Angels in Disguise (6 page)

Behind his desk, with a fresh eclair from the donut shop and a cup of coffee, he looked through Carlotta's phone bill again. There were several calls to Paul's apartment and a few to his office. These could be from Carlotta or Tiffany. He pulled a calendar in front of him and noted the date and times. Most came during the week when Tiffany was in school. A couple occurred in the evenings. Odd, Paul never mentioned how often he talked to Carlotta. Maybe he should ask him. Occasionally, one overlooks what's right in front of his nose.

He studied Carlotta's credit card bill again and noticed several purchases were made at a dress shop the month before. He'd drop by and ask what type of clothing she'd bought. It might give him a clue if she'd pre planned a trip and whether she'd headed for the beach or the mountains.

Hawkman made a quick call to Jennifer before leaving, but got the answering machine. Either she felt better or went to the doctor's. He'd call later.

Sticking the photo copy of Carlotta and Tiffany into his pocket, he took off for the clothes store. When he reached the ladies’ department, he asked several clerks if they recognized the females in the picture. Finally, one came forward.

"Yes, that's Carlotta Ryan and her daughter. They like to shop here and I've waited on her several times. Is there a problem?"

"We're not sure.” Hawkman showed his badge to the woman. “I'm a private investigator hired by her husband. Carlotta's been missing a week and I'm trying to track down her movements before she disappeared. Knowing about her purchases might give me a clue. Do you remember what she bought the last time she visited the store?"

The woman's eyes widened. “Oh, my. Let me go to the computer. I might be able to tell you in more detail."

Hawkman followed the clerk to a desk in the corner of the room. She sat down and he watched her fingers flew over the keyboard. Let's see, I have several purchases listed for two weeks ago from last Thursday, which probably won't show up on her bill until this coming month.” She glanced up at him. “Would you be interested in those?"

"Very much."

She studied the monitor. “It looks like she bought only for herself.” Tapping her chin with a finger, she gnawed her lower lip. “You know I probably shouldn't do this. But if you think it might help in finding her, I could make a copy of these purchases since it's quite extensive."

"I'd really appreciate it."

"Promise you won't tell on me."

He raised his hand in a boy scout salute. “My lips are sealed."

She hit the print button, then handed him the sheet of paper. When she stood, Hawkman slipped a twenty dollar bill into her hand.

A big smile creased her face. “Gee, thanks."

He left the store and sat in the truck studying the items Carlotta had bought. It definitely appeared this trip had been planned.

Hawkman left the mall, and swung by Carlotta's place. No cars were parked in the driveway today. Even though Paul had talked to the neighbors, he decided to ask a few questions. He liked to speak to people face to face; body language told him a lot.

He noticed the woman next door watering her front flower bed while watching a young child play. She watched him as he stopped in front of Carlotta's house, climbed out of the vehicle and ambled toward her. “Hi, my name's Tom Casey,” he said, flashing his badge. “I'm a private investigator hired by Mr. Ryan and making a few inquiries around the neighborhood"

She reached over and turned off the water spigot. “What's going on? Paul called last night asking a bunch of questions about when I'd last talked with Carlotta and if I'd seen any strange cars in the area."

"Didn't he mention she's been missing since last Friday?"

Putting a hand to her mouth, she flopped down on the porch step. “Oh, my God! No, he didn't tell me. I figured since those two were having problems, he just wanted to know what she'd been up to. I didn't know it involved something so serious."

"There's been no word from her in almost a week and the family's getting concerned."

She frowned. “I can see why."

"Have you noticed any strange activity around the house?"

"No, just the usual traffic. The grandmother's coming and going, Paul's car on occasion.” She looked thoughtful. “Now, a couple of months ago, I did see a plumber's truck stop at their place, then a couple of weeks later, another van. I figured they were repairmen."

"Do you know that for a fact?"

"Not really, but each time the man carried a box of tools into the house."

"Did you notice any signs on the sides of the vehicles?

"Only on the first one. It said something about plumbing repairs. I don't recall the name of the company. The other was just a plain white truck."

