The Ghost Orchid Jonathan Kellerman
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The Ghost Orchid isaworkoffiction Names,characters,places,andincidentsaretheproductsoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously Anyresemblanceto actualevents,locales,orpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental
Copyright©2024byJonathanKellerman Allrightsreserved
PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyBallantineBooks,animprintofRandomHouse,adivisionofPenguinRandomHouseLLC,NewYork
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ALLANTINE
Chapter37
Chapter38
Chapter39
Chapter40
Chapter41
Chapter42
Chapter43
Chapter44
Chapter45
Chapter46
Chapter47
Chapter48
Chapter49
Chapter50
CHAPTER 1
Nearlygettingkilledcanchangeyourlifeininterestingways.
There’s the physical healing, butthat’s tedious to thinkabout Whatfascinates me is how people behave when theyknowyou’vecomeclosetodeath
Someyouhaven’theardfrominawhilegetintouchoutofobligation.Mostofthetimetheyhavenoideawhattosayor doandyouendupassuringthemyou’refineandtryingtomakethemfeel better.Or maybethatwas justme,revertingtothe psychologist’srole
I’mclosetoonlytwopeopleontheplanet.
ThewomanIlivewithhandledthewholethingbeautifully,pullingofftheperfectbalanceofcaringformeandallowing mespacewhenIneededit Evenmoreimpressively,whenRobinallowedherselftogetangryatmeforbeingindangerinthe firstplace,shewasabletotalkaboutitreasonably.
My best friend, a homicide detective, was overcome with guilt. I’d been working with Milo when a lunatic nearly crushedmetodeath Noone’sfault,reasonableprecautionshadbeentaken Justoneofthosethingsthathappen But,still
He’d worked hard at keepingthe guilt incheckbut I could tell. Our conversations beganebbinginto longsilences, terminatingwhenhetoldmeIneededtorest.
Eventually, his visits tapered off, thoughhe tried to keep up withregular phone calls. But he avoided talkingabout work,whichpepperedthecallswithawkwardsilences
Worstofall,hestoppedcallingmeinoncases.The“differentones”wherehetendstooverestimatemytalent.WhenI broughtupthesubject,heclaimedthetwonewmurdershe’dtakenonwereopenandshut.
Four monthsafter beinginjuredIsatwithRobinonthesecond-storyterracethatfrontsour house,eatinganddrinking andenjoyingtheweatherthatkeepspeopleinL.A.,andsaid,“StillnothingfromBigGuy.”
Shesaid,“Canyoublamehim?”
“Ithinkhe’soverdoingit Objectively,hedidnothingwrong”
“Who’severobjective,Alex?”
IpouredmyselfanotherfingerofChivas thepriceygoldstuffI’dneverbuyformyself.AguiltofferingfromMilo.
NeitherofustalkedforawhileandIresumedrubbingthebig,knobbyheadofourlittleblondFrenchbulldog,Blanche She’salsobeenperfect SittingnexttomeasIknitted,silentandpatient,carefulnottotouchthetornmusclesinmychest She’s alwaysbeenawonderfulcompanion,intuitive,perceptive,morekeyedintononverbalcuesthananyhumancouldhopetobe. Butthiswasmore.Sheknewsomethingwasdifferentandshecared.
Robinsaid,“Allthosecustodycasescameinbutyou’restillbored”
“Icouldusesomevariety.”
“Knowwhatyoumean.”
Thatsurprisedme
She said, “Why do you think I do what I do, baby? Every instrument’s different, it’s not like I’mmaking the same armchairoverandover.”
Isaid,“Soyouwouldn’tmindifIdiversified Maybegotintomacramé?”
Shegrinnedandplacedhersmall,stronghandovermine Herhair’sthick,auburn,andcurlyandwhenshe’snotinher studio,shewearsitloosetothemidpointofherback.Tonight,themoonwasmediumstrengthanditgildedallthosecurlsand limnedherovalface,herpointychin.Theslightlyoversizedmilk-whiteincisorsthathadattractedmeinthefirstplace.
“WouldIpreferifyounevergotinvolvedinalltheuglystuff?Partofmewould ButI’dbelivingwithaveryunhappy man.”
“Unhappyfool.”
Shelaughed “Don’ttemptme Anyway,I’msurehe’llcallwhenhereallyneedsyou” “I’mnot.”
She poured herselfanother halfglass ofZinfandel. Daintilypolished offa stuffed grape leaf. Greektakeout, tonight. Blanchehadscoredbitsofriceandlamb Everyonehappy
Exceptme.I’dbeenfakingserenityforawhile,hadneverstoppedfeelingincomplete. Ittookanothertwoweeksforthattofinallychange.
CHAPTER 2
The call came in at nine a.m. on a glorious Sunday. The familiar voice, tight with battle readiness but tinged with uncertainty
“Tooearlyforyou?”
“No,beenupforawhile.”
“Howyoufeeling?”
“Great”
“Well…I’vegotone,beenheresinceseventhirty,Ifiguredmaybe…” “Sure.”
“Also,”hesaid,“notfarfromyou Ifyou’refeelingupforit Backintheolddaysyouprobablycouldarunoverhere” Isaid,“Givemetheaddress.”
ThetripwasfourpointeightmilesfrommyhouseinBeverlyGlen AfeasiblerunBC beforecrushing buteventhenI’d havedrivenbecauseIliketogettoscenesfast.
IwheeledtheSevilledownthenameless former bridlepaththatwinds downtreacherouslyfromour halfacre,drove southonBeverlyGlenpasttheskinnychockablockhousesthatlinetheroadinourneighborhood,andtransitionedtothegrand estatesjustnorthofSunsetBoulevard.
At Sunset Ihooked right and continued to the westerngate ofBel Air, sped up Bellagio Road before turningonto a seriesofserpentinesidestreets Reversingtheprocess:eight-figurepalacesfollowedbyprogressivelymoremodesthouseson limitedwoodsylots.
Everycrimescene’suniquebutthere’salsoasamenesstothem.Theprocedures,theactivitiesofthosewho’vechosen toworkwithworst-casescenarios.Theemotionaltone.
The first thing you see is what I’ve come to think of as Death’s Parking Lot: detectives’ unmarked sedans, patrol cruisers,cryptvans,hybridcompactsdrivenbycoroner’sinvestigators.
Behindallthat,theinevitableyellowtape.Canary-brightandsadderforthat.
Thiswasmyfirstcrimesceneinfour-plusmonthsandsimplyarrivingtweakedmybrainandmademefeel alive No pointwonderingwhatthatsaidaboutme.Iwasimagining,wondering,laseringthelayout.
Thislotwassothicklywoodedthatnostructurewasvisiblefromthestreet.Totherightofthevehicles,aburlyyoung officerstoodguard Thefoliagehidneighboringproperties,aswell,creatinganillusionofforest Cruellypeaceful.
Usually,MiloinformsthecopsthatI’mcomingandtheyliftuptheyellowstrand Sometimestheyevensmileandwelcomeme byname.
ThistimeIhadtoshowmyI.D.toBurly,wholookedtobeallergictosmiling.
Heexaminedmydriver’s licenseas ifitwerewritteninhieroglyphics,re-read,checkedmeoutsquint-eyed,stepped awayandmadeacall.Returning,hefavoredmewithalemon-suckingfrown,said,“Okay,”reluctantly,andleftmetoliftmy owndamntape.
Tryingnottoreadtoomuchintoanyofit,Iduckedunderandpickedupmypace,ignoringthetwingesinmyribsthat followedeachfootfall.
Aimingmyselftowardtheolddays.
Theforestturnedouttobelittlemorethanapoorlytrimmedamalgamofficusandeugeniabackedbyhuge,shaggysilverdollar eucalyptus Decadesago,aplaguehadkilledoffmostoftheeugeniahedgesinSouthernCaliforniabutafewsurvivorsremain Theficustack-onsaidsomeonehadsettledforaquickfixinlieuofre-landscaping
Gettingpastthegreenerylandedmeinfrontofasmall,flatlawnfrontingaone-story,cedar-sidedranchhouse.
Ina suburbansetting,another datedsixties throwback.InBel Air,five millionbucks ifyouhiredthe rightreal estate agent
Asecondtapebarrierranacrossthefrontdoor.AblackMaseraticonvertiblesatinagraveldrivewaytotheleftofthe house. Newer model, the name of a Beverly Hills dealer framing the license plate. Littered with dust and leaves. Tennis racquetandballsonthepassengerseat
Whenthedrivewayreachedthehouse,itconvertedtoconcreteandcontinued,ungated,towardtherearoftheproperty. Theonlyfeasibleentrythismorning.Iwalkedalongthehouse.Thoughtabouteasyaccesstoakiller.
