Sexy Girls (18 page)

^{Red warmed slightly, “Matter of fact, I haven't eaten.”}

^{“Great, where would you like to go?”}

^{“What do you want to eat?”}

^{“Seafood,” I answered.}

^{“Are you buying?”}

^{“Sure, why not?”}

^{Red said, “In that case, we might as well stay right here as the food is great.”}

^{So, Red led me to the hotel restaurant.}

^{We were seated at 9:15 in the lobby restaurant. After we ordered, I tried to break the ice. It wasn't easy. I asked her at one point how many photos would be published. She said five if she was lucky; one or two in her newspaper and the rest in fashion mags. We then talked about Red's new job and her new home and how things were going.}

^{All the while, I looked for the opportunity to get to the real story.}

^{There was no point in delaying this too much. Red was tired. She said she had a new girl in her life. She loved the weather and the beach. She was moving into a condo at the end of the month. Then, ten minutes after we were seated, she surprised me by saying, “Stevie, why don't you get to heart of the matter as I'm tired and I'm leaving as soon as I finish eating. I still need to review the photos at the office before I can go home.”}

^{I plunged ahead. “Cyndie Myst hired me to investigate Andi Grayson's murder.”}

^{She didn't miss a beat. “So, why are you here? Do you think I'm involved?”}

^{“I don't know, but may be you know something that will help.”}

^{“I doubt it.”}

^{I replied. “Let me explain.”}

^{I gave her a short version of the now familiar story. First, I explained that Cyn hired me to find Andi and find out why Andi was blackmailed. Then, Andi was killed. So, it became a murder investigation. I also described my trip to Colorado and what I discovered there. I also mentioned our false start with Fred Conarto. I told Red I knew about the Sexy Girls. Finally, I admitted we didn't have much to go on.}

^{I finished my story. Red frowned, breathed deep, and then said, “Stevie, I don't have much to add to your story.”}

^{I asked, “Why did you move to Florida?”}

^{Red answered, “I had an argument with Robert and needed a change.”}

^{“What was the argument about?”}

^{“Artistic stuff; I was getting stale. I'd been in Philly almost ten years. Plus, I lost respect for Robert too. Sure the guy made my career. But, what was revealed to me in those weeks around that Kimmel Center night blew my faith. First, he cheated on his wife in public during my last two location shoots. Next, I learned he cheated Andi out of their divorce settlement. I really don't know if he was involved in the blackmail. I still don't, but I swear he was, some how, some way. I just can't prove it.”}

^{Red took a breath and continued, “I confronted Robert about my assignments and his lack of respect for my ideas. I lost my cool as his personal life upset me. Our argument escalated and he ended up firing me. Later he wanted me to come back. But I'd had enough. I found the newspaper job in about two weeks and have had two good months down there. I will never go back north.”}

^{I replied, “Red, you've confirmed a lot that I pieced together, but I'm still unclear about Robert's role. You mentioned that he was cheating on Andi.”}

^{“Robert cheated before, during and after his marriage to Andi. Look, he's surrounded by good-looking, young girls in exotic locations, and he can play sugar daddy to them. He can make their careers, or at least get them off to a good start. That's why he always travelled separately from Andi.”}

^{“Who's he seeing now?”}

^{“He was sweet on a Dutch model, named Giselle Something.”}

^{I asked, “Is she a tall, thin brunette with a big chest?”}

^{“Yes, but that describes half the models in the world. The other half are small chested. Even all the blondes' fall into one of those groups, as they all dye their hair.”}

^{“Is she staying with Robert?”}

^{“She could be, sometimes he had his girl-of-the-moment at his big estate, when Andi was out of town, which was at least once a month.”}

^{I then asked, “Red, who are the blackmailers and how did they know about Andi and Cyn's night at the
Kimmel Center
?”}

^{“Stevie, I don't know. I was out of town with Robert. But, others could've known. That freaking Andi could get Cyndie to do crazy stuff.”}

