1-5-3-4-5-3-2-4-1-5-3-4-5-3-2-4-1-5-3-4-5-3-2-4-Alexa.

5-1-3-2-1-3-4-2-5-1-3-2-1-3-4-2-5-1-3-2-1-3-4-2-I'm going to kill her.

1-2-4-5-4-3-4-2-1-2-4-5-4-3-4-2-1-2-4-5-4-3-4-2-Alexa.

5-4-2-1-3-2-3-1-5-4-2-1-3-2-3-1-5-4-2-1-3-2-3-1-I'm going to kill her.

I finished at 9:29 AM, one minute early. I must not have been feeling well. Elyssa called a minute later.

Elyssa: Hey. Did I call too early?

Mara: No, I just finished Hanon. You're right on time. What's up?

She is such a good friend: dependable, trustworthy, faithful.

Elyssa: I just got a message from Conrad. I'm going to meet with him this afternoon.

Adulterous.

Elyssa: Did you say something?

Mara: No . . . But you—

Elyssa: I know. It is a one time thing. I just think I have to tell him that again. In person. Anyway, what's the big deal? It didn't bother you so much this weekend.

Mara: It did. It did bother me a little, but . . . It's Myron. I think he's cheating on me.

Elyssa: Mara, I thought you were over this.

Mara: But this time there's evidence. I found a letter. From a woman. Alexa Ovet.

Elyssa: Probably something from work.

Mara: I saw the envelope. It was addressed to the apartment, and he was hiding the letter from me.

Elyssa: What did the letter say?

Mara: I didn't read it all. All I read was her signature and the salutation, "Dear Jason Argos"—

Elyssa: "Jason Argos"?

Mara: A pseudonym, of course.

Elyssa: Sure, but the whole name? If it's a love letter, I'd expect "Dear Jason," or more likely, "Dearest love." Or, "Hey, baby!"

Mara: Yes . . . But I want to make sure. I need to make sure. I'm going to My's office after work to see if he meets up with this Alexa. Can you come?

Elyssa: I know there's no changing your mind, but this is a bad idea, in so many different ways . . . Yeah, I'll be there.

Mara: He gets off work at 6:00 PM. We'll meet in the park by the food carts.

My first day of lessons for the term was uneventful. Sergei: excelling technically and, as always, quick to learn, unwilling to accept that he needs anything more. Erik: wholly unprofessional, but he'll get by on his charms. I refused his gift again. Charles: Hard working. Hopefully, he'll make something of that one day. If the good qualities of those three could be combined, they'd make one excellent pianist. And Lilli: a total waste of my time, although at least she's aware of that. I heard she's already looking to change instructors, and I'm not going to stop her.

I arrived at the park diagonally across from My's office building at 5:50 PM. I sat behind a food cart cart, giving me a clear view of the building's entrance, but the subway was in the opposite direction, so My would not likely see me in the crowded park, nor would Charlie, Elyssa's boyfriend. I called Elyssa's cell phone, but there was no answer.

A steady flow of people were exiting the building, although there was no sign of My. The initial 5:00 PM rush of people had long gone, but My never left work before 6:00 PM. By 6:15 PM, there was no sign of My, and no sign of Elyssa either. I called Elyssa again, and again she didn't answer. Her phone was off in fact.

I was well aware of the fact that one street vendor was looking at me particularly intently. I'm sure others were taking their time glancing at me as well, but his expression wasn't the typical lustful gaze. He was paying too much attention for that.

6:30 PM. No Elyssa, no My.

The Vendor: You remind me of my wife.

Mara: What?

I glanced at the man, briefly enough to guarantee I didn't miss My leaving his building. He was at least sixty years old, covered in sweat, although his clothes were surprisingly clean.

The Vendor: Years ago. She would surprise me by showing up at the end of the work day. Your husband may not express it, but such gestures, a man appreciates. Remember that.

Mara: He's not my—

That's when I saw Charlie leave the office building. My did not follow behind. I told myself he must be working late, later than Charlie. Charlie began to walk toward the subway entrance and then stopped. He took out his phone, made a phone call, talked, and closed his phone about twenty seconds later. Was he calling Elyssa? If he was, she must have picked up. Charlie wasn't leaving a voicemail. I was about to call Elyssa when My called me.

Myron: Hi, Mara. I just left work.

I looked and he was not there.

Mara: That's good. Did you . . . coming home now?

I hesitated, I know. Could he sense the hesitation in my voice?

Myron: Actually, Charlie . . . Charlie and my boss, Eben, wanted to go get drinks.

Mara: Just one drink, My. I'll know if you had more.

Myron: Yeah, I know . . . but my boss, he'll probably have a few. And he talks a lot.

Mara: That's fine. Just call when you're done. I'll talk to you then.

6:38 PM. I still saw no sign of Myron, and he was calling from a busy street. I called Elyssa a third time. No answer.

I thought I heard the street vendor say, "gyro no tomatoes." But when I turned, he was bent down, busy closing up his cart.