NosignofMilooranyoneelseuntilIreachedtheendofthedriveandturnedrightandtherehewasalongwithapairof techs,aC.I.,andhalfadozenuniformswithnothingtodobutlookofficial.
Milo looked the same; why wouldn’t he? Tall, mastiff-jowled, top-heavy above oddly thin legs, he wore wrinkled khakis,pink-soleddesertboots,a spinach-greensportcoat,a white wash’n’wear shirtwitha defeatedcollar,anda skinny blacktiepatternedwithsomethinghardtomakeout
Sunlight waged a full-on assault on his pale, pocked face, having its way with every pit and lump. His black hair, slickeddownhoursago,hadrebelledandbristled.Alimpflapinfrontdiagonaledabrowthetextureofcottagecheese.
Hewasonhisphone,sawmeandnodded Grimly,Ithought Butmaybenot Whocared,anyway?He’dcalled Timeto focusandnotgetsidetracked.
Igotclose enoughto see the tie pattern. Goose heads. Rows ofbeaks pointingto the right. He clicked offand said, “Thanksforcoming”
Likethere’dbeenadoubt.
Isaid,“What’sgoingon?”
Insteadofexplaining,hewavedexpansively Check it out
Notmuchmoretothebackyardthanakidney-shapedswimmingpoolandconcretedeck.Small,cup-shapedspaatthefrontof thepool
Afewfeetfromwherewewerestanding,anakedmanlayfacingthesky.Asinglesizablecrustedholedottedtheupper leftquadrantofhis chest.Bloodspideredfromthewound,runningdownfromlefttorightandcollectingontheground.The flowdictatedbythebody’sslightrightwardcant
Nopositioning Shotandlefttodrop
Thebloodonthedeckhadpooledtoanamoeboidblotcongealedandturnedrustywithlingeringscarlethighlights.The man’sskinwasgray,withfaintpinktracesoflividityvisiblebeneathhisleftbuttocksandthigh.NorigorordecompositionI couldsee
“Isthepoolheated?”
“ThepoolandtheJacuzzi.”
Last night’s temperature had floated in the mid-sixties Warm enough for a swim but cool enough to slow down breakdown.Weatherandexertioncould’vehastenedmusclestiffeningandcausedittofademorequickly.Ifrigorhadcomeand gone,deathhadoccurredsometimelateatnightorduringtheearliestmorninghours.
Eitherway,inthedarkness
Partialdarkness;apairofoutdoorfixturesjustbelowthehouse’sraingutterwerestillonandsowasalightinthepool
Thebodylayfivefeetorsofromarearbankofslidingglassdoors Onepanelwasopen
Stepping out of his home into the warm night air and…
Somethingsmallhadbeenyellow-taggedtotheleftofthecorpse.Ibentandtookalook.Unrolledcondom.
Steppingoutintothecharitablenightair,readyforfun
He was young, late twenties or earlythirties, witha blackbuzzcutand a three-daybeard the same color. Midsized, lean,muscularwithalongchiseledfacecenteredbyastrong,slightlyhookednose.Hispanic,Mediterranean,orMideastern.
Rose-vinetattooaroundhisleftankle
Helayflatonhisback,mouthopen,eyespartiallyshut,whatwasvisibleofthesclera,darkbrown.
Ablackterryrobehadbeentossedcarelesslyoverachaiseloungechairthatfacedthepool.Nexttotheloungeatable held two crystal highball glasses, a bottle of Campari, an ice bucket half filled with water, and two cans of Pellegrino Abuttingthecans,adishofsmall,ocherolives.Theabsenceofpitssaiduntasted.
Beyondallthat,anakedwomanoccupiedanidenticallounge.
Proneandshotinexactlythesamespot,headfacingleft,rightarmdangling.
Abitolderthanhercompanion fortyish shewasequallytrimwithcrispangularfeaturesandthekindofsymmetrical beautythatcameras love. Blood ofthe same color and consistencystriped her leftbreastand ranonto the chair, whichwas somesortofwovenvinyl.Spacesbetweentheweaveallowedtherustyclottosettleonthedeckbelow.
Her thickmahoganyhair was scrunched up ina highpony Her fingernails were polished pink, her toenails black A blackrobeidenticaltohercompanion’swasdrapedneatlyoverthetopofathirdlounge.
NobodyinkIcouldsee;anyobviousadornmentcamefromthecarbonglintingonher lefthand: asizablerectangular diamondringaboveapavéweddingband
Holesinherearlobesbutnoearrings.
Itookinthe restofthe layout. Afew leaves floated onthe pool surface. Onlya few, because unlike the frontofthe property,thesliverofspacewasconcrete,muchofitcracked Itbuttedupagainstten-footredwoodfencingthatcontinuedon bothsides Severalfeetbehindthebackfence,massive,bushypodocarpusassertedthemselves Layersofthem,fromthenearblackdensity.They’recleantreesbutslow-growing.Thesehadtostretchbackdecades.
Isaid,“Wholivesoverthere?”
Milowassurprisedbythequestion “Noidea,Alicia’scanvassing Anythingrighthereintrigueyou?”
Itookacloserlookatbothbodiesandafewoftheuniformstookcloserlooksatme.“Bigholes.A.38orlarger?”
Hestrodetothenorthernfenceandpointedoutasplintereddivotinaplank.“Pulledoutabullet,nocasings,mashedup butlookslikea 38”
“Arevolver…there’saprecisefeeltoit.Confidencethatoneshotwouldtakecareofbusinessandpinpointaccuracy. Where’stheotherbullet?”
“Still inside her,” he said “The backofthe chair blockedexit,it’s wedgedupagainstthe plastic” Shakinghis head “Miraclefiber,whoknew”
“Whofoundthebodies?”
“Poolguyatsixforty-five.Hecomestwiceamonth,thisisthefirststoponhisroute,he’scarefultobequiet.Sayswith no plants it’s an easy job, he’s in and out, has never actually seen or spoken to anyone, his company handles all the arrangements.”
Hetappedhisfoot.“Howdoyouseeithappening?”
“Myguesswouldbehegotshotfirst”
“Mine,too.Subduinghimfirstwouldbesafer.”
“His positionsuggests he’d gone inside, maybe for the condom, reemerged and was confronted. The killer could’ve beenconcealedatthesideofthehouseandstillhadanobliqueviewoftheyard Whattimedoyoufigureithappened?”
“C.I.guesstimateseightp.m.totwoa.m.,doubtsthepathologistwillbeabletonarrowitmuch.”
“Norigor.”
“TherewassomewhenIgotherebutitfadedsoonafter,soI’mfiguringontheearlierend.” Isaid,“Eitherway,itwasdarkandtheywerepreoccupiedandlesslikelytonoticeanintruder Hewaiteduntilthetime wasright afterthemalevictimsteppedout cameforward,andpulledoffaquickshottocentermass.Shewasrelaxingin thechaise,nakedandvulnerable.Shefroze,theshooterwalkeduptoherandfinishedwhathe’dcometodo.Iaskedaboutthe neighborsbecauseifit’salsoasmallproperty,someonemight’veheardthegungooff”
“No911calls,butwe’llcheckitout” “Herringissizablebutitwasn’ttaken.Anythingliftedfromthehouse?” “Nothingobvious.Wanttoseeforyourself?”
Withoutwaitingforananswer,heglovedup,handedmeapair,turnedandledmethroughtheopenglassdoor
CHAPTER 3
Inside,thehousewassmallandboxywithanL-shapedlivingareafeedingtoawhite-on-whitekitchenononeside,abrief hallwayontheother Pink-beigetilecoveredeverysquareinchoffloor Thefurniturewassomberandangular:graytweed stools pushed against a breakfast bar, three-piece sectional ofthe same fabric, two blackleather deco-revival chairs, three occasionaltablesfashionedfromacharcoal-tintedresin.
Whitewallsweremostlyblank,exceptforafewoftheinoffensiveabstractprintsyouseeinchainhotels.Asixty-fiveinchflat-screenfacedthelongarmofthesectional OnthefloorbeneaththeTVsatapairofsquatlittleSonosspeakers No attempttohidewires.
Isaid,“Notmuchpersonalinvestment.Arental?”
Milosaid,“You’reonaroll Foundtheleaseinanightstandalongwiththeguy’s walletandanItalianpassport”He consultedhispad.“GiovanniAggiunta,twenty-nineafewmonthsago.”