"When did you last see Carlotta?"

She rubbed her fingers against her temples. “Like I told Paul, I'm in and out so much running with the kids and their activities, I don't even know what day it is. I couldn't even give him any information when we talked, but now that I think about it, I'd just picked up my little girl, Amy from her Brownie meeting. So it had to be on a Thursday. Carlotta and I pulled into our driveways at the same time. I waved and yelled something about her heavy shopping as she lugged a bunch of sacks into the house. She just laughed and went on inside. I don't recall seeing her again."

"You said the grandmother came by often. Do you recollect the last time you saw her car here?"

"Just the other day. She and Tiffany came by, probably to pick up mail or do something."

"What about the week before?"

"Oh, gee, I can't remember, but it seems like Grandma Ryan came by everyday. I know Carlotta got awfully aggravated by her just popping in."

"She mentioned these visits to you?"

"Several times. Said Delia tried to interfere with the way she raised Tiffany and she'd grown to hate the woman more and more with each passing hour."

"I see. What about Paul? Did he come by often?"

"Not as much as his mother. He'd drop by maybe two or three times a week to pick up Tiffany, but seldom got out of the car. He'd give a couple of beeps on the horn and she'd run out. They'd be gone several hours, and when they returned, he never went inside. Tiffany would hop out of the car and run into the house."

Hawkman put out his hand. “Thanks for talking with me. By the way, I didn't catch your name."

"Sue Alexander.” She stood and picked up the child playing at her feet. “I sure wish I'd been more help. Do you think something horrible has happened?"

"We certainly hope not."

Touching the brim of his hat, Hawkman turned and headed for his vehicle. After going to several of the other neighbors on the block, he finally gave up on the idea of getting any new information. The families were busy and couldn't tell him much more than Sue had already revealed.

Before driving away from the area, he contacted Paul and inquired about the numerous phone calls coming from Carlotta's place. “Why did she want to talk to you so often?"

"Most of the time it was to take Tiffany to a school function. As I told you, she didn't want to get involved in any of our daughter's activities, but Tiffany liked the social life. So I'd take her wherever she wanted to go."

"Does your daughter have many friends?"

"Hard to say, as Carlotta seldom lets her have anyone over, giving excuses about not going to be home or she didn't feel like hassling with a bunch of snotty nosed kids."

"How about Tiffany's visiting her peers?"

"On rare occasions she'd be invited to a birthday party or a sleep over. I usually took and picked her up. Carlotta didn't even want to meet the mothers."

"That seems rather odd behavior."

"I thought so too. My wife is very possessive in one way, but in another, very selfish. People don't trust her and I feel because of her attitude, parents keep their girls away from Tiffany.” He let out a sigh. “And since she dresses like a teenager, a lot of mothers don't approve. They're not ready for that type of change in their daughters yet."

"Why didn't you have more of a say on Tiffany's clothes selections?"

"God knows I tried. But once I left for work, Carlotta took over."

"What about now? She's not around. You and your mother could control what the child wears."

"Yeah, but once Carlotta returns, it would fall right back into the same old routine. I don't want to confuse my daughter any more than necessary. It's hard enough on her right now without her mother around. Children are affected by their parents’ breakup and Tiffany's no different. Mom seems to help bridge the gap in the problem."

"How? She told me about Tiffany hearing her and Carlotta disagreeing over her mode of dress."

"True, but Mom never speaks negatively about Carlotta to Tiffany. She knows it would backfire and she doesn't want any thing to interfere with the relationship with her granddaughter. I don't know if she told you, but Carlotta threatened her over the argument about Tiffany's belly button ring."

"Yes, she did."

"So you can see how Carlotta could be quite effective in getting her way."

"I'm beginning to get a much clearer picture of your wife."

"Not too pretty, I'm afraid."

"Let's just say, interesting."

After Hawkman hung up from Paul, and before he could leave, a call came in from the artist Jack Franklin.

"Yes, Mr. Franklin, Detective Williams gave me your name. I need a couple of sketches. The descriptions would come from a ten year old girl. Do you have good luck with children?"

