“We’re sorry about your guy, for what that’s worth. That’s why I’m here. McGrath knows Spencer has no motive or means to give you that evidence you’re holding. It belongs to AtoB. McGrath will think Cal’s selling him out to you guys. And Cal will think AtoB is selling him out. They’re all jumpy because of Eddie. They’ll be wondering which of them is going to get scared, jump ship, and cut a deal. Their house of cards is ready to come down. So why don’t you offer Cal a deal? Here’s his number.”

Chris took a Post-it note from his pants and offered it to Scott. Scott took it robotically, with a face that said he was still playing catch-up.

Chris started back for the rental car. “I’ll give this back tomorrow.”

“Burnham won’t get far,” said Scott.

Chris dropped his window. “You need to be calling that number, Detective. Check he’s alone and don’t be afraid to lay it on him hard.”

Spencer sat on an empty crate with his back against the wall. He’d moved the crate to the shady side of the alley. He wanted to go back to the hospital. He heard the sound of a car crunching its way slowly down the alley. He cracked his swollen eyes open.

Chris killed the engine and got out.

“Sweet Jesus, Spencer.”

“You should see the other guy.”

“Take those pants off, Spence.” Chris started taking his own off. He took his T-shirt off too. He threw them both at Spencer. “Put them on. Stuff your T-shirt down where it’s bleeding. It’ll soak it up. Might give you enough time to get through. Take my sunglasses. Come on, time to haul.”

Spencer pushed himself to his feet, groaned, and lurched back against the wall.

“Come on, Spence. I’ve bought us a gap, but it won’t stay open long.”

Spencer struggled into Chris’s jeans and then fell into the driver’s seat.

Chris took his bag out of the rental’s trunk and opened it in front of Spencer. It was full of money.

“I thought you told me I gave it all back?” said Spencer.

“I knew I’d be too scared to lie.”

“Oh Christ, they’re going to think I fucked them.”

“If they think anyone fucked them, they’ll think it’s Cal. And anytime now he’s going to know that, too, so he’ll be cutting himself a deal.”

Chris put his sunglasses on Spencer. “Wipe some of that blood off your face, Spence, before you try to go through.”

Then Chris needed to sit down too. He leaned against Penny. The two men looked at each other.

“Why didn’t you tell us, Chris?”

“I don’t know. First, I was in denial, I guess. But I knew I didn’t want you guys behaving all weird around me.”

“But—”