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always, always, drugs. The people in the group may be looking to fit in, to get high, easy sex. But the leaders usually have a good, old-fashioned reason. Money and power. Pornography, sex—young women, boys, children to exploit.”
    Lena picked her wineglass up, then put it down. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. This was supposed to be a nice evening.”
    â€œWas it?”
    â€œI’m going upstairs and go to bed. You do whatever you want down here, Joel. When you’re done with the pantry, the basement could use some work.” Lena kicked her chair sideways. “And don’t throw away my Cheerios.”

10
    Lena wondered what Mendez had done with the coffee.
    The kitchen was spotless, the pantry neat and organized, the old box of Cheerios gone. When she opened the pantry door, nothing happened in the way of moths flying out.
    The phone rang.
    â€œLena? Rick. Maynard is peeing on the rug in my bathroom.”
    â€œI wonder if he’s sick or something.”
    â€œI think he just likes the rug.”
    â€œKeep the door closed.”
    â€œKeep the door closed, keep the lid down, we might as well still be married.”
    â€œRick, if you just called to complain, I wish you would—”
    â€œI called to tell you I found your man. Or didn’t find him, more like. He quit right after the Valetta robbery. Advised paying the claim to the savings and loan, and turned in his resignation.”
    â€œDid he say why?”
    â€œNow, how would I know?”
    â€œDid he?”
    â€œResigned due to medical reasons. That’s all I got.”
    â€œWhere did he go after that?”
    â€œNada. Can’t find a record of him anywhere.”
    â€œSo access his medical records.”
    â€œI did. Nothing there. He had a case of the clap right before he resigned. No other problems I could see.”
    â€œThat’s funny.”
    â€œIf you think the clap is funny, you ain’t never had it, girl.”
    â€œNo, it’s odd. That he quit right then. It was Bennelton Insurance Company, wasn’t it?”
    â€œUm hmmm.”
    â€œTheir home office in Cleveland?”
    â€œLouisville.”
    â€œI thought that was a district office. Because I know somebody down there.”
    â€œSmall world. Want me to keep looking for him?”
    â€œPlease. And wash the rug with white vinegar.”
    â€œHoney, I’m going to burn it.” He was silent a moment. “Speaking of Louisville …”
    â€œYou always ace the audition, Rick.”
    â€œYeah, I do.”
    â€œIt’s the performance you … I’m kidding, don’t squawk. Break a leg.”
    Lena curled up on the couch with a pencil, a pad, and the telephone. “Bennelton Property and Casualty. May I help you?”
    â€œI’d like to speak to Christy Neil, please.”
    â€œOne moment.”
    â€œBennelton Property and Casualty, how may I assist you?”
    â€œChristy? It’s Lena. Lena Padget.”
    â€œHow you been, girlfriend?”
    â€œSurviving. You?”
    â€œI be bad, I, hang on … Bennelton Property and Casualty, how may I help you? I see. You would need to speak with Ms. Deener in our personnel office, please hold . You there, girlfriend? How’s Rick? He still got that ponytail?”
    â€œNo, he got rid of that.”
    â€œUmm, too bad. He fine, though. Any way you look.”
    â€œI don’t look.”
    â€œHe fine and you stupid.”
    â€œHow’s Marty? You still letting him sponge?”
    â€œMarty know how to give a girl what she like, uh-huh, and that’s all I need right now.”
    â€œWhat I need’s to ask you a question. About a claims investigator who worked for Bennelton eight years ago. His name is Harry Straczynski. He quit after handling a robbery of a savings and loan.”
    â€œStraczynski, Straczynski. Lord, girlfriend, you mean