^{“You sound pissed about that.”}

^{“Yes, I got jealous of Andi for being so fortunate and so good-looking. Plus, Andi stole Cyndie from me. Stevie, did you see that video?”}

^{“Yes, I did.”}

^{Red continued, “Then, you know what happened. That was real passion as well as sex. Cyndie and Andi started their affair several weeks before that night. They tried to keep it a secret, but Andi and Cyndie were so hot for each other that they were acting out in public. Look, anyone paying attention knew they were having sex.”}

^{I summed it up. “The night at the
Kimmel Center
was the perfect opportunity to trap Andi. Especially, if you had a motive, and Robert had one; the prenup agreement.”}

^{I was about to speak, when Red went on with her story, “Yes, I was pissed at Andi, but I wasn't about to help Robert. I hated him even more. I didn't know about the blackmail. I swear!”}

^{She almost screamed those last two words. I thought that Robert's motive might explain the blackmail, but I also needed to know about Andi's murder. I blurted out, “Talk to me about Andi's visit to see you, here in Florida.”}

^{Red's eyes sharpened their focus on my face. For a second it appeared that she was going to deny knowing about Andi's visit. Instead, she asked, “How did you figure that out?”}

^{“First, Cyn knew. Second, I saw Florida entries on Andi's last credit card and phone bills.”}

^{She hesitated, “Oh… Andi was trying to figure out the blackmailing too, but she really didn't know that much. Andi broke my heart when she told me what happened to her after that night. I didn't realize how badly she got screwed by Robert. She apologized for stealing Cyndie and said they weren't dating any longer. Instead, Andi said she was glad she was getting divorced and hoped things would work out with a new man in her life.”}

^{I paused over that last comment.}

^{Red continued, “I accepted her apology.”}

^{I asked Red, “Why did Andi visit Fort Collins, Colorado?”}

^{“I don't know.”}

^{Red continued, “Anyway, the last thing Andi said, right before she left, was that she had a few other leads she would follow. May be that's why she visited Colorado. Then, she gets killed. It totally freaked me out.”}

^{I said, “It is crazy!”}

^{Red answered, “I know. I can't believe this happened either. It just seemed to me that Andi and Cyndie were meant to be together.”}

^{“What do you mean?”}

^{“Stevie let me explain, they're bisexual and very feminine – I'm neither – I'm a lesbian. I can see now that Andi and Cyndie had a unique relationship. They loved each other, they both loved dressing up and being sexy, and they dreamed of you, especially Andi.”}

^{I must have looked stunned as Red made her point clear, “Yes, they loved you and wanted to be with you forever. Very much! I didn't completely understand it, but they just fantasized all the time of being with you as a threesome. Can't you see that? They needed you! Yes, they loved girl sex, but they needed a man who can accept them for who they are, but would still have straight sex with both of them. They knew you're that man. They were certain they could make you totally satisfied. Why not? You'd be with two gorgeous girls who adored you. That was their dream. Andi told me that deep down all three of you have known it for years. But, up to now, you've screwed up your lives. This was your chance to get it right. I wasn't part of their future and I was dumb and slow to realize it. Andi really wanted the million and a half dollars to start you three off right in your new life.”}

^{Red paused, and then pleaded, “I'm sorry, but that's the truth.”}

^{Man! Red had the three of us nailed perfectly. That was the shocking part. Somehow, I replied, “I didn't see that. Are you sure?”}

^{“I'm completely sure.”}

^{I then asked, “What about the Sexy Girls, you guys were a threesome?”}

^{“For a while it seemed that way. But remember it started as Cyndie and me. Andi guessed right that we were having an affair. We asked Andi to join us, as she was lonely and horny. For a time we had great fun. Andi was really into submission and I like being a dominatrix, but, deep down, Andi really wanted to be with a man, you. Plus, Cyndie and Andi just wanted to dress up and look glamorous and sexy. I wanted to have wilder sex. They loved their soft hugs and French kisses and their dreams of life with you.}

