“A man like that has no hope against the honest citizens of the Upper West,” said Mrs. Greene. She said it gracefully, even beautifully, but there was fear in her eyes. “No matter how many guns he brings to bear.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I always am. When you tire of life in the dark, Gilda, come across the Borderline, and we will find you a home.”

We stepped aside, and they walked away. The door to Thorne’s office was open. We dropped Koszler on the floor. Thorne didn’t stir.

“This is more time than I like to spend in a precinct house,” said Lamb. I felt the same way.

“I can handle the situation from here.”

“That I do not doubt. Goodbye, Gilda. If you get the chance, stab a few more cops for me.”

He did not bother stepping over the puddle of Koszler’s blood on his way out the door. His feet tracked red all the way down the hall.

I dug my fingers into Thorne’s greasy curls, yanked him back, and smashed his face into his desk. That woke him up. He batted my arm away, leaned back in his chair, and reached for the nearest glass. It might have been water, and it might have been gin. Thorne swallowed it without a grimace and got to his feet. His dress uniform strained against his belly, and sweat flowed down the gullies of his jowls like a trickle of water cutting through rock. He dragged his tongue, red and swollen, across his lips.

“What the hell,” he said, “have you done to my man?”

“He was like that when I found him.”

“Bullshit. I’ll lock you up for this. I’ll shred your license. You’ve always been a spoiled brat, kid. Today you learn that you can’t just do whatever you want. The law has come back to the Westside, and you’re gonna heel.”

“Quite inspiring. It’ll look fine in the Sentinel. But arrest me, take my license, and no one will tell you where his partner is. If you think Koszler’s hurting, you should see Lavangetto. I doubt he’ll survive the afternoon.”

“You think I’d desert my post in the middle of a war?”

“I think that, as wretched as you are, you do not want that man to die.”

“Goddamn you, bitch. Fine.”

Thorne banged on his desk until two of his men slouched in. Thorne gave them some instructions, and they dragged Koszler away.

“And his partner?” said Thorne.

“I’ll tell you when we get outside.”

He sighed and let his gut sag out, and I saw the shattered man I had known for so long. In the corner of the room, tossed aside like a stained undershirt, I found the rifle. I slung it over my shoulder and led him outside.