by Ann Roberts
They’d been completely in love. She knew that now. Why had it been impossible for her to accept that when they were together? Why did she run away? Maybe she was blaming Ari too much for the breakup. Even Vicky saw how much Biz had wanted Ari. She rolled her eyes. Dr. Yee would remind her that a breakup takes two people. She stared at the photo again. It couldn’t have been easy for Ari.
But Ari chose to cheat, she reminded herself, her heart brimming with pain.
The gate screeched and a woman entered, running from another woman who was attempting to snap her with a towel. The first woman was clearly a femme, dressed in a revealing yellow bikini. The towel snapper was a butch wearing men’s swim trunks and a white T-shirt over a sports bra.
“You left a mark,” the femme pouted, pointing at her lower back.
“Ah, let me kiss it,” the butch said, grabbing her playmate by the waist and smacking her on the rear end, which caused the femme to squeal in delight.
Judging by their tans and the casual way they claimed one of the square tables, Molly guessed they spent a lot of time poolside. Within seconds the butch shed the T-shirt and dove into the pool. When she surfaced, she was inches from Molly’s feet.
“Hey there,” she said. “Just move in?”
Molly offered a mysterious smile. “No, I’m sorta subleasing from a friend for a couple of weeks, but the manager doesn’t know.” She put a finger to her lips and the butch nodded.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell. There’s a lot that happens around here that management doesn’t know about. I’m Tony,” she said with a wave.
“Molly.”
“You two look way too friendly,” the femme said playfully, stepping carefully into the water. She floated next to her girlfriend and asked Molly, “Is she hitting on you?”
“Yes, and it’s making me uncomfortable.”
They all laughed, and the femme smiled at her. “I’m Chanda, like chandelier?”
“And I’m Molly, like…Molly.”
“She’s an unauthorized guest,” Tony whispered loudly, “but I told her we wouldn’t tell.”
Chanda laughed. “There’s plenty of unauthorized guests here all the time.”
“Yeah, I can tell this place sees a lot of action,” Molly said. “Didn’t somebody die here the other day?”
Chanda’s smile faded, and Tony wrapped her in a hug. “It was awful. I knew Wanda. She was really cool. She showed me some kickboxing moves one time while we were stuck waiting for our clothes to dry.”
“How’d she die?” she asked innocently.
“She threw herself off the balcony, I think,” Tony said. “I couldn’t believe it. She didn’t act suicidal. She was all about the party.”
“Yeah, I think there’s more to it,” Chanda said. “The police were here questioning everybody who lives on this side of the complex, asking if they’d seen anything suspicious.”
“What’d they find out?” She hoped she sounded like a curious busybody and nothing more.
Tony shrugged. “Nobody knows anything. Our neighbor Joseph was the jogger who found her and called nine-one-one.”
She pulled out the picture. “Did he happen to see anyone?”
“No, except for some of the usuals, you know, the evening crowd.”
She held out the photo and pointed to Biz. “Have you ever seen this woman around here?”
A slow smile crossed Tony’s face. “Why do you want to know?”
She sighed and settled on the truth. “Okay, look, here’s the thing. I’m not really subletting and I don’t live here, but I knew Wanda and this person in the picture. I used to be a cop and I’m helping with the investigation.”
“Really?” Tony asked skeptically. “I didn’t think the cops liked help.”
She shrugged and said sincerely, “I’ve got a lot of friends, and we want to know what happened to Wanda. I’m thinking this person might know.”
They both stared at Biz’s face and Chanda said, “I can’t swear to it, but I think I saw her here a couple days ago.”
“You mean Monday night?”
“No, it was Monday morning. I do the graveyard shift at Five and Diner, but I stayed an extra few hours to cover for somebody who hadn’t shown up. It was probably after noon. I came home, changed and went to get the mail before I crashed, and I saw this woman and a really scary dude going around Wanda’s building. She only glanced at me for a second, so I could be totally wrong, but I think that was her.”
