N Is for Noose

by Sue Grafton

  "It's possible," I said.

  "Yeah, well it's also possible Pinkie overstepped his bounds for once. He was one of those little guys, chip on his shoulder and feisty as all get out. I can't say that about Alfie. He seemed harmless. Pinkie's another matter. Whoever killed Pinkie should get a medal, in my opinion. And don't quote me. Dolores gets upset if she hears me talkin' like that. I notice I'm doing all the talking."

  "I appreciate that."

  "This is good. I appreciate your appreciation. Now it's your turn. What's a private investigator doing in the middle of a homicide investigation? Last I heard they didn't have a suspect so you can't be working for the public defender's office."

  Given his cooperation, I thought he was entitled to an explanation. I filled him in on the situation, beginning with Selma Newquist and ending with Colleen Sellers. The only thing I omitted were details of the two killings. He didn't seem curious about specifics and I wouldn't have revealed the information for all the money in the world. In the meantime, on an almost subliminal level, I could hear an odd series of voices from another room. At first, I thought the sound was coming from a radio, or television set, but the phrases were repeated, the tone lifeless and mechanical. Homer heard it, too, and his gaze caught mine. He tilted his head in the direction of the short hallway that seemed to lead into a back bedroom. "Dolores's back there. You want to talk to her?"

  "If you think it's okay."

  "She can handle it," he said. "Give me a second and I'll tell her what's going on. She might have something to add."

  He moved down the hall to the door, tapping once before he entered. As he eased through the opening, I felt a moment's unease. Here I was in a strange house in the company of a man I'd never laid eyes on before. I had taken him at face value, trusting him on instinct though I wasn't sure why. Really, I only had his word for it that Dolores was in the other room. I had one of those flash fantasies of him emerging from the bedroom with a butcher knife in hand. Fortunately, life, even for a private eye, is seldom this interesting. The door opened again and Homer motioned me in.

  At first sight, I thought Dolores Ruggles couldn't have been a day over twenty-five. Later, I found out that she was twenty-eight, which still seemed too young to be married to a man Homer's age. Slim, petite, she sat at a workbench in a room filled with Barbie dolls. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall, dressed in an astonishing array of styles, these bland plastic women were decked out in miniature sun dresses, evening clothes, suits, furs, shorts, capes, pedal pushers, bathing suits, baby doll pajamas, sheaths – each outfit complete with appropriate accessories. There was a whole row of Barbie brides, though I'd never thought of her as married. The row below showed twenty Barbies uniformed as flight attendants and nurses, which must have represented the entire gambit of career options available to her. Some of the dolls were still in their boxes and some were freestanding, affixed to round plastic mounts. There was a row of seated Barbies – black, Hispanic, blonde, brunette – their long perfect legs extended like a chorus line, all shoeless, their unblemished limbs ending in nearly pointed toes. Their arms were long and impossibly smooth. Their necks must have contained extra vertebrae to support the weight of their tousled manes of hair. I confess I found myself at a loss for words. Homer leaned against the open door, watching for my reaction.

  I could tell something was expected of me so I said, "Amazing," in what I hoped was a properly respectful tone.

  Homer laughed. "I thought you'd like that. I don't know a woman alive who can resist a room full of dolls."

  I said, "Ah."

  Dolores glanced at me shyly. She had a doll in her lap, not a Barbie to all appearances, but some other type. With a little hammer and an X-acto knife, she was cutting open its stomach. There was a box of identical little plastic girls, sexless, unmarred, standing close together with their chests pierced in a pattern of holes like those old-fashioned radio speakers. Beside them, there was a box of little girls' heads, eyes demurely closed, a smile turning up the corners of each set of perfect lips. "Chatty Cathys," she said. "It's a new hobby. I fix their voices so they can talk again."

  "That's great."

  Homer said, "I'll leave you girls to your own devices. You have a lot you want to talk about."

