Beautiful Girls (11 page)

 

^{A long drive alone is a test. It's a test of your concentration. It's a test for your reflexes. It tests your body.}

^{I have a few simple, yet effective rules when I drive above the speed limit. Rule One – never be the fastest driver on the road. Rule Two – obey all other driving laws. Rule Three – don't tailgate. Rule Four – drive smart with road and weather conditions.}

^{I followed my rules during the long drive from Tucson to Las Vegas. It took me less time than the eight and a half hours both Lomita and Edie told me it would.}

^***

^{I called Edie after I cleared the morning traffic north of Tucson. Speaking to her helped me. Hearing her feminine voice, learning her concerns, discussing our plans, all connected me to my real life.}

^{“So, tell me again, what are you going to do with my father when you find him?”}

^{I said, “Like I said, ideally, I'd like to speak to him. If that's not possible, then I want him to be taken alive, unharmed by the Las Vegas Police.}

^{“OK. When will you go to the Liquid Lounge?”}

^{“I'm driving straight to it now.”}

^{“If you are able to talk to him, I want to do so, too.”}

^{“Well, sure, let's see how it goes.”}

^{“We could drive up to Las Vegas and meet him there.”}

^{“True, but it would be a difficult thing for Tawny to see him again.”}

^{“Oh, that's true, what was I thinking?”}

^{“Edie, don't beat yourself up. We both want to know why he did what he did. It's possible that we'll never know.”}

^{“I think you're right.”}

^{I asked, “So, what else is up?”}

^{“Not much. I need to keep busy, to do something. Fortunately, I have some ideas.”}

^{“What are they?”}

^{“Tawny should be in school. I plan to call her principal today, explain what's happened and see if her teachers could get her books and assignments together. Then, we could take a day trip to L.A. next week to pick up the work. While we're there we could stop by the mansion and get other clothes and things.”}

^{I said, “Those are good ideas.”}

^{“Tawny will really start falling behind in her work, and I'd guess the teachers will try to help.”}

^{“I'm sure they will. Look, let me know when you get it arranged. I'll call Lieutenant Lomita and arrange for a police officer to be at the mansion while you're there.”}

^{“OK. You know, Stevie, when I was thinking of Tawny and school, I thought of the big picture.”}

^{“You usually do.”}

^{She said, “Well, so do you. Look, here's the thing. Tawny doesn't have any parents now. The schools may not want to deal with me; you know; I'm not her parent. We need to do something, soon, I think. I mean, Lomita and the police know what we're doing to protect her and they think its right. This is all temporary. Soon or later, my father will be captured or whatever. Then, real life will set in. We need, she needs, something done for real.”}

^{“Yeah, you're right. But, we need to get through what I'm doing, first.”}

^{“I know, but it brings up the big question.”}

^{“What big question?”}

^{“Are we really going to adopt Tawny?”}

^{“Yes, we are, aren't we?”}

^{“Well, I thought so, but I guess I need, or needed you to say it. I thought a lot about it. I definitely want to. She's got no one else. Bambi was an only child. So was Sid. Troy is dead. She only has us.”}

^{Edie was getting emotional.}

^{“No, you're right, baby.”}

^{“To adopt her, we need to be married, or being married would be the best thing to do to help, I think.”}

^{“Now, you're sounding like me about getting married sooner than later.”}

^{“Oh, Stevie, we'll get married as soon as possible anyway, but this makes it even more urgent. Still, I'm worried.”}

^“Why?”

^{“We're not family. I know we're the closest thing to real family, but we're not blood relatives, and I don't know how the state of California will look at us.”}

^{“That's true, but we can only try.”}

^{Edie said, “That's what I want to do, try. I think it helps that we're about to have a family.”}

^{“I think you're right.”}

^{“But, we don't own a home. I mean, not in California, and I don't know if moving to Delaware, at least right away, is a good idea with the adoption.”}

^{I said, “You have been thinking a lot about this.”}

^{“I have. My mind thinks about Tawny all the time, when I'm not thinking about us and our baby, that is.”}

^{“Yeah, me, too. I think a big factor will be Tawny's desires. Does she really want to live with us?”}