Molly’s adrenaline kicked into overdrive. “Where were they going?”
“Out the back gate, which is weird because that area is only for the workers. I didn’t think anything of it because she was dressed like a service person in coveralls, like she’d been fixing the plumbing or something.”
“How was the other guy dressed? Was he in coveralls?”
“Oh, no, he was in slacks, a dress shirt and a blazer. They looked odd together.”
“Did you see her again?”
“Nope. She just went out the gate with him. End of story.” She held up her hands and added, “But like I said, I’m not positive. I’d just worked a fifteen-hour shift, I was a complete zombie. I could never be certain.” She looked again at the picture. “But her face is really memorable.”
“How memorable?” Tony asked with a hint of jealousy.
Chanda slid into her arms and kissed her passionately. “Not nearly as memorable as yours, honey.”
Sensing their kiss had the potential to rapidly turn pornographic, Molly tossed out a thank you and headed for the gate. Chanda was right. Biz’s face was very memorable. If James Dean had been a woman, she thought, she would’ve looked like her. She was absolutely certain now that Chanda had seen Biz setting up Wanda’s murder.
Chapter Twenty-Four
After breakfast the group at the Montage decided to split up and dig deeper into possible motives for Evan, Steve, Georgie and Bobby Arco. Biz declared she agreed with Jane that he was the most likely suspect, as well as the most dangerous, and demanded the attention of the licensed PI.
“I think she’s just showing off for you,” Jane mumbled to Ari as Biz handed out the assignments.
Biz didn’t hear her comment or chose to ignore it. “Jane, I want you to cozy up to someone in Steve Garritson’s office. See what you can find out about him and check out his alibi. He says he was at a charity function, but was he with anyone the whole time? Where was it located? Could he have slipped out for a while unnoticed?”
Rory raised an eyebrow at Jane. “Cozy up, huh? Sounds like that won’t be too much of a stretch.”
Jane scowled. “Quit being so epigrammatic.”
Rory wagged a finger at her. “Actually, sweetie, that doesn’t work. You’re looking more for pithy or witty. Epigrammatic implies conciseness, and while I am concise, I know that’s not what you meant.”
Jane growled and slowly turned toward Biz. “And what will Rory be doing? Playing in traffic on the 101?”
Biz, having been absent for most of Jane and Rory’s sparring, sputtered a response. “Uh, no, I was going to put her on Evan.” She glanced at Rory, who was nodding in agreement. “I mean, you already have an in with the school. Find out what he did at the music concert and when it ended. Since we’re guessing he had a thing for Nina, maybe it went south when he realized his brother wasn’t going to give her up.”
“There are a few teachers who are his confidantes,” she said. “I’ll see what I can find out during lunch. That’s when all the tongues seem to wag.”
Biz turned to Ari with a little grin on her face. “Baby, I want you to check out Georgie. Go to her boutique and see what you can dig up. Her alibi could be a sham, and from what you and Jane have said, it’s obvious she didn’t want Sam and Nina together.”
They headed for the parking lot together. Biz kept her arm around Ari’s waist until they reached the rental car. Rory had offered Jane a lift so Ari could use it to make the trek to Georgie’s boutique at the John Wayne Airport
, her flagship location and where she’d claimed to be when Nina was killed.
“Be careful,” Biz said, pulling her into a hug.
“I will,” she said. “You too since you’re the one following the abusive boyfriend.”
“Just another day at the office for me,” she scoffed.
She caressed Ari’s cheek before she kissed her passionately. Ari enjoyed it—mostly—but she could’ve done without Biz’s hand sliding down her front and copping a quick feel before she released her. She stepped away and quickly climbed into the rental, but before she could start the car Biz knocked on the window. She lowered it, a pleasant expression on her face.
“Hey, I’m sorry if that was out of line, but your body does things to me.”
She willed herself not to roll her eyes. “I just think there should be boundaries in public. I’m all for affection, but I like it private, okay?”
