“What did you think of Mikie Azzara?”

Pike was surprised, though he showed no expression.

Straw read his silence anyway, and smiled.

“Not your traditional Mexican Mafioso, is he, all sleeved-out and nasty? He’s the new generation, and we’re all over him—”

Straw checked his watch.

“—which is how I know you met with him two hours ago at the Starbucks on Abbot Kinney. After which you hooked up with Ms. Rayne and went to the Sidewalk Cafe. They make a good pizza. My favorite meal since I’ve been here.”

Straw craned his head to geyser more smoke out the window, then glanced at Button.

“My new best friend here, Detective Button, he thinks this conversation is a mistake.”

Button stared out the window.

“It is. You’re going to regret it.”

“I don’t think so, but either way I need your help, Mr. Pike, so here we are. Ms. Rayne tell you what’s going on?”

“What would she have told me?”

“The two carnales you bounced, Mendoza and Gomer? This wasn’t the first time they’ve been to see her uncle, and they didn’t kick the shit out of him over a sandwich—they were sending a message.”

Button nodded along.

“It’s what you and I talked about, Pike. Smith lied. Those pricks were shaking him down.”

Straw had more of the cigarette. He looked fit enough, but Pike thought the man probably couldn’t run twenty feet.

“Mikie’s spooling up a protection racket—pay the man or get your ass kicked, we’ll break your window, steal your truck, whatever. It’s a street-level thing, small-time, but it’s only one of a number of new scams he’s running. Underline new. These guys are making it up as they go.”

Button shifted in his seat, glancing at Pike but talking to Straw.

“The girl may not know. Smith probably doesn’t want her worried about it. He’d be up shit creek if she walked out on him.”

Pike said, “What does this have to do with me?”

Straw had more of the cigarette.

“You just scared Mikie off, and that’s bad. We’re clocking his business.”

Pike cocked his head.

“The FBI rolled out for a neighborhood protection scam?”

Straw smiled again.

“I wouldn’t give two shits and a cup of coffee about this, but the new jefes like Azzara, they aren’t content to deal tar like their daddies. La Eme is entering the modern age, Mr. Pike. They’re trying new business models, and this shakedown thing is just one piece. They’re also developing international ties with several cartels, and that interests me very much. Hence, my operation and this conversation.”

Pike glanced at Button.

“You didn’t know?”

“Not until this morning.”

Straw finished his cigarette, and flicked it over his shoulder.