Hespelledthesurname.“Inanswertoyournextquestion,don’tknowanythingabouthimyet.”
Ilookedaround “Don’tseeanysignofdisturbance”
Hepointedtothehallway,leftmetofollow.Onedoortotheright,ontheleftanondescriptbeigebathroomfollowedby anondescriptbeigebedroom.
Giovanni Aggiunta’s sleeping chamber featured the same tile floor. A pair of windows facing the backyard were blockedbyaccordionshades Iliftedafewpleatsoneach Bothcasementswereshuttightandheldfastbylatches
Not even cheap art in here, no chest or dresser, the only furniture a pair of chromium-legged black marble circles servingasnightstands.Rust-speckedchrome.I’dseenbudgethotelsgivenmoreconsideration.
Apairofwidedoubledoorstookupmostofthefacingwall
Milopointedtothebed.“GuessthiscouldtechnicallybecountedasdisturbancebutnotthetypeI’minterestedin.”
Theking-sizedmattresswasmadeupwithplum-coloredsheetsandpillowsthathadseenrecentuse.Thepillowswere bunchedupagainstablacklacquerheadboard Acorneroffittedsheethadcomeuntucked,exposingthemattresspad Atthe footofthebed,aquilted,purple-brownsilkspreadhumpedwhereithadn’ttrailedtothefloor.
Onthefloor,neatlyarrangedafew feetfromthebed,wereapinkvelour joggingsuit,paddedmini-socks,black-andpinkAsicsrunningshoes
The nearer stand hosted a matte-grayvibrator, a boxofESPcondoms, a jar ofNivea crème, and a vial ofsomething calledSweetTouchLoveOil. Onthefartherstand,apinkleatherfannypack.
Next to the packwere a diamond tennis bracelet and matchinganklet, a platinumcocktail ringset withtwo serious diamonds and anevenlarger sapphire, and offto one side, a simple chainnecklace setwitha small purplishamethyst The necklaceseemedmarkedlylower-caliber.Maybesentimentalvalue.
Milosaid,“Noreasontogoforsmallstuffwhenthiswasinplainsightbutdoesn’tlookasiftherewaseveralaptopor adesktop,justthattabletinthelivingroom All that’sonitaretheappsitcamewithandonethatturnsitintoaremote No evidencethebadguyevercameinside.Somuchforclassicmotivenumberone.”
Heliftedthefannypack,tweezedoutthecontents,arrayedthemonthebed.
Three twenty-dollar bills folded inhalf, shinygold Gucci lipsticktube, brushed-gold container holdingone pointsix ounces ofGucci Guiltyperfume, the California driver’s license ofMeaginLea March, blond/blue, five-six, one thirty, DOB forty-oneyearsago.
Isaid,“Nophone?”
“Itwasonthestandnexttothejewelry,techiespulledupprintsonthecasesotheybaggedandtaggedbeforeIhada chancetoeyeball.Iaskedforacall-dumpandazipdrive.”
Ireadtheaddressonthelicense.GuaridaLane,90077.“RighthereinBelAir.”
“Littleunderamileandahalfsouthoverinthehigh-pricedspread” Isaid,“WhodrivestheMaserati?”
“TitledtoaleasingcompanyinthePalisades.SignorAggiuntagetstouseitfortwenty-fourmonths.”
“Soeitherhedroveherhereorshewalkedorjoggedover”
“Fresh-lookinggritinthesolesofherrunningshoessaysshe’sbeenusingthemsomewhererecently.”
Helookedattheclothingonthefloor,thentherumpledbed.“Physicalfitness.”
Isaid, “Bothofthemnaked andhimbringingoutthe condomsays theywere readyfor chapter two Wonder whyshe tookallherjewelryoffbutleftherweddingringson.”
“Iwonderedaboutit,too.Figuredmaybetheyweretootight.ButIcheckedandtheyweren’t.Somaybethatwaspartof thethrill.”
“Notthrillingforthehusband”
“Exactly. Classic motive number two. Once I’moutta here, learning about hubby is priority one.” He looked at his Timex.
“Jealousspouse,”Isaid “Couldturnouttobestraightforward”
Hecrossedhisfingers.
“WhatisityouthinkIcanhelpyouwith?”
“Nothingspecific,justspreadyouraura”
Thatsoundedliketokenismanditmademewonder.
Hesaid,“Anythingelseyouwannasee?”
Iopenedthedoubledoorstoagenerouscloset Hangingspacetotheleft,drawerstotheright
Milo said, “Beenthroughit, nothinginthe pockets exceptmore condoms Two packets for eachjacketand a couple moreboxesinthemedicinecabinet.Italiandesign,Swissmanufacture.Gluten-freeandvegan.” Ilaughed.
Hesaid,“I’mserious Andmaybethepoorguywasontosomethingbecausetherewasnothinginterestingmedicationwise.Guydidn’tevenseemtohaveheadaches.”
Iexaminedtheclothing.Notmuchquantitybutplentyofquality.
ThreeunstructuredBrunelloCucinelli cashmeresportcoatswerepairedwithbrightlycoloredslim-fitslacks,ablack calfskinjacketwascoupledwithblackStefanoRiccijeans.Noties,nodressshirtsbutforaPradawing-collarformalundera navy-bluetux.Bothcrispenoughtobeunused.Ahandwrittenreceiptonhigh-qualitypaperhangingfromabuttoninsidethetux jacketsupportedthat Handmadefor Sig G Aggiunta byatailorinMilan Thirty-fourhundredeuros
The drawers contained black T-shirts, mostly silk, a few linen and cotton; black silk bikini underwear, turtlenecks, cashmeresweaters,fittedpolosinthesamebrighthuesasthepants.
Incontrastwiththe limited displayoftextiles, shoes filled everyinchoffloor space and two upper shelves. Tennis shoesforexerciseandforshow,suededrivers,suppleloafers,wovenoxfords,glossywingtips,lace-upboots Fourpairsof Chelseaboots.Peanutbutterleather,grayleather,crocodile,ostrichhide.
Milosaid,“Maybemarriedwomenweren’thisonlyfetish.”
Ipointedtoamustard-coloredjacketcoupledwithscarletpants “Nosuits,whattheItalianscall spezzato ” “What?”
“Unmatchedcomponents.”
“Andyouknowthisbecause ”
“Evaluated a family originally fromRome a while back. The husband was into it, one point of contention was he wantedtodresshisten-year-oldsonthesameway.Thewifethoughtitwasvulgar.Likehim.”
Helookeddownathisowncontrastinggetup.
Isaid,“Aheadofyourtime”
“Livelongenough,everythingcomes’round.”
“Imentioneditbecauseapartfromnobusinesswear,histuxlooksunusedandhedoesn’townatie.Whateverhedoes tomakemoneydoesn’trequireformality”
“Maybehe’sCobblertotheStars sofar,haven’tfoundevidenceofanykindofjob”
“Theclothing’sexpensive,sohe’sgotanincomefromsomewhere.”
“Yeah,alligatorbootshavetocostthreefigures…poorlizard.Anythingelseyouwannacheckout?”
“What’sbehindthecloseddoor?”
“Nothing.Emptyspace.”
“ThenI’mfine.”
“Thenouttaherehasarrived”
CHAPTER 4
Ifollowed his unmarked Impala to the West L.A. station on Butler, where he key-carded both of us into the staff lot. We crossed the street, entered the building, tookthe stairs up to the second floor where he’d beenbanished years ago bya corruptpolicechiefabouttoretire
Theexilehadfollowedhisworkonanoldcasemurderthatunearthedpension-jeopardizingdirtonthechief.Off-therecord negotiation had led to his promotion to lieutenant sweetened by the ability to keep working murders and avoid the paper-shufflingobligationsofrank
Thedownsidewouldbeisolation.
Sequestered above the bigdetective roomina windowless office the size ofa broomcloset, he’d have no authority overanyoneandlacktheabilitytoassembleateamwithoutpermissionfromhiscaptain Everysingletime
Thechief,knowntobepetty,hadfiguredhe’dstuckittoMilobuthe’dfailedtodohishomeworkandhadnoideahe’d handedmyfriendagift.Closetnotwithstanding,theabilitytocomeandgoashepleasedwasaboon.Whoneedsaviewand squarefootagewhenyou’refreetodoyourownthing?
Subsequentchiefsbristledwhentheylearnedofthearrangementbecausepolicedepartmentsareparamilitaryandcrave regulation.ButMilo’ssolverate,thehighestinthedepartment,tothechagrinofthehotshotsatParkerCenter,hadprevented anychange.
