Disrobed for Death

by Sylvia Rochester

A. K. took the coffee from Susan’s hand. “You don’t need any more caffeine. You’re wired enough.”

  “Guess you’re right.”

  “What do you want for breakfast? I need something in my stomach.”

  “Whatever. I’ll join you.”

  Over toast and scrambled eggs, Susan unveiled her plan for the day.

  “No way am I going to sit in this apartment all night and wait for news from Wesley. Just because I can’t be with him, doesn’t mean I can’t be there.”

  “It’s a gated complex, remember? How are you going to get in?”

  “Easy, I’ll follow on the bumper of another car. The gate will hold long enough for two cars to slip through. I used to do that in New York when I forgot my parking card to the garage where I worked.”

  “Do you even know which apartment is his?”

  “That’s easy enough to find out. I’ll call Ramona.”

  After putting the dishes in the dishwasher, they went into the den where Susan reached into her purse and pulled out her cell. “Her number’s stored from the last time I called her.”

  Ramona answered on the fourth ring.

  “You sound out of breath,” Susan said.

  “I was outside picking up the Sunday paper.”

  “Everything is set for tonight. Wesley’s going to follow Jack home. I begged to go with him, but he said the department would frown on me being with him since he’s supposed to be on duty. That doesn’t mean I can’t watch from a distance, be there should he catch someone. Waiting and not knowing isn’t in my makeup.”

  “You’re much braver than I am. I don’t think my heart could take it.”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t nervous, but A. K. will be with me. We can look out for one another.”

  “I assume you have a way into the complex.”

  “That won’t be a problem. Which apartment is his?”

  “It’s the first building on your right. There are four units in that structure, and his is the bottom left.”

  “That sounds easy enough to find. I’ll call the minute I see or hear anything.”

  “You better.”

  Susan closed the cell.

  “What now?” A. K. asked.

  “It’s going to be a long, cold night. Will you be okay in those jeans, or do you want to borrow a pair of warm-ups?”

  “I’m good, but a blanket and extra sweat shirts might come in handy. Since we won’t be running the heater, the more we can layer the better. What else?”

  “Snacks. We’re sure to get hungry. I’ll fill a thermos with hot chocolate and pack some bottled water, too. Oh, and I need to make sure my cell is fully charged.”

  “What about rain gear?” A. K. asked, looking out the window.

  “I have a couple of ponchos left over from football games, beats struggling with an umbrella. I’d better grab a flashlight, too. There’s one in the kitchen drawer.”

  “What if we need to use the bathroom?”

  “You either hold it or find a bush. At least, it’ll be dark, and the poncho will keep you covered. Best we make a pit stop before we head out.”

  A. K. screwed up her face. “Yuck! Squatting in the rain. How glamorous.”

  While Susan packed a warm-up bag with the different items, A. K. gathered snacks from the pantry and tossed them into a plastic bag.

  “Here’s a vinyl tote,” Susan said. “It’ll hold several water bottles and my thermos.”

  Susan draped her jacket over a chair and handed A. K. the tote.

  After they finished packing what they needed, they put everything by the front door. Susan was just about to plug in her phone to make sure it was fully charged when it rang. The screen showed Herman’s name.

  “What’s up?” she asked, putting the phone on speaker.

  “Gary’s up to something,” he said. “Vera and I have watched his place all day, and he sure is acting strange. He closed all the drapes, pulled his truck around the back, and dragged the lawn furniture and garbage cans into his shed. About an hour ago, he threw a duffle bag and a couple of work-out bags into the trunk of his car.

  “He’s back in the house now, and I don’t hear any movement. There isn’t a hurricane heading this way, but he sure looks like he’s preparing to get of town. Either the hit is still on, or he is preparing to establish an alibi.”

  “My money is on him having an alibi. That’s not good news. Tells me he knows someone is going to die. Or, when they had their argument, Clarissa could have said she was going to implicate him no matter what happened. I don’t put anything past her. She just might do the job herself. Are you sure Gary’s not on to you?”

