He held his arms out from his side like he’d seen in the movies. At least his skimpy clothing left little chance for a hidden weapon. He counted three patrol cars and one ambulance. The medical team grabbed packs and ran to Finch. Six patrolmen spread out to secure the area, with two of them keeping their lights on Jesse as they approached. They stopped a few feet away, careful not to stand too close together. One was African American, the other Hispanic. They both looked like they couldn’t have been more than a few years older than Jesse, and he was only twenty-two.

“Sir, let’s step away a few yards and give the medics space to work.” The Black man’s voice was deep and his words more than a request.

Jesse retreated as the men advanced. “He’s dead. His name’s Jonathan Finch. I saw two men run away.”

The officers looked at each other. A speedy debrief might mean a speedy arrest.

“I’m Officer Tepper.” He gestured to his partner. “He’s Officer Garcia. And you are?”

“Jesse Cooper.”

“Did you call this in, Mr. Cooper?”

“No. My landlady did. But I heard a shot. Very loud.” He pointed to a second-story window at the front of the house. “That’s my room. I saw Mr. Finch lying by his car. I didn’t know for sure it was him till I got here. From the window I also saw two men running away down the middle of the street.”

“Can you describe them?”

“Sorry. Not really. They were shadow figures.”

“White, Black, skinny, fat?” prompted Tepper.

“Average. They stayed away from streetlights. Dark clothing. I couldn’t make out ethnicity. One man carried something under his right arm. It could have been a laptop computer. The other man held a satchel or gym bag in his right hand. His left arm was loose.”

“Loose?” Tepper asked.

“Yeah. Like limp. He was running slower than the first man.”

“Could he have been injured?”

“Maybe. Maybe there were two shots together. There’s a gun at Mr. Finch’s feet.”

“How do you know Finch?”

“He has a room here. He’s Secret Service.”

The two officers exchanged a glance. They knew the case had just ratcheted up. Everything they did would be scrutinized under a microscope.

One of the EMTs caught Tepper’s eye. He gave a single shake of his head.

Tepper sighed and said to his partner, “Better call forensics and homicide.”

Garcia started to leave.

“Wait.” Tepper turned to Jesse. “Did you see the fleeing men get in a vehicle?”

“They were a block away, but it looked like one of those big SUVs. Black or some dark color. Throaty engine. They peeled rubber as they took off.”