BarelyabletoaccommodateMilo’sbulk,thespaceshranktoaclaustrophobicboxwhenanyoneelseentered Anyone elseusuallymeantmeandI’daccommodatedmyselftoasmall,hardchairinthecornerfacingMilo’sbackashehunchedover hisundersized,cluttereddesk.
Heploppeddown,rolledbackjustshortofimpactwithmytoes,pushedhimselfbackandsweptastackofpapersintoa wastebasket.Wheelingaroundsharply,hefacedme.Acellphoneinafuzzyblackcasehadmaterializedinhishand.
“NoprintssoIgottotakeit.Let’shavealookatwhat’sinplainsight.”Hebeganscrolling.“Everythingolderthantwo weekshasbeendeleted mostrecentcallsareatonofnumbers,gottabeinternational code39”
He swiveled to his keyboard, typed, swung back. “No surprise, Italy. I’ll check that out later, let’s see who he communicatedwithonthiscontinent.”
Giovanni Aggiunta’s domestic communications were limited to outgoing calls to a Whole Foods and a sushi bar in Santa Monica, an Indian restaurant in Brentwood, a Spanish restaurant in Midtown, a Moroccan restaurant, a florist, and a dry cleaner in Westwood, the Beverly Hills Tennis Spa, and the cocktail lounges at three luxury hotels: the Peninsula and the WaldorfinB.H.,andtheBel-Air.
“YouandRobingothere.Everseehim?”
Ismiled
Hesaid,“Evenifhewasthere,I’msureyoutwohadeyesonlyforeachother”
He returned to the phone. “Everything’s outgoing and non-personal. So he deleted his incomings. That feels like somethingtohide.”
Isaid,“Affairwithamarriedwoman,becareful Didn’tseeanyboozeinthehouse DidImissit?”
Thequestionthrewhim.“Whywouldthatberelevant?”
“Tryingtogetafeelforhim Therewastennisstuffinhiscar It’sshapinguplikedaysdevotedtorecreationandnights todrinkinginfive-starlounges.”
“Fine dininganda tennis spa,” he said.“Nope,there wasn’tmuchjuice inthe house andnoflashybachelor wetbar. AnotherCampari,couplabottlesofwine,somevodka,allinakitchencabinet”
Isaid,“Maybenoneedtopretendthehousewasusedforanythingbutsex.”
“Partyhardy,meetupforsomeillicitamore,takeadip,sleeplate?Yeah,theplacedoeshavethatself-indulgentfeelto it”
Isaid,“Didn’tseeflowersinthehousesohiscallstothefloristmeansomeoneelsegotblooms.”
“Theoldcharmoffensive?You’rethinkingI’vegotmyselfaplayboyvictim?”
“Iwasthinkinggigolofinancedbyhisclients ThehouseisnopalacebutitissecludedandaBelAiraddressmight’ve madewealthywomenfeelatease.AndinMs.March’scase,closeenoughforconvenience.”
“It’snopalace,Alex,buttherentalwaseightgrandamonth.”
“Doesn’tmeanhepaidit,”Isaid.“OrI’mwrongandhewasjustayoungguywithanindependentincome.”
“DonGiovanni,”hesaid “Enjoyingthegoodlifeandnever imagining”Heshookhishead “Okay,let’sseewhatthe cyber-godshavetosayaboutpoorMeagin.Creativespellingshouldmakeiteasier.”
Thedata-godsheldback, meagin march pullinguponlytwohits:aPlannedParenthoodsilentauctionanda5Krunfor agroupthatfosteredandhomedstraydogscalledThePawsThatRefresh Onthedonorlistofboth,MeaginandDouglassMarch.Fivegrandapop.
“Anotherinventivespeller,”saidMilo.“Maybethat’swhatthetwoofthembondedover.”
Asearchfor douglass march producedsixsmall-printlegal postingsrelatedtoreal estatesyndicationsorganizedbyVenture QuestProperties.
B DouglassMarch,MBA,CEOandPrimaryOperatingPartner CorporateheadquartersinElko,Nevada Thecompanyhadinvestedinlarge-scaleresidentialcomplexes.Memphis,Orlando,Reno,Spokane. Milosaid,“Guydoesn’tbelieveinkeepingitlocal.”
Isaid,“They’reall inplaceswithnostateincometax IfMarchishands-on,wecouldbetalkingafrequentflier and anotherlayerofconvenienceforher.”
“Feline’s onthe jet, the rodents pet? Makes sense. Maybe her phone will be more productive. Igetfreakishlylucky, there’ll bedeceptivecallstohubbyonthesamedayshe’ssettinguptrystswithGiovanni andatowerpingthatputsDougiewith-two-essesnearthescenelastnight Thoughifhewashome,wecouldbetalkingthesametower”
“WhyweretherenoprintsonAggiunta’sphone?”
“The more fibrous the surface,the worse for lifting.” He producedthe blackcase.“Cashmere.Andwhatever was on thefacehadsmudged Maybeduetohothands”
Hepushedhairfromhisforehead,satbacknearlybumpingintohismonitor.“ThoseItaliannumberscouldincludehis parents. Notification’s bad enoughbutlongdistance is the worst. And whatiftheydon’tspeakEnglish hey, do youknow Italian?”
“Sorry,no.”
“Justthat spezzato thing, huh? I’ll have to remember that and tell Rick. He’ll be stunned into silence. Anythingelse cometomind?”
Isaid,“Whocleansthehouse?”
“Pool guysaid he’d seena service a few times but didn’t know how oftentheycome. No paperworkinthe house. Nothinginthe house butthe lease so maybe you’re rightand someone else pays the bills. He does have three creditcards, hopefullythey’llteachmesomething”
He stood,stretchedupward,hands nearlybrushingthe oppressive ceiling.“Readyfor some lunch? I’dsayItalianbut thatfeelswrong.Likewe’reminimizingthepoorguy.”
CHAPTER 5
Bythetimewe’dwalkedtoSantaMonicaBoulevardandcoveredablock,hesaid,“Changedmymind,I’mthinkingItalian willbeanhomage”
ThatepiphanyhadoccurredafewfeetfromasmallItalian-deli-cum-café Aromasspilledouttothesidewalk Strong cheese,freshtomatoes,followedbytheearthyperfumeoftruffles.
Inmostofthe eateries Milo frequents he’s treated like a homecominghero. Payofffor a police presence proprietors viewasadeterrenttoproblems
Moreimportant:hugetips.
The proprietors ofMangiamo were a husband and wife intheir sixties. He ranthe counter and she made pasta from scratch Along-hairedguyinhistwentieswholookedlikeanactor inasoapoperaservedandbused All threebeamedand shouted “Buongiorno!” as we stepped in. The older manraced frombehind the counter, seated us, and endowed Milo with instantpromotion.
“Capitano!Sit,relax,todaywehavethe tartufo nero ”
“Goodnewsisalwayswelcome,Marco.Whatareyouputtingiton?”
“Irecommendtagliatelle,ifyouwantsmaller,youcoulddotagliolini.”
“Ihavefound,”saidMilo,“thatlessisnotmore.Tagliatelle.”
“Perfect Andyou,signor?”
“Thesame.”
Marco hurried backto deliver the good news to his wife. Soap Opera came over withbread, butter, and olive oil. “Whatwouldyouliketodrink,please?”PerfectEnglish,markedaccent Milosaid,“Pitcheroficedtea,twoglasses.”
“Immediately.”
Whentheteaarrived,MilohadGiovanniAggiunta’spassportflippedtotheID photo “Hasthisgentlemaneverbeenhere?”
Thewaiterpeeredcarefully.“No,sir.”Hiseyesshiftedtothenamebeneaththephoto.“Aggiunta.Liketheshoes.” “Shoes?”
“Expensiveshoes”Helookeddownathisowndustyblacklace-upsandsmiled “Aretheysoldlocally?”
“Idon’tknow,sir.MaybeRodeoDrive?”
“Superhigh-end,huh?”
Thewaiterwhistled.
Miloputawaythepassport.Thewaiter’scuriosityhadbeenstokedbutheknewbetterthantopushit.“Anythingelse, Capitano?”
“We’refine,thanks.What’syourname?” “Bartolomo.”
