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was
    that?”
    “I don’t know. Perhaps I am so handsome they think all the girls will be taken?”
    “That’s not funny.”
    “I don’t feel funny.” Rafe struck the steering wheel with his fist. “I feel angry. I feel
    ashamed.”
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    “Why ashamed?" Ash poked his thumb in the direction of the patrol car. "That guy
    should be ashamed.”
    “That man, that horrible feixender Hurensohn who ate my sandwich, knows I am
    powerless against him because he carries a badge.”
    Ash covered his face to hide his laughter. “What does that—whatever you said—
    mean?”
    “It means smirking son of a bitch .”
    Ash’s head bobbed in agreement. “That fits.”
    Rafe gripped the wheel and took a deep, calming breath. When he was done, he
    was able to let go and slip the key into the ignition. “Let’s go.”
    “At least I got my beer. You didn’t have lunch.”
    “I’ll pick something up later. I need to get back to the office and make some calls.
    Then I’ve got an appointment with a man from Mar Vista who wants to see that duplex
    on Ninety-eighth. Wish me luck.”
    “You don’t seem to need luck.”
    Rafe started his car and pulled into the traffic on Manchester Boulevard. This he
    knew. He was very good at his job. He couldn’t help but smile. “No, I don’t. Do I?”

    Ben drove the squad car in angry silence. Calhoun continued to act like he’d done
    nothing wrong. When he’d first been partnered with Jim Calhoun, Ben thought it might
    work out. Jim was hard working, diligent. He could be intuitive. But he could be mean-
    spirited and, sometimes, even a downright bully. For Ben—who had more to fear from
    a bully than most—every day was dangerous and every call uncertain. Ben worried that
    one day Jim would simply snap and take his rage out on someone he was supposed to
    be protecting. Today was as close as he’d ever come to crossing the line.
    “I don’t have to say that was completely uncalled for, do I?”
    “What, that burger thing? Come on. It was a joke.”
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    “It was anything but a joke. It was an abuse of the public trust.”
    “You’re going to take me on over some German fairy?”
    “You better believe it. What did he do to you to make you go after him like that?”
    Calhoun’s eyes narrowed. “What did he do to you that you’ve suddenly become his
    knight in shining armor?”
    Morgan flushed. “What are you talking about?”
    “What’s with you and him, anyway? You’ve been all hot and bothered about his
    case. Following him around. You’re not a detective. It’s not your job.”
    “He was the victim of a crime, and your abuse just made it worse. He doesn’t dare
    stand up to you. He’s an immigrant, he’s—”
    “You’re making my point for me. I’m beginning to think I don’t know you at all.
    You got anything you need to tell me?”
    “Yeah. I need to tell you if you ever abuse the badge like that again, I will go
    straight to the captain. I will see that you’re censured, whatever it takes.”
    Jim grinned. He had a ready smile, but it made Ben’s gut clench. He’d never noticed
    until just then. It was a mean smile. It was the smile of a boy about to do something
    awful.
    “A real cop doesn’t take some civilian’s side over his partner’s. Didn’t they teach
    you that? The only thing we got standing between us and them is loyalty.”
    “You deliberately baited him. How do you expect me to be loyal if my partner is
    out of control?”
    “Are you going to take his side over mine?”
    “He could file a complaint against both of us.”
    “And if he does? Whose side will you be on then?”
    Ben said nothing.
    “Guys like you don’t last on the force.”
    “What do you mean, guys like me ?”
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    Calhoun considered him. “You’re soft, Morgan. Soft guys can’t do the job.”
    “Maybe not the way you do it.”
    “Bad guys have to believe