The screen showed a picture of Mark Sands.
“You got something on him?” I asked.
“Yeah, and I’m handing it to you guys. I hope you’re not tired, it’s going to be a late one.”
“Not tired, chief,” I said. “Give us the detail.”
“This slippery son of a bitch just slipped up. We intercepted a call and he just happened to be in the background.”
“Did you get a location?”
“No, well, not for where he was then, but he was quite open about where he was going to be later tonight.”
“Sir?” Ricardo said, obviously keen to know what we were dealing with.
“A club,” the chief said. “You two might know it.” He gestured between Jonathan and I.
I resisted the urge to look at Jonathan and stared straight ahead, keeping my expression neutral.
“What’s it called?” Jonathan asked.
“Fets.”
“Never heard of it.” Jonathan shrugged. “Where is it?”
“Lower South, and I’m glad you haven’t been hanging out there. Seedy place, notorious for drugs and we’ve picked up a few unsavoury characters in the last six months from its basement.”
“Did he give a time?” I asked.
The chief shook his head. “No, but we’re presuming midnight. That’s when the scumbags come out to play.”
“Yes, sir. What do you need us to do?”
“I need you there.” He frowned. “Undercover. No coms.”
“Really?” This was unusual.
“Yes, I don’t want him spooked.”
“I agree,” Jonathan said. “Third time lucky and all that.”
“We don’t need luck,” the chief said, “just for you to do your job.” He cleared his throat. “It’s a sex club, you’ll have to er…blend in.”
For a moment everyone was quiet.
I mentally went through my wardrobe, wondering what would conceal a weapon. There was no way I wasn’t carrying tonight. Mark Sands was a lowlife.
“We’ll be there,” Sean said. “Guy aimed a couple of bullets my way, I’ve got a score to settle.”
“As long as it’s within the reach of the law,” the chief eyed Sean.
“Naturally, sir.” Sean nodded. “Well within reach.”
* * * *
Several minutes before midnight, I walked through the doors of Fets with Sean and Balko.
Jonathan and Ricardo were already inside.