Whenwewerealone,Isaid,“CobblertotheStars” “Allthoseshoesinthecloset,”hesaid “AllIhadtodowasexaminethelabels” Hepouredteaforbothofus,liftedhisglass,putitdown.“HereIwaswritinghimoffasaboy-toyandtheguyturnsout tobeaseriousbusinessman.ProbablyhasanofficeinCenturyorB.H.Probablyhasabusinessphone.”
Isaid,“Thehouseisstillnogreatshakes”
“Youkeepcomingbacktothat”
“Fashion’s all about promotion. Someone representing a high-end manufacturer in L.A. would be entertaining conspicuously.Thatplacedoesn’tfit.”
“Meaning?”
“I’mjustguessing,”Isaid,“butit’spossiblehe’sgotatokenjob.” “Thedumbson.”
“Orjustasonnotinterestedinthefamilybusiness Alternatively,whatifhegotintosomesortoftroublebackhomeso theysenthimherewithahousingallowance,aleasedcar,andafundthatpaidallhisbills?”
“Trouble,”hesaid.“WithsomeonelikeMeagin.”
“Thethoughtcrossedmymind”
“HecrossedahusbandinItalywithashorttemperandalongmemory?God,Ihopenot,Alex.LastthingIneedismy suspectlistexpandingtointernational.”
Thewaiterdeliveredtwoplatesofgolden-tingedpastatoppedbyshavingsofblacktruffle.
Milosaid,“Thanks,Bartolomo”
“Pleasure,sir.Enjoy.”Stillcurious.Stilldiscreet. Milocoiledtagliatelleontohisforkandheldit,suspended.
Isaid,“Somethingthematter?”
“Waitingforyoutostart.”
“Whendidthatbecomeathing?”
“Hey,”hesaid,“it’snotoftenyouactuallyordersomethingsinful Iwanttoseeifittransformsyou”
Itasted,smiled.“DoIlookdifferent?”
Hesaid,“Yeah,likeabonvivant.OrwhateverthatisinItalian.”
Iate
Hesaid,“YoulivewithanItaliangirlanddon’tknowhowtosayit?”
“Robin’sfourth-generationCalifornianandhermotherwasEnglish.” Heworkedhisphone.“Samething,bonvivant.”
Isaid,“Speakingofmygirl,whendidshecallyouandsuggestyoucallme?”
Hiseyes,alwaysashockinglybrightgreen,slidtotheright.Seasoneddetectivegivingoffaliar’stell. Henibbledwithatypicalprecision.Chewedevenslower.
Isaid,“Itwasn’tatrickquestion”
“You’remakingthisassumptionbecause…”
“Thecasedoesn’tfeeldifferent.Andnomoreaboutaura,please.”
“Someone’s testy whendidshecall?Iwasn’tsupposedtoletonbutnow you’ll gohomeandbadger her,sofine A weekago Shesaidyouwerechampingatthebit AssuredmeyouwereokaythenwonderedifI’dlostmynerve” Hesmiled.“Shecomesrighttothepoint,Robindoes.”
Isaid,“Iappreciateyourwantingtoprotectmebutshe’sright.I’mreadytogo.” Hedranktea
Isaid,“Theproblemis…”
He put downhis glass. “I keep turningit over and over, wonderinghow things screwed up so badlythat youwere nearly ”Hewavedawaytherestofthesentence Specksofmoisturehadcollectedinthecornersofhiseyes “Nothingscrewedup.Itwasunpreventable.”
“Soyousay.”
“Haveyoucomeupwithanythingthatcould’vestoppedit?”
“Noandthat’stheproblem.Mylineofwork,stuffhappens.Butit’snotpartofyourjobdescription.” “I’llbefine.”
Silence.
I said, “How about this: I’ll keep mydistance fromanythingremotelyresemblingdanger ThoughI’mnot sure how that’llaffectridingwithyouandyourdamnlead-foot.”
Queasysmile.He’dstoppedeating.
“AndifyougettogotoItaly,I’llstayhome”
Herubbedhisface,lookedupattheceilingthendownatthetable Pushedhisplateaway “No,no,no,”Isaid.“Don’ttellmeyoulostyourappetite.”
Hepattedhisgut.“Thatwouldbesoterrible?” “Indeeditwould,”Isaid “Theworld’stoughenoughwithouthavingmyfaithchallenged” “Wiseass.”
“Youusedtosaywiseman.”
Hestaredatme Istaredback Webrokeintosimultaneousgrins Frombehindthecounter,Marcosaid,“Ah,youlikethe tartufo Fabulous!” Webothcleanedourplates.Bartolomocameovertobus.
Milosaid,“Whereyouoriginallyfrom?” “Sardinia.ButIlivedinRome.Studiedarchitecture.” “Noarchitecturejobs?”
“Ifonly.Ihopetocertifyherebutittakestime.”
Milohandedhimawadofcash “Whatever’sleftisyours” “Capitano, Icannot ” “Nobigdeal,stayhealthy.”
Bartolomoleftlookingstunned Murmuredconversationrosefrombehindthecounter Momentslater,hewasbackwith twosmallplates.Apairofcannolioneach,coatedwithpistachiobitsanddarkchocolate. Milosaid,“Thanksbutnotnecessary.”
“Life, Capitano, isnotaboutnecessary”
Themomenthisbackwasturned,Milopolishedoffonepastryandwasreachingforanother. Allwasrightintheworld.
Aswewalkedbacktothestation,MilocheckedinwithDetectiveAliciaBogomil.
“Anythingonthecanvass,kid?”
Shesaid,“Iwish Thepropertiesarespreadoutandmaybetwentypercentofthehousesseemtoactuallybeoccupied OfthepeopleIdidmakecontactwith,nooneheardathing.What’swiththeghost-townatmosphere,Loo?”
“Thesearesecond-andthird-homepeople.Didyougettotheneighborsdirectlybehindthescene?”
“Yup Ginormousplace,oldercouplewiththreeGermanshepherds Theyhadnoclue,weretotallyfreakedout It’slike twoacresfromtheirhousetothefencelineandthebackislikeaforestsoIcanseethemnothearingtheshots.”
“Thedogsdidn’tbark?”
“Thesedogs,Loo,areaboutthesamevintageastheirowners Onehadfilmyeyesandjustsatthere,anotherlickedmy handandrolledoverforatummyscratch,andthethirddraggedaroundlookingtotallyoutofit.Also,theysleepinthebedroom andthere’sanoisemachinegoing.”
“Everyonecomfy,cozy,andunaware”
“Yougotit,”saidAlicia.“Ifeltbadhavingtotellthem,theyreallygotspooked.Butbettertobeprepared,no?Notthat they’relikelytobetargeted,thisfeelsfocused,don’tyouthink?Notsomemaniacontheprowl.”
“Agreed,”hesaid.“Learnedsomethingaboutthemalevictim.”Hetoldherabouttheshoes. Shesaid,“Aggiunta?Neverheardofthem”
“Maybetheyonlymakemen’sstuff.”
“Probably,”shesaid.“Women’s,I’manexpert.”
“Thatso”
“Believeitornot,Loo,offthejobIcangetgirlie.ScoredmyselfapairofJimmyChoosattheNordstromsalelastyear. Bigheels,youknowhowtallAlis.Wantmetolookintothecompany?”
“Appreciateit WhereareMoeandSean?”
“MoewascanvassingwithmeandSeanwasonhiswaybutbothofthemgotcalledin,don’tknowforwhat.” “Notyou.”
“Well,”shesaid,“sometimesIgetso muchstaticonmyradio”
Whenwegottothestafflot,Milosaid,“YouupforcheckingoutMeagin’splace?IfIgetlucky,Dougie-with-two-esses willbesittingtherewithaguiltylookonhisface,onthevergeofconfessing.It’srightonthewaybacktoyourplacesowe’ll takeseparatecars.”
“Makessense”
“Also,”hesaid,“Godforbidmylead-footshouldcauseanxiety.”
The residence of Meagin and Douglass March was a two-hundred-foot-wide, Palladian Revival manor Three stories of cream-colored limestone were lidded bya stoutslate roof. Acolumned entrysheltered a massive glass-and-brass door. On eithersideofthestructurewerewidepassagewaysanglingaroundthehouse.
Stainedstoneanddarkeningattheseamscreatedapatinayoucouldn’tfake ThiswasoneoftheoriginalBelAirdream palaceserectedduringthetwenties.ThedecadehadstartedoffgrandlyonlytobemurderedbytheGreatDepression.
The front of the property was walled with ten feet of piled rock that, combined with an even higher iron gate, discourageddrop-ins.Throughtheslatsofthegate,apark-likestretchoflawnwascenteredbyasinuousdrivewaylinedwith topiaryballs.
