He looked around, found a T-shirt on the floor, and used it to lift the gun into view. A .38. Same as the one sitting in Myron’s waistband, courtesy of Win. What the hell was going on here? He was half tempted to report her to family services and leave it at that.

“Kitty?”

His voice was louder now, harsher. No movement. This wasn’t sleep. She was passed out. He kicked the bed. Nothing. He debated throwing water on her face. Instead he tried to gently slap her face. He leaned over her and smelled the stale breath. He traveled back again, to when she was that adorable teenager dominating center court, and his favorite Yiddish expression came back to him in a rush: Man plans, God laughs.

This was not a kind laugh.

“Kitty?” he said again, a little harsher now.

Her eyes suddenly opened wide. She rolled quickly, startling Myron back, and then he realized what she was doing.

She was going for the gun.

“Looking for this?”

He held up the gun. She cupped her hands though there was barely any light in there and blinked at him. “Myron?”

Chapter 24

24

Why the hell do you have a loaded gun?”

Kitty hopped out of bed and looked under a closed window shade. “How did you find me?” Her eyes bulged. “My God, were you followed?”

“What? No.”

“Are you sure?” Total panic. She ran over and checked another window. “How did you find me?”

“Just calm down.”

“I won’t calm down. Where’s Mickey?”

“I saw him go off to work.”

“Already? What time is it?”

“One in the afternoon.” Myron tried to plow through it. “Did you see Suzze yesterday?”

“Is that how you found me? She promised she wouldn’t tell.”

“Wouldn’t tell what?”

“Anything. But especially where I am. I explained it to her.”

Just ride it, Myron thought. “Explained what?”

“The danger. But she already understood.”

“Kitty, talk to me here. What kind of danger are you in?”

She shook her head. “I can’t believe Suzze sold me out.”

“She didn’t. I found you from her GPS and phone records.”

“What? How?”

He wasn’t about to head down that road. “How long have you been sleeping?”

“I don’t know. I went out last night.”

“Where?”

“None of your business.”

“Getting high?”

“Get out!”

Myron took a step back, raised his hands as though to show he meant no harm. He had to stop attacking. Why do we always screw up when it comes to family? “Do you know about Suzze?”

“She told me everything.”

“What did she tell you?”

“It’s confidential. I promised her. And she promised me.”

“Kitty, Suzze is dead.”

For a moment Myron thought that maybe she hadn’t heard him. Kitty just stared, her eyes clear for the first time. Then she started shaking her head.

“A drug overdose,” Myron said. “Last night.”

More headshake. “No.”