Chip and remained tight.
Cindy just phoned me to say you’re Coming by, tomorrow afternoon.
Meaning he hadn’t been home when I’d called.
Hadn’t been the man I’d heard Cindy speaking to.
The edginess…
Robin said, “What’s the matter? Your shoulders are all bunched.”
I told her.
“Maybe you’re reading too much into it, Alex. It could have been a
relative visiting-her father or her brother.”
“She doesn’t have either.”
“So it was a cousin or an uncle. Or a service call the plumber, the
electrician, whatever.”
“Sure is. Cassie’s so damned dependent and everyone’s failing her.”
“You’re doing everything you can.”
“I suppose.”
We stayed in the water. I worked at relaxing again, settled finally
for loose muscles and a tight mind. Soap-sud clouds gathered around
Robin’s shoulders like an ermine stole. She looked beautiful “Try
getting one of those guys on a Sunday evening,” I said.
“They’re rich. The rich get what they want when they want It.
“Yeah, maybe that’s all it was. . . . Still, I thought she sounded
nervous. As if I’d caught her off guard.”
“Okay, let’s say she’s having a fling. You already suspect her of
poisoning her kid. Adultery’s a misdemeanor in comparIson.
“Having a fling the first day back from the hospital?”
“Hubby didn’t see anything wrong with flying off to his office the
first day, did he? Ifthat’s his usual pattern, she’s probably a lonely
lady, Alex. He isn’t giving her what she needs, so she’s getting it
elsewhere.
Anyway, does adultery relate to this Munchausen business?”
Anything that makes someone with those tendencies feel helpless could
have an effect. But it’s more than that, Robin. If Cindy’s having an
affair, that could provide a motive. Ditch hubby and kids, get free to
be with her lover.”
“There are easier ways to get free of your family.”
“We’re talking about someone sick.”
“Really sick.”
“I don’t get paid to deal with healthy heads.”
She leaned forward and touched my face. “This is really getting
toyou.” and I told her so.
She said, “What a flatterer, Mer.” But her grin was deep and
heartfelt. At least I’d made someone feel good.
We got back into bed and tackled the Sunday paper. I read carefully
this time, searching for anything on Western Peds or Laurence Ashmore
but finding nothing. The phone rang at ten forty-five.
Robin answered. “Hi, Milo.”
He said something that made her laugh. She said, Absolutely” handed me
the receiver, and returned to her crossword puzzle.
“Nice to hear her voice again,” he said. “Finally, you show some good
judgment.” The connection was clear, but it sounded distant.
“Where are you?”
Alley behind a leather-goods store, little pilfering surveillance,
nothing so far. Am I interrupting something?”
“Domestic bliss,” I said, stroking Robin’s arm. She was concentrating
hard on the puzzle, pencil in mouth, but her hand rose to meet mine and
we laced fingers.
“Lat’s hear it for any kind of bliss,” said Milo. “Got a couple of
things for you. First, your Mr. Huenengarth has an interesting
pattern. Valid driver’s license and social security number, but the
address on the license traces to a mail drop in Tarzana, and he’s got
no phone number, credit history, or IRS file. No county records
either.
No record of him in the military or on the voter roster. Similar
pattern to a long-term con just out of the joint someone who hasn’t
voted or paid taxes. Though he doesn’t show up on NCIC or the parole
rolls either, so maybe it’s a computer glitch or I screwed up
technically. I’ll have Charlie try tomorrow.”
“Phantom of the hospital,” I said. “I feel so much better knowing he’s
head of Security.” Robin looked up briefly, then down again.
“Yeah,” said Milo. “You’d be surprised how many strange types get into
security nutcases who try out for police departments, don’t pass the
psych evaluation. Meantime, keep your distance from him until I can
find out more. Second thing is, I’ve been nosing around the Herbert
file and plan to do a little late-night downtown prowltalk to that
bartender witness.”
“Does he have something new to offer?”
“No, but Gomez and his partner didn’t follow through enough for my