“With apologies to Detective Button, we didn’t have boots on the ground two weeks ago. When we learned about Mikie’s new venture, we decided this was our way into La Eme’s new food chain. It’s happening fast.”

Pike said, “Through a neighborhood shakedown.”

Straw shrugged.

“It’s down at the street level, we can reach it, and it’s easy. Easy means fast. New boys like Azzara are popping up in Eme sets from Brownsville to Phoenix to San Diego, and we don’t even know who they are. If we can get inside Mikie’s set, we can find out, which is what we were doing until you got in the way.”

Straw shifted again, and looked apologetic.

“Brother, listen, you did the right thing. If I saw those two clowns stomping some poor guy, I’d weigh in, too. I respect that. But now it’s over, and I need things to go back to the way they were.”

Pike said, “Meaning what?”

Button shifted angrily.

“He wants you to mind your own fucking business. What don’t you get about that?”

Straw raised a hand, telling Button to take it easy.

“I’m asking you to cool it. Stay away from Smith and let him go back to being Smith. Don’t be his personal sentry. Let Azzara be Azzara.”

Pike saw what Straw wanted, and didn’t like it.

“Azzara being Azzara means he puts the pressure on Smith. Mendoza and Gomer will be free to lean on him.”

“I need the little men, so I can trade for the big men. This means I need the little men out doing crime so I can jam them. If I jam them up bad, I can use them as informants.”

Button nodded along, still scowling at Pike.

“Smith isn’t the only guy these turds are trying to milk, Pike. It’s not like he’s in this alone. Straw and his people are watching five or six shops—”

Pike leaned toward Straw.

“You were watching his place and let him get a concussion. You watched a brick go through his window.”

Straw hit Button with a glance so hard it could have knocked him out of the car.

“We didn’t allow those things. They just happened, and now we’ll cover him better.”

“I won’t leave these people hanging.”

“You’re not. I have it covered.”

“You had it covered when he got a concussion.”

“We’ll cover him better.”

Straw suddenly opened his door.

“Pike, step out for a moment. Excuse us, Detective.”

Pike pushed out, leaving Button alone. Straw came around the car to meet Pike on the sidewalk. Straw’s lips were pursed tight, but he lit another cigarette, and lighting it seemed to relax him. He fanned at the smoke.

“We fucked up, okay? We’re still learning how these guys do things, but we’re learning. Just back away. That’s what I’m asking.”