Milowasparked,readinghisnotepad Islippedbehindhimandthetwoofuswalkedtothegatewherehestabbedthe call-boxbutton.
Fivephoneringsbeforeawoman’svoicesaid,“Yes?”
“Police,ma’am Pleaseletusin”
Mostpeoplehearingthataskquestions.This timethelinewentdead.Seconds later,thefrontdoor swungopenanda womaninapale-bluemaid’suniformsteppedbetweenthecolumnsandpeeredout.
Milogaveasmallwaveandhelduphisbadge
Thewomantookafewstepscloser,studiedussomemore,returnedtothehouseandslippedfromview.
Thegateglidedopenandwehikedtothefrontdoor.Whenwe’dreachedmidwayitreopenedandthemaidstoodthere watchingus.
Milosaid,“LieutenantSturgis,ma’am ThisisAlexDelaware”
Shenoddedbuthereyesweretight.Thirties,Hispanic,fresh-faced,pretty.Someonematerializedbehindher.Anolder woman,shorter,dressedinanidenticaluniform.Equallyapprehensive.
“Maywecomein,please?”
Bothwomenshiftedtotheright,asiftrainedtobeawelcomingparty.
Theentryhallwasathirty-footdiskofwhitemarbleinlaidwithsmallblacksquares.Anelaboratelycarvedandgilded centertableheldathree-footcrystalvasefilledwithsilkflowers
Behindthedisk,adoublemarblestaircaseclimbedtoawindow-backedlanding.APersianrunnercenteringthesteps washeldfastbybrassrods.
Theborderingwallswerehungwithatapestryoneachsideandtallpaintings Portraitsofelaboratelydressed,pallid, flat-facedpeople Mostlikelyimaginaryancestors The kindofartworkthatlooks impressive atfirstglance butfetches low pricesatauctionsbecausewhowantstobesurroundedbydyspepticVictorians?
On both sides of the entry were cavernous spaces that defied labeling. Great room? Living room? Salon? Indoor footballfield?
Identical six-foot black granite fireplaces at both ends, the mantels topped by silver torchères and another pair of judgmentalfauxforebears.
Milopointedtothenearestportrait “Family?”
Thewomengiggled.Theolderwomansaid,“Hebuys.”
“Mr.March.”
“Si yes”
Milosaid,“IsMr Marchhere?”
Theyoungerwomanshookherhead.
“Whereishe?”Smilingandkeepinghisvoicesoft. “Traveling”
“Anyideawhere?”
Shelookedbackattheolderwoman.Dualshrugs. “Anyideawhenhe’llbeback?”
Theyounger womanbegantoshrugagainbutstoppedwhentheolder womantouchedher shoulder andsaid,“Hesay Tuesday.Butsometimeshedoesn’t.”
“Sometimeshedoesn’tarrivewhenhesayshe’sgoingto?” Nods.
Milosaid,“Doyouhaveanumberwherehecanbereached?”
Theyoungerwomanleft,walkedtotheleftofthestaircaseandaround. Theolderwomansaid,“Inthekitchen”
“Gotit.Thanks.”
Shegnawedherlowerlip.“ThisisaboutMissus?”
“You’reconcernedaboutMissus”
“Shegooutrunning,nocomehome” “Thathasn’thappenedbefore?”
Shelookedatthefloor.“Sometimeshehomelatebutalwaysshecomehome.” “Shelikestorunatnight” Silence.
Theyoungerwomanreturnedwithawhitebusinesscard.Miloreadit,raisedhiseyebrows,andhandedittome.The momentItoucheditIknewwhathadsurprisedhim Thepaperwassoflimsyitthreatenedtodissolveundermyfingertips Flat printing,noembossing.Likesomethingahighschoolstudentmightrunoffonahomecomputer.
Guy lives in a house like this and economizes on paper?
He’dalsoheldbackonthedetailsofself-promotion
B. DOUGLASS MARCH
VENTURE QUEST PROPERTIES, LLC PO B 467-89 B, LOS ANGELES, 90067 888 545 6201 EXT 632-D
Milo stepped a few feet away and punched in the number What he heard made him frown Leaving an inaudible message,heglancedtowardtheright-handcavernandheadedthere.Ifollowed.Themaidsremainedinplace.
The roomwas at least fifty feet long and half as wide, set up with multiple conversation zones formed by careful arrangementsofbrocade,velvet,andsuedeseatingthatlookedasifbuttockshadneverdaredintrude Twentyorsotablesof variousmaterialshostedboxes,paperweights,glassanimals,silverashtrays,enamelfigurines
Oneexception,thetablethatinterestedMilo.Nothingbutalonephotographinasilverrococostandingframe.
Full-bodyview ofthe womanwe’d seena few hours ago, captured bright-eyed and vital. Indeath, MeaginMarch’s goodlookshadbeenasadabstraction Inlife,MeaginMarchhadbeengorgeous,gracedbythekindofconfidentbeautythat resultswhengreatgeneticsmeldswithahighlevelofself-care.
Her skin was clear and tan, her smile broad, white, warm, spiced by a hint of impishness. A long, smooth neck supported a perfectlyproportioned face, the cheekbones highand pronounced, the eyes pale blue The hair she’d pinned up carelesslyinpreparationforlovemaking,followedbyaswim,wasupsweptinasoftbutobedientchignon.
Shouldersbaredbyablacksleevelesscocktaildressweresquare,strong,andtanned.Someofthediamondswe’dseen a few hours ago glinted fromstrategic locations and the amethyst necklace settled perfectlyinthe Vof the dress, as if the garmenthadbeentailoredtoaccommodateit.Thedresswasknee-length,fittedassnuglyasawetsuit.Redshoeswithserious heelselevatedheracoupleofinchesabovethemanwhosearmsheclutched.
Miloturnedtothemaids.“ThisisMr.March?”
Theyhesitatedforasecond,thenapproached “Yes,”saidtheolderwoman. “Wherewasthistaken?”
Headshakes
“Lookslikeaparty.” Silence.
Milosaid,“DoMr andMrs Marchgotoalotofparties?” Themaidslookedateachother.
Theolderonesaid,“Notalot.”
Outcamehispad Workingtomaintainhissmile “Whatareyournames,please?” “Irma,”saidtheolderwoman “Lastname,please?” “Ruiz.”
Hescrawled “Andyou,ma’am?” “Adelita.Santiago.”
“Whyyouneednames?”saidIrmaRuiz.
“Justfortherecord”
“SomethinghappenedtoMissus.”Astatement,notaquestion.
“I’mafraidso That’swhyIneedtotalktoMr March”
“Yes,”saidIrmaRuiz.“IthinkMemphis.Butnotsure.”
“Great,thanks,veryhelpful.Isheatahotel?”
“Ithink”
“Anyideawhichhotel?”
“No.”
AdelitaSantiagosaid,“Thereareducks” IrmaRuizlookedsurprised.
Milosaid,“Docks,likeboats?”
AdelitaSantiagowiggledherfingersandpantomimedflight “Ducks?Likethebirds?”
Nod.
“He’sstayingatafarm.”
“No,ahotel”
“Ahotelwithducks.”
Nod.
“Okay ”HereturnedtothephotooftheMarchesandIgotoutmyphone WhenIclickedoff,IstudiedDouglassMarch’simage.
Slightlybuilt and at least five years younger thanhis wife. Handsome ina starving-poet way, withlimp, sandyhair wornlongish,narrow darkeyes,andawaxycomplexionsuggestingsusceptibilitytoinfection Heworeablacksuit,ablack shirtstripedwithwhite,andaroyal-bluetie.Reactedtothecamerawiththestingiestupturnoflips.
Smile!
Don’t bug me
Thecontrastwithhiswife’sfull-onphotogenicgleewasstriking Fissuresintherelationshipwellunderway?
Miloedgedcloser tomeandspokejustaboveawhisper.“IwasexpectingaDaddyWarbuckstwiceher ageandthis guy’swhat thirty?Looksmorelikeaboy-wondermathprofthanarealestatetycoon.”
Hetookinthevastnessofthehouse “Makingityoungandthinkinghe’sgotitall” Isaid,“Ornot.Hedoesn’tlookoverjoyed.”
Hestudiedthephoto.“Goodpoint.Somaybehealreadyknewsomethingwasupwhenshewentoutrunningandthere’s themotive theydolookkindamismatched Wonderwhenthiswastaken”
Hepickedupthephotoandwalkedovertothemaids,stillstandingintheentry,immobile.“When’sthefirsttimeyou sawthis?”
