Rolando rolls his eyes. He’s sure this is going to be like that time where Frankie wanted to borrow money so he could buy a car “for the family” and to “keep Gloria and Paz safe from the trains” and “so they can take more trips to the beach,” only for Frankie to blow that loan while gambling in Atlantic City. If Rolando had savings, he’d know better than to trust Frankie with any money again.

“What’s the project?” Rolando asks, already thinking up excuses to not help Frankie.

“I want to take pictures of Deckers.”

Rolando waits for more information, but nothing. “Like as a service?” He wouldn’t be surprised if Frankie was trying to make quick cash off Deckers who aren’t sure what to do with their money.

“No, I wouldn’t charge. I just want to be around and capture their final moment.”

What an absolutely horrific intention. Rolando stops in his tracks. “How is that going to help the family?”

“Come on, it’s obvious. Getting pictures of a Decker on the first End Day could sell for loads of money. The only Deckers I know from the news are already dead. I need names so I can find them and follow them around.”

“So you want to stalk the Deckers.”

Frankie is quiet, just like he gets right before he explodes. Except Rolando isn’t the one who will be hurt. If Gloria is telling the truth, Frankie has never laid a hand on Paz, but Rolando is scared that day isn’t too far away. Then Rolando has an idea. Instead of letting Frankie be the explosive one, he can push Frankie toward an explosion—toward the death of a Decker just like he wants. Maybe Frankie can get hurt along the way and he won’t be able to harm Gloria ever again.

“I’ll help you,” Rolando says, his heart hammering.

He’s violating the lives of these Deckers who registered for the program at their discretion. But he’s turning his back on ethics if it means protecting a woman and young boy who are at risk simply because of the man in their home. He doesn’t want to send Frankie to Clint Suarez, the elderly Decker whom Rolando spoke to for nearly an hour. That man hasn’t lived that long for it all to end with Frankie in his presence. He’s thinking back to the commemoration ceremony, still fresh in his head. There were a lot of names that stuck out, but none like the very first because he thought it was too charming for a real person.

“Joaquin Rosa called the first Decker. I don’t know if he’s still alive, but his name is Valentino Prince.”

Frankie Dario

7:01 a.m.

Frankie almost drops his phone.