Page 38 of Fade Out

After my second cab ride of the day, I walked into Brian’s condo. It felt silent and lonely. I could tell I was there alone. I went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Franklin had cooked the extra pork chop the night before and left it in plastic wrap. I unwrapped it and ate most of it over the sink. When I was done I threw away the bone and went out to the living room where Brian kept the sleek, white cordless phone he’d just bought. I dialed my lawyer.

It was after hours so he answered his phone himself.

“This is Nick,” I said.

“Tell me you’ve found Rita.”

“Not yet. I did find out she has friends. A very tall man and a woman about her age. Andrew Happ’s neighbor saw the three of them together in July.”

“What was color was this girl’s pubic hair?” he asked.

“I have no idea. The hair on her head was light maybe blonde, maybe dyed.”

“Dishwater?”

“Possibly.”

“The pubic hair on the corpse was light brown. The carpet should match the drapes. Did you ask about this woman’s breast size?”

“Sorry, I forgot.”

“That’s fine. The corpse was about a B-cup according to the medical examiner. You described Rita as busty. That’s at least a C, possibly more.”

“When did you learn so much about bras?”

“An hour ago. From Padma Kirkland, the pathologist who did the autopsy. We’re buds now.”

“She sounds fascinating,” I said, not that interested. “There was a withdrawal made on one of the dormant accounts. Client named Winslow Porter.”

“Really? I was sure she wouldn’t dare.”

“She didn’t. Her tall friend is the one who made the withdrawal.”

“When?”

“Two days ago.”

He sighed heavily. “That doesn’t really prove anything.”

“It proves she has an accomplice.”

“Who might have killed her. I could at least throw suspicion on him.”

“She’s not dead.”

“I believe you, dear. But I also have to think about what I can get a jury to believe. Is that all you have?”

I thought about mentioning Gloria Silver, but her health didn’t seem relevant and he’d already said he didn’t want to know any more about 618 North Wells.

“No, that’s all I have.”

“Well, I have some news. And it’s not good. I called the ASA to discuss pubic hair and women’s breasts. He was not impressed.”

“That’s to be expected.”

“And… they have a witness. Steven Head.”

“I don’t know who that is.”