Orlando shook his head in confusion.
"About what?"
"Bernardo Barela."
Orlando half-closed his eyes.
"He's in trouble?"
"Not necessarily," Kerney replied.
"You've known Bernardo for a long time."
"Yeah, but we don't hang together very much anymore."
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"We had a couple of beers a few nights ago. Before that, it's been maybe a year since we've seen each other."
"Did he ever mention a girl by the name of Luiza San Miguel?"
Orlando's voice changed to a thin treble.
"Who?"
"Luiza San Miguel."
"I don't know that name. I don't know who he's dating."
"You're not tight with Bernardo anymore?"
Orlando forced a smile.
"Nah. We sort of went different ways. He's really into the ranching thing and I'm pretty much preoccupied with school."
"That's understandable. Is he popular with the girls?"
"He gets his share of attention."
"Does he brag about it?"
"Not to me."
"Has he dated anyone you know?"
Orlando mentioned some names, which Kerney wrote down.
"What about his pals?"
He gave Kerney a few more names.
After finding out how to locate Bernardo's friends, Kerney closed his notebook and put it away.
"Is Bernardo in bad trouble?" Orlando asked.
"You're worried about him."
"Well, sure. I mean, he's still a friend, sort of."
"When was your last contact with him?"
"Before this week?"
"Yes."
Orlando closed his eyes.
"It was at a party. Yeah, a party." His eyes fluttered open.
"I saw him there and we shot the shit for a while."
"When was that?"
"Last spring. April, maybe May."
"Did he seem upset? Agitated? In any way different?"
"No."
"Who had the party?"
"It was at some girl's apartment. I didn't know her. A bundi of us got invited on the spur of the moment."
"Was Bernardo with anyone at the party?"
"I don't think so."
"Did you do any cruising with Bernardo early last year, around Ojitos Frios?"
"I haven't cruised with Bernardo since we were in high school."
"Has Bernardo ever done anything strange or weird?"
"You mean like crazy shit? Not that I know about."
"Thanks, Orlando."