CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: Kat Calling
Harold couldn’t find anything linking him to Apocalypse Records. He was still wiping off the sweat and putting on his clothes as he continued his search.
“Okay, I’m bored with you again,” said Gina, as she slid her dress on over her head. “You can take me home now.”
“Okay, it looks like everything is clear here,” said Harold. He had enough of Gina.
Andie had already made it to her apartment. She wanted to collect her thoughts and figure out what to do about the situation with Peter Grimes. She knew she couldn’t count on Harold for help, since it seemed he probably was in on the whole thing. She was about to pick up the phone to call the police when it started ringing.
“Hello?”
“Andie, hi. It’s Harold.”
“Oh, hello stranger,” said Andie. She decided to play it cool and not let him know she knew what was going on. “Where are you?”
“I’m bringing a client home right now.” Gina was sitting next to him in the car, shaking her head in disgust.
“What did you find out about Wainwright?” asked Andie.
“Oh – he’s, uh, still missing. I guess you heard the news about Francine Grimes.”
“Yes, I sure did. It’s tragic.”
“Yeah, it is. I’m going to visit him at the hospital after I drop Gina, I mean Carlos’s Aunt Regina off at the airport.”
“I thought you just said you were bringing a client home?”
“Uh, yeah, I mean I have to drop by Carlos’ house to pick up her bags then bring her to the airport.”
“Didn’t you bring dear Aunt Regina to the airport last week?”
“Well, as a matter of fact, I did. She came back into town over the weekend and now she’s going back.” Gina started laughing over Harold stumbling all over himself.
“Oh, I see,” said Andie. “Well, when am I going to be graced with the pleasure of seeing you again?”
“How about tonight?”
“That would be perfect. Chaz Reed is playing again this evening at El Muchacho. I’m in the mood for some great Mexican food – you know, something spicy to get us all hot and bothered.”
“Uh, yeah, that would be great.”
“You better be prepared to get what you’ve been missing,” said Andie, in the sultriest of voices.
“Okay, that sounds great. I’ll pick you up at eight, if that’s okay.”
“That sounds perfect, my little stud-man. Bye.” Harold had no idea how he was going to be able to pull of another sexual encounter, no matter how much he’d been looking forward to making love to Andie. Of course, Andie had other plans. Even Atticus Finch seemed to stare at her with approval.
Jamie was in her apartment after visiting with Peter. After settling down with a glass of Chardonnay, she checked her messages and made a phone call.
“Hello, sir. This is O’Malley – yes, I know it’s getting a little sticky. Grimes looks like hell - Verona is happy as a lark since his son received the transplant – no, sir. No sign of Rogers yet. I expect him to enter the picture anytime. I’m not sure where Nick is – oh, really? I wonder how he ended up in Dallas? – Oh, Vanderhousen. She turned out to be a pretty good contact. I would have questioned her loyalty – Yes, sir, Wainwright was seen in a car a few minutes ago by one of the local patrolmen. He just left a message. Apparently not all the cops are under the Verona control – no, sir, I haven’t received word where Elderberry is – Yes, sir, I know he could botch up the whole operation. That’s why I sent him on the wild goose chase. I’m sure he’d pinpoint the actual murderer and ruin the big picture – Yes, sir. Carlos Verona and Peter Grimes are about to be put in their places. Oh, sir, I want to thank you again for letting me keep Nick out of the picture. I’m sure he’s never been involved with his Uncle Dave – sir, I’m surprised at you. Yes, I guess you could say that if I weren’t a lesbian, I’d be married to Nick. I think you’re getting way to personal here, sir – I know, sir. A good agent needs to be reminded of being human every once in a while. Thank you, sir. I’ll make my move and finish this thing off tomorrow. Agent O’Malley signing off.”
She finished her glass of wine, drew a bath, and began to relax.
Benny followed the Jaguar to Hotel Rollins. Gary Bell gave the keys to the valet and went to the other side of the car to let Kristi out. She grabbed his arm and entered the hotel.
