“Listen you, I’ve got to give a friend of yours a message. I’ve got to tell Tony…”

“… who isn’t here.” Diesel was sharp and gestured for A-Rab to lay off for a moment. “Now blow.”

“I know he is. Never mind who the message is from,” she appealed to Diesel. “Let me give it to Tony.”

“Why not give it to me?” A-Rab asked as he pinned her against a row of shelves and began to grind away at her. “How’s this for a mambo-Ai! movement?”

“Get away from me.” She tried to hit him. “Pig!” A-Rab tore the purse from her hand and threw it aside. “I want to stop Chino! Stop doing that, you pig!”

“You’re the pig,” A-Rab grunted. “You’re Bernardo’s tramp, you goddamn garlic mouth, gold tooth, pierced ear lyin’ pig. If you think you’re gonna set up Tony for Chino you’ve got other work cut out for you.”

Suddenly A-Rab pinned Anita’s arm and tripped her. She fell behind the counter and he felt how her leg muscles tightened as he began to rotate his belly against her as his free hands tore at her dress.

“Get her, A-Rab!” Diesel whooped. “Show her how an American rides! Let her tell that to Chino!”

“Relax, baby.” A-Rab slapped at Anita. “You’re gonna be raped so why don’t you relax and enjoy…”

A-Rab felt two hands tugging at his shirt and heard Diesel tell him to let up. “It’s Doc, he just come upstairs.”

Reluctantly, breathing heavily, A-Rab stood and permitted Anita to stand. She saw Doc staring at her, mouth agape, then heard him turn to shout at the boys that they were lice, worse than lice, and they were going to pay for what they had done.

“Are you all right?” Doc asked.

She bit at her lips and held together the torn front of her dress. “Bernardo was right.” She fought to hold back the tears as she looked at A-Rab, who was picking at his teeth. “If one of you was bleeding in the street I’d walk by and spit on you.”

“Go home.” Doc’s advice was gentle.

“Don’t let her go! She’ll tell Chino that Tony…” A-Rab pushed by Doc and started for the door. “She’s not getting outa here!”

She struck out at Diesel and A-Rab. “I’ll give you the message for your American buddy! Tell the murderer that Maria’s never going to meet him!” Her laughter was full, triumphant, as she saw Diesel and A-Rab stand aside. “Tell him Chino found out about them—and shot her!”

The door slammed behind Anita and Doc collapsed against the counter. “God help me, I must tell him. Get out of here!” he shouted at Diesel and A-Rab. “Get out and see if you can find a church someplace that doesn’t lock its doors against you!”

Diesel nudged A-Rab. “I’m clearing out.”

“Where to?”

“You name it,” Diesel said at the door. “As long as it’s north, south, or west of here.”