She grinned. “I can respect that. I guess we have a lot to learn about each other, but just so you know, when we’re alone, there are no boundaries.”
Before she could answer, Biz sauntered off, looking especially pleased with herself. Ari doubted she was sincerely sorry about the groping, and she spent much of the drive to the airport slightly annoyed with her—and missing Molly, whose public and private personas were completely different. She had relished the idea that most people knew nothing of her private life, specifically her devotion to family, her gift as a pianist and her commitment as a friend. They had been excellent friends and very compatible lovers. Ari had felt privy to huge secrets unknown to the rest of the world, which added to the specialness of their relationship.
She blinked away some fresh tears. I need to move on, she thought.
The John Wayne Airport was crowded, but California airports were, as a rule, and there wouldn’t be a lull in the traffic or the congestion until after midnight. Midday was as good a time as any to go there. She parked in one of the adjoining lots and headed for the departure level, already grateful that she wasn’t at LAX.
She found Georgie’s shop, The Bare Essentials, sandwiched between Hudson News and a local candy confectioner. She grabbed an iced coffee from a vendor and planted herself across the concourse on a comfortable sofa. A handful of people wandered through the shop under the watchful eye of a mid-thirties woman, who floated between the displays, rearranging items and answering questions. Shoplifting wasn’t a problem with her on duty.
She scanned the store but didn’t see Georgie anywhere, surmising perhaps she was visiting a different location. She noticed the Hudson News did a brisk business as travelers whisked through to purchase snacks or reading material for their flights. The candy company wasn’t so lucky. Perhaps it was the morning downturn, but the young girl standing behind the counter looked bored enough to stack the truffles to the ceiling.
She ditched her coffee cup and sauntered up to the display case, eyeballing her favorites, the chocolate-covered cherries.
“It all looks so good,” she said.
The girl offered an affirming mumble but made no effort to rise from her stool until Ari pointed and asked for something specific. She surveyed the entire display and returned to the cherries.
“I’ll take four of those, please.”
The girl finally slid from the stool with great effort and reached for a treat box. Ari realized conversation wouldn’t come easy and that discussing sweets wasn’t an engaging topic for her. She was searching for something to say when the girl’s necklace freed itself from her blouse as she scooped up the last cherry.
“I love your cross,” she said, pointing to the ivory symbol visible now against her chest.
The girl finally smiled. “Thanks. It was my mom’s, but she’s gone.”
“Oh, I know how that goes,” she said sincerely. “I lost my mom when I was young too.”
“I’m sorry.”
She rung up the chocolates, and Ari said, “It’s funny that we’re talking about this. Today’s the anniversary of her death.”
She hadn’t meant to say it, but it was the truth, a truth she’d been avoiding discussing with her father for the past month.
“Wow, I’m sorry,” the girl gushed. “What a bummer.”
“It’s okay. I’m taking a trip to see my sister in San Francisco so that’ll be great.” She pointed at the Bare Essentials. “What’s that store like? I just realized I left my neck pillow on my bed.”
“It’s okay. A little overpriced, but hey, you’re paying to have something you forgot, right?”
She nodded at her intuition. “Do you know the owner?”
The girl turned up her nose and handed her the cherries. “She’s a snob. I’ve worked here a year and she’s never once said hello when she’s walked by. She acts like I’m invisible. Her husband is some big politician in Laguna.”
“Is that her, the one there now?”
She checked her watch. “No, it’s too early. She’s only here later in the day until closing. That’s the manager, Paisley.”
“Paisley?”
She chuckled. “Yeah, it’s an odd name, but she’s cool. The owner’s the weird one. Sees herself as an artist making these ceramic gifts and those painted wineglasses. It’s pretty tacky.”
“Is she here every night?”
“No, I know she’s got several stores, but sometimes I close on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and I’ve seen her a lot. Why are you asking all these questions? Are you a cop?”
An arguing mother and daughter stepped up to the display case just then, distracting the clerk, and Ari left quickly. She wandered into the Bare Essentials and scanned the displays.
