“Here I go again,” I said, “bringing the bad stuff into your life.” I stood. “I was wrong. Tim was right.”
“About what?”
“The last time you saw me you were upset. I should know better.”
She frowned. “Tim tries to protect me. . . . I was upset. But not by anything you did.”
“What, then?”
“Everything. The state of the world—all this change. I know we did the right thing, but . . . then Baby Boy. One day I’m talking to him, the next day he no longer exists. At the time I guess I was especially vulnerable. I’m better now. Talking to you helped.”
“Till now.”
“Even now.”
She took hold of my wrist. “You were there for me.”
“For a change.”
She let go and shook her head. “With all our history, you still need to fish for compliments?”
The spot where she’d touched me itched.
“Sit down,” she said. “Please. Have more tea. We can be civilized.”
I took a seat.
“Baby Boy was my friend,” she said. “I had no relationship with China. My only contact with her was that one job, and she wasn’t happy with it. Remember how she flipped me off?”
“Flipped us off,” I said. “I think it was me she didn’t care for. She kept calling me Mr. Yuppie.”
“She was obnoxious . . . there’s something she didn’t have in common with Baby. He was the sweetest guy in the world. Another difference is that he had real talent. And her body was buried—no, I don’t see it, Alex. My bet is she allowed herself to get picked up by the wrong person, maybe shot off her mouth and paid for it.”
“Makes sense,” I said. “She left the session angry. What about her band? Any of them ever display aggressive tendencies?”
“Those guys?” she said. “Hardly. They were like China. College kids playing naughty. And why would they kill China? When she died, so did the band. What does Milo think?”
“I haven’t asked him, yet.”
“You came here, first?”
“You’re a lot better-looking.”
“I guess that would depend on who you ask.”
“No,” I said. “Even Rick would say you’re cuter.” I got up again. “Thanks and sorry if I upset your biorhythm. Have a good nap.”
I began walking toward the front of the house.
“They’re hard, aren’t they?” she called after me.
“What?”
“Changes in biorhythm. Tim’s wonderful to me, but sometimes I still find myself starting to say something to you . . . are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“She’s treating you well?”
“Yes. How’s Spike?”
“Too bad he’s not here,” she said. “Periodontal work.”
“Ouch.”
“They’re keeping him overnight. You can visit. Call to make sure someone’s here.”
“Thanks.”
“Okay,” she said, standing. “Let me walk you out.”
“Not necessary.”
“Not necessary but polite. Mama raised me right.”
She accompanied me to the curb. “I’ll think more about China, ask around. If I come up with anything, I’ll let you know.” Big grin. “Hey, look at me: girl detective.”
“Don’t even think about it,” I said.
She took my hand in both of hers. “Alex, what I said before is true. You didn’t upset me. Not then, and not now.”
“Big tough girl?”
She looked up at me and smiled. “I’m still pretty small.”
Once upon a time, you took up a big corner of my heart.
“Not to me,” I said.
“You could always do that,” she said. “Make me feel important. I’m not sure I did that for you.”
“Of course you did,” I said.
She’s wonderful. What the hell happened?
Allison’s wonderful . . .
I dropped her hand, got into the car, started up the engine, and turned to give her a wave. She’d already gone inside.
12
A partner. The last thing Petra needed.
Not that she had any choice. Halfway through her shift, Schoelkopf had summoned her into his office and dangled a scrap of paper in her face. Transfer slip.
“From where?” she said.
“The Army. He’s new to the department but he’s got serious experience as a military investigator, so don’t treat him like an idiot rookie.”
“Captain, I’ve been doing fine solo—”
“Well, gee, that’s great, Connor. I’m so glad the job’s giving you intrinsic satisfaction. Here you go.”