Once-in-a-while booty-bumps did no damage; Aaron was proud of his ability to maintain complex relationships.
The exception being Moe …
Liana said, “For this one, I was thinking perky, slightly nasal, wholesome.”
“Go for it.”
He gave her the unlisted number he’d obtained from a source at the phone company, sat by as she punched numbers. Ever the Method actress, she cocked her head, altered her posture, squinted somewhat stupidly.
Transforming
into a Valley Girl.
“Hi, is Rory there?” Putting a little more headcold into it. “Oh … oh, okay, I’m in one of his classes and was wondering … no, it’s not that important, I’ll try later. Thank you
so
much.”
Click. “Mommy expects him home by six thirty.”
“Thank you, baby. Now for the fun part.”
He gave her Riptide’s address on Ocean Avenue, two blocks south of Colorado. Partially gentrified stretch, with that giant Loews Hotel pulling in respectable folks. But dingy motels and cheap apartments persisted, as did low-rent bars, and last year there’d been a hostage situation, a captain from West Valley named Decker whom Aaron knew casually ending up a big-time hero.
Aaron said, “Caitlin’s father said she considered the location convenient since she went to Pepperdine.”
“That’s twenty miles from Pepperdine,” said Liana.
“But on the way home to Venice.”
“Ah … drive most of the way home so you don’t have much to go when you’re really tired. I guess it makes sense.”
“I drove by the place at one thirty a.m. last night—around the time Caitlin was last seen. It’s pretty spooky, Lee. Park as close as you can— use the hotel, go valet if you want.”
Liana smiled. “And be sure to bring back the receipt.”
“That would be nice.”
“Mr. All Business.”
“Aw, you know that’s not true, sweetheart. You’re hearing the message, right? Personal safety is all.”
“We’re not exactly talking mean streets, darling. Ivy at the Shore is what, three blocks up?”
“A block can make a difference, Lee. Last night there were bums pushing shopping carts and lowlifes hanging near a couple of motels. If something feels even a little off, don’t get brave.”
“Fine,” she said. “But I’ve been to Industry parties at Loews.”
“Terrific. Charm the valet and maybe he’ll let you park free.”
Liana laughed and nibbled an eighth of a cookie. “This girl— Caitlin. How long did she work there?”
“Four months.”
“You’re wondering if she ran into some psycho, either there, or nearby.”
“I don’t know enough to wonder anything, Lee. Go in there, order a drink—soft, if you think hard will impede you. Don’t feel pressured to come up with anything huge. Just check the place out, get a feel for the ambience.”
“What’s my motivation, Mr. De Mille?”
“Two hundred for the first four hours, forty for each additional hour.”
“Ooh,” she said. “Generous client, huh?” Rhetorical, because she knew better than to press for details. “They serve food at this gin joint?”
“Probably bar food, at least.”
“I’ll stick with my Lean Quee. Just ambience, huh?”
“If anything specific to Caitlin comes up, that’s a bonus, but I don’t expect it. After fifteen months, there’s no reason for anyone to talk about her.”
“But if someone does, that would be significant.”
“Don’t bring her up in conversation.”
Liana’s liquid blue eyes flashed. “Now I’m insulted.”
“Sorry,” said Aaron. “I just want you safe. Paddle out slowly and watch for sharks.”
“Didn’t know you surfed.”
Aaron had, years ago, working his way up to the active waters of County Line Beach.
He said, “I don’t. I’m just good at metaphors.” He handed her Rory Stoltz’s DMV photo, then a copy of the snapshot of Caitlin he’d gotten from Maitland Frostig.
“Cute couple.”
“Virgins,” said Aaron. “According to Rory’s mother.”
Liana crossed sleek legs. “You
The exception being Moe …
Liana said, “For this one, I was thinking perky, slightly nasal, wholesome.”
“Go for it.”
He gave her the unlisted number he’d obtained from a source at the phone company, sat by as she punched numbers. Ever the Method actress, she cocked her head, altered her posture, squinted somewhat stupidly.
Transforming
into a Valley Girl.
“Hi, is Rory there?” Putting a little more headcold into it. “Oh … oh, okay, I’m in one of his classes and was wondering … no, it’s not that important, I’ll try later. Thank you
so
much.”
Click. “Mommy expects him home by six thirty.”
“Thank you, baby. Now for the fun part.”
He gave her Riptide’s address on Ocean Avenue, two blocks south of Colorado. Partially gentrified stretch, with that giant Loews Hotel pulling in respectable folks. But dingy motels and cheap apartments persisted, as did low-rent bars, and last year there’d been a hostage situation, a captain from West Valley named Decker whom Aaron knew casually ending up a big-time hero.
Aaron said, “Caitlin’s father said she considered the location convenient since she went to Pepperdine.”
“That’s twenty miles from Pepperdine,” said Liana.
“But on the way home to Venice.”
“Ah … drive most of the way home so you don’t have much to go when you’re really tired. I guess it makes sense.”
“I drove by the place at one thirty a.m. last night—around the time Caitlin was last seen. It’s pretty spooky, Lee. Park as close as you can— use the hotel, go valet if you want.”
Liana smiled. “And be sure to bring back the receipt.”
“That would be nice.”
“Mr. All Business.”
“Aw, you know that’s not true, sweetheart. You’re hearing the message, right? Personal safety is all.”
“We’re not exactly talking mean streets, darling. Ivy at the Shore is what, three blocks up?”
“A block can make a difference, Lee. Last night there were bums pushing shopping carts and lowlifes hanging near a couple of motels. If something feels even a little off, don’t get brave.”
“Fine,” she said. “But I’ve been to Industry parties at Loews.”
“Terrific. Charm the valet and maybe he’ll let you park free.”
Liana laughed and nibbled an eighth of a cookie. “This girl— Caitlin. How long did she work there?”
“Four months.”
“You’re wondering if she ran into some psycho, either there, or nearby.”
“I don’t know enough to wonder anything, Lee. Go in there, order a drink—soft, if you think hard will impede you. Don’t feel pressured to come up with anything huge. Just check the place out, get a feel for the ambience.”
“What’s my motivation, Mr. De Mille?”
“Two hundred for the first four hours, forty for each additional hour.”
“Ooh,” she said. “Generous client, huh?” Rhetorical, because she knew better than to press for details. “They serve food at this gin joint?”
“Probably bar food, at least.”
“I’ll stick with my Lean Quee. Just ambience, huh?”
“If anything specific to Caitlin comes up, that’s a bonus, but I don’t expect it. After fifteen months, there’s no reason for anyone to talk about her.”
“But if someone does, that would be significant.”
“Don’t bring her up in conversation.”
Liana’s liquid blue eyes flashed. “Now I’m insulted.”
“Sorry,” said Aaron. “I just want you safe. Paddle out slowly and watch for sharks.”
“Didn’t know you surfed.”
Aaron had, years ago, working his way up to the active waters of County Line Beach.
He said, “I don’t. I’m just good at metaphors.” He handed her Rory Stoltz’s DMV photo, then a copy of the snapshot of Caitlin he’d gotten from Maitland Frostig.
“Cute couple.”
“Virgins,” said Aaron. “According to Rory’s mother.”
Liana crossed sleek legs. “You
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