on it." He smiled "So will Zorra."

"You didn't kill him?"

"Her. Zorra prefers to be called a her."

"Her. You didn't kill her?"

"Of course not."

They got out of the car.

"I'm surprised," Myron said.

"Why?"

"Usually when you threaten-"

"I never threatened Zorra. I threatened Pat. I said I may kill Zorra. But what would have been the point? Should Zorra suffer because a drugged-out psychotic like Billy Lee Palms hangs up a phone? Methinks not."

Myron shook his head. "You're a constant surprise."

Win stopped. "And lately you're a constant screwup. You got lucky. Zorra said she'd be willing to use her life to guarantee your safety. I recognized that she couldn't do it. It's why I told you not to go."

"I didn't think I had a choice."

"Now you know better."

"Maybe."

Win put a stilling hand on Myron's arm. "You're not over her yet. Esperanza has a point when she tells you that."

Myron nodded. Win dropped his arm.

"Take this," Win said, handing him a small bottle. "Please."

Trial-size mouthwash. Count on Win. They made their way inside the Biker Wannabee. Myron stopped in the bathroom, rinsed out his mouth, splashed water on his face, checked the wound. It hurt. He looked in the mirror. His face was still tan from his three weeks with Terese, but Win was right: He looked like hell.

He met up with Win outside the bathroom door. "You said two reasons before, that there were two reasons you wanted me to come back here."

"Reason two," Win said. "Nancy-or Thrill, if you prefer. She was worried about you. I thought it best if you saw her."

When they reached the corner booth, Zorra and Thrill were busy chatting like, well, two single women at a bar.

Zorra smiled at Myron. "Zorra is sorry, dreamboat."

"Not your fault," Myron said.

"Zorra means that they're dead," Zorra said. "Zorra would have liked a few hours alone with them first."

"Yeah," Myron said. "Pity."

"Zorra already told Win all Zorra knows, which is very little. Zorra is just a beautiful hired gun. She likes to know as little as possible."

"But you worked for Pat?"

He-she nodded, but the wig did not. "Zorra was a bouncer and bodyguard. Do you believe that? Zorra Avrahaim having to settle for work as a common bouncer?"

"Yeah, times are tough. So what was Pat into?"

"A little of everything. Mostly drugs."

"And how were Billy Lee and Pat connected?"

"Billy Lee claimed to be his uncle." Zorra shrugged. "But that could have been a lie."

"Did you ever meet Clu Haid?"

"No."

"Do you know why Billy Lee was hiding?"

"He was terrified. He thought someone was trying to kill him."

"That someone being me?"

"So it seemed."

Myron couldn't figure that one out. He asked a few more questions, but there was nothing else to leam. Win offered his hand. Zorra took it and stepped out of the booth. She handled the high heels well. Not everyone does.

Zorra kissed Win on the cheek. "Thanks for not killing Zorra, dreamboat,"

Win bowed slightly. "A pleasure, madame." Win the charmer. "I'll walk you out."

Myron slid into the booth next to Thrill Without saying a word, she grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him hard. He kissed her back. Win and his mouthwash. What a guy.

When they came up for air, Thrill said, "You do know how to show a girl a good time."

"Ditto."

"You also scared the hell out of me."

"I didn't mean to."

She searched his face. "Are you okay?"

"I will be."

"Part of me wants to invite you back to my place."

He said nothing, lowering his eyes. She kept her eyes on his face.

"This is it, isn't it?" she said. "You won't call, will you?"

Myron said, "You're beautiful, intelligent, fun-"

"And about to get the big kiss-off."

"It's not you."

"Oh, that's original. Don't tell me. It's you, right?"

He tried a smile. "You know me so well."

"I'd like to."

"I'm damaged goods, Nancy."

"Who isn't?"

"Tm just over a long-term relationship-"

"Who said anything about a relationship? We could just go out, right?"

"No."

"What?"

"I don't work that way," he said. "I can't help it. I go out with someone, I start picturing kids and a backyard barbecue and a rusted hoop in the driveway. I try to size up all that stuff right away."

She looked at him. "Christ, you're strange."

Hard to argue.

She started fiddling with a mixing straw. "And you can't imagine me in any of those domestic settings?"

"Just the opposite," Myron said. "That's the problem."

"I see. At least I think I see." She shifted in her seat. "I better go."

"I'll take you home."

"No, I'll get a taxi."

"That's not necessary."

"I think it is. Good night, Myron."

She walked away. Myron stood.