It was slightly after seven in the morning. I had only gotten two hours of sleep, and TaShay and Tan were still inside the room sleeping. They had nowhere urgent to go but back home.

Billy answered, “Tapioca and Cream.”

He was referring to the two Filipina women I had briefly met at Mr. Vissel’s mansion. For some reason, the pet names sounded ridiculous that morning.

I asked Billy, “What are their real names?”

He looked at me and was puzzled. “You know what? I don’t even know their real names, I just call them what the boss calls them. But anyway,” he told me, “they were definitely asking for you last night. Did you receive any of my messages on your cell phone?”

I snapped my fingers. I had left my cell phone in the hotel room again.

“As a matter of fact, I still don’t have it with me,” I told him. “I accidentally left it on the charger last night.”

Billy made an immediate U-turn to head back to the hotel. We had not quite made the freeway yet.

I said, “Nah, man, we don’t have to get it. Let’s just go to the shoot.”

He looked at me in disbelief. “Are you sure? I mean, you’re gonna be there for hours, man. You know how these photo shoots are. That’s why I’m in no rush to get you there. They’ll still be setting up the lighting.”

“Thanks for thinking about me,” I told him. “But I’m cool with no phone. It makes my day a lot more peaceful.”

Billy nodded and made another U-turn as if we were above the L.A. traffic laws. He was just a carefree kid.

I asked him, “So, what did Tapioca and Cream want from me?” As sick as it was, I was already thinking of another threesome.

Billy smiled. “They just wanted to hang out…and do whatever. I mean, hey, what would you do with them?”

“What do they have a reputation for?” I asked him.

He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “Tell you the truth, I don’t know too much about them. They show up and take a lot of pictures, and they love to flirt, but I don’t really know about them hanging out with anyone,” he told me.

I nodded and closed my eyes. I figured I could get a little more rest on the way to the shoot, and I would deal with the Filipinas later. Maybe I was just having a lucky streak, or maybe they were all freaks, I didn’t know. But I was surely willing to find out.

WE ARRIVED at the Pacific Grille off Santa Monica Boulevard for the photo shoot a good half-hour late, and I was right on time. The lights were all set up, and the other young models were dressed, with makeup, and ready to go. They were all wearing white server jackets against a dark restaurant setting, so the photos would all display plenty of contrast and pop. That place was all old style with dark mahogany wood and candles.