"You couldn't keep your mouth shut, could you?"
"At least I'm not letting this shit eat me up."
"We did something wrong."
Bernardo shrugged.
"Just keep me posted on what your old man and the other cops are doing with the case."
"Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?"
Orlando shook his head.
"You can't be serious."
"I am. We're in this together."
"What good would it do?"
"Maybe keep our asses out of prison. We don't need any surprises."
Orlando studied Bernardo suspiciously.
"Can you be connected to the girl in any way?"
"Chill, boto. I met her one time, that's all. I already told you that."
Orlando thought back to the night they'd picked her up. He'd been too drunk to remember anything dearly, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Bernardo's version of how he talked Luiza into the truck was a little screwy.
"You're sure?"
"Why would I lie about that?" Bernardo replied.
Orlando picked up his beer, clenched the bottle until his first turned white, and took a swallow.
"Well?"
"I'll see what I can find out."
"That's better," Bernardo said, reaching for his brew.
"Relax, dude. Drink up."
"Relax, shit. I feel like puking. I never wanted her dead."
"Shit happens," Bernardo said.
"It doesn't bother you, does it?"
"Not really. I can't make it go away. Neither can you.
Besides, lots of murders never get solved."
"You're cold, Bernardo."
"I just want to keep everything cool."
"Including me?"
"I worry about you."
Orlando made a face and stood up.
"I can live with it."
Bernardo chuckled.
"What?" Orlando snapped.
"Can you?"
"I have for a year. Give me a ride home."
"It's early. Drink another beer."
"I'll walk."
Bernardo slapped his empty bottle on the table and got to his feet.
"I'll take you home, maw. You're no fun to drink with anymore, anyway."
Bernardo pulled into Orlando's driveway. The living room curtains were open and a flickering television glowed through the window.
Orlando had kept his head turned away on the drive home, gazing out the passenger window of the car, saying nothing.
Bernardo killed the engine.
"You got something on your mind, bro?" he asked.
"Everything's cool," Orlando replied as he opened the door.
Bernardo placed his hand on Orlando's arm.
"You sure?"
Orlando peeled Bernardo's fingers off his arm.