  He closed me into the room with her, as pleased with himself as a parent introducing two new best friends to each other. Clearly, he hadn't guessed my unfortunate history with surrogate children. My first, a Betsy Wetsy, if she'd survived, would have had to enter therapy at some point in her life. At age six, I thought it was a bore to be constantly feeding her those tiny bottles of water and it annoyed me no end every time she peed in my lap. Once I figured out it was the water, I quit feeding her altogether and then I used her as the pedestrian I ran over with my trike. This was my definition of motherly love and probably explains why I'm not a parent today.

  "How many Barbies do you have?" I asked, feigning enthusiasm for the little proto-women.

  "A little over two thousand. That's the star of my collection, a number one Barbie still in her original package. The seal's been broken, but she's in near-mint condition. I'm afraid to tell you what I paid," she said. Her speech was uninflected, her manner without affect. She made little eye contact, addressing most of her comments to the doll as she worked. "Homer's always been very supportive."

  "I can see that," I said.

  "I'm a bit of a purist. A lot of collectors are interested in others in the line – you know, Francie, Tuttie and Todd, Jamie, Skipper, Christie, Cara, Casey, Buffy. I never cared for them myself. And certainly not Ken. Did you have a Barbie as a kid?"

  "I can't say I did," I said. I picked one up and examined her. "She looks like she's suffering from some sort of eating disorder, doesn't she? What prompted you to get into Chatty Cathys? That seems far afield for a Barbie purist."

  "Most of the Chatties aren't mine. I'm repairing them for a friend who runs a business doing this. It's not as far-fetched as it seems. Chatty Cathy was introduced in 1960, the year after Barbie. Chatty Cathy was more realistic – freckles, buck teeth, little pot belly – this in addition to her ability to speak. Even with Barbie, 1967 to 1973 is known as the Talking Era, which includes the Twist 'n' Turn dolls. Few people realize that."

  "I know I didn't," I said. "What's that thing?"

  "That's the little three-inch vinyl record of Cathy's sayings. When you pull the string, it activates a spring that makes that little rubber belt drive the turntable. The early versions of the doll had eleven sayings, but that was increased to eighteen. Odd thing about Chatties is that no two look alike. Of course, they were mass-produced, but they all seem to be different. It's almost creepy in some ways. Anyway, I'm sure you didn't drive all the way down here to talk about dolls. You're interested in my father."

  "Homer filled me in, but I'd like to hear your version. I understand he and Alfie Toth spent some time with you just after they were released from Chino."

  "That's right. Pops was feeling sorry for himself because none of the other kids wanted anything to do with him. He tried to spend a night with my brother, Clint – he lives down in Inglewood by the L.A. airport. Clint's still bitter about Pops. He refused to let him in, but he told him he could sleep in the toolshed if he wanted to. Pops was furious, of course, so he left in a huff, but not before he broke into Clint's house. Him and Alfie waited 'til Clint was gone, stole his cash, and busted up all his furniture."

  "That must have been a big hit. Did Clint report it to the police?"

  Dolores seemed startled, the first real reaction I'd seen. "Why would he do that?"

  "I've heard there was a plainclothes detective trying to serve a warrant against Toth around the time of his death. I'm wondering if it dated back to that same incident."

  Dolores shook her head. "I'm sure not. Clint would never do a thing like that. He might not want Pops in his house, but he'd never snitch on him. It's odd, but when my sister Maine called – this was just about a year ago – to say they'd found
his body, I started laughing so hard I peed my pants. Homer had to call the doctor when it turned out I couldn't quit. Doctor gave me a shot to calm me down. He said it was hysteria, but it was actually relief. We hadn't heard from him for five years by then so I guess I was waiting for the other shoe to drop."

  "Why do you think he went from Clint's to Lake Tahoe?"

  "My sister lives up there. Or one of them, at any rate. Not in Lake Tahoe exactly, but that vicinity."

  "Really? I've been curious what prompted him to travel in that direction."

  "I don't think Maine's husband was any happier to see him than Homer was."

  "How long was he with her?"

  "A week or so. Maine told me later him and Alfie went off to go fishing and that's the last anyone ever saw Pops as far as I know."

  "Do you think I could talk to her? I'm sure the police have covered this ground, but it would be helpful to me."

