West Campus Condos was a big new three-story building occupying most of a city block near the central UT campus.
Jack stopped at the parking garage entrance and punched in the code the condo manager had given him over the phone. The bars swung up and he pulled into a visitor parking space.
The elevator doors opened as Jack was reaching for the button. A tall black man in his early forties with a shaved head and a runner's body, wearing white slacks and a pale blue sport shirt, stepped out. "Jack Hammer?" Jack nodded and the man took his hand. "I'm Will Kemp." Jack had already talked to him on the phone. He was the condos' on-site manager.
"Thanks for getting up in the middle of the night, Will."
"It's no problem. My husband's a night nurse at the Heart Hospital, so I'm sorta used to late hours . . ."
"Husband. That's great. " Jack smiled. "How long you been married?"
Will's grin lit up the parking garage like a neon sign. "Since the Supreme Court decision. We were in line at the Travis County courthouse on the first day. Waited eight hours, but it was worth it." He punched the elevator button and the door opened. "How 'bout you?"
"Haven't found the right man," Jack answered. Will's grin grew even wider.
They took the elevator to the third floor. "I checked the garage after Laura called," Will said. "Alex's car is gone."
"What is it?"
"Silver Mustang GT. Couple years old. Nice, but nothing special."
"Sounds a bit . . . ordinary . . . for a rich kid."
Will laughed. "That's Laura for you. Doesn't mind spending money, but won't go overboard."
"How well do you know her?"
"Met her a few times. Nice lady. Not a stuck-up rich-" He broke off abruptly. "I know Alex really well. He's on the Residents' Council."
"That it?"
"Well, we've seen each other . . . let's just say 'socially' . . . a few times."
"'Socially,' huh? Does your husband mind?"
"Naw. He has the option to join in. Sometimes he does."
"Cool." Jack followed Will down the hall. "You think Alex would just up and disappear?"
"No way." Will stopped at a door and took a key ring out of his pocket. "Laura told me he'd missed a gig. Alex wouldn't do that." He unlocked the door and led Jack inside. "Wish I thought he was with Manuel . . ."
"Manuel? Who's he?" Jack looked around the living room. It was small and neat, with a little kitchen at one end. Sliding glass doors led to a balcony overlooking the swimming pool in the central courtyard. Framed rock 'n roll posters and a photo of a young Jimmy Page decorated the walls. The corner beside the couch was empty, except for a music stand, a straight chair, and a Fender Stratocaster on a stand.
"His boyfriend."
"Yeah? Laura didn't tell me about a boyfriend."
"He's new. Alex just met him a couple weeks ago. Guess he didn't tell Laura."
"You try to get in touch with Manuel?"
"Don't know how. I've never met him." Will pointed to the empty corner. "Alex's guitar and amp are gone."
"That's interesting. You know what he's got?"
"A '65 Twin Reverb and a '73 gold-top Les Paul. He just bought the guitar a couple weeks ago. About the same time he met Manuel."
"Where'd he get it?"
"Texas Vintage Guitars. You know it?"
"Yeah. Kinda out of my price range."
"So I've heard. You play?"