^{“I got so sick of hearing how wonderful you are. I know now they loved fantasies, and you were a big part of theirs. Andi was totally captivated by the tales of your relationship with Cyndie, and your life as a detective. They believed if Andi could get divorced you'd fall in love with both of them. Andi said you were the best thing she ever had and was desperate to win you back. She dreamed about being married to you and having kids with you. Andi really wanted you, her hero.”}

^{I thought out loud, “That's what she told me.”}

^{Red continued, “I know it was true. Now, Cyndie, Cyndie just loved you – you're her only man and her best friend. I learned once and for all they didn't need me. I moved on.”}

^{I didn't know what to say. She's telling the truth, especially how Andi and Cyndie act towards me.}

^{Dinner ended and I thanked Red for all her help. Even though, in my mind, I struck out. As we were walking out to our cars, Red asked, “What are you going to do now?”}

^{“I don't know.”}

^{“I saw you sitting with Edie McCall tonight.”}

^{“Yes, I was.”}

^{“How did you guys meet?”}

^{I hesitated. “In California, a long time ago…”}

^{“Oh, that's right, you and Edie saved Andi's life. Are you guys together?”}

^{I hesitated again. “Well, we're just starting…”}

^{I stopped talking. Red paused, thought, and said, “You know what, you two deserve each other. I think you two will be a great couple, now that Andi's gone.”}

^{Then, she got in her car and drove off.}

 

 

 

^{Edie and I met for a drink in our hotel's bar. She was still dressed in her white mini dress and big heels and sitting in a booth on the wall opposite the bar. Edie truly looked gorgeous and smelled clean and fresh, like a bouquet of wild flowers. Man, was Edie tempting! I gave her a long hug and kiss, but then, sat on the other side of her booth.}

^{Edie leaned over the table and whispered, “Oh, you're such a handsome man in your coat and tie, Stevie.”}

^{“And, you're such a sexy girl in your little dress, Edie.”}

^{“Oh, you're a silly man.”}

^{She then asked, “What did you think of the show?”}

^{“It was OK. I didn't like the clothes that much.”}

^{“I agree it was such conventional clothing. There really wasn't much imagination in those designs.”}

^{I silently agreed that the bikinis did leave little of the models' bodies to my imagination. But, I told her, “You were the most beautiful, enticing woman there.”}

^{“Thank you, Stevie.”}

^{She took a long, slow sip of her Chardonnay.}

^{I went over my dinner conversation with Red Sable, slowly, as Edie had many questions.}

^{“Edie, Red knew that Andi and Cyndie wanted me, not her. That's another reason she split from Philadelphia. Plus, she grew to hate Robert. Besides that, what I have all adds up to nothing. I can't see how Red's involved. I have nothing to go on.”}

^{“Stevie, Red definitely knows more than she lets on.”}

^{I answered, “But what? I'm not sure what she's hiding.”}

^{Edie responded, “She said a few things to me that revealed some of truth. First, when she learned about Cyndie and Andi's affair she hated it. Then, she wished she hadn't got so mad at them. I think she sought revenge. Because, if it wasn't Red or Robert or both of them, who else could have planned the blackmail?”}

^{“I don't know, but we're missing something. Plus, Robert and Red were out of town that night. We need to speak to Cyndie.”}

^{We speculated a little more, then Edie steered the conversation to my relationship with Cyndie.}

^{I quickly but politely got to the heart of the matter. I said, “Right as this investigation started, Cyndie and I realized it would never work with us. We agreed to be friends only.”}

^{Edie smiled and said, “Really?”}

^“Yes.”

^{“I didn't know that, you know, with her staying at your home and us going to Rehoboth together.”}

^{I said, “Well, those things happened because Cyndie was scared when Andi disappeared and then was killed.”}