  "Oh, sure. She isn't hard to find. She works as a clerk in the sheriff's department up there."

  "Up there where?"

  "Nota Lake. Her name is Margaret, but everybody in the family calls her Marne."

  Chapter 17

  * * *

  When I got home, Henry was in the backyard, kneeling in the flower bed. I crossed the lawn, pausing to watch him at work. He was aware of my presence, but seemed content with the quiet. He wore a white T-shirt and farmer's pants with padded knees. His feet were bare, long, and bony, the high arches very white against the faded grass. The air was sweet and mild. Even with the noon sun directly overhead, the temperature was moderate. I could already see crocuses and hyacinths coming up in clusters beside the garage. I sat down on a wooden lawn chair while he turned the soil with a hand trowel. The earth was soft and damp, worms recoiling from the intrusion when his efforts disturbed them. His rose bushes were barren sticks, bristling with thorns, the occasional leaf bud suggesting that spring was on its way. The lawn, which had been dormant much of the winter, was beginning to waken with the encouragement of recent rains. I could see a haze of green where the new blades were beginning to push up through the brown. "People tend to associate autumn with death, but spring always seems a lot closer to me," he remarked.

  "Why's that?"

  "There's no deep philosophical significance. Somehow in my history, a lot of people I love have ended up dying this time of year. Maybe they yearn to look out the window and see new leaves on the trees. It's a time of hope and that might be enough if you're on your way out; allows you to let go, knowing the world is moving on as it always has."

  "I have to go back to Nota Lake," I said.

  "When?"

  "Sometime next week. I'd like to hang out here long enough to get my hand back in working order."

  "Why go at all?"

  "I have to talk to someone."

  "Can't you do that by phone?"

  "It's too easy for people to tell lies on the phone. I like to see faces," I said. I was silent, listening to the homely chucking of his trowel in the dirt. I pulled my legs up and wrapped my arms around my knees. "Remember in the old days when we talked about vibes?"

  I could see Henry smile. "You have bad vibes?"

  "The worst." I held up my right hand and tried flexing the fingers, which were still so swollen and stiff I could barely make a fist.

  "Don't go. You don't have anything to prove."

  "Of course I do, Henry. I'm a girl. We're always having to prove something."

  "Like what?"

  "That we're tough. That we're as good as the guys, which I'm happy to report is not that hard."

  "If it's true, why do you have to prove it?"

  "Comes with the turf. just because we believe it, doesn't mean guys do."

  "Who cares about men? Don't be macha."

  "I can't help it. Anyway, this isn't about pride. This is about mental health. I can't afford to let some guy intimidate me like that. Trust me, somewhere up in Nota Lake he's laughing his ass off, thinking he's run me out of town."

  "The Code of the West. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do."

  "It feels bad. The whole thing. I don't remember feeling this much dread. That son of a bitch hurt me. I hate giving him the opportunity to do it again."

  "At least your tetanus shot's up to date."

  "Yeah, and my butt still hurts. I got a knot on my hip the size of a hard-boiled egg."

  "So what worries you?"

  "What worries me is I got my fingers dislocated before I knew jack-shit. Now that I'm getting closer, what's the guy going to do? You think he'll go down without trying to take me with him?"

  "Phone's ringing," he remarked.

  "God, Henry. How can you hear that? You're eighty-six years old."

  "Three rings."

  I was off the chair and halfway across the yard by then. I left my door open and caught the phone on the fly, just as the machine kicked in. I pressed STOP, effectively cutting off the message. "Hello, hello, hello."

  "Kinsey, is that you? I thought this was your machine."

  "Hi, Selma. You lucked out. I was out in the yard."

  "I'm sorry to have to bother you."

  "Not a problem. What's up?"

  "Someone's been searching Tom's study. I know this sounds odd, but I'm sure someone came in here and moved the items on his desk. It's not like the room was trashed, but something's off. I can't see that anything's missing and I don't know how I'd prove it even if there was."

  "How'd they get in?"