  “Sure as I can be.”

  “Then don’t let him out of your sight. I’m sure he’ll keep trying to get money out of Clarissa. He’s not too bright. If he contacts her, their calls can be traced.”

  “Not if he uses a disposable phone.”

  “This is a nightmare. Here I thought we’d eliminated Gary. Stay on his tail. Let me know the minute he leaves his place.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In Palmetto, but I won’t be at my apartment later. Don’t worry. You can always reach me on my cell.” Susan closed the phone and tapped it against her thigh.

  “If Gary’s still the man, we won’t have any problem spotting him, and neither should Wesley,” A. K. said. “It’s an unknown person showing up that worries me.”

  “We should leave before dark. I want us to get situated before Wesley arrives. Besides, we might have to wait a while before we can follow someone into the complex.

  A. K. looked at the clock over the mantel. “It’s way too early to leave now. What do we do in the meantime?”

  Susan shrugged. “We could go to the Bawdy Boutique, get things ready for next week.”

  “Pass. Monday will come soon enough.”

  “You’re right, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk business. I’m thinking about opening a costume shop. There’s enough land for an adjoining building, and you’d be perfect at managing that type of store.”

  “How long has this idea been cooking?”

  “Quite a while, actually. Hammond has a party supply store, but they don’t specialize in costumes. Louisiana has a festival or celebration almost every month. Mardi Gras and Halloween alone would bring in a ton of customers.”

  A. K. gave Susan her I’m-thinking-about-it look, the one where she frowns and screws her mouth from side-to-side while she mulls over the situation. “I can see where such a business would have possibilities, but I can’t see myself managing such a store.”

  That was not the answer Susan had expected. She was counting on A. K. to be excited and full of suggestions. “I’ve got to say I’m disappointed. I can’t possibly run both stores, and you are the only person I’d trust to get the costume shop on sound footing.”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t interested. I said managing the store didn’t appeal to me. Part-owner sounds much better.”

  “Are you serious? I’m open to that, but it would take quite a bit of money. Is that doable?”

  “My credit’s good, so I should be able to float a loan. Of course, I’d have to make some adjustments, cut back on certain things. First on the list to go would have to be my apartment. I love the Regency. It’s close to town, easy to get to everything that’s going on, but it’s really pricey. I suppose if I had to, I could sacrifice and make do with something similar to yours.”

  “And what’s wrong with my place?”

  “Really? Shuffleboard and canasta in the recreation room doesn’t exactly excite me. And did you take a good look poolside this summer? Never saw such a bevy of beached whales. They’ve totally ruined the lounges and chairs. The webbing is so stretched your butt will scrape the concrete.”

  “You do have a flare for the dramatic. That’s why you’d be perfect for the costume shop, and as my new partner.”

  “It could be fun. I particularly like the idea of dressing in costume. I could be a new
character every day.”

  “I’m not in it for fun. The purpose of the venture is profit, a good one. I want to consult with shop owners in New Orleans and meet with a financial adviser at the bank before I make a final decision.”

  “Yea, you do all the leg work and leave the esthetics to me. I can picture the shop now, its facade painted in garish colors to attract passersby, its name scrolled over the entrance. By the way, what do you plan to call it?”

  “Thought I’d leave that up to you.”

  “Wise choice. Let’s see. Faceoff, no. Undercover…no. Peek-a Boo—Guess Who? Uh, way too long. Come on. Help me out here.”

  “Keep trying. I’m sure when the right one hits you, you’ll know.”

  A. K. kept spouting names, and Susan yea or nay’d them. Eventually, both Susan and A. K. kicked back and took a nap. The next time Susan checked the time, it showed five thirty. “It’s getting dark outside, time to head out. You ready?”

  A. K. had a dreamy look in her eyes, and Susan could tell A. K. was lost in her thoughts.

  “Hey, you in there?” Susan asked, waving a hand in front of A. K.’s eyes.

  Her friend snapped back to reality. “Uh, just thinking. Yes, I’m ready. I never dreamed when I joined you and the Bawdy Boutique that we would become partners in crime.”

