“I can’t say for sure, but eventually some harm is comin’ his way. You can’t be a bastard for that long to that many people and not suffer consequences.” He stared back at Decker. “If you’re concerned, kick in the door.”

“No need.” He took a pick from his key ring and played with the tumblers until the lock popped open.

O’Dell was round eyed with surprise. “You’re a handy gent.”

Decker said, “Stay back. If you step inside, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”

“You call the shots, mate, I’m just a bystander.”

“I’m serious, O’Dell.” Decker stepped over the threshold and was immediately blasted with a waft of heat. The place had no air-conditioning. “Mr. Banks?”

No response.

The living room was blanketed in shade because the drapes were drawn. The area was nicely decorated, deco in style. There were oil paintings on the walls, and most of them were nudes.

“Mr. Banks?”

Quickly, he moved through the unit: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a laundry room with a trash chute.

“Mr. Banks?”

Decker opened and shut closet doors. He lifted the trapdoor to the rubbish shaft and looked inside. It smelled of ripe garbage but nothing more sinister.

“Mr. Banks?”

Though the place wasn’t compulsively clean, it was orderly. Satisfied that nothing was awry, Decker shut the self-locking door. O’Dell was sitting in the hallway, listening to an iPod, his eyes closed, his body swaying to an unheard beat. Decker walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. O’Dell’s eyes flipped open and he bounded to his feet. “All clear, mate?”

“All clear.” Decker regarded him. “Why’d you take my note, Liam?”

“I was a bad boy.” O’Dell wiped sweaty hands on his shorts. “I thought I might stick around and see who it was for. Then I saw you…” He smiled. “I coulda kept it.”

“Thanks, buddy, for your consideration. Any idea what the emergency was?”

“With Rudy, an emergency could be anything. Mostly the emergency happens when he wants to get out of something.”

“You shouldn’t come around here so often, Liam, especially if you think something’s going to happen to him.” Decker smiled. “See, that would make you a suspect.”

“Ooh, a suspect! Can I play meself in the movie?”

“I’m serious.”

“Yeah, I know you’re trying to do the right thing, Lieutenant.” O’Dell looked at his watch. “It’s going on three-thirty. If I was you, I’d leave soon. Traffic is going to be a real bitch if you wait much longer.”

Decker held open the door to the stairs. “After you, Liam.”

“If you insist.”