  She hesitated. "I was only gone for an hour, maybe slightly more. I hardly ever lock the door for short periods like that."

  "What makes you so sure someone was there?"

  "I can't explain. I'd been sitting in Tom's den earlier, before I went out. I was feeling depressed and it seemed like a comfort just to sit in his chair. You know how it is when you think about things. You're aware of your surroundings because your gaze tends to wander while your mind is elsewhere. I guess I was realizing how much work you'd done. Anyway, when I got home, I set my handbag on the kitchen table and went back to the car. I'd picked up some boxes to finish packing Tom's books. The minute I walked into his den I could see the difference."

  "You haven't had any visitors?"

  "Oh, please. You know how people have been treating me. I might as well hang out a sign... 'Town siren. Straying husbands apply here."'

  "What about Brant? How do you know he wasn't in there looking for something on Tom's desk?"

  "I asked him, but he was at Sherry's until a few minutes ago. I had him check the perimeter, but there's no sign of forced entry."

  "Who'd bother to force entrance with all the doors unlocked?" I said. "Can Brant tell if anything's missing?"

  "He's in the same boat I'm in. It's certainly nothing obvious, if it's anything at all. Whoever it was seemed to work with great care. It was only coincidental that I'd been in there this morning or I don't think I'd have noticed. Do you think I should call the sheriff's office?"

  "Yeah, you better do that," I said. "Later, if it turns out something's been stolen, you can follow up."

  "That's what Brant said." There was a tiny pause while she changed tacks, her voice assuming a faintly injured tone. "I must say, I've been upset about your lack of communication. I've been waiting to hear from you."

  "Sorry, but I haven't had the chance. I was going to call you in a bit," I said. I noticed how defensive I sounded in response to her reproof.

  "Now that I have you on the line, could you tell me what's happening? I assume you're still working even if you haven't kept in touch."

  "Of course." I controlled my desire to bristle and I filled her in on my activities the past day and a half, sidestepping the personal aspects of Tom's relationship with Colleen Sellers. Telling a partial truth is much harder than an outright lie. Here I was, trying to protect her, while she was chiding me for neglect. Talk about ungrateful. I was tempted to tell all, but I repressed the urge. I kept my tone of voice professional, while my inner kid holl
ered Up yours. "Tom came down here in June as part of an investigation. Do you remember the occasion? He was probably gone overnight."

  "Yes," she said, slowly. "It was two days. What's the relevance?"

  "There was a homicide down here Tom felt was connected to some skeletal remains found in Nota County last spring."

  "I know the case you're referring to. He didn't say much about it, but I know it bothered him. What about it.?"

  "Well, if we're talking about an active homicide investigation, I don't have the authority. I'm a private investigator, which is the equivalent of doing freelance research. I can't, even on your say-so, stick my nose into police business."

  "I don't see why not. Surely, there's no law against asking questions."

  "I have asked questions and I'm telling you what I found. Tom was stressed out about matters that had nothing to do with you."

  "Why didn't he tell me what it was, if that's true?"

  "You were the one who said he played things close to his chest, especially when it came to work."

  "Well yes, but if this is strictly professional, then why would someone go to all the trouble to search the house?"

  "Maybe the department needed his notes or his files or a telephone number or a missing report. It could be anything," I said, rattling off the possibilities as quickly as they occurred to me.

  "Why didn't they call and ask?"

  "How do I know? Maybe they were in a hurry and you weren't home," I said, exasperated. It all sounded lame, but she was backing me into corners and it was annoying me no end.

  "Kinsey, I am paying you to get to the bottom of this. If I'd known you weren't going to help, I could have used that fifteen hundred dollars to get my teeth capped."

  "I'm doing what I can! What do you want from me?" I said.

  "Well, you needn't take that attitude. A week ago, you were cooperative. Now all I'm hearing are excuses."

  I had to bite my tongue. I had to talk in very distinct, clipped syllables to keep from screaming at her. I took a deep breath. "Look, I have one lead left. As soon as I get up there, I'll be happy to check it out, but if this is sheriff's department business, then it's out of my hands."