"I find them pretty accurate, that is, if it hasn't been too long since they saw the person."

"How about a couple of months."

"That should be okay. Usually with a few questions, I can draw out the details."

"Excellent. When's a good time for you?"

"How about this weekend? I'm free Saturday or Sunday afternoon."

"Let me get back to you. Are you home now?"

"Yes."

"I'll give you a call as soon as I can."

"Very good."

Hawkman telephoned the grandmother.

"Hello, Mrs. Ryan. Tom Casey."

"Please call me Delia."

"Okay, Delia. Did Paul inform you I wanted to have Tiffany give an artist the description of the two men who visited Carlotta?"

"Yes, he did. I approached Tiffany about it and she thinks it would really be neat."

"The man is free Saturday or Sunday afternoon. What's a good time?"

"Make it Saturday. We're going to a concert in the park on Sunday."

"Say around two."

"That's perfect."

"Okay, see you then."

Hawkman called Franklin back and set up the time. “What's your fee for two sketches? And should I meet you at the house or would you prefer I pick you up?"

He quoted a price. “Why don't I just meet you there. It's easier. Normally, I can finish the sketches on the spot, but if I feel I need to touch them up a bit, you can pick them up later and pay me."

After giving him Delia's address, Hawkman called Mrs. Ryan back and verified the appointment.

He decided to give Jennifer a call before starting home. “Hi hon, tried to call you earlier but didn't catch you. How are you feeling?"

"The doctor wanted to see me as soon as possible and he had an opening this afternoon, so I ran in."

"I'm listening."

"He suspects a kidney stone."

"Those things are painful when you try to pass them. What's his suggestion?"

"He wants to do a intravenous pyelogram."

"What the hell is that?"

Jennifer laughed. “It's only a x-ray, but the twenty-four hour prep will be the bugger."

"What if he finds a kidney stone?"

"There are methods available where they can crush it before the thing travels down the ureter causing horrible pain."

"When is this going to be done?"

"Boy, you have your nerve teasing me about asking a lot of questions,” she chortled. “It's set up for Monday. Let's hope the stone doesn't start moving beforehand."

"What if it does?"

"I'll head for the hospital."

Hawkman felt his throat constrict. “From what I understand, stones are no fun and a person is in too much pain to drive. I have an appointment Saturday afternoon. Should I cancel it?"

"No. I'll be fine. If you're not here and I run into trouble, I'll call an ambulance."

"I hope you're serious, and promise you won't try to deal with it by yourself."

"Hawkman, will you quit worrying. We'll talk when you get home."

"I'm on my way now. I'll see you in a couple of hours."

He put his cell phone in the compartment next to the gear shift and pulled away from the curb. It bothered him not knowing what the procedure entailed for Jennifer. And this thing about a possible kidney stone concerned him even more. If it started moving, and she tried to drive herself to the hospital, it could mean big trouble. He'd wait until after he talked to her tonight before canceling the artist.

Driving toward Copco Lake, he caught himself exceeding the speed limit several times. He didn't need a ticket, so threw on the cruise control when traffic allowed. Finally, the bridge passing over the Klamath River came into sight and he could see his house. He exhaled a breath of relief as he pulled into the garage. Before jumping out of the vehicle, he grabbed his cell phone from the console and stuck it into his pocket. When he entered the kitchen, he noticed a raft of prescriptions lined up on the kitchen bar. Jennifer sat at her computer and glanced up with a sly grin.

"My goodness, you made it home in record time."

"I'm worried about you. Other than a cold, you've never been sick since we've been married."

"I don't think there's anything to be troubled about. My doctor's going to find out what's happening and he'll take care of the problem."

Hawkman picked up a blue paper on the counter titled ‘Patient Page', and walked toward Jennifer. “They're calling this an in-depth x-ray. I've never heard of an intravenous pyelogram. It says it's over an hour long and involves an examination of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters and bladder, often done when a patient complains of pain in those areas. But you said you hadn't experienced pain."