LITMIR.BIZ

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maybe you saw her open one of Skull Valley’s shows,” Candy says. She turns to Alessa. “When did you tour together?”

      “It was just before we recorded our album. About eighteen months ago.”

      I shake my head.

      “Sorry. I wouldn’t have seen you. Eighteen months ago …” A quick flash of pain in my head. I picture the arena for a second. “I was out of town.”

      “Well, if you’re interested we have some live stuff on YouTube.”

      “What should I search for?”

      “‘Django’s Coffin.’”

      I’m starting to warm up to her. “Is Django your favorite western?”

      She shrugs.

      “My old girlfriend loved it. I like it, but I like The Furies more.”

      “Barbara Stanwyck. When she takes away Rip’s derringer and points it at him.”

      “It’s a good way to end an argument.”

      “I’ve ended a few that way myself.”

      “You should show me sometime.”

      “Sure. You, me, and Chihiro can go by the L.A. Gun Club.”

      She makes a fist and holds it out. I make one too and we bump.

      “Alessa plays surf guitar. She totally kicks Dick Dale’s ass,” says Candy. She holds up an LP that’s a bit battered at the edges. “Look what she gave me.”

      The cover is greenish, with a man holding a guitar case on a long stairway. A pagoda in the background. Printed on the front is RASHOMON. TAKESHI TERAUCHI AND THE BLUE JEANS.

      “Early-seventies Japanese surf rock. She knows all about it.”

      I get it now.

      “And you bought her noodles to join your band.”

      Candy picks up some chopsticks.

      “She brought a record, so I brought noodles.”

      “That sounds fair.”

      Alessa says, “It’s not quite that simple. Chihiro played me a recording of her band rehearsing. They’re not bad. They need work, but they’re not bad.”

      Chihiro. Good. Candy’s staying safe, using her new identity even while she’s trying to lure a professional guitarist into the clutches of her garage band. Maybe Alessa’s drug problem was worse than I thought. For a pro to want to work with Candy’s group, she must have burned some bridges with the local L.A. players.

      I look at Candy.

      “That’s great. You’ll be playing with Skull Valley soon yourself.”

      “Wouldn’t that be great?”

      Alessa picks up her chopsticks and pokes at her noodles.

      “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” she says. “We need to learn some actual songs first.”

      Candy sits back down at her desk.

      “Yes. Songs first. Then touring. See? She’s a total professional.”

      I nod.

      “Sounds like it,” I say. Alessa continues poking at her noodles. Even I can take a hint. She’s done with me being there. Candy looks at her. She’s done with me too for the moment.

      “Listen, I have to talk to Julie, so I’ll let you get back to work.”

      Alessa looks up and smiles, glad I figured out what’s what.

      “Nice meeting you, Stark,” she says.

      “You too.”

      I head to Julie’s office. The moment I’m gone they’re digging into their food, Candy talking excitedly through a full mouth. Alessa laughs at her and hums a staccato surf melody.

      I knock on Julie’s door. She looks up and nods. I go in.

      “How’s it going?”

      Julie shakes her head.

      “I’m glad I got myself a door. The Bobbsey Twins out there have been yammering for an hour.”

      “Chihiro gets a little nuts when the subject of music comes up.”

      “‘Nuts’ is the nice word for it. What are you up to these days? If this is a social call, I have a lot of work I have to do.”

      I take Abbot’s folder out of my pocket and drop it on her desk.

      “Be happier to see me. I’m bringing you business.”

      She opens the folder and picks up the photo.

      “Is he missing?”

      “That’s what Abbot said.”

      “Abbot? Thomas Abbot?”

      I look at her.

      “Happy to see me now?”

      “Happier. Do you have any background information on the kid?”

      “There’s some stuff on the back of the photo. His name is Nick, Abbot says. It might be a parent abduction, but I don’t know.”

      Julie turns the photo over and scans the information.

      “You don’t think he’s telling the truth?”

      “I don’t know that either. I just know that he went out of his way not to say what his relationship was with the kid or his parents. He just kept saying ‘my friend’ wants me to get you to look into it.”

      She turns the photo over and looks at Nick’s face.

      “Normally I’d be reluctant to go with a case with so little information and a cagey client, but—”

      “Yeah. It’s the augur asking. He’s got money and he’s got pull. It seems like one to take.”

      “And so we will. Thanks, Stark.”

      I always feel funny when Julie thanks me. She’s the friend who helped keep Candy out of that Lurker relocation camp so she could become Chihiro. Then she gave her a job. We’re both a long way from paying her back for that. Any case I can throw at her, I will.

      From the other room we can hear Candy and Alessa laughing. Julie holds a hand off in their direction

      “Can you have a word with her? I mean, this is supposed to be a place of business.”

      “Looks like she’s on her lunch hour to me.”

      “Lunch hour and then some.”

      “Look, you made it clear you didn’t want me involved with the agency. I’m not about to go out there and scold Chihiro for a noodle break.”

      “Point taken. Just do me a favor and look at your watch on the way out. Maybe she’ll take the hint.”

      “I don’t wear a watch.”

      “Right. Well, pretend. Stare at your wrist for two seconds.”

      I get up.

      “I’ll wrestle them to the ground and give them detention.”

      Julie gives me a curdled smile.

      “Late at night, if you ever wonder why you don’t work here anymore, remember this moment.”

      I open the office door.

      “I’ll tell Abbot you’re on the case when I see him Monday.”

      “Tell him to call me. It would be nice to discuss a fee.”

      “I’ll give him your number.”

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