“Did he tell you something I should know?”

Lonny was quiet for a while, breathing, and his voice was calm.

“He came to my trial. Not every day, but a couple of times. This once, I asked him if he was sorry he saved me, you know—because if he hadn’t saved me, those men I murdered would still be alive. So I asked if he regretted it. He told me guys like us had each other’s back, so he had my back. He didn’t have any choice.”

“Way it was, Lonny. What would you expect him to say?”

“I know. I just wanted to hear it, I guess, that I still meant something to someone, and wasn’t just a murdering piece of shit.”

Pike remained silent, which spurred Lonny to laugh.

“Thanks for chiming in there, boss. Appreciate the support.”

Lonny suddenly burst out laughing, but the laughter shivered into a sob.

Lonny said, “Shit. I’m sorry.”

“C’mon, Lonny, yes or no. Did Frank tell you he was into something? Maybe ask about certain people or say something that left you wondering?”

“You think if I could help get the pricks who killed him, I wouldn’t be all over it? I’d kill those fuckers myself.”

“ You’re sure?”

“Yes. He was the same Frank we knew. Being an Eagle Scout was in his frakkin’ DNA.”

Pike felt the tightness in his chest ease, feeling a sense of relief.

“Okay, Lon. That’s what I thought, but I had to be sure. You’re the only one he stayed in contact with.”

“I know. She drove a hard bargain, that girl.”

Cindy.

Pike was finished. He wanted to hang up, but he hadn’t spoken with Lonny in a long time, and now he felt guilty. Lonny Tang had been one of his guys for eleven years, on and off, until Lonny got hurt.

Pike asked the obvious.

“How you doing in there?”

“You get used to it. Thirteen years to go, I’m on the beach with a smile.”

“You need anything?”

“Nah. I get all the free meds and medical care I need. I crap blue nuggets and can’t eat spicy foods, but other than that I’m fine.”