^{Edie answered, “I think she does. I haven't asked her directly, but when she isn't talking about her mother, she talks about me and her going back home as soon as we can. She includes me in all those talks of home, like I'm a part of it.”}

^{“You are part of it, of her home and her life, and you have been for nine years. She knows it and I know it, and you know it too.”}

^{She said, “I needed to hear you say that.”}

^{“Oh, Big Sister. I understand.”}

^{Edie began to cry. “She still calls me that.”}

^{“Of course she does, and you always call her Little Sister. She wants you to.”}

^{“And, Tawny calls you Big Brother.”}

^{“I know, and I like it.”}

^{“Oh, man, Stevie, this is hard. As you say, we'll get through it.”}

^{“We are getting through it. So, you want to pursue the adoption soon?”}

^{“Yes, very soon. I plan to call Bambi's attorney, well, I guess its Tawny's attorney now and tell him our plan. I don't know if he can represent us, but I can ask him for a referral if he can't.”}

^{“That sounds like a plan.”}

^{“Oh, Stevie, I miss you so much, already.”}

^{“I miss you, too.”}

^{“I'm glad I have things to do. Call me when you get to Vegas.”}

^{I drove on. I listened to all four of the indie rock CD's I took from the cabin. The highway headed north into Nevada. The road rose gradually through the desert. I called Jimmie Spiare, my investigator back in Philadelphia, and gave him a summary of my trip so far. He was the first startled person I spoke to. My cousin, Hannah, was the second. I gave her my tentative plans for our smaller, low key wedding.}

^{She said, “I understand, Stevie, but why do all these things happen to you?”}

^{“I don't know, Hannah.”}

^{“Be careful.”}

 

 

^{Approaching Las Vegas at sunset is an incredible site. As the last color left the autumn sky, I came out of the dark desert. Sin City appeared as a beacon of light and color and tall buildings. It reminded me of
Lite Brite
, a toy I had as a child. I can't think of another view that would be as contrasting as Las Vegas at night compared to the surrounding dark desolation.}

^{The massive buildings loomed larger and larger with each mile; a shiny pyramid with a beam of light aiming straight up to the sky, the New York skyline, the Eiffel Tower, a blue and red castle, large hotels and neon lights of every color. I had pushed the Mustang hard all the way, so I slowed as I approached The Strip. It was dark when I parked at 6:30 PM.}

^{Liquid was a bar and restaurant with an open-air pool. Yet, that hardly describes the setting. From the outside the bar looked like an enclosed building. The stucco walls surrounded the entrance's dark smoked-glass doors. A blond wearing a gold, sleeveless mini-dress stood behind a podium. A bouncer in black slacks and a t-shirt was nearby eyeing me as much as I eyed the hostess. I quickly learned how things went in Las Vegas' lounges.}

^{“No, I don't have a reservation,” I said to the hostess.}

^{“Oh, let me see what I can do,” she said to me.}

^{She spun around on her four-inch heels and disappeared inside the dark doors.}

^{The bouncer coughed and continued his stare-down. No one else was outside. The parking lot had few cars. The bar had to be nearly empty.}

^{Miss Mini-Dress reappeared two minutes later and said, “I was able to find a table near the bar.”}

^{I said, “Thank you.”}

^{I waited. The bouncer coughed again and looked at me, then at the hostess and back to me again.}

^{OK, I got the message. I pulled out my wallet and handed Miss Mini-Dress a ten dollar bill.}

^{She smiled and said, “Follow me.”}

^{After walking down a short, wood-paneled hall, the bar opened up about fifty yards to my right and left. The space was dominated by a large main pool and two smaller side pools. The pools were surrounded by a multitude of chaise lounge chairs and dozens of day beds. The water in the pools glowed blue from underwater lights.}

^{There were also two bars that flanked the near side of the pools. About twenty tables filled the space between the bars and the water. Ten flat-screen TV's showing a play-off baseball game were suspended from the ceilings over the bar and dining areas. I wasn't sure if the TV audio was on or off because some sort of techno dance music drowned out most sounds.}

