The man looked to have been asleep, taking several minutes to get to the door after Lillie’s constant knocking. He cracked it open, Lillie not faulting him given his ZIP code, and stared through the sliver at her. She introduced them as U.S. Marshals Lillie Virgil and Charlie Hodge.

The man didn’t seem impressed. He was sleepy-eyed and had a sloped, shovel face. Even from the distance, she could smell the funk on him.

“We’re looking for a woman goes by Domino,” Lillie said.

“She ain’t here.”

The man tried to close the door. Lillie, hand subtly on her Sig, stuck her boot into the threshold. “Mind if we come inside?” she said. “Talk things over.”

“Y’all got a warrant or some shit?”

“Maybe a little shit like a badge,” Lillie said, glancing over at Charlie Hodge. The gray-headed man standing ramrod straight at her side, dressed in his blue jeans, black button-down, and tweed coat. As always, he looked as if the whole situation amused the hell out of him. “She’s not in trouble. We want to talk to her about Ladarius. Her cousin.”

“He ain’t here, either.”

“Can we come in?” Lillie said. “We’re getting wet.”

“Shoulda brought you an umbrella.”

The man stepped back and opened the door a bit more. He was shirtless and Lillie noticed he had some kind of tattoo on his neck. A few more tats on his right chest. He was stocky and muscular, wearing blue work pants and old unlaced work boots. He looked nervous, eyes a little bloodshot.

“Nobody’s here,” he said. “Damn. What time is it?”

Lillie told him. The rain whipped up again, blowing sideways out on the second floor of the apartment building. The man shook his head, pissed at the situation before he waved them inside, Lillie shocked the man put up so little resistance. She never expected to get beyond the front door. But she wasn’t one to argue as she passed him on the way in, Lillie being cautious and aware of his hands and every sight and sound in the room.

“You know where we can find Domino?” Hodge asked.

The man shrugged. Lillie kept talking as Hodge walked on past and checked out the little apartment. He saw what she did, a nest of blankets on two couches, stray pillows, and pizza boxes.

“Y’all had some company?” Lillie asked.

“It was like this when I got home.”

“Where have you been?” Hodge asked.

“Work,” he said. “I work nights. Domino works days. That’s how some folks do it.”

“And where does Domino work?” Lillie asked.

“Come on, now,” the man said. “I tell you and you go over and harass her. She could lose her goddamn job. Just give me your card or some shit. I’ll tell her you stopped by.”