Not much of a traveler herself, she had no idea there were bags that kept clothes from wrinkling or tubes that kept toothbrushes sanitary, and she wouldn’t know what to do with the female urination device. It reminded her how much of a homebody she really was. Molly had been the same; they’d never really planned a formal vacation, both of them content with their surroundings as long as they were together.
Toward the back of the store two painted privacy screens separated Georgie’s gift items from the travel supplies. She’d acquired some chic and shabby cabinets to showcase her painted glasses, ceramic bowls and trinkets. Ari studied a martini glass covered with small diamonds and swirls. She couldn’t imagine actually using it, but she’d heard of others doing so.
She liked the ceramic keychains, which were various animals like pandas and giraffes. She imagined younger pre-teens needing their first house key would be drawn to such things. She fingered a few of the bowls, noting everything was expensive.
“Can I help you find anything particular?” a pleasant voice asked.
She beamed at Paisley. “There’s so many great gifts. I’m a little overwhelmed.” She offered a sweeping gaze and said, “When I’ve been in the airport, I’ve never had time to actually stop by, but I’m early today.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Seattle. I’m from Phoenix,” she said, knowing that it was preferable to always tell as much of the truth as possible when crafting a lie.
“Oh,” she replied, and Ari imagined she asked that same question twenty times a day. “Are you interested in something for yourself, or are you looking for a gift, or both?”
She smiled and shrugged. “Either, I suppose. I don’t need anything for my flight, but I love ceramics. Who’s the artist?”
“Oh, that would be the owner, Georgie Garritson. Don’t you love her stuff?” she asked excitedly. She held up a wineglass painted with a baby theme and a cute quote about a little wine keeping a future mother sane. “I just love these.”
“Is she local?”
She nodded proudly. “Born and raised in Laguna Beach. Her husband sits on the city council and her father was in real estate. She has a home studio, but sometimes she dabbles here at the shop in the back room. She’s carved out a corner for herself.”
Ari affected a troubled look. “Oh, I think I read about her family. Isn’t h
er son in some kind of trouble?”
“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” she said, exasperated. “Sam couldn’t hurt anyone, although if he’d listened to his mother, none of this probably would’ve happened.”
“What do you mean?”
She glanced toward the empty store before she said, “Georgie knew Nina wasn’t right for Sam. She was too clingy and demanding, but I suppose that became a moot point.”
“Why do you say that?”
She leaned closer and said, “I heard Nina was pregnant.”
Ari feigned surprise. “Wow, that wasn’t in the papers. Are you sure?”
She nodded, clearly unworried about airing her boss’s dirty laundry to a commuter stranger she’d never see again. “I overheard Georgie talking to Nina. It was a rather heated argument.”
“What were they arguing about?”
“I wasn’t paying too close attention since it was a private conversation, but it sounded like Georgie was trying to convince Nina to go to a doctor, which makes sense if you’re pregnant. She’s full of good advice,” she added proudly. “There was something about getting a second opinion.”
“When was this conversation?”
“A few weeks ago, not too long before she was killed.”
“Did the police ask you about this?”
“Uh-huh. There’s this interesting detective, kinda cute for an older guy. I’m pretty sure he’ll solve it. He told me not to say anything to anyone about the pregnancy, but I doubt you’re included,” she said dismissively.
“You don’t think they suspect your boss, do you?”
“No, of course not. Besides she was closing that night.”
“Wow, it sounds pretty interesting around here.” She glanced at her watch. “Oops! I gotta go.”
“What about your gift?” Paisley asked, holding up the wineglass.
“It’ll have to wait. My plane leaves in ten minutes and I’ve got to get through security,” she said, hustling out the door.
She wandered down the concourse a little further and processed what she’d learned. Georgie knew about the baby. She hadn’t liked Nina, but, still, Ari couldn’t imagine a would-be grandmother killing her grandchild. In any case, it seemed as if Georgie had an airtight alibi.
