Bad Moon Rising

I sighed at his use of movie titles and said, “Which one is the most recent?”

“What, which one they murdered?”

“No, which camp. The location.”

“Oh. They were in Hesperia a few days ago. That’s the most recent I have, and that’s where my contact is, so the info’s accurate, or was, since they might have moved again.”

I stood, “Let’s go.”

Derek stood, “We can take my Navigator. It’s roomy and has four-wheel drive if we need it.”

Archie said, “I have my phone handy. Call if there’s anything on this end I can do.”

Hesperia is forty miles or so from Los Angeles, north of San Bernardino and through Cajon Pass on Interstate 15 between the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains to the Mojave Desert beyond.

Troy seemed nervous as we approached the dusty town. “These guys are big-time bad, you know. Could be a handful.”

I said, “From what you said, they might not even be around.”

Hondo said, “Who we want to talk to is the person that gave you the information.”

Troy said, “Hey, I have to guard my sources. You understand how it is.”

I was through playing. “Troy, take us to him.”

“TJ’s not a man.”

“Then to her.”

“My source isn’t a female.”

“Okay, Troy, throw me a frickin’ bone here.”

“TJ is a trans.”

I said, “Okay, take us to TJ.”

“TJ’s at work.”

My jaws ached from dealing with him. “Where?”

“A bar that caters to undocumented workers. Called La Noventa.”

“Show us.”

“But the owner–.”

I said, “Right now, Troy. I mean it.” I thought about pulling him from the car and shaking it out of him. Hondo felt the same way, and for that matter I think Derek did, too.

At the dusty, worn building called La Noventa, I counted nine older model cars and pickups, and one Prius. As we exited the SUV, Troy stayed in his seat. I said, “Come on, you have to show us who TJ is.”

He seemed nervous. “Probably better if I stay here. I don’t want to get in trouble if the owner sees me.”

“Who’s the owner?” I asked.

“A local gang member.”

“Tell you what, if the owner’s here, we’ll leave and catch TJ after work. But if the owner’s not here, we talk to TJ.”