AdelitaSantiagosaid,“Missustoldmetofindagoodplaceforit maybe Idon’tknowforsure” “Doesn’thavetobeforsure,”Milosaidgently “Evenaguess” Silence.
“Isitneworfrombefore?”
“Before Maybe twomonthsago?”
IrmaRuizsaid,“Ithinkmaybethree.TheywenttoapartyinMister’scar.”
“WhereisMister’scar?”
“Inthegarage Missus’s,too” “Gotit.Anythingelseyouwanttotellus?” Silence.
“Okay,thanks,you’vebeenhelpful” Thatassessmentmadebothwomentightenup. Isaid,“What’swrong?”
AdelitaSantiagosaid,“Wenotsupposedtotalktopeople.Toletpeoplein.” “Makessense,”saidMilo “Butwe’renotpeople,we’rethepolice” Hermouthquivered.“SomethinghappenedtoMissus.” Milothoughtforamoment.Glancedatme.Inodded.
“I’vegotverybadnewsforyou,ladies Missusis muerta ”
IrmaRuizclutchedherchest “No”
AdelitaSantiagoclutchedthesidesofherface.“No,no,no.” “I’msorry,”saidMilo.
Thatopenedthespigots Bothwomenbrokedownandsobbed
Leavingmewiththemaidsintheentry,MilotracedthesamerouteAdelitahadtakentothekitchen.Thetwoofthemspent thetimecryingandhuggingeachother,werestilldoingsowhenhereturnedwithaboxoftissuesandtwobottlesofFiji
Thewomenwipedtheireyesbutheldontothewater,unopened. Hesaid,“Anythingyouwanttotellus?”
Neck-strainingheadshakes
NeitherhadaskedanyquestionsaboutMissus’sdeath.Somejobsarebasedonnotasking.
Milolaidhisownbusinesscardonthecentertable.“Ifthere’sanythingelseyouwanttosay,pleasecall.”
Themaidsstoodthere,glassy-eyed
“We’llgetgoingnow.Couldyoupleaseopenthegateforus?”
“Blackbutton,”saidAdelita.Sheremainedinplace,asdidIrma. Neitherofthembudgedaswesawourselvesout
Theblackbuttontookamomenttolocate.Onthesideofastonepost,tuckednearthejunctionwiththewall,severalfeetabove themotorthatactivatedthegate
Whenwewerethrough,hesaid,“Ducks?Mustbealanguageproblem.”
Isaid,“ThePeabodyhotelinMemphishasatwice-a-dayritual.Thebirdsmarchoffanelevator,walkacrossthelobby, andswiminafountain Thentheygoback Morningandevening Apparentlyit’sabigattraction”
“Unbelievable.Howdoyouknowthis?”
“Youpickstuffup.”
“Ducks. I verify himin Memphis, he didn’t pull the trigger. But a guy of his means would have no problemhiring someone Andlikeyousaid,there’saprecisefeeltoit Bigmoneybuysthebest”
Leaningagainsttheunmarked,hephonedthehotel,askedforDouglassMarch,waited.“Okay,pleasetellhimLieutenant Sturgis fromtheLos Angeles PoliceDepartmentcalled.Here’s mynumber…that’s it,noadditional message.Thanks.Bythe way,how’retheducksdoing ?Nope,haven’t,justheardaboutit yeah,IdefinitelywillifIevergetoverthere Ibelieve you,soundslikefun.Bye.”
He hungup. “Mr. Marchis registered butoutofhis room. The ducks are infine form. And notice, Imade no cracks aboutl’orange ”
HewalkedmetotheSeville.“HopefullyMarchwill getbacktomesoon.I’ll letyouknow andwecandoaface-toface.”
We Goodsign
Isaid,“Aren’tmostcontractexecutionsusuallyheadshots?Ifnotthefirstbullet,thenthecouptothebackoftheskull?”
“ThefewprojobsI’veseenhavebeenthat.Buttherearealwaysexceptions.”
“Granted,”Isaid.“Butthequestioniswhydeviateandtwopossibilitiescometomind,startingwithsymbolism.You brokemyheart,I’lldestroyyours”
“Dougiegavethehitmaninstructions?Yeah,Ilikeit.What’sthesecond?”
This you won’t like. “Whogetstrainingtoaimforcentermass?”
Hisfacetightened “Fine,wedo Mostdepartmentsdo Aimtostopnotjusttokill,minimizecorollarydamage Acopturned-hit-man?Soundslikeamovie.”
Isaid,“Maybe,butwe’relikelydealingwitha.38revolverandwhat’sthemostcommontype?”
“SandWPolice and Military,”hesaid “Notetheemphasison and Everybranchofthemilitaryused’em Plentyof privatecitizens,too.There’vegottobemillionsofthemoutthere.Lookthat upintheBible.”
Hewaited,shouldersbunched,asIranasearch.
“Closetosevenmillionmanufactured”
“There yougo.Walkintoanydamngunshopor show andbuydozens.Nottomentionprivate sales.Okay,thanks for yourtime.Let’sbothtakeabreak.”
Oncehome,Itooktherearstepsdowntothegarden,pausedtofeedthekoi,andcontinuedtoRobin’sstudio.
Usually she’s got several projects going, working on a mix of electric and acoustic instruments. For the past three weeksshe’dbeenbusywithone:restoringahundred-and-fifty-year-oldAntonioTorresclassicalguitarwithatissue-thintop andahistoryofownershipbyseveralmajorcomposersandplayers.Thechallenge:alteraslittleaspossiblebutdoenoughto resuscitatetonedestroyedbywood-butcheryinBarcelona.
Not her usual gig but the Swiss-born artisan in New York who used to take on that kind of thing had retired and forwardedclientstoRobin.
Ifshe found the assignmentintimidatingshe didn’tleton. Buthours spentinthe studio had beenstretchinglater than usual,theroar-and-buzzofpowertoolsreplacedbytheclick-clackoftweezersandscalpels.
IopenedthedoorslowlyandpausedinthedoorwaytomakesureIdidn’tstartleher
Blanche had also gotten with the program. Instead of her usual jump off the couch followed by a heavy-breathing waddle toward me, she remained in place. Glancing at the workbench where Robin sat wearing magnifying goggles and holdinga tinytessera ofinlayaninchabove the Torres’s sound hole Repairingthe rosette, a masterpiece ofinlaythathad warped.Hundredsofsnippetsofdyedwoodandivorynolargerthantoothpicktipsrequiringpainstakingreinstallation.
Shesmiled.“It’sokay,girlfriend,doyourromanticthing.Sameforyou,darling.”
Butbothofuswaiteduntilshe’dsetthesliver
Removingthethickspecs,shebreathedout,rolledhershoulders,knuckledhereyes,finallysmiled.
“How’ditgo,babe?”
The reunion you set up?
IkneeledandreceivedslobberingaffectionfromBlanche “Interestingcase”
“That’sgreat.”Walkingawayfromthebench,Robinuntiedherhair,shookitloose,removedherapron,dustedoffblack overalls.
Isaid,“Kickingoffearly?”
“Maybe,” she said. “Or maybe I’ll resume later. It’s a gorgeous little thing, isn’t it? Can’t wait to hear it once it’s playable.”
Istood,tookherinmyarms,heldherandkissedher,breathinginperfumeandsawdustandoddlyaromaticsweat “YouhavelunchwithBigGuy?”
“Italian.”
“Pizzathesizeofamanholecover,youeatasliceortwo,hedemolishestherest?”
“Pastawithblacktruffles”
“Ooh,”shesaid.“NowI’mjealous.”Sherubbedthebackofmyneck.“Looserthanit’sbeeninawhile,goodforyou. Notthatit’llstopmefromguilt-trippingyouasIpryopenacanoftunawithachingfingersandpairitwithdrycrackers.”
Shefeignedcoughing Icrackedup.
“Gladsomeonethinksit’sfunny.”Grinning.
Isaid,“Howaboutdinnerasatonement?MaybetheBel-Air?Restaurantorbar,beenawhile”
“Thatmightpartiallycompensate.Ifyoutossinspecialdevotion.”
“Dessert?”
“Morelikesomeseriouscalorie-burningafterward” “I’mfreenow.”
“AndI’mstarvingandwillsoonhavefishbreath.Sure,let’sdothebar,keepitlight,catchsomemusic.” “Perfect”Inmorewaysthanone
Weleftthestudio,enteredthehouse,andwentintothekitchen.Isaid,“Meaculpa,culpamea,”asshereachedforthe tunacan.
