The Kings Of Cool

153

John’s coming out of Papa’s Tacos in South Lagoo when Bobby Z rolls up on him in his pickup.

“Hop in,” Bobby says. “We need to talk.”

John’s not so sure they need to talk, but then he remembers Doc’s request to stay close, feel Bobby out, so he gets in.

“You give any thought to what we talked about?” Bobby asks.

“I don’t believe that Doc would flip on us.”

Bobby says, “Someone I want you to meet.”

They drive back north, up into the canyon, and pull over in the parking lot where hikers leave their cars. A white Ford Falcon’s sitting there with a guy in it, and both the car and the man have narc written all over them.

The cop rolls down the window when the truck pulls up. Bobby doesn’t waste any time.

“Tell this guy what you told us,” he says.

“Halliday’s under indictment in the San Diego Federal District,” the cop says. “I don’t have details because it’s sealed, but I know it’s a Class A felony, fifteen to thirty. They’ve had him under surveillance for two years.”

“Tell him the rest,” Bobby says.

“They’ve got him out there proving ‘good intent,’” the cop says. “Man’s a walking sound studio.”

“Will he testify?” Bobby asks.

“He better,” the cop says. “No testimony, no deal. Anything else?”

“Anything else?” Bobby asks John.

John shakes his head.

The narc rolls up his window and pulls out.

“Horse’s mouth,” Bobby says. “He’s Dago DEA.”

“I get it.”

“Do you?” Bobby asks. “I mean, the rest of the guys are going to want to know where you come out on this thing.”

“What thing?”

“We’re not just going to sit back and let Doc give us up one by one,” Bobby says.

John’s reeling.

First, proof that Doc is ratting them out. Shit, he could have been wearing a wire while they were talking in Dana Point, while they were meeting with the people down in Dago. Then there’s what Bobby seems to be saying “Are you talking about what I think you’re talking about?” John asks.

“You wearing a wire, too?”

“Come on.”

“Open your shirt.”

“Fuck you.”

“Open your fucking shirt!”

John opens his shirt and shows Bobby his chest. “Happy?”

Yeah, John thinks, ain’t nobody happy about anything these days. But Bobby seems satisfied that John’s not miked up.

“So where are you at with this thing?” Bobby asks.

“I’m neutral.”

“No such gear on this bus,” Bobby says. “Not to traffic in cliches, but you’re either with us or against us.”

John gets it.

Like the man said You’re gonna have to serve somebody.