Free Road Dogs (2009)( ) by Elmore - Jack Foley 02 Leonard Page A

Strategies Against Gun Violence. Shouldn't it be S A. G. V.?
    It should, Lou said, but S-a-g-v isn't a word. You gonna let me look at the sheets?
    You also have G. I. T., Deneweth said, Gang Impact Teams, handing the stack to Lou Adams. The guy you want's on top. He's Gang Intervention, a very bright boy, leader of a program called
    Y. B. U. Young Boys United.
    Nice-looking boy, Lou said, studying the mug shot of Vincente Sandoval, also known as Vincent, Tico, El Nino: twenty-one years of age, five-ten, one-sixty, eyes brown, looking devilish in his do-rag, one earring, gang tattoos from his youth. The Hardcore Gang Division brought him up four times on suspicion of felony homicide, one conviction; did three years for first-degree manslaughter, still in his serious teens.
    In the L. A. area he's known as Tico, Deneweth said. It's not on his sheet where he's from originally. I think Nicaragua, but I could be wrong. I'm thinking he has a green card or we'd of sent him back.
    What's he do as a gang intervention worker?
    Nothing much. Tico has a bunch of teenagers, showing 'em how to be good boys, stay clear of V-13 and the Shoreline Crips and someday become grown-ups.
    Tico Sandoval, Lou Adams said. What should I call the boy, Tico or Sandy?
    Sandy, you know how many young men like yourself I looked at before naming you my second in command, my Segundo? As many'll fit in a good-size holding cell. When I was told you go both ways I said, 'Whoa, you mean the boy's a fruitcake?' No, what they meant, you can pass as one hundred percent Latin doing a samba, or go African with a bone through your nose. I'm told you're even a speck Chinese, but I don't see it. What was your mother?
    What was she?
    Sounding Hispanic.
    Where was she from?
    Oh my mama come from West Memphis, Arkansas.
    See? Right before your eyes he becomes a colored guy. From spic to African-American nigger, Lou Adams believed, as the mood struck him.
    I'm told by Detective Ron Deneweth, Lou said, gang intervention has turned you into a man of peace, and I want to believe it. Ron says they have you looking at ways of bringing the Latins and the brothers together, get 'em to work out their beefs. Es verdad?
    Tico said, Is true, all right. I'm thinking of ways to bring peace to the valley once again.
    Sandy, Lou said, are you fuckin' with me?
    Boss ?
    They were sitting on the sunporch of a yellow frame house on Broadway near Oakwood Park in Venice, where Tico was living with a good-looking black woman who was supposed to be his ah'nt, the way he said it.
    Lou said, You fuck with me, Sandy, I'll have Immigration deport your skinny ass back to Central America, drop you off home in Nicaragua. You savvy 'deport your ass'?
    Yes, boss, of course.
    Calm about it. A Spanish dude in his striped do-rag and silver earring.
    Tell me, Lou said, if you know a Jack Foley.
    I don't think so.
    He's only the most famous fucking bank robber in America. Last week he was released from a Florida prison and bought fake ID to get out here in a hurry.
    Can I ask why you looking for him?
    He's gonna rob another bank.
    How do you know that, boss?
    It's what he does, he robs banks. I went to the prison in Florida, Lou said. I talk to inmates, I talk to hacks, administrative people every one of 'em said, 'Jack Foley? Yeah, he hung out with Cundo Rey, they road-dog buddies.' So I'm thinking, Cundo's put him up. You know about this Cuban? He's still in the joint but suppose to have property out here. Buys homes and sells 'em, all he does is get rich.
    In Venice ya lo creo.
    Speak English. You know him?
    I hear of him only.
    Well, I checked with the county. They don't have him down as owning any. But then I find his name as a partner in an investment company. Rios and Rey, Incorporated, Financial Consultants. When'd Cundo learn to add a column of figures?
    Tico shook his head. I can't help you, boss.
    This squirt's finishing up a homicide conviction in Florida while he's a businessman in California? Yeah,