flipped the switch and the monitor turned dark.
Marge said, “Thanks for your time, Mr. Ness.” As she headed for the door, he called out her name. She turned around.
“Sure you don’t want to stay for yoga? It soothes the savage spirit.”
Marge smiled. “I like my spirit savage, Mr. Ness. It keeps me on my toes.”
Decker leaned against a pink column near the entrance to the spa and read the business card Marge had given him.
John Reed M.D. FACOG
Obstetrics, Gynecology, Infertility
Two phone numbers were printed on the lower right corner; a medical license number was on the lower left. He flipped the card over. Nothing written on the back.
A hot, dry wind whipped through the air, the sun flashing off the chrome bumpers that spangled the parking lot. Decker loosened his tie, unbuttoned his shirt cuffs, and rolled up his sleeves.
“Is this card legitimate?”
“I called the number right before you got here.” Marge checked her watch. “Must have been about four-thirty. It’s a doctor’s office. Apparently Reed had canceled all his afternoon appointments because he was stuck at the hospital for deliveries.”
“Stuck?” Decker said.
“His secretary’s word, not mine.”
“Find out which hospital?”
Marge shook her head. “I asked her but she didn’t answer and I didn’t push it. I don’t even know if he’s relevant to the case. I wasn’t able to get too much out of the receptionist, period, but she did tell me that yes indeed John Reed is Lilah’s and Freddy’s brother.”
Two bikini-clad women came out of the spa, laughing loudly, arms linked together. Nubile young ladies—one blond and one brunet—tossing long damp hair over their tanned shoulders. Decker followed their sway until they disappeared inside a silver Porshe Carrera. The car zoomed off and Decker stared at the empty space for a moment.
“There’s at least a couple dozen more like that inside,” Marge said.
“You like that color for a Porsche? Mine could use a new paint job and I’m sick of red.”
“You looking at the girls or the car, Pete?”
“At first I was looking at the girls. Then I got distracted by the car.”
Marge burst into laughter. “Rina has nothing to worry about.”
Decker smiled. “I could have told you that. So if this Reed is Lilah’s doctor brother, who’s Totes’s phantom named King?”
“I asked Reed’s girl about him. At that point, she started asking me questions. When I wouldn’t answer hers, she refused to answer mine. But I had the feeling that this unknown King is a real person. Whether he’s a brother or not, I don’t know.”
Decker said, “So far, Lilah has got what … three doctor brothers including a phantom brother named King?”
Marge shrugged.
Decker said, “I’ve got Hollander looking up sex offenders who live in the area. I’ve also asked him to punch the crime into the computer and see if it matches anything else that has gone down in the city. Until I’ve spoken with Lilah, we don’t have too much to go on.”
Marge said, “You speak with Davida Eversong yet?”
Decker frowned. “Did Morrison ask about her again?”
“I called in for messages,” Marge said. “He was just curious whether we’ve contacted her or not. Why’s he in an uproar over her?”
Decker said, “A famous actress’s daughter is raped—could be big news if it got out. Lots of actresses are attention junkies. I’m sure Morrison doesn’t want publicity after dealing with the fallout from the Rodney King beating.”
“A new concept in Totally Hidden Video.” Marge furrowed her brow. “You think you could lose it like that, Pete?”
“I think we’re all just a step above apes.”
Marge smiled. “You make contact with Freddy Brecht?”
“He wasn’t in.” Decker filled her in on his conversation with Brecht’s secretary. “I don’t know why he canceled his patients. Maybe he found out about Lilah and rushed over to see her. I’d like to talk to him. He supposedly saw her last night and maybe he’d remember something.”
“I’ll call the hospital and ask if he’s been there to visit her.”
“Thanks.” Decker wiped his brow, damp with perspiration. Mercury must have hit the ninety-degree mark today. Poor Rina. Next couple of months were going to be hell for her. “So tell me about Kelley’s brother, Mike. Is he the same guy who picks the vegetables?”
“Yeah. He gave me an eerie feeling. But you told me Lilah didn’t know who attacked her and she knows Mike.”
Decker said, “She was blindfolded, so the perp could still be someone she knows. I just shot out the question. She probably didn’t even know what I was asking. I’ll ask her again.”
“Maybe she does know who he is and the guy has her terrorized.”
“Is Ness scary?”
“No, more like wily—sly,” Marge answered. “Guy didn’t flinch when he turned around and saw me staring him down. I’ve nothing concrete against him—he was cooperative—but I don’t trust him. At first glance, he isn’t physically prepossessing. Then you see him move. He tapes himself exercising.”
“What?”
“Yeah, he had a video camera and I asked him what he used it for. He tapes himself. Played me the tape without hesitation. Man, the way he moves, maybe he’s not a lion, but he’s sure a jaguar. In total control of his body.”
“Want me to look him over?”
“Let me work him over first.” Marge told Decker about the Betham complaint. “I’ll get back to you on that. See if the suit’s legit.”
“Go for it, Margie,” Decker said. “I’m off to the hospital to talk to Lilah.”
The entrance doors to the spa parted once again. Out came a young lass in cutoff jeans and a tank top. A way-too-small-for-her-chest tank top. And she wasn’t wearing a bra. Decker felt he had to notice these details because noticing details honed one’s skills of observation—the primary tool of detection.
Marge tapped him on the shoulder. “You want to switch assignments, Pete?”
“No.” Decker eyes shifted from the bouncing bosoms back to Marge’s face. “No, Detective Dunn, that wouldn’t be an efficient division of labor. You finish up your hit list. I’m off to the hospital.”
