Daddy's Home (6 page)

“Nah. I know who’s on my side and who isn’t around here.”

“We better move out. I told Brooke to meet us at The Tavern around 6:15. We should be done by then.”

“Hopefully this goes as simply as planned.”

Maureen spoke up. She’d been laughing under her breath since Holly had ripped into Robb with the low blows. “It’s basic. I made you an appointment at Elegance Dating Service. I explained that I was your assistant, and that as you were a very discreet person, you would like to meet with the owner himself. The woman on the other end said that wasn’t a problem, and that he usually is the one who does all of the interviewing anyway. They pride themselves on the ‘services’ they provide, claiming they truly are a unique dating service. And get this, they’re very ‘hands on.’”

Holly and Chad both snickered. “I bet,” Chad said.

“Okay, so you’ll meet this Mr. James, William James, to be exact. He must really think that name is important because his receptionist enunciated every syllable,” Maureen said.

“Great, not only do we possibly have a kinky pervert on our hands, he’s also a self important one,” Holly added.

“Is there any other kind?” Chad asked.

“I asked Robb if he could run a background check on him. But seeing that he cut out of here early, my guess is he’ll let that go for the night. As we all know, he isn’t too thrilled with taking orders, suggestions, or even polite queries from those of us of the female persuasion.”

They all laughed. “No, we aren’t his favorite species. But he’s a decent detective. Okay, before we head out, why don’t you ask Craig Anderson to do it. Greenfield gave him a desk job after he came back from rehab last month, and he’s working evenings. Poor man is really gonna have to prove himself. Sometimes I think Greenfield is way too hard, but I’m not getting into the politics of that situation,” Holly said.

They all knew that office politics was the last thing any of them wanted to get involved in inside this place. Same with office romances, office gossip, office anything-other-than-work. It could mean slicing one’s own throat. Greenfield ran a tight, closed-mouth ship. “Put Craig to work, take his mind off his troubles while we’re out having a drink. I’m sure he’ll be far more eager than Robb to get it done. If he finds something, have him give us a call. Or if it’s too late, ask him to leave a report on my desk for the morning.”

“Will do. Okay. Want me to meet you guys out in the van?” Maureen asked. “I’ll head over to Craig’s side of the cubicles and give him the skinny.”

“See you out there then,” Chad said.

He and Holly walked out to the surveillance van. Holly would be driving her own car. “Your wire on?” Chad asked.

“Wouldn’t leave home without it. But I’m not going to show you where it is.”

“I trust you. Get in your car and give me a check.”

Holly did and started singing his favorite tune to him. He got out of the van and said, “You’ve got a good voice. I always knew you liked ‘Sunshiny Day.’”

“I did that for you.”

Maureen came out and walked over to the van. “We’re set. Craig was just happy someone gave him something to do. He said that Greenfield is still unrelenting and unforgiving, that all he’s doing is filing reports. I know that he’s pretty ashamed and embarrassed, but let’s face it, we all fuck up once in awhile. At least he confronted it and had the decency to be totally honest with himself and the department. I hope Greenfield comes around where Craig is concerned. He’s a good man, and before he got really out of hand with the booze, he was a good cop.”

“Greenfield is not one to go light on people he considers weak. Craig is lucky he let him keep his job. By the way, does anyone know how Greenfield’s wife is doing?” Chad asked.

“No, but I think I’ll check in with him in the morning and send over some flowers from all of us,” Holly replied, climbing in her car.

“You are such the politician,” he said.

“Right on up there with the president,” she joked. “Now let’s get this over with.”

The dating service was only moments away from the station, located downtown on Fourth and B, a decent enough area, but most of downtown San Diego was fairly upscale. Maureen and Chad pulled into an empty parking spot right across from the service. The van’s disguise showed it to be a cable company vehicle. Chad sat up front dressed in a cable man’s uniform.

Maureen was working the communication center in the back. Holly knew the plan was simply to go in, do a little fishing expedition, and find out what these people knew about Shannon and if there was any apparent illegal activity going on. If they or this William James knew something, then Holly’s crew might be able to gain some info and have quite a bit of leeway. Holly had the distinct feeling that this guy was going to slip right into her category of filthy slime balls.

“I cannot believe that I’m doing this. We really should have sent you in, Maureen,” Holly whispered into her wire as she started to walk the half-block up to the dating service’s entry. She noticed a leering homeless man and a couple of construction guys heading into a bar for a couple of after-work beers. They whistled and looked her up and down.

“Nice ass,” one said.

“Nice tits,” another one replied.

She kept walking. A strong urge to pull her Glock from her purse and go Jennifer Garner à la Alias on them crossed her mind. She whispered, “Assholes.”

“I think you look hot, too, baby,” Chad laughed over the wire in her ear.

“Watch it. I know where you live, cable guy.”

Maureen cut in, “Leave her alone. You’ll be fine, Holly. We’ve got your back.”

“Okay, you ready?” Chad asked. His jovial tone downshifting.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied.

She felt like a hooker in the spiky high heels, low cut, slinky red dress, and more makeup than she had ever worn before. This was gonna suck.

She opened the door to Elegance Dating Service. A discreet sign just inside the door read, “We provide a place to meet for those people with the love for pleasure.”
Oh, God, this was really gonna suck.

Holly tried her best to stay balanced on her spiked heels, but it was damn hard. She approached the front desk where a way-too-thin peroxide blonde sat behind a black lacquered desk—tacky all the way. In the center of the room a coffee table in front of a red velvet couch held a black vase filled with fake flowers the color of the gold silk drapes. A truly pretentious room, it was something out of a bad Vegas casino, or a Mafioso boss’ home.

“Can I help you?” the blonde asked.

“I have an appointment,” Holly answered.

“Do you mean an interview?”

