Darkest Fear

'We're going to open with a big splash.'

'That another milk joke, Ronny?'

'No, Myron, but you're a pretty funny guy.'

'Thanks, Ronny.'

'Let me cut right to it, okay? We like Suzze T'. Suzze T was Suzze Tamirino, a journeyman (or is it journey- woman?) on the pro tennis circuit. 'We saw her picture in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and, well, we were very impressed. We'd like her to do a cameo for our grand opening.'

Myron rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. 'When you say cameo—'

'A brief performance.'

'How brief?'

'No more than five minutes.'

'I don't mean brief in terms of time. I mean in terms of clothing.'

'We'd require full frontal nudity.'

'Well, thanks for thinking of us, Ronny, but I don't think Suzze will be interested.'

'We're offering two hundred thousand dollars.'

Myron sat up. Easy to hang up, but with this kind of dough, he had a responsibility to follow up. 'How about if she wears a small top?'

'No.'

'A bikini?'

'No.'

'An itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini?'

'Like in the song?'

'Exactly,' Myron said. 'Like in the song.'

'I'm going to state this as plainly as I can,' Ronny said. 'There must be nipple visibility.'

'Nipple visibility?'

'This point is nonnegotiable.'

'So to speak.'

Myron promised to call him back later in the week. The two men hung up. Negotiating nipple visibility. What a business.

Esperanza came in without knocking. Her eyes were wide and bright.

'Lamar Richardson is on line one,' she said.

'Lamar himself?'

She nodded.

'No relative or personal manager or favorite astrologer?'

'Lamar himself,' Esperanza repeated.

They both nodded. This was a good thing.

Myron picked up the phone. 'Hello.'

'Let's meet,' Lamar said.

'Sure,' Myron said.

'When?'

'You name it.'

'When are you free?'

'You name it,' Myron said.

'I'm in Detroit right now.'

'I'll catch the next plane out.'

'Just like that?' Lamar said.

'Yup.'

'Shouldn't you pretend you're really busy?'

'We going to date, Lamar?'

Lamar chuckled. 'No, I don't think so.'

'Then I'll skip the playing-hard-to-get stage. Esperanza and I want you to sign up with MB Sports-Reps. We'll do a good job. We'll make you a priority. And we won't play mind games with you.'

Myron smiled at Esperanza. Was he good or what?

Lamar said he was going to be in Manhattan later in the week and would like to meet then. They set up a time. Myron hung up. He and Esperanza sat there and smiled at each other.

'We have a chance,' she said.

'Yep.'

'So what's our strategy?'

'I thought I'd impress him with my nimble mind,' he said.

'Hmm,' Esperanza said. 'Maybe I should wear something low cut.'

'I was kinda counting on that.'

'Hit him with brains and beauty.'

'Yes,' Myron said. 'But which one of us is which?'

When Myron got back to the Dakota, Win was heading out with his leather gym bag and Terese was gone.

'She left a note,' Win said, handing it to Myron.

Had to go back early. I'll call.

Terese

Myron read the note again. It didn't change. He folded it up and put it away.

'You going to Master Kwon's?' Myron asked. Master Kwon was their martial arts instructor.

Win nodded. 'He's been asking for you.'

'What did you tell him?' Myron asked.

'That you wigged out.'

'Thanks.'

Win gave a slight bow and lifted his gym bag. 'May I make a suggestion?'

'Shoot.'

'You haven't been to the dojang in a long while.'

'I know.'

'You have a great deal of stress in your life,' Win said. 'You need an outlet. You need some focus. Some balance. Some structure.'

'You're not going to make me snatch a pebble from your hand, are you?'

'Not today, no. But come with me.'

Myron shrugged. 'I'll grab my stuff.'

They were halfway out the door when Esperanza called. He told her they were just on their way out.

'Where?' she asked.

'Master Kwon's.'

'I'll meet you there.'

'Why? What's up?'

'I got some information on Davis Taylor.'

'And?'

'And it's more than a little strange. Is Win going with you?'

'Yes.'

'Ask him if he knows anything about Raymond Lex's family.'

Silence. 'Raymond Lex is dead, Esperanza.'

'Duh, Myron. I said family.'

'This has something to do with Davis Taylor?'

'It'll be easier to explain in person. I'll see you down there in an hour.'

She hung up.

One of the doormen had already fetched Win's Jag. It sat waiting for them on Central Park West. The rich.