The plane slowed as it approached the gate. The pilot asked everybody to stay in their seats with their belts fastened. Almost everybody ignored that request. You could hear the belts clack open. Why? What did people gain from that extra second? Was it that we just liked to defy rules?He debated calling Aimee's cell phone again. That might be overkill. How many calls could he make, after all? The promise had also been pretty clear. He would drive her anywhere. He would not ask questions. He would not tell her parents. It should hardly surprise him that after such a venture, Aimee would not want to talk to him for a few days . He got off the plane and was starting toward the exit when he heard someone call out, Myron Bolitar?He turned. There were two of them, a man and a woman. The woman had been the one who called his name. She was small, not much over five feet. Myron was six-four. He towered over her. She did not seem intimidated. The man with her sported a military cut. He also looked vaguely familiar . The man had a badge out. The woman did not . I 'm Essex County investigator Loren Muse, she said. This is Livingston police detective Lance Banner . Banner, Myron said automatically. You Buster's brother?Lance Banner almost smiled. Yeah . Good guy, Buster. I played hoops with him . I remember . How's he doing?Good, thanks . Myron did not know what was going on, but he'd had experience with law enforcement. Out of habit more than anything else, he reached for his cell phone and pressed the button. It was his speed dial. It would reach Win. Win would hit the mute button and listen in. This was an old trick of theirs, one Myron hadn't employed in years, and yet there he was, with police officers, falling into the old routines . From his past run-ins with the law, Myron had learned a few basic truisms that could be summed up thusly: Just because you haven't done anything wrong doesn't mean you're not in trouble. Best to play it with that knowledge . We'd like you to come with us, Loren Muse said . May I ask what this is about?We won't take much of your time . I got Knicks tickets . We'll try not to interfere with your plans . Courtside. He looked at Lance Banner. Celebrity row . A re you refusing to come with us?Are you arresting me?No . Then before I agree to go with you, I'd like you to tell me what it's about . Loren Muse did not hesitate this time. It's about Aimee Biel . Whack. He should have seen it coming, but he didn't. Myron staggered back a step. Is she all right?Why don't you come with us?I asked you I heard you, Mr. Bolitar. She turned away from him now and started heading down toward the exit. Why don't you come with us so we can discuss this further?Lance Banner drove.