“Tony is a monster,” she said simply. “He doesn’t care about the rules. Yours or ours. If he takes over, the body count in this city will triple.”

“And you think I am better?”

“You have a code,” she said. “It is an outdated one, but it keeps the peace.”

“A high compliment from a federal agent,” I said.

“Do not make me regret it,” she said.

She turned and headed up the stairs, her coat rustling.

I took a deep breath, looking around the empty basement.

This warehouse had been my first safe house forty years ago.

It seemed fitting that it would be my last.

I picked up my coat, checked my pistol one last time, and tucked it into my shoulder holster.

I followed her up the stairs.

The rain outside was a cold sheet of grey water.

The sedan was idling in the alley, its headlights off.

Romano was already in the driver’s seat.

Elena got into her own unmarked vehicle, a black SUV parked fifty yards down the street.

I climbed into the passenger seat of the sedan.

“Ready?” Romano asked.