Cautious excitement lit his face. “And?”

Holding the little notebook in both hands, I turned it around, so he could see

it. Arabic characters filled the page, interspersing the occasional bits of English.

“Some of the names aren’t English, Kayden.”

He rose and took it from me. “True, but some of them ring a bell.”

“Guess we have proof that Tito’s definitely the go-to guy for slimy

connections.” My uneasiness about snooping through Ramirez’s things

disappeared under a slow growing fury that a marine would betray his country in

such a way.

Kayden handed the notebook back. I re-wrapped it with the surviving rubber

band, then set it aside with the others. He closed the locker and motioned for me

to help him push it back into place. “We need to find him.”

Kneeling on the floor, I pushed as he pulled. “Guess we stake this place out?”

He didn’t get a chance to answer. The unmistakable sound of the front door

slamming open shot me to my feet as I drew my gun, all of it happening in one

smooth motion.

For a big man, Kayden moved quick, much faster than me. By the time I hit

the hall, he was already at the end, bearing down on a wiry, strung-out Hispanic

male. A male that bore no resemblance to Tito’s photo.

By the time twitchy boy realized there was a threat, it was too late. Kayden

dodged his initial clumsy punch, returning it with a wicked quick blow that doubled him over. Then Kayden wrapped his other hand around the back of

twitchy boy’s neck and spun him deeper into the apartment.

Without taking my eyes off the two men, I kept my Sig tucked against my thigh, and slid around Kayden to nudge the door shut with my foot.

Kayden shoved the guy onto the couch.

“What the fuck, man?” The question emerged as a croak, as twitchy boy

fought to suck air into his abused diaphragm. His eyes darted wildly between Kayden and me as he cringed back into the cushions. “Take whatever you want,

but I ain’t got shit right now. Swear to God!”

“Not looking to score, asshole,” Kayden growled, his face dark with evil

intent. It was a look that would scare me shitless if I didn’t know any better. As it was, twitchy boy trembled like a leaf. Kayden leaned in. “You Tito?”

The kid’s head did a jerky shake in the negative. “Carlos,” he squeaked.

“Where’s Tito?”

Confusion clouded Carlos’s sallow face. “Tito?”

“Don’t play stupid with me.” Kayden crowded in until mere inches separated

them, enunciating each word. “Where is Tito?”

“I…I don’t know, man. He asked me to watch his shit.” Carlos’ eyes darted

between Kayden and me. When he spotted my gun, he couldn’t hide his flinch.

“Look, I don’t know where he is, okay?”

Ignoring his plaintive whine, I asked, “When did you see him last?”

“No sé.” Kayden straightened, and then shifted his weight causing Carlos to

recoil. His hands jerked up to protect his face. “Swear to Jesus, I don’t know, man!” he bleated. “Maybe, like a week ago? Maybe two? He came over one

night, asked me to check on his…” one hand flopped around.

“Medicinal crop?” I supplied.

Another jerky nod. “Yeah, that shit. Haven’t heard from him since.”

I shared a look with Kayden. That sounded like Tito had rabbited. I turned back to Carlos, “Anyone else been looking for him?”

A crafty shadow flitted across his face.

Kayden increased his menace factor as he towered over the twitchy man.

“Don’t fucking think about lying.”

Watching Carlos pale was a lesson in how white olive skin could get, and it

was close to snow level. “Some scary mother fucker and a young guy.”

I dug my cell out of my front pocket one-handed, and pulled up Reeve