Page 33 of Witness 8

Castro’s assistant ADAs hung their heads, or casually broke away from him and wandered back to the office.

Not Castro.

He was staring straight at me.

I took his speech from my jacket pocket. I’d swiped it from him in a bump-lift when I almost knocked him over in his office. He didn’t feel my light fingers reaching into his jacket.

I folded his speech again, tore it half.

Castro pointed at me, then turned and walked away.

It was on. Total war. Just the way I like it.

After ten minutes, Momo finished his speech, did a few soundbites for the cameras and the crowd dispersed. Momo put his bullhorn in his backpack and came over to me.

‘Thanks for that, Eddie. The donation too.’

‘It’s only twenty-five grand, but it should help. I hope you win. I don’t like Castro.’

‘Good luck to you, and your client. See you around, Eddie.’

He left, and I put my back to the wall of the courthouse and waited.

I scanned the street.

An SUV was parked across the street. The doors opened, Bloch and Lake got out and came over to meet me.

‘Any eyes on me?’ I asked.

‘Nothing,’ said Lake.

Bloch shook her head.

‘Well, keep them peeled. Somebody is going to take up that contract. I’d like to live long enough to defend Jackson.’

‘We’ll take you back to the office,’ said Lake. ‘Bloch got the super to put some extra locks on the door. You’ll need to stay there till we come back.’

‘Where are you two going?’

‘We’re going to take a look at the crime scene,’ said Lake.

Bloch’s head swiveled to the left. She watched a man in a long raincoat come out of the courthouse. He watched us as he left, then crossed the street and headed away.

I hadn’t noticed, but Bloch had reached for her piece. She took her hand from the inside of her jacket, said, ‘I don’t like this.’

‘I ain’t exactly happy about it either. Just don’t tell Harry or Kate. Like we agreed.’

Bloch nodded, said, ‘I wish I knew who was coming for you. I don’t like waiting.’

‘It’s a waiting game. What’s the alternative?’ asked Lake.

‘A hunting game,’ said Bloch.

12

Ruby

Tonight was the night.