Amy came farther into the room and took the picture and stared at it a moment. “Yes. He was flying from Catalina to Santa Barbara at night. He had just finished scuba lessons and he was going to his birthday party.” Amy sniffed. “He was an excellent pilot. They don’t know why his plane crashed.”

“Were you two very close?”

“We were not supposed to be.” Amy sighed. “You understand.”

Kelly nodded. “I didn’t mean to plow through your stuff.”

Amy opened the drawer and put the picture back. “David doesn’t know how I feel about a lot of things.”

“I’m very sorry.”

Amy studied her. She was quiet but not stupid. “Are you married?”

“Sort of. We’re … we’re going through a transition.”

“I hope it works out for you.”

“Thanks. Me too.”

“What happened to your chin?”

A red scar courtesy of the Acid Man’s gun. It was fading, with time. “A customer got rough with me.”

“I hope you set him straight.”

“He’ll never do it again.” Her bullet had blown out his seventh cervical vertebrae. Professor Gene Banks was now a quadriplegic, a total cripple. Once again the world was safe for cheating wives. Kelly reached in her pocket for her card and added, “Let me give you my office and home numbers. Call me any time of the day, even if it’s just to talk. I promise you, Jimmy will receive the highest priority.”

“Thank you.” Amy started to lose it again. Kelly had to reach out a supporting arm. “Who could do such a terrible thing?” Amy asked, weeping.

“It’s hard to imagine,” Kelly said.

Charlie finished with Vicki and offered to take Kelly home. He had picked her up that morning. On the drive home, she debated asking him to shoot Tony. It was dark by the time they reached her apartment building. Funny how she didn’t have a view or decent furniture anymore. Charlie offered to come in and have sex with her. Kelly laughed sadly.

“God knows I have an extra place to put it,” she said.

“Not anymore. I think you’re ready for action, girl.”

“Not tonight, Charlie.”

“Okay. But any time you feel lonely, call. I don’t care what time it is.”

“Thanks. I might call.” She hesitated. “But all we talk about nowadays is me and Tony and Anna. I never ask how you’re doing. That’s not fair.”

“There’s nothing to say. I’m doing fine.”

“You live alone. You’ve been alone since I’ve known you.”

“Your fault. I pine away for you.”

“Bullshit. Did Margaret make you lose all interest in women?”

Charlie was quiet. “I lost a lot with Margaret.”