He grabbed a fresh one off the shelf. For a moment he just held it and debated his next move. His breathing was labored . Dominick had busted his share of heads in his day, but if he dialed this number, if he did indeed call the Twins, he was crossing a line he'd never gone near before . He thought about his daughter's smile. He thought about how she had to wear braces when she was twelve and how she wore her hair and the way she used to look at him, a long time ago, when she was a little girl and he was the most powerful man in the world . Dominick pressed the digits. After this call, he would have to get rid of the phone. That was one of the Twins' rules, and when it came to those two, it didn't matter who you were, didn't matter how tough or how hard you'd scraped to buy this fancy house in Livingston, you don't mess around with the Twins . The phone was answered on the second ring. No hello. No greeting at all. Just silence . Dominick said, I'm going to need both of you . When?Dominick picked up the metal bat. He liked the weight of it. He thought about this Bolitar guy, this guy who drove off with a missing girl and then lawyered up, who was free now and probably watching TV or enjoying a nice meal . No way you let that slide. Even if you gotta bring in the Twins. Now, Dominick Rochester said. I need you both now.

Chapter 18

When Myron arrived back at his house in Livingston, Win was already there. Win was sprawled out in a chaise lounge on the front lawn. His legs were crossed. He wore khakis sans socks, a blue shirt, a Lilly Pulitzer tie of dizzying green. Some people could wear anything and make it work. Win was one of those people . He had his face tilted to the sun, eyes closed. He did not open them as Myron approached . Do you still want to go to the Knicks game? Win asked . I think I'll pass . You mind if I take someone else then?No . I met a girl at Scores last night . She's a stripper?Please. Win held up a finger. She's an erotic dancer . Career woman. Nice . Her name is Bambi, I think. Or maybe Tawny . I s that her real name?Nothing about her is real, Win said. By the way, the police were here . Searching the place?Yes . They take my computer?Yes . Damn . Fret not. I arrived before them and backed up your personal files. Then I erased the hard drive . You, Myron said. You're good . The best, Win said . Where did you back it up?USB hard drive on my key chain, he said, dangling it, his eyes still closed. Kindly move to the right a little. You're blocking my sun . Has Hester's investigator learned anything new?There was an ATM charge on young Ms. Biel's card, Win said . A imee took out cash?'No, a library book. Yes, cash. Apparently, Aimee Biel picked up a thousand dollars at an ATM machine a few minutes before she called you . A nything else?Like?They're linking this to another disappearance. A girl named Katie Rochester . Two girls disappearing from the same area. Of course they're going to link them . Myron frowned. I think there's something else . Win opened one eye. Trouble . What?Win said nothing, just kept staring. Myron turned and followed his gaze and felt his stomach drop . I t was Erik and Claire . For a moment no one moved . Win said, You're blocking my sun again . Myron saw Erik's face. There was rage there. Myron started toward them, but something made him stop. Claire put her hand on her husband's arm. She whispered something in his ear. Erik closed his eyes. She stepped toward Myron, her head high. Erik stayed back . Claire walked toward Myron's door. He slid toward her . Myron said, You know I didn't Inside. Claire kept walking toward his front door. I want you to tell me everything when we're inside . Essex County prosecutor Ed Steinberg, Loren's boss, was waiting for herwhen she got back to the office . Well?She filled him in. Steinberg was a big man, soft in the middle, but he had that wanna-squeeze-him, teddy-bear thing going on. Of course he was married. It had been so long since Loren had met a desirable man who wasn't .