“I miss Jessica,” Myron said.

“I thought we weren't going to talk about it.”

“Sorry.”

Win shifted in his seat again. “No, go on.” Like he'd rather have an anal probe.

“It's just that… I guess part of me will always be enmeshed in Jessica.”

Win nodded. “Like something in a machinery mishap.”

Myron smiled. “Yeah. Like that.”

“Then slice off the limb and leave it behind.”

Myron looked at his friend.

Win shrugged. “I've been watching Sally Jessy on the side.”

“It shows,” Myron said.

“ 'The episode entitled 'Mommy Took Away My Nipple Ring,'” Win said. “I'm not afraid to say it made me cry.”

“Good to see you getting in touch with your sensitive side.” As if Win had one. “So what next?”

Win checked his watch. “I have a contact at the Bergen County house of detention. He should be in by now.” He hit the speakerphone and pressed in some numbers. They listened to the phone ring. After two rings a voice said, “Schwartz.”

“Brian, this is Win Lockwood.”

The usual reverent hush when you first hear that name. Then: “Hey, Win.”

“I need a favor.”

“Shoot.”

“Esperanza Diaz. Is she there?”

Brief pause. “You didn't hear it from me,” Schwartz said.

“Hear what?”

“Good, okay, long as we understand each other,” he said. “Yeah, she's here. They dragged her through here in cuffs a coupla hours ago. Very hush-hush.”

“Why hush-hush?”

“Don't know.”

“When is she being arraigned?”

“Tomorrow morning, I guess.”

Win looked at Myron. Myron nodded. Esperanza would be held overnight. This was not a good thing.

“Why did they arrest her so late?”

“Don't know.”

“And you saw them drag her in cuffs?”

“Yep.”

“Didn't they let her surrender on her own?”

“Nope.”

Again the two friends looked at each other. The late arrest. The handcuffs. The overnight. Someone in the DA's office was pissed off and trying to make a point. Very not a good thing.