then grinned. An amazingly lovely grin. “Yes, of course, that would be
the most likely place.”
He owns a motel?” Julio asked.
“A run-down place in Las Vegas,” Teddy said. “He just bought it.
Formed a new corporation to make the purchase. Might take the feds a
while to tumble to the place because it’s such a recent acquisition and
in another state. Place is empty, out of business, but it was sold with
furnishings. Even the manager’s apartment was furnished, I think, so
Ben and Rachael could squirrel away there in comfort.”
Julio glanced at Reese and said, “What do you think?”
Reese had to look away from Teddy in order to breathe and speak. With a
funny little wheeze, he said, “Sounds right.”
Pacing again, flamingo-pink silk swirling around her knees, Teddy said,
“I know it’s right. Ben’s in that project with Whitney Gavis, and
Whitney is maybe the only man on earth Ben really, fully trusts.”
“Who’s this Gavis?” Julio asked.
“‘They were in Vietnam together,” she said. “They’re tight. As tight
as brothers. Tighter, maybe. You know, Ben’s a real nice guy, one of
the best, and anyone’ll tell you so. He’s gentle, open, so dam honest
and honorable that some people just plain don’t believe him for a while,
until they’ve gotten to know him better. But it’s funny…
in a way … he holds almost everyhody at arm’s length, never quite
reveals himself completely. Except, I think, with Whit Gavis. It’s as
if things happened to him in the war that made him forever different
from other people, that made it impossible for him to be truly close to
anyone except those who went through the same thing he went through and
came out with their minds in one piece. Like Whit.
“Is he close in the same way with Mrs. Leben?” Julio asked.
“Yes, I think so. I think he loves her,” Teddy said, “which makes her
about the luckiest woman I know.”
Reese sensed jealousy in Teddy’s voice, and his heart felt as if it
broke loose and plummeted down through his chest.
Apparently Julio heard the same note, for he said, “Forgive me, Teddy,
but I’m a cop, and I’m curious by nature, and you sounded as if you
wouldn’t mind if he’d fallen for you.”
She blinked in surprise, then laughed. “Me and Ben?
No, no. For one thing, I’m taller than he is, and in heels I positively
tower over him. Besides, he’s a homehodya quiet, peaceful man who reads
old mystery novels and collects trains. No, Ben’s a great guy, but I’m
far too flamboyant for him, and he’s too low-key for me.”
Reese’s heart stopped plummeting.
Teddy said, “Oh, I’m just jealous of Rachael because she’s found herself
a good man, and I haven’t. When you’re my size, you know from the start
that men aren’t going to flock to youxcept basketball players, and I
hate jocks. Then, when you get to be thirty-two, you can’t help feeling
a bit sour every time you see someone catch a good one, can’t help it
even when you’re happy for them.”
Reese’s heart soared.
After Julio had asked a few more questions about the motel in Las Vegas
and had ascertained its location, he and Reese got up, and Teddy
accompanied them to the door. Step by step, Reese wracked his mind for
an approach, an opening line. As Julio opened the door, Reese looked
back at Teddy and said, “Uh, excuse me, Miss Bertlesman, but I’m a cop,
and asking questions is my business, you know, and I was wondering if
you’re…” He didn’t know where to go with it.
if you’re maybe… …. . seeing anyone particular.”
Listening to himself, Reese was amazed and dismayed that Julio could
sound so smooth while he, trying to imitate his partner’s cool manner,
could sound so rough and obvious.
Smiling up at him, she said, “Does this have bearing on the case you’re
investigating?”
“Well.. .1 just thought… I mean… I wouldn’t want you mentioning
this conversation to anyone. I mean, it’s not just that we could get in
trouble with our captain… but if you mentioned the motel to anyone,