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that he’s DEA.”
    Sanchez’s jaw starting working and his lips tightened. He mulled for a few moments, and then his face lit up.
    Archie knew where he was headed.
    â€œYou think she would go in for us?” Sanchez asked.
    â€œNo,” Archie said quickly.
    But he hadn’t convinced Sanchez. Archie could see it in the way his jaw kept working, the way Sanchez kept clenching his teeth. Sanchez’s gaze was on the river, but Archie knew that his mind was playing out the op. Sending Susan in would be the most logical step. It made sense. She had a relationship with Leo. She would be the perfect conduit for passing information.
    â€œUse me,” Archie said.
    â€œNews flash,” Sanchez said with a grunt. “Jack knows you’re a cop.”
    â€œJack and I are friendly,” Archie persisted.
    â€œJack Reynolds is nice to you,” Sanchez said. “That doesn’t mean he won’t kill you.”
    â€œI said we’re friendly. Not friends. He knows about the pills. I can make that work for me. Convince him I have something to lose.”
    Sanchez reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, extracted an envelope, and handed it to Archie.
    â€œWhat’s this?” Archie asked.
    Sanchez smiled. “It’s an invitation to a party at his house tonight.”
    Archie looked down at the envelope. His name was printed on it. “You little fucker,” Archie said. “You knew I’d do it.”
    â€œGo in,” Sanchez said matter-of-factly. “Determine Leo’s status, and then get the hell out.”
    Archie looked up at the cloudless sky. It had seemed like such a nice day when it had started. “Do you want me to wear a wire?” he asked.
    â€œIf you wear a wire they’ll shoot you,” Sanchez said.
    Archie turned to Sanchez. “Maybe I’ll skip the wire, then.”
    â€œI have people outside,” Sanchez said. “Basic surveillance. We’ll be watching everyone who goes into that party. If you can get to the bridge, we’ll see you, and we’ll come for you. But once you’re inside, you’re on your own. So don’t do anything heroic. I know you feel responsible for this kid. But he knew what he was getting into. And he’s not exactly an innocent flower.” The barge had cleared the Burnside Bridge and now the Hawthorne Bridge had started to open. Traffic downtown was fucked.
    â€œWhat if he’s already dead?” Archie asked.
    â€œThen there’s no one to protect,” Sanchez said. “You scream like a girl and we send in the cavalry. But if he’s alive and he’s okay, you leave him there. If he’s alive and he’s not okay, you leave him there. No heroics. I just need to know his status. Then we make a plan.” Sanchez glanced at his watch. “I have to get back across the river,” he said.
    â€œCan I expense the tuxedo rental?” Archie asked.
    â€œNo,” Sanchez said. He leveled his gaze at Archie. “We clear on this?”
    â€œNo heroics. I determine Leo’s status.” Archie raised his eyebrows at Sanchez. “And you stay away from Susan.”
    Sanchez smiled, and Archie gave Ginger a tug and started back north along the trail. He only made it a few steps before Sanchez called his name. “Yeah?” Archie said, turning back.
    â€œHappy birthday, buddy,” Sanchez said.
    â€œI had plans tonight, you know,” Archie said.
    Sanchez chuckled. “She’ll wait.”

 
    CHAPTER
    7
    Â 
    Archie poured himself a drink to calm his nerves.
    The morning’s blue skies had given way to cloud cover that had come in over the West Hills and hung low over the city.
    The tuxedo he was wearing had a black single-breasted two-button jacket with a peaked lapel, and flat-fronted pants. At least that’s what the woman who’d helped him at the tuxedo rental shop had said. He must have looked helpless,