The lids snapped open and he patted air, indicating for Decker to stay down. Then he ticked off the seconds with five splayed fingers.

Five, then four… three… two… one.

A quick peek from around the boxes, then two shots fired.

And that was that.

Decker couldn’t see them, but he heard them drop, the horrible crack of bone slamming against the cement.

Donatti whispered, “You can get up.”

Taking great care, Decker managed to balance on his legs, still squatting, still waiting. His hands were crisscrossed with small cuts, his sneakers and rain jacket sparkled like glitter. The darkness abruptly faded as a wedge of yellowed light cast its shape on the floor. Crunching accompanied the thuds of footsteps along with the sound of something being dragged. Heavy breathing could be heard.

“Caldwell?” A pause. “Caldwell, are you there?”

Donatti and Decker mouthed the word simultaneously: “Merrin.”

“Caldwel—”

The smashing underfoot stopped. Donatti shifted his position until the police chief came into view. “He’s looking at the bodies.” He turned to Decker. “He’s got your brother-in-law.”

“What do you mean?”

Donatti took his gun and put it at his temple. “I’ll take him down if you want.” A smile. “Or do you want to warn him?”

Decker’s brain was moving too fast to digest his thoughts. “I’m going to try to talk him down.” He got to his feet. “Stay back, all right?”

Chris shrugged indifference.

“Just be there to back me.”

Another apathetic shrug.

“What does that mean?”

“Time’s ticking, Decker. Either do it or let me handle it.”

Decker stepped out and aimed his weapon. “Hey, Virgil.”

Merrin jumped around, one hand holding a Smith & Wesson .32 caliber pistol with its bore buried in Chaim’s temple, the other hand clamped over Lieber’s mouth, muting his sobs and wails. Decker’s eye went from Chaim’s face, over the teenage corpses, then came back to the chief. “Sorry about your boys.”

“S’right. I got others to take their places.” A piggish grin was plastered across his ugly face. “It’s mighty nice for you to show up. Makes things easier all around.”

“I’m very tired,” Decker said. “Drop the gun—”

“You can’t be serious. Matter of fact, I was going to ask you to do that very thing.”

“Merrin, my nine millimeter is pointed at your chest. Your piece is pointed at Lieber’s head. That means I have the advantage.”

“You shoot me; I shoot him.”

“Then shoot him,” Decker retorted.

Merrin’s smile sagged, his face registering pure shock.

“So,” Decker told him, “either drop the gun or I’ll shoot you.”

“You’re bluffing—”

“Try me, Chief.”

Without warning, Merrin’s lips turned upward into a venal grin. “I suggest you drop the gun, Lieutenant, because I do reckon that the odds just shone in my favor.” His eyes went past Decker’s head, focusing on something behind him.

No one spoke.

Then Decker said, “I don’t know, Virgil. Donatti’s a loose cannon.”

Donatti laughed. “That’s certainly true. Because neither one of you knows whose side I’m on.” A pause. “Maybe I’ll kill both of you.”