  “And you thought moving to Palmetto would be dull.”

  Susan opened the door to a pouring rain. “Better put on your poncho,” she said, pulling one from the tote bag and handing it to A. K. Shaking loose another one, she pulled the vinyl wrap over her head.

  The two splashed through water that cascaded down the sidewalk and over the curb, and hurried into A. K.’s Mustang.

  “Now I know what we forgot—a towel. My poor seat is drenched.”

  Susan grabbed one of the sweat shirts. “This will help. Take off your poncho.” Susan rolled them up and placed them on the floor. Then she proceeded to dry off her seat and passed the sweat shirt to A. K. “Sorry, it’s the best I can do.”

  A. K. raised her behind and patted down the driver’s seat. “Nothing like sitting in a car all night with a wet butt.”

  “That’s the least of my worries. I sure hope the rain stops. It’s hard enough to see in the dark, much less through a blurry windshield.”

  “Okay, Sherlock, here we go.”

  Chapter 17

  The entrance to Jack’s apartment consisted of two low iron gates hinged between three brick columns, one for entry and the other to exit. To enter, the driver had to punch a code into the panel mounted on the driver’s side of the center column. The exit gate opened automatically when a vehicle approached from the inside. While gated, there was no security guard on the premises. Palmetto had a low crime rate, and the complex apparently hadn’t seen a need for further protection.

  “Pull over to the curb and wait for a car to enter,” Susan said. “When they stop to punch in the code, get behind the car and hug the bumper. When it goes, you go.”

  “If the gate closes on me, you’re going to owe me a paint job.”

  “Trust me. You’ll clear it.”

  A. K. did as she was told, and the Mustang entered the grounds without a problem. When the other car pulled away, A. K. slowed the Mustang to a crawl.

  Rain swirled in the street lights lining the roadway, and over every apartment, an entrance light blazed. Low and well-trimmed shrubbery dotted the landscape.

  “Where to now?” A. K. asked.

  “There, just past his apartment and on the other side of the road. That street light is out, and there’s a dumpster at the curb. Pull in behind it. We should be able to see anyone approaching from the front and still have a pretty good view of the back of the building. And hopefully, Wesley won’t spot us.”

  For the next hour, they sat in silence, each concentrating on their surroundings. Susan strained to see if she could make out anyone crouched in shadowy areas. Her gaze roamed from Jack’s front door, along the side of the building, and to the rear door of his apartment. She also kept her eyes peeled for Wesley’s black Tundra. She had neglected to ask Ramona what kind of car Jack drove, but he should enter just prior to Wesley. From her vantage point, she had a clear view of the entrance gate.

  “Incognito,” A. K. blurted out.

  “What?”

  “The name of the costume shop. It’s perfect.”

  “I can’t believe you’re still hung up on that. You do know nothing’s definite. The bank might not want to finance it.”

  “Anything’s possible if you want it bad enough.”

  “Well, we have plenty of time to decide on a name. Right now, we need to concentrate on the surroundings and everyone coming and going.”

  A. K. squinted and pointed across the street.

  “Well, that’s interesting. I counted eight people getting out of that van, and they’re all entering the apartment next to Jack’s.” Seconds later, music drifted toward them, along with the constant boom, boom, boom from a sub-woofer. “If the doc was planning on a good night’s sleep, he’d better think again.”

  “I don’t like it—too many people make for too many distractions. Someone could slip by unnoticed in such a throng, and all that noise doesn’t help either.”

  “Are you afraid it might cover up a gunshot?”

  “It’s possible.”

  “Well, at least the racket will help keep us awake.”

  Headlights drew Susan’s attention to the entrance. “Here comes another car, and the one behind it looks like Wesley’s truck.”

  A dark colored Jaguar entered the complex and pulled curbside next to Jack’s building.

  “That’s Jack,” Susan said. “And Wesley is parking across the street from him. The dumpster should keep us pretty well hidden.”

