Drop Shot

Chapter 29

By the time Myron got back to Stadium Court, Duane had dropped the first two sets 6-3, 6-1, and it was 2- 2 in the third set. Myron sat between Jessica and Win. Pavel Menansi, he immediately noticed, was no longer in his seat. Aaron was still there. Senator Cross and Gregory Caufield were in their box too. Ned Tunwell still sat with his Nike colleagues. Ned was no longer waving. He was, in fact, crying. The entire Nike box looked like a deflated balloon. Henry Hobman was still as a Rodin.

Myron turned to Jessica. She looked concerned but said nothing. She took his hand and gave it a little squeeze. He squeezed back and gave her a small smile. He noticed that she was now wearing a bright pink Ray-Ban cap.

"What's with the cap?" he asked.

"A guy offered me a thousand dollars to wear it."

Myron was familiar with the old advertising trick. Companies – in this case, Ray-Ban – paid anyone seated in the players' boxes to wear the caps during matches, figuring, of course, that there was an excellent chance the person and hence the hat would show up on television. Relatively cheap and effective exposure.

Myron looked at Win. "What about you?"

"I don't do caps," Win replied. "They muss my hair."

"That," Jessica added, "and the guy only offered him five hundred dollars."

Win shrugged. "Sexual discrimination. It's an ugly thing."

More like smart business. Five hundred dollars was the normal rate. But somebody at Ray-Ban realized Jess was both attractive and a celebrity – ergo, extra exposure.

Duane dropped another game. Down 3-2 after losing the first two sets. Not good. The players collapsed in their chairs on either side of the umpire for the changeover. Duane toweled down his racket. He changed shirts. Some female fans whistled. Duane did not smile. He glanced over at their box. Unlike just about any other sport in the world, tennis players are not allowed to talk to their coaches during the match. But Henry did move. He took his hand off his chin and made a fist. Duane nodded.

"Time," the chair ump said.

That was when Pavel made his return.

He entered through the portal on the right near the grandstand carrying an Evian in his hand. Myron's eyes locked on to him. He felt his pulse quicken. Pavel Menansi was still wearing the sweater tied around his neck. He took his seat behind Aaron. Pavel Menansi. He smiled. He laughed. He sipped a cold Evian. He breathed in and out. He lived. People patted his back. Someone asked for an autograph. A young girl. Pavel said something to her. The young girl giggled behind her hand.

"Burgess Meredith," Win said. He was looking at the court, not Myron.

"What?"

"Burgess Meredith."

More Name the Batman Criminal. "Not now," Myron said.

"Now. Burgess Meredith."

"Why?"

"Because you're staring. Aaron will pick it up." Win adjusted his sunglasses. "Burgess Meredith."

He was right. "The Penguin."

"Victor Buono."

"King Tut."

"Bruce Lee."

Jessica leaned over. "Trick question," she said.

"No hints," Win said.

"He played Kato," Myron said. "Green Hornet's sidekick. He guest-starred on one episode. I don't know if you could call him a criminal."

"Correct." Silence. Then Win said: "That bad?"

"Worse."

"The police released Valerie's body," Win said. "The funeral is tomorrow."

Myron nodded. On the court Duane served up an ace. Only his second of the match. Myron said, "It may get ugly now."

"How so?"

"I know why the Ache brothers want us out."

"Ah," Win said. "May I assume the Aches will not want you to disseminate this information to the general public?"

"Correct assumption."

"And may I further assume this information is worth the cost of Aaron and an all-star cast?"

"Another correct assumption."

Win sat back. He was very still. He was also smiling. Myron turned to Jessica. Her hand still held his.

"If you get killed," she whispered, "I'll kill you. Soul mate."

Silence.

On the court Duane hit two more aces and then an overhead to tie the third set at three games apiece, Duane looked over at the box. The reflection of the sun off his sunglasses was blinding, giving him a sleek, robotic look. But something in his face had changed. Duane made the fist again.

Henry spoke for the first time. "He's baaack."