End of Watch

bad. The only one to stand uncorrupted was Michael, the guardian angel of Israel.'

'Who must have been adopted by Christianity,' Frank interjected, 'because he's the patron saint of cops.'

'Correct.'

'Alrighty then. Now that I've had my Sunday school lesson, may I take my leave, Professor? Me and my tutelary gods?'

Darcy saluted.

Frank saluted back. She was almost out the squad room door, but she had to ask. 'Professor. If you were me, would you call Marguerite?'

Darcy's answer was almost wistful. 'In a heartbeat.'

Frank pursed her lips, leaving her cop with his paperwork and his past.

CHAPTER 48

Monday, 31 Jan 05—Work

All right, all right. Got a little distracted over the weekend. Missed two days.

I’ll make up for it. So here I am and what the hell, maybe there is a god. After this weekend I’ll believe just about damn near anything.

Gail came over for dinner Saturday. Ended up spending the night. We made love. Fireworks, earthmoving—the whole shebang. No pun intended. All praise to Allah. I had to go in Sunday for a couple hours but then we had a picnic up in the San Gabriels, went for a hike, held hands. It was magic. Felt like I was under a spell—'that old black magic that you weave so well—thank you, Marguerite James, my favorite mambo, but this is the only hoodoo Tm interested in.

Went back to her place to wash up before dinner—ended up in bed again. Sweet and slow and oh so lovely. Ate at Fox's. Took her home, left her there after a hundred kisses good night. Wanted to stay but she had work to do and has an early day this morning.

Life is good.

Talked to Mary. She warned me not to get too excited. Says it's nice that we've reconciled but sobriety has to remain my first priority. No sobriety, no Gail. Simple as that.

Agreed.

Went to the eight o'clock meeting last night. Bev led. She's an AA Nazi but has a life too. Some of these people, that's all they have is AA. They go to meetings all day and sit on panels at hospitals and institutions and that's all they do. Which is fine for them but I want a fuller life. Like Bev. She's great —gets to about five meetings a week, sponsors at least half a dozen women, works full time, has a husband and two kids.. .all that because she puts sobriety first. If she drinks again, sooner or later she'll lose the home, the kids, the husband, the job, everything. Even herself. So why risk it, she said.

Why indeed. I’ve been given a second chance. By who (whom?) I don't know, but I’m grabbing it by the horns and running with it. I know where I’ll go if I drink. I don't know where I’ll go if I stay sober. So far sober looks a whole lot better. Might go to the downtown meeting at lunchtime. Got to be down there anyway. Fubar had a fit about—

CHAPTER 49

A knock came on Frank's door. She slid the journal into her drawer and answered, 'Come in.'

Bobby swung half his body in. 'Sorry to bother you. Irie called. Said your statue's ready. And I'm going for sandwiches. Want anything?'

Frank checked her watch. 'No, thanks. I'm heading out. I'll be downtown.'

She signed out and drove toward Slauson. In the stop-and-go traffic she indulged her inane fantasy about Irie, hoping his prints would come back soon and put an end to her wasteful and wishful thinking.

He was hustling oranges on his usual corner and as she parked, Frank said, 'That was fas', mon.'

'Irie need de money.' He produced an oily cloth bundle and gently unwrapped the dark Madonna inside.

Frank picked it up. The wood was slick and heavy, fragranced with a spicy polish. It was a familiar smell but Frank couldn't place it. She traced the Madonna's delicate features, the fold and drape of her gown. 'Jesus, Irie. This is beautiful.'

'You like 'er? She wha' you want?'

'Yeah. And then some. This is great work.'

Irie exposed his remaining teeth, basking in the compliment.

'Fifty, right?' He nodded and Frank gave him three twenties. 'Call it good.'

' 'Predate it, Off cer Frank.'

'You should be havin' shows, Irie. You got some serious talent.'

'Shows.' He laughed. 'Gull, listen at you.'

'I'm serious. I ain't no art critic for the Times but this is talented work, mon.' She inhaled the rich, citrus polish, then jerked her head up. 'What kinda polish is this?'

'Bee'wax and orange oil.'

'Where do you get it?'

'To de hardware store.'

'No shit. Can you get it anywhere?'

Irie shrugged. 'I suspec'.'

Frank tried a wild gambit. 'I was in New York a couple weeks ago. Friend of mine had a cross—a crucifix I guess. I don't know the difference—but it was dark like this and heavy. It was big, about eighteen inches long. Had a beautiful Jesus carved on it, real striking detail, you know—the suffering expression, the wrinkles in his skin, even had fingernails and toenails.' She grinned. 'Not every day you see Jesus's toenails. But it was a gorgeous piece, a lot like this. Smelled like this too. Belonged to a friend of mine, a priest. Nice guy. I told him it should be in a church somewhere, or a museum, like this one, but he said, 'Oh, no.' His brother made it for him for his birthday, a long time ago, then a couple years later he disappeared or something. Never saw him again. Real sad story. But that cross, it was beautiful. Just like this.'

Irie slumped onto the plastic crate.

Frank watched like a cat on a mouse. She casually asked, 'You ever been to New York, Irie? It's a beautiful city.'

The old man shook his head, prodded a callous. 'Dat priest,' he asked gravely. ' 'Im white devil like you?'

'No. Panamanian actually. Nice guy. His dad died when he was little—'

Irie glanced at her.

She concealed her excitement, blandly continuing, 'His mama raised him alone. He had a sister, too. And two brothers. Until the one disappeared. I think he was a hype or something. Still rips my friend up to talk about him. Gets tears in his eyes even after all this time.'

'And he neve' 'eard from 'is brot'er again?'

'Never. Figures he's dead. The only reason he can think of that he wouldn't have called or been in touch. He loved his brother. Thought his brother loved him.'

'Sad.' Irie breathed. Then, 'Wha' you friend name?'

'Roberto,' she answered slowly. 'Roberto Cammayo.'

Irie became as stiff as his statue. Frank crouched next to him. She didn't believe this was happening. Was certain she'd wake up any second to sharp disappointment.

'His brother's name is Pablo,' she whispered. 'Pablo Cammayo. Got into trouble and disappeared one night. Got into more trouble in Kansas. Did time in Leavenworth.' Frank guessed from here. 'Got out and cleaned himself up. Moved to California. Got a new name, new life. Gets by talking to the police now and then, selling oranges, carving really good statues on the cheap. Doesn't want to draw attention to himself. Turned his back on his family. They hope he's alive but they think he's dead. Probably junked out somewhere a long time ago. Else why wouldn't he have called or come home? Sent a letter, a postcard. Something. Why do you think that would be?'

'Don' know.' Irie leapt from his crate. He grabbed his sacks of oranges.

'Where you goin', Pablo?'

The old man spun. He sprayed spit, shouting 'I ain' Pablo!'