Reece stood near the metal frame of an old swing set. Three car doors slammed in quick succession. The interior lights of Lonny's Lexus never came on, but the bleached spikes in his hair and white-blond goatee glowed under the dim light of a full moon when he stepped out. He was flanked by two figures, their faces concealed under hoodies.

Hair rose on my forearms. If this was just business as usual, why didn't they meet at Lonny's trailer, like he had with Oleksa? Why meet here, in the dark, with two of his thugs?

"You're late," Lonny growled.

"I'm here." Reece shrugged, unconcerned. "Are we going to do this or not?"

Lonny nodded and the hooded figures stepped forward. Reece raised his arms, locking his fingers behind his head. He seemed relaxed, comfortable even, like he'd done it a million times before. Until one of them-the tall one wearing bulky high-tops with red laces-pushed back his hood and Reece stiffened.

Oleksa.

He smiled a rare, cold smile at Reece. Whispered something in his ear. Reece answered with a barely perceptible shake of his head. Oleksa frisked him down both legs, hands running over and inside his leather jacket, quick and sure as they'd been with the Rubik's cube. Satisfied, he lifted Reece's T-shirt, offering Lonny a view of his bare chest.

Shadows outlined the muscles of Reece's abdomen. A nipple ring glinted from his right pectoral and a pendant hung to his sternum, hovering over a dark line that started at his navel and dipped into the top of his jeans.

Lonny nodded. Oleksa dropped the shirt and stepped back. Reece lowered his hands slowly, eyes never leaving Oleksa's face.

"Excuse the formalities." Lonny smoothed his goatee thoughtfully.

Reece pulled his shirt in place and rested his hands at his sides. "We're cool."

"I believe we've already agreed on the terms?"

Reece nodded, glancing cautiously at Oleksa before reaching into his pocket and withdrawing a small envelope. Oleksa grabbed it and thumbed through the contents. He signaled to Lonny with a jerk of his chin, then stuffed a bag into Reece's pocket.

"It's been a pleasure doing business." Lonny turned, goons at his heels. "Let's do it again soon."

"Actually . . ." Reece's voice was unwavering. "I was hoping you could help me out with one more thing."

Lonny stopped, but didn't turn. His tattooed fingers laced around the handle of his car. "And what might that be?"

"I'm looking for a little Special K."

Tension crackled in Lonny's pause. When he spoke, his voice was low, deadly. "You're a good-looking guy, Whelan. All the girls are talking about you. Probably drop their panties just looking at you. I have a very hard time believing you need any . . . social lubricant."

Reece shifted, darting glances at Oleksa. Lonny's suspicion was almost tangible. Something between them had turned. Lonny tipped his head, studying him. "It's an odd request from someone like you." He shot Oleksa a look. "And it makes me a little uncomfortable."

The goons lunged. I clung to the Dumpster as the stocky one bent Reece's arms behind his back. Oleksa grabbed the bag from Reece's pocket and tossed it to Lonny.

"Just because you're not wearing a wire doesn't mean I trust you." Lonny stepped up in Reece's face. "See, the cops have been sniffing around ever since Sleeping Beauty fell in the pool. They're asking a lot of questions. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

A chill crept through me. Crouched low, I stepped back and looked for a way out through the shadows where I could escape unseen. A twig snapped under my foot and I froze, but no one heard.

Lonny paced, tossing and catching his keys. "I've got friends in the system, Whelan. I heard about you. I know who you are. What you did." The keys jangled. Up and down. "What I can't figure out is how you walked." Lonny stopped and ran a palm over his gelled spikes, back and forth. "Only two ways to walk from the shit on your record, kid. You either blow the right parole officer . . . or you narc."

Reece's cover was about to be blown.

Lonny turned to Reece. "So which is it?"

Reece's expression was hard, but the cool steadiness was gone from his voice. "Just time out for good behavior, man."

Lonny pointed two fingers at Reece's chest. "Answer the question."

"I'm not a narc." Reece struggled to free his arms, his chest rising and falling faster.

"I'm glad to hear that." Lonny launched a fist into Reece's gut. I gripped the bat, squeezing my eyes shut as Reece dropped to his knees.

"It doesn't change anything. I don't trust you, and it wouldn't matter even if you were a narc. Cops got nothing on me. I've learned a few things. My hands are clean . . ." Lonny wiped his knuckles and scrutinized his nails. ". . . Always clean. See, I have a business to run. I don't like when things get messy." A smile crept over his face. I wasn't sure which was more frightening, watching Lonny inflict violence, or the promise of something worse in that smile. "I'll need time to check your . . . credentials . . . before we try this again."

Reece rolled onto his side, grunting and struggling for breath. Lonny motioned to Oleksa and I panicked when they hefted Reece to his knees. I wanted to run. Lock myself in my metal box and pretend this wasn't happening. But I couldn't make myself leave.

Oleksa's fist smashed into Reece's face. His head rocked back, blood flowing in a thick, dark stream. Lonny watched, tossing and catching his keys. I fisted the bat, hiding in the shadows like a coward, waiting for the police to come and save Reece-or arrest him. But they weren't coming. He wasn't wearing a wire. They had no way of knowing he was in trouble.

Oleksa hit him again.