotspot.

In the dark, however, she couldnt do much more than take down the make and model of passing vehicles. Still, it was better than nothing.

Her eyes had just closed when she heard the low rumble of an approaching vehicle. She sat up quickly, knuckling her eyes as Callaways pick-up rolled into view.