“You’reontherighttrackbuthaveawaytogo”
Idrankcoffeeassheate,remainedatthekitchentablewhenshewenttofreshenup.Whentheshowerbeganrunning,Itexted MiloandaskedhimtosendmeGiovanniAggiunta’sandMeaginMarch’sheadshots
Why?
Itoldhim.
Doctor Romantic
Theemojithatfollowedstuckitstongueoutindisgust.
If you don’t want me to
Fine, on their way. Any shame’s on you.
ThebarattheBel-Airwashalfemptywhenwearrived,nearlyfullbythetimewe’dhadourfirstdrinks.
Onthemenu,tagliatellewithblacktruffles
Isaid,“Karma”
Robinsaid,“Didyouplanit?”
“WishIwasthatprescient.”
Shestaredatme “IguessIbelieveyou Whatareyougoingtohave?” “Blackbasssoundsgood.”
“Imaystealsomeofthat,too.”
Sheleanedoverandkissedme “Thisisgreat,I’msogladyou’rebackintheswing” Midwaythroughthefood,theentertainmentarrived.Solopianist,olderguy,badsuit,greattouch,longmemory.Myopportunity camewhenhetookabreakandRobinsaid,“’Scuseme,backinasec”
TherestroomsattheBel-Airareoutdoors,ashortwalkfromthebarandarightanglebeyondtherestaurant.
Morethanasecrequired.Iwentuptothehostessandshowedherthephotos. Shesaid,“Gio?Hecomeshere Her don’tthinkso nope,never Why?”
“Heandmygirlfriendhavekindofahistoryandbumpingintoeachothercouldbe,youknow.”Ismiledandshrugged. “AwkwardCity,gotit,”shesaid.“Ihaven’tseenhimforawhileandhe’salwayswithadate.Wouldthathurtorhelp?” “Definitelyhelp,she’stheonewhoendedit”
“Goodforher.WhenIsaydatesImeandifferentwomen.”
“Thatfits.Thanks.”
Shelookedmeover.“Treathergood.”
“Promise”
Agroupoffourmiddle-agedmeninexpensivesuitsandgut-flauntingT-shirtssteppedupbehindher,laughing. “Welcome,guys,we’vegotanicetableoverbythebar.”
Oneofthemensaid,“Closerthebetter,gorgeous”
Laughterallaround.Thehostessforcedasmile. IwasbackatourtablewhenRobinreturned.
Laterthatevening,afterwe’dburnedcaloriesandshoweredtogether,sheslippedonarobeandtiedherhairup.“IthoughtI’d sneakoverandtakealookattheTorres.Shouldn’ttakelong.”
“Goforit”
Whenshewasgone,IphonedMiloathome.
“What’sup?”hesaid.Cloggedvoice.Weary.
I said, “Aggiunta goes by Gio He was a regular at the Bel-Air bar and took lots of women there Not including Meagin.”
“How’dyoufindthisout?”
“Anot-so-confidentialsource”Itoldhimaboutthehostess
Hesaid,“Covertoperationwhileyourtruelove’sintheladies’?Ofcourseyoutoldherwhatyouwereupto.Not.”
Isaid,“Need-to-knowbasis.”
“Youalsodidn’ttellheryoufiguredoutshecalledme” “Samecriterion.”
“Sotheguy’sabig-timeplayer,nosurprise.”
Isaid,“WhatIfindinterestingishenever tookMeaginthereandshewasoneofmany Somaybetherewasnolongtermaffair.Theymetjoggingoratsomeotherchanceevent.”
“Maybe…yourealizewhatthatdoes.Expandsthejealous-husbandthingwaybeyondMr.March.”
“Ontheotherhand,itwasMs Marchwhogotshot”
“Couldabeenwrongplace,wrongtime.”
“Twostraighttotheheart?”
“Thebadguylikespatterns.”
“Iguess”
“Sowhat,youlikeherasthemaintargetornot?”
“Don’tknow.”
Hisexhalationcamethroughthephoneasawheezygush “Twovictimsandnocluewhichonetofocuson Guessnow it’sofficiallydifferent,amigo,soyounolongerneedtoworryaboutmedolingoutalms.Anythingelse?”
“Notfornow.”
“Longaswe’rechatting,I’llcatchyouup,”hesaid “Zilchfromthecanvass,triedeveryItaliannumberinGiovanni’s phoneandgotawholebunchofItalianvoicemail.Hopefullysomeone’llunderstandamessageinEnglish.Whatdoesintrigue meisnocallbackyetfromDouglassMarch.”
“Howmuchdetaildidyougivehim?”
“JustthatIneedtotalktohim Yougetthatouttatheclearblue,youdon’trespond?Oratleastcheckitout?”
Abeat.“Hopefullyhehasn’tduckedout.”
IwasputtingthephonedownwhenRobincameintothebedroom.
“Threeguesses,”shesaid.“Milo,Milo,orMilo.Anythinginteresting?”
“Unfortunatelynot”
“Youcalledhim”
“Justcheckingin.”
“Attenp.m.,”shesaid.“Inpajamas.”
“How’stheguitar?”
“Pointmade,”shesaid.“How isit?It’stalkingtomeinamuchfriendlier voice.Ituckeditin,kissedit,saidnightynight.”
Sheslidinbesideme,laidherheadonmychest “Pleasantdreamstoyou,too,myfellowcompulsive”
wokeupearlyonMonday,tookabriefrunwhiletryingtoignorethelingeringbuzzinmyribs.Hadcoffeeandacoupleof scrambledeggsandspentthenextfourhourswritingreportsandtalkingtojudges
Twoactivecustodycaseshadfinallybeenputtorest,samefortheevaluationandtreatmentofabright,gentlefive-yearoldboywho’dbeeninjuredinafreewaypileupthathadbrokenhismother’slegs.Thedamagetohimhadbeenlesssevere: softtissue bruising. WhichIcould easilyrelate to. His bodyhad healed quickly, notunusual for kids. Emotional injuryhad endured
OnceIsignoffoncustodyrecommendations,Irarelyseethekidstheyaffect.NomatterhowcarefulandfairItrytobe, someone’sboundtoberesentfulandit’sbesttofadeoutandpermitanewbeginning.Injurycases,ontheotherhand,oftendo becometreatmentcasesbecauseofmytraininginpediatrictrauma Thefreewaydisasterhadledtothreeandahalfmonthsof rapport-buildingandinterventionaimedatrestoringsecurityandmastery.
Addressingand sealingthree legal-sized envelopes brought satisfaction. I was waitingbythe gate whenthe courier servicecametopickthemup Adriverwho’dbeenherebefore Perusual,IhadacanofPerrierreadyforhim
“How’sitgoing,Frank?”
“It’sgoing.”Hetookthecan.“Notnecessary,Doc,butthanks,yourock.So…thesetothecourt,thisonetoalawyeron Seventh.Keepworking,Doc.Helpsmetodothesame.”
Ashedroveoff,myphonebuzzed
Milosaid,“Finallyheardfromol’Dougie.He’sonhiswayback,shouldbeherebyfive,saidmeethimathisplace.”
Isaid,“How’dhereactwhenyoufilledhimin?”
“Hedidn’tbecauseIdidn’t Therewasnoconversation,justhiminformingmeofhisplans WhenIredialedIgotMs Robot.Speakingofwhich, his voicewaskindaflat.”
Isaid,“Maybeshe’sactuallyhisassistant.”
Helaughed “Wegotohisofficeandit’sallautomatonsinhipsterclothing?WhichactuallysoundslikeSiliconValley Anyway,backtohisdemeanor.Totallymatter-of-fact,nocuriositywhenthepolicecall.Bizarre.Canyoumakeitatfive?” “Sure.”
“Convenient,huh?Youlivingsoclose Gonnatrytojogitthistime?” “Gotthatoutofthewaythismorning”
“Didyou,”hesaid.“Myaerobicchallengewaswakingup.”
Atthreep.m.,hecalledagain.“TurnsoutMr.MarchcaughtadirectflightfromMemphisandplanstobehomeinfortyminutes. AllegiantAir,Ilookeditup,discountoutfit,hundredandfiftybucks.Thathouse,you’dthinkheownedhisownjetoratleast chartered Guy’sfullofsurprises Eithertheworstkindofsuspectorthebest Canyoumakeitinforty?” “Noprob”
Hehummedthefirstfewbarsof“Hail,Hail,theGang’sAllHere.”“Gladwe’redoingourthingagain.” Click.