  “Well, hello there, Doctor Evans,” A. K. said as if he were seated in the car. “I heard you were interested in me. What’s the matter? Your phone broken?”

  “The man’s a workaholic. I know he has the hots for you. I could tell. Give him time.”

  An umbrella poked up through the partially opened door, and Jack stepped out underneath it. He carried a rolled up newspaper under one arm, and in his free hand, he held a bag with what looked like Tilly’s logo. Susan breathed deeply, imagining the aroma of one of her famous roast beef po-boys and curly onion rings. Instead, she picked up a rank odor from the nearby dumpster. Sitting forward, she scanned the grounds. She saw nothing out of the ordinary, and to her relief, Jack entered his place alone.

  “Where are our munchies?” Susan asked, her stomach rumbling at the thought of food.

  A. K. reached into the back seat and handed Susan their sack of junk food.

  A granola bar was better than nothing, but she would love to have had what Jack was eating.

  “Okay, the chicken is in the coop,” A. K. said, reclining her seat a few degrees. “Now all we have to do is wait for the big, bad wolf.”

  And wait they did. A few hours dragged by without incident. Around ten o’clock, Herman called again.

  “Good news. We can rule Gary out as the hit man. He drove straight to New Orleans where he is boarding a plane to Atlanta. So, I’m wondering now if Clarissa has anything else planned. Vera tells me she’s one determined woman.”

  “Is Vera with you?”

  “No, sitting for long hours isn’t good for her circulation, so I suggested she stay at home. I have a friend watching Clarissa’s place, and as soon as Gary’s plane takes off, I’m going to take over surveillance from him. My friend said Clarissa’s Lexus is parked out front, and she hasn’t left the place. I’ll let you know if and when she’s on the move.”

  “I’m so relieved to hear that Gary is leaving. Maybe that’ll end it for Clarissa. I can’t imagine her pulling the trigger, or that she could scrounge up enough money to hire someone else. But stranger things have happened. Knowing Wesley won’t have to contend with Gary makes me feel lots better. And if Clarissa does try something, she’ll be no match for Hammond�
�s finest. Keep me posted, and I’ll let you know the minute I hear something.”

  Susan hung up the phone and turned to A. K. “We might be sitting here all night for nothing, but that would be a wonderful thing.”

  A tap on the window caught Susan totally off guard. Adrenalin shot through her body.

  “Oh no,” she squealed and grabbed for A. K.

  “You okay?” a man asked, sticking his face close to the window.

  Rivulets of water on the passenger glass distorted his features. With her over-active imagination in high gear, Susan saw him as a zombie in Dawn of the Dead.

  “You need any help?” he asked.

  On second glance, she saw him for what he really was, a guy dressed in warm ups and holding a white garbage bag.

  “Uh…no…we’re fine, just waiting on someone.”

  The man shrugged, tossed his bag into the dumpster, and walked toward the back of the complex.

  “I never saw him coming,” A. K. said.

  “That tells me we’re not cut out for this job. I’m sure glad Wesley’s here.”

  A. K. rotated her shoulders back and forth then rubbed her hands down her back. “Oh what I’d give to stretch out. You’re going to owe me big time.”

  “There’s nothing glamorous about a stakeout. It’s definitely not my thing. In a way, it’s strange. Wesley and I are not more than a hundred yards apart, yet it might as well be a million miles. The other night, I was at his place sitting in front of a blazing fire. In his arms, I feel safe. Nothing else in the world matters.”

  “Girl, you got it bad.”

  “You think?” Susan laughed. That little bit of humor seemed to take the edge off the night.

  “Well, what do you know,” A. K. said. “The rain has stopped.”

  Susan’s mind was still on Wesley, but this time, she was thinking about his job. “I could never be a cop. Every day they put their lives in danger and take down the scum of the earth, and sometimes they’re accosted for no reason by total strangers who appear to be in danger. Often they’re just strung out on drugs. I’d hate to face those possibilities every day.

  “I thought about getting a gun for protection but never did. Right now, I kind of wish we had a weapon,” A. K. said.