Lex entered, looking understandably embarrassed by the bodyguard spectacle. Myron raised his hand and gave a little wave. The two bodyguards started toward him, but Lex stopped them. They didn’t look happy about it, but they stayed by the door. Lex bounced over and slid into the booth.
“Gabriel’s guys,” Lex said by way of explanation. “He insisted they come too.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s a schizo who grows more paranoid by the day, that’s why.”
“By the way, who was the guy at the gate?”
“Which guy?”
Myron described him. The color ebbed from Lex’s face.
“He was at the gate? You must have set off a sensor when you drove in. He’s normally inside.”
“Who is he?”
“I don’t know. He’s not exactly chummy.”
“You’ve seen him before?”
“I don’t know,” Lex said a little too quickly. “Look, Gabriel doesn’t like me talking about his security. Like I said, he’s paranoid. Forget it; it’s not important.”
Fine with Myron. He wasn’t here to learn about the lifestyle of a rock star. “You want a drink?”
“Nah, we’re working late tonight.”
“So why are you hiding?”
“I’m not hiding. We’re working. This is how we always do it. Gabriel and I holed up alone in his studio. Making music.” He glanced back at the two big bodyguards. “So what are you doing here, Myron? I already told you: I’m fine. This doesn’t concern you.”
“This isn’t about just you and Suzze anymore.”
Lex sighed, sat back. He, like lots of aging rockers, had the emaciated thing going on, with skin like weathered tree bark. “What, it’s about you all of a sudden?”
“I want to know about Kitty.”
“Dude, I’m not her keeper either.”
“Just tell me where she is, Lex.”
“I don’t have a clue.”
“You don’t have an address or a phone number?”
Lex shook his head.
“So how did she end up with you at Three Downing?”
“Not just her,” Lex said. “There were, what, a dozen of us.”
“I don’t care about the others. I’m asking how Kitty ended up with you guys.”
“Kitty is an old friend,” Lex said with an exaggerated shrug. “She called out of the blue and said she could use a night out. I told her where we were.”
Myron looked at him. “You’re kidding, right?”
“What?”
“Just called you out of the blue for a night out? Please.”
“Look, Myron, why are you asking me these questions? Why don’t you ask your brother where she is?”
Silence.
“Ah,” Lex said, “I see. So you’re doing this for your bro?”
“No.”
“You know I love to wax philosophical, right?”
“I do.”
“Here is a simple one: Relationships are complicated. Especially matters of the heart. You have to let people work their own stuff out.”
“Where is she, Lex?”
“I told you. I don’t know.”
“Did you ask her about Brad?”
“Her husband?” Lex frowned. “Now it’s my turn to say, ‘You’re kidding, right?’ ”
Myron handed him a copy of the still frame he’d gotten off the security camera of the ponytailed guy. “Kitty was with this guy at the club. Do you know him?”