“You wait in the car,” said Benny. “I’m going to follow them into the hotel, and then I’ll go to Julie’s room and grab one of those robes that come with the room. Then, I’ll come back down and sneak you into her room. We can hide you out there.”
“Okay, whatever you say,” said Wainwright. Benny saw Bell and Kristi walk up to the elevator. He was close enough to hear him mention the eighteenth floor. That’s the floor Julie’s room is on, thought Benny. He went to the adjoining elevator and rode up to the same floor. The door opened and he saw the tail end of Bell’s long trench coat flip around the corner. Benny hid behind a linen cart as he watched Bell knock on a door. That’s Julie’s room, thought Benny. He made sure he was completely out of sight as he watched the door open. Julie came out and gave Bell a huge hug.
“What’s she doing here?” Julie said, as she glared at Kristi.
“Look, sister, I’m about as happy with this whole arrangement as you are, so just deal with it,” said Kristi.
“Don’t get testy, ladies,” said Bell. “There’s plenty of me to go around.” He took the small piece of luggage Julie was holding and motioned her to grab his arm – the one not being held tightly by Kristi. They walked right in front of the cart Benny was hiding behind. Benny tried his best to hold back the tears. When the elevator closed, Benny took out the spare key card he had taken the liberty to grab. He opened Julie’s room, snatched a robe and jumped as the phone rang. He grabbed the phone and waited for somebody to say something.
“Hello?” said the familiar voice. “Julie, are you there?”
“Kat, is that you?” asked Benny.
“Who is this?”
“It’s Benny.”
“Oh, shit.” A hard click was heard as Kat abruptly hung up the phone.
Why was Kat calling Julie? thought Benny. He saw two large suitcases on the floor near the bed. He noticed a naughty pink nightie hanging on the bathroom doorknob. He ran out of the room, still holding the robe, and went to the elevator. It made two stops on the way down and reached the lobby just as Gary Bell was walking out the front door with Julie and Kristi. The Jaguar was waiting for them and Benny watched them leave. He ran to his car and threw the robe to Wainwright.
“Nice robe,” said Wainwright, as Benny flung himself into the driver’s seat and floored the gas pedal.
“That bastard has Julie in the car with him,” said Benny.
“Who’s Julie?”
“She’s my – oh, who am I kidding? She’s another woman who just took advantage of me. Kat has something to do with this, too.”
“Who’s this Kat?”
“She’s the girl who murdered Zipper Down. I thought you knew that.”
“Maybe it’s just a nickname,” said Wainwright.
The Jaguar entered the freeway and went in the direction of New Lake International. It took the airport exit and went to the long-term parking section.
“It looks like they’re going to be going on a long trip,” said Wainwright.
“So why did Julie leave most of her stuff in her room?” asked Benny.
“Look, kid. Why don’t you go hang out in the airport and find out what’s going on. I’ll wait right here.”
“I feel like a detective,” said Benny.
“Just leave your keys,” said Wainwright. “I want to be able to listen to the radio.”
When Benny got on the terminal bus, Wainwright got behind the steering wheel and sped back into town. He hadn’t driven in a few years, and it showed. His erratic driving attracted the attention of a patrolman. Wainwright saw the flashing lights and pulled over.
The patrolman walked up to the car.
“Well, at least you put on some clothes,” said the officer – the same one who talked to them earlier.
“Look, officer,” said Wainwright, “I’ve got an amazing story to tell you.”
“Can I see your license first?”
“I don’t have one. I’m wearing a bathrobe. Does it look like I’d be carrying a license?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m going to have to take you in.”
“That’s fine. I don’t really remember how to drive, anyway. Are you taking me downtown?”
“Yes, sir. I’m afraid I am.”
“Great. I might be able to find somebody there who hasn’t been bought by Verona. What about you?”
The officer ignored Wainwright’s remark and escorted him to the patrol car.
The Devil's in My Bathroom Page 54