"But we know people who know people, and some of those people are interested in talking to you about several things."
Marcus let that sit.
"I'd suggest the version of the next few hours where you walk away from this parking lot is better for you than whatever version you've been trying to build."
Cole looked at Marcus.
Then Ethan.
Ethan expected aggression.
Another argument.
A man doubling down because he'd already gone too far to comfortably retreat.
Instead, Cole's expression simply changed.
Not remorse.
Not shame.
Something more naked.
The look of a person who had been operating under the assumption that he remained hidden.
That his story would outrun the truth.
Now he realized the truth had not stayed behind.
It had arrived first.
Cole looked at Danny.
Danny stared at his shoes.
Cole turned.
Walked away.
Not running.
Not fast.
Just leaving.
He disappeared around the corner.
Traffic noise rushed back into the space he'd occupied.
Wind.
A distant radio.
Ordinary city sound.
Ethan exhaled.
He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath.
"That's it?"
"That's usually how it ends once the other version catches up."
Marcus didn't sound satisfied.
Didn't sound disappointed.
Only matter-of-fact.
"Men like Cole aren't looking for a fight. They're looking for an advantage."
He glanced toward the corner.
"Take away the advantage, and there's not much left."
"He could come back."
"He might try something else."
Marcus nodded.
"But not immediately. Probably not directly against you."
He looked at Ethan.
"You stopped being easy the moment you stopped being alone."
Ethan absorbed that.
"The people who target you," Marcus continued, "are counting on nobody standing beside you."
He paused.
"That's the calculation. Remove that and the calculation changes."
Danny remained near the edge of the lot.
He looked like somebody desperately searching for something to do with his hands.
Marcus approached.
Ethan followed.
"You want to tell me what happened that morning?"
Danny's account came in pieces.
Short.
Clipped.
The way people talk when uncertain how much trouble they've already created.
He had not been in the parking lot.
He had been asleep at the shelter.
Cole approached him 2 days later.
Gave him the outline of a story.
Said all Danny needed to do was confirm it if anyone asked.
Cole assured him nobody probably would.
It was only insurance.
"Did he pay you?"
"Said he would."
Danny looked down.
"He didn't."
Marcus studied him.
Danny was younger than he looked from a distance.
23 or 24.
The worn appearance of somebody whose bad choices had lasted long enough to become habits.
"You've got nothing to gain from any of this," Marcus said. "Walk away from Cole Ramirez."
"I know."
Danny glanced at Ethan.
"I knew when I saw you."
Then he faced Ethan directly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you well enough to..."
He stopped.
Restarted.