^{It was a slow night. Not counting the waitresses and bar tenders, there were six other people in Liquid. I hoped that would be to my advantage as I looked for a sign of Rob Nealy. I had no idea what the next clue would be.}

^{I turned and found the first sign. This had to be the correct place. A redhead approached me. She was my waitress. Her shoulder-length, bobbed hair sported long bangs. She had freckles, a long straight nose, large wide-spaced eyes and full lips.}

^{She handed me the menu and said, “Hello, welcome to Liquid. My name is Melody. I'll be your waitress. May I get you a drink?”}

^{Two minutes later Melody brought me my vodka tonic. I had decided on my approach.}

^{“Are you ready to order?”}

^{I answered, “I'm waiting for someone. He told me to meet him here. I thought he'd be here by now.”}

^{“Oh, shall I give you more time?”}

^{“Well, let's give him a few more minutes.”}

^“OK.”

^{She shifted her weight. Melody was a beautiful woman. She was in her early twenties. She stood five feet four inches tall and wore the same gold mini-dress as the hostess and the other waitress. She had bright green eyes and a warm smile. She had a shapely chest, a thin waist and smaller hips. I looked too long and Melody noticed. When we resumed eye contact she was smiling. I guess she took my stares as a compliment because she turned to her left to show me her profile.}

^{Then, she said, “Why don't I give you some time to look at…”}

^{She paused one beat before adding “…the menu.”}

^{“OK, I will. You're kind
and
beautiful, Melody.”}

^{Her smile widened. “Thank you…”}

^{“Stevie, I'm Stevie Garrett.”}

^{I put my hand out and she shook it.}

^{“It's nice to meet you, Stevie.”}

^{“My pleasure, Melody.”}

^{“Please call me Mel, all my friends do.”}

^{“OK, Mel.”}

^{“Stevie, I'll be right back.”}

^{She turned and strutted like a model on a runway towards the kitchen. The little fitted dress highlighted her swaying curves.}

^{I'm not sure what Edie would think of that conversation. Mel seemed ready to talk. What was her connection to Rob Nealy? I hoped to find out.}

^{I took the time to scan Liquid. It was an impressive place, with millions spent on the pools, the electronics, the lighting and the décor. On this cool evening, steamy wisps rose from the surface of the pools. I was one of only two occupied tables. The other had a youngish couple focused on themselves. The other waitress served them. Three men sat at the open bar. The bar and tables where covered by the roof, while the pools were open to the sky above.}

^{What was I looking for? A clue, something physical, maybe there would be another letter from Rob. I did a double-take with one of the men at the bar. He had gray hair, was in his fifties and looked to be about Rob's height. He turned to the side and his large nose, weak chin and hairy eyebrows proved him someone else.}

^{A minute later this fifty-something guy paid his tab, stood up and walked to another smoked-glass door at the far end of the lounge. When the door opened I caught a glimpse of a lighted hallway. This must be a second entrance. My guess is this door went right into Aria, the hotel attached to Liquid.}

^{Mel confirmed that when she returned to my table. My question made her curious.}

^{“Stevie, what do you want to do? Do you want to continue to wait?”}

^{“No, I might as well order. It doesn't look like he's showing.”}

^{I picked up the menu and asked, “What would you recommend?”}

^{She said, “The filet mignon is wonderful.”}

^{“That sounds good.”}

^{“How would you like it cooked?”}

^{“Medium rare.”}

^{“OK, it comes with green beans and a baked potato.”}

^{“That's fine.”}

^{“Great, would you like another drink?”}

^{“I better not. I'll have an iced tea. Once you place my order, can you come back? I'd like to talk to you.”}

^{She smiled. “I sure will.”}

^{She strutted off again, stopped at the cash register station, and talked to the other waitress. Mel pointed to me as she spoke. The blonde waitress turned to look at me, nodded and smiled. I would swear that she said, “Sure, go ahead.”}

^{Mel ordered my iced tea from the bartender. Her back was towards me. Mel's dress had two cutout holes on the sides at her hips. It was also cut low in the front. As she waited, she adjusted her dress, making sure the side waist bands of her panty were covered and that her top revealed the correct amount of her breasts. She then reached down into the waitress stand and pulled out her lip gloss which she quickly reapplied.}