“I suppose I do.” Holly shifted as perspiration made her itch at her panty hose line.

“Hmmm, name?”

“Katrina Richards.”

The blonde looked down at her scheduler. “Yes, Mr. James will be with you in a moment.”

“Thank you.”

“Would you like some coffee, water, tea? A glass of wine, perhaps? We can even mix you something stronger. It might help relax you during the taping process.”

Wonder where they got their liquor license?
“No. I’m good, thanks.” Holly sat down on the couch, sinking nearly all the way into its plush fabrics. She reached for a magazine—
Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler.
Great. She finally found a
Cosmopolitan
, not really her cup of tea, but better than her other choices. She crossed her legs and tried to look comfortable. She wondered if the receptionist knew Shannon McKay. She decided to take the gamble and see what she said. “My friend sent me here. She said she’d met some really great people, and that I might like it.”

“Really? I’m sure she was right. So, who is your friend?”

“Shannon McKay. Do you know her?”

The young woman looked up at her from the paperwork she’d been shuffling, apparently with the intent of looking busy. Something in her eyes—was it a look of fear, anxiety, anger, the knowledge of something bad? Holly didn’t know, but whatever it was, there was definitely something other than mere recognition.

When she replied, her voice was far sharper than it had been only moments before. “You know, we get so many people coming through the door, and it is really hard to keep track of who everyone is. I can’t say that I know your friend. But I’m certainly glad that she recommended us. I’m sure you’ll find our service as satisfactory as she told you.”

“Oh, I’m sure I will.”

Shannon would have had to go through the receptionist to get an interview.
Why is this woman lying?
There was something far more sinister going on behind the guise of this dating service. Holly felt it in her bones. And she couldn’t help but wonder if it would lead her to Shannon and Sara’s murderer.

CHAPTER SIX

William James, one of his many aliases, sat in his lavishly decorated office, all modern in black and fuchsia, behind the two-way glass that reflected the comings and goings in the waiting room. Yes, he was a voyeur. In this business, that wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, as far as he was concerned, it was a prerequisite.

What he saw on the other side of his window today absolutely fascinated him. She was a beauty indeed, and she looked brainy too. Like a hot teacher type with the glasses and long hair. But once the glasses came off, those women were nothing less than totally doable. This one on the other side of the mirror was far more than just doable. She was gorgeous, and he would love getting a piece of her ass. But then he’d heard her mention Shannon’s name over the hidden speaker system, which he used anytime he saw something of interest and wanted to listen in.

Why was she asking about Shannon? His radar went up. Shannon never mentioned a friend, and certainly none as radiant as this one. All Shannon ever talked about—when talking was involved, that is—was that little girl of hers.

William liked little girls.

Guess I better see what this one is all about
. He stood, smoothed down his black v-neck, cashmere sweater over his silk gray slacks. Yes, he was a catch, but not just any woman could have him.

Only the special ones.

He left his office through the back entrance, as was his practice. There was never a need to tip anyone off about the two-sided glass.

He approached the front room, breathing in deeply.
Ah, her scent. What was that? Gardenia? Freesia? No, tuberose. It was definitely tuberose. Probably wears “Fracas.” Not only was she beautiful, but she also had style, a certain element of sophistication. Maybe she did know Shannon. That could be bad. Or maybe it could be good. This was going to be very interesting.

The young woman stood as he entered. Seeing her curves hugging the tight dress made it difficult to contain his obvious arousal. But for now, he would have to do that.

“Ms. Richards, is it?”

“Yes.” She extended her hand. Nice, soft, but her nails weren’t long or polished. Just very plain. It didn’t fit the image. They would have to work on that.

“Nice to meet you. Would you like to step into my office?”

“Sure.”

For these occasions, William used a different office than the one behind the window. There were only a few special people allowed into that world. Maybe the lovely currently following him into his more appropriate place of business would be one of the lucky few. Time would tell.

They entered the office which was overflowing with flowers in Art Deco vases. William loved flowers. There wasn’t anything else that came close to capturing the essence of a woman. “So, Ms. Richards, what brings you to our service?”

“Actually, a friend of mine suggested it. She said that she had quite a bit of luck with meeting people here.” The woman winked at him.

“Ah, yes. And who was your friend?” William wondered if that wink meant that she knew something about him and Shannon. He shifted uneasily, making the leather in his chair creak. It took a lot to make William uneasy, but this woman was immediately getting under his skin. What was it about her? Something different than any other woman he’d met before. She exuded a type of power that he didn’t find in many of the clients who came through the door. Oh, sure, there were some who held his interest by their controlling nature. It was fun at times to allow the woman to be in charge. But this Ms. Richards . . . well, it was a different thing than the dominatrix-type control he enjoyed during a full moon. Yes indeed, she did make him uneasy.

“Shannon McKay.”

He’d planned on this moment the minute she’d slipped Shannon’s name past her lips inside the reception area.

“Shannon McKay? I’m afraid that I don’t recall her.” He leaned back in his chair, trying to act relaxed.

“I don’t know how you could miss her—blonde, beautiful, blue-eyed. And a whole lot of fun, if you know what I mean.”

“Not really.” Oh, yes, he did. But the vibe he’d been getting, that feeling that this woman was in total control of the situation, had only grown stronger in the course of a few seconds.

She leaned across his desk. Wow, he could almost see down her dress. She was hot.

“Oh, I think you do know what I mean.”

“Nope.”

“Well, then, maybe I am in the wrong place. I’ll have to call my friend.” She stood.

William stood up as well. “Wait. I’m certain that we can find you someone very special here.”

“Oh, no. I don’t think so. If you didn’t know Shannon, then I don’t believe that you can help me. You see, I know that she met some very nice people here, lots of fun, and she said that she was sure I would have a very good time with those same people.”