'We're wading in some deep doo-doo,' Myron said.
'Indeed. Too deep.'
Chaz had a big family. If Frank really wanted to hit him where he lived, he'd take one of his siblings. 'We'll settle it tomorrow,' Myron said. 'I scheduled a meeting with Herman Ache. Two o'clock. Usual place.'
'Should I attend?'
'Most definitely.'
Win ate his salad. 'You do know that this won't be easy.'
Myron nodded.
'Herman Ache does not like to intervene in his brother's business.'
'I know.'
Win put down his fork. 'If I may be so bold as to offer a suggestion.'
'I'm listening.'
Frank Ache sent two professionals after you. Their untimely deaths will not dissuade him from trying again.'
Uh-huh. So what's your suggestion?'
Cut your losses now. Make an exchange. You let them keep Landreaux.
They call off the contract on your head.'
'I can't do that.'
'You can. You choose not to.'
'Semantics.'
'You don't have to help him.'
I want to help him,' Myron answered.
Win sighed. 'A man must try to illuminate even those who prefer to sit in the darkness. Do you have a plan yet?'
I am still working on it.'
'Feverishly?'
Myron nodded.
'In the meantime,' Win said, 'what did you learn from the photographer?'
Myron filled him in on the meeting with Lucy.
'So who bought the nude pictures?' Win asked.
'A name springs to mind,' Myron said.
'Who?'
'Adam Culver.'
'Kathy's father?'
Myron nodded. 'Think about it. The buyer was in his fifties. He wanted all copies and all negatives on the spot. He left nothing to chance.'
'The father protecting the daughter?'
'It makes sense,' Myron said.
'But Kathy was missing for over a year. How did Adam Culver suddenly learn about the photographs?'
'Maybe he knew about them all along.'
'Then why did he wait so long to buy them?'
Myron shrugged. 'We'll know more tomorrow. I'm going to send Esperanza over to the studio with a picture of Adam, see if Lucy recognizes him.'
Win took another bite of his salad. 'It's a rather strange development.'
'Yes.'
'But' - Win stopped to finish chewing - 'here is something else you may not have considered: If Adam Culver purchased all the pictures and negatives in order to protect his daughter, how did her photograph end up in the magazine?'
Myron had considered that. He just didn't have an answer.
The waitress put down the check. Myron picked up the tab for both of them. The total was $8.50. Mr Magnanimous. They drove uptown. Win lived in the San Remo building overlooking Central Park West. Very fancy address. They were on Seventy-second Street when the car phone rang.
Myron looked at his multicolored Swatch. A gift from Esperanza.
Past midnight.
'Rather late for a call to your car,' Win noted.
Myron picked up the phone. 'Hello?'
The voice came fast. 'Bolitar, it's Jake Courter. Get your ass down to St Barnabas Hospital in Livingston right away.'
'What happened?'
'Just get down here. Now.'
'We got the call around eleven-thirty,' Jake said, ushering Myron through the lobby of St Barnabas. Jake's face was set, his eyes red and puffy. They hurried past the circular visitors' desk and waited for an elevator.
'Is Jessica okay?' Myron asked.
'She is going to be fine,' he said. Then he added, 'Wish I could say the same about Nancy Serat.'
'What happened?'
'She was garroted with a wire.' The elevator arrived. Jake pressed the button for the fifth floor. 'When no one answered the door, Jessica let herself in through the back. The killer must have still been there. He knocked her over the head and ran. When she came to, she called us. I'd say she's pretty lucky the perp didn't waste her.'
The elevator opened with a ding. 'What room is she in?' Myron asked.
'Five fifteen.'
Myron sprinted down the corridor. He turned the corner. Jessica was in the bed, her face ashen. A doctor stood next to her, preparing a needle. Jake came up behind Myron but stayed in the doorway.
Her voice was wobbly. 'Myron?'
'I'm here,' he said, taking her hand. She looked small and frail and alone. I won't leave.'
The doctor pricked her with the needle. 'You need your rest,' he said.
'I'm fine,' Jessica insisted weakly. I want to get out of here.'
'We think it's best if you stay overnight for observation.'
'But-'
Listen to him, Jess,' Myron interrupted. 'There's nothing we can do tonight.'
The drug began to take effect. Her eyes fluttered back. 'Nancy…'
'It's okay,' Myron soothed.
'Her face was blue…'
'Shhh.'
Jessica slipped into unconsciousness. Myron looked up at the doctor. Is she going to be okay?'
'She'll be fine. I think the shock of what she saw was worse than the blow to her head.'
Jake put his hand on Myron's shoulder. 'Come on, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.'
'I want to stay.'
'You can come back later. Right now we need to talk.'
Myron gazed down at Jessica. She was deep in sleep.
'She'll be out for a while,' the doctor assured him.