^{By then, the iced tea was ready. Mel picked it up and began her slow, practiced walk back to my table.}

^{“Mel, have a seat, please.”}

^{“Well, I'm not allowed to do that, but Frank, my boss, isn't here and Susie told me to go ahead. She'll watch out. She thinks you're cute, by the way.”}

^{I looked back at the waitress stand and saw Susie smiling and looking our way.}

^{Then, Mel sat. She crossed her legs and half of her thighs were revealed. I maintained eye contact, mostly.}

^{“Mel, I need help.”}

^{“What kind of help?”}

^{“I'm trying to find someone; a man, an older white man with white hair.”}

^{She said, “There're a lot of them in Las Vegas. Why is this one important?”}

^{“Let me explain. I'm a private investigator. I'm on a case now, a personal case. The man I'm looking for may have killed three people in Los Angeles…”}

^{Mel gasped.}

^{“You may have heard about them.”}

^{I briefly mentioned the names of the victims.}

^{“Oh, yeah, I did.”}

^{“The man I'm looking for is also my future father-in-law.”}

^{“Oh…”}

^{I was surprised that Mel had only that to say. She remained focused on my every word. Her reaction gave me a glimpse of her maturity. So, I continued, “My fiancée has asked me to find him before the police do. He's on the run. It looks like he expected me to come after him because he left me this clue in Tucson, his home town.”}

^{I pulled out Rob's message and showed it to Mel.}

^{“My fiancée and I guessed Sodom was Las Vegas and the wet bar was Liquid. Now that I found you, a titian-haired maid…”}

^{Mel stopped a moment to read the note and digest my information.}

^{“This is weird, Stevie.”}

^{“It is.”}

^{She said, “It could be some other bars. All the outdoor pools have bars. It could be Wet Republic, you know.”}

^{“We thought of that, too. I might have to check that out and the others. We thought the outdoors pools would be closed or a lot less crowded this time of year.”}

^{“That's true. The season is pretty much over. We're closing at the end of the month, and I'll work inside Aria at the Sage or Union restaurants.”}

^{“I see.”}

^{Mel asked, “So, what would he do at Liquid or one of these bars?”}

^{“I don't know. He could be waiting for me. But, I think he'd leave another clue.”}

^{“What kind of clue?”}

^{“I really don't know, maybe it's another letter.”}

^{Mel was interested. She put her right elbow on the table, placed her head in her hand and looked at me intently and said, “Hmmm…”}

^{“Do you know an older man that looks like that?”}

^{She answered, “No, I don't.”}

^{“Have you seen something unusual, like an envelope, lying around somewhere?”}

^{“Not that I've noticed. We get lots of unusual people in here, but not too many older folks. Let me think for a minute.”}

^{While she did I took in Mel from up close. She was a beautiful young woman. Her shiny gold dress clung to her shapely body. I didn't feel lust as much as pleasure in her company. I think the disclosure of my engagement took the tension out of our conversation. Mel was certainly relaxed. In a different time and place, we both might have acted differently.}

^{“Mel, I know this sounds weird. Unfortunately, it's also tragic and scary. The sooner I find him the sooner everyone will be safe.”}

^{“Sure, I can see that. I just don't remember him or seeing anything unusual.”}

^{“I understand. Can you help me in a different way?”}

^{“Sure, how?”}

^{“Can you tell the bartenders and the hostess and the other waitress my story and see if they've noticed anything?”}

^{“Sure, I will.”}

^{She began to stand.}

^{I quietly added, “Mel, is it OK if I look around, to see if I notice anything, too?”}

^{“Sure, but let me speak to Jim, he's the assistant manager tonight.” She indicated one of the bartenders.}

^{Then, she said, “I'll be right back. I'll get your dinner, too.”}

^{Mel stood and walked straight to Jim. Over the next two minutes she relayed my story and my request. I saw Jim shake his head no. Then, Mel talked some more. She pleaded with her arms, moving them horizontally as she turned, in a sweeping movement pointing at the pools and bars. Jim stood with his arms folded on his chest. He showed no emotion during Mel's plea. He looked over at me. Then, he said something.}