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Almost immediately Bosch felt the vehicle slow, make a gradual turn to the right, then pick up speed again. He guessed that they had made a transition from one freeway to another. And turning right to head south meant that for at least the past fifteen minutes, they had been going east. This told him that the vehicle had probably been on the eastbound side of the 10 or the 210. This conclusion got him nothing in terms of destination, but it kept his mind active. He was surprised that he was even alive. He could feel the drawstring around his neck, but it had been relaxed considerably, and he could breathe freely. That and the binding of his wrists told him they wanted him alive. There was a purpose to what they were doing. He just had no idea what it was.

Nevertheless, he worked to keep his mind moving and alert. He knew that shutting down would leave him no hope of escape.

After five more minutes, Novak gave another instruction to the unknown driver.

“Take the next exit and turn right at the bottom.”

Bosch felt the vehicle go down the gradual decline of a freeway ramp and come to a complete stop.

“Check the mirrors,” Novak said.

Bosch recognized the voice that responded:

“Nobody exited behind us,” Sidewalls said. “I think we’re clear.”

“Keep checking. We’re almost there.”

“You got it.”

Bosch understood that he was with two of the men from his house. If Topknot was present, he was staying silent.

“It’s green,” Novak said.

The vehicle started moving and immediately turned right. That told Bosch that they were now traveling west.

“What about Zed?” Sidewalls asked. “He found the gun on him — was that like a test?”

“No,” Novak said. “It’s too late for tests.”

“Then why’d you let him drive out by himself? He’s probably talking to them as we speak.”

“He’s got nobody to talk to, not after today.”

If Bosch was reading the conversation right, Zed was Topknot and they knew he was an informant.

“Turn left up here on Durfee,” Novak said.

The instruction from Novak sent a chill down Bosch’s spine. He now knew where they were going.

“Call Zed,” Novak said. “Put him on speaker.”

Bosch heard Topknot’s voice come over the vehicle’s speaker: “Yeah?”

“Everything ready?” Novak asked. “We’re coming in.”

“We’re good,” Topknot said. “Back gate’s open.”

“I told you not to open it until we were close,” Novak complained.

“I know,” Topknot said. “I just opened it. I figured you were calling because you’re close.”

“Don’t do any more figuring unless I tell you to,” Novak said.

“Sure,” Topknot said. “Whatever you say.”

The call apparently ended.

“That guy,” Novak said. “I don’t know what I saw in him.”