Sexy Girls (17 page)

^{But, it wouldn't be with Cyndie; she made that clear in Rehoboth. And, I knew that I wouldn't be with Edie tonight. In Florida, in two days, who knew?}

^{I finished cleaning and was enjoying a cold glass of iced tea, when my houseguests wandered out on the deck. Cyndie was first. She wore a short, loose-fitting, white cotton summer dress. In one graceful move she sat down next to me on the loveseat. Her long black hair flowed around her shoulders. Edie came out ten minutes later and sat in the matching side chair. She wore a long, pink nightgown. She sat with folded hands and she had the sweetest smile on her face.}

^{Without asking, I hustled inside and retrieved two other glasses, filled them with ice and lifted the pitcher of iced tea. I returned to the deck and placed these on the glass topped table. Edie accepted a glass, while Cyndie demurred.}

^{Cyn and Edie shared memories of Andi and their wild times in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. There was a competition in the telling of these tales. A rivalry of sorts developed, but things remained civil.}

^{Cyn still had her claim on me, but it was also clear she was passing the title to dear little Edie. I understood the unspoken declaration, and Edie knew she must be patient and polite. Miss McCall made it look easy. Surprisingly, the women became closer friends by the evening's end.}

^{I learned many new things that night about Andi, and about my sexy girls.}

 

 

 

 

 

 

^{Overnight, a cold front came through creating a rainy, Monday morning. We left the Miata home for Edie's use. Cyn let me off in front of my Liberty Place skyscraper and then drove to her parking spot at the modeling agency on Rittenhouse Square.}

^{Later in the day, we left work early and drove the SUV straight from Philadelphia to Wilmington for our three o'clock appointment with Andi's attorney. The ride went smoothly under grey clouds and through the silver rain as we were driving in off-peak hours. The law office occupied a two storey row house. I spotted four other law firms in the same row just north of downtown, each within easy walking distance of the city, state and federal court houses. Edie arrived first and we parked curbside behind the Miata. We put money in the meters, and hurried inside.}

^{Walter Hines greeted us warmly into his walnut-paneled office. Hines was in his fifties, with grey hair, a grey suit and a medium build. His office was filled with Penn State University decorations, right down to the stuffed Nittany Lions on his book shelf. I spotted the framed Penn State Political Science BA and Yale Law degrees on one wall. He was a cheerful but serious man and he told us to get comfortable in the navy blue leather chairs.}

^{His legal secretary brought Cyndie and Edie hot tea with a lemon slice and me dark, rich coffee with half and half. Hines had a refill of his black coffee. Hines lit his pipe and the smoke had a pleasant earthy aroma. He didn't ask if we cared and neither Cyndie nor Edie said anything, so I remained silent. I couldn't remember the last business meeting where someone smoked. It was at least ten years earlier.}

^{After casual conversation we gave him an update on our recent travels and events. I explained that, even though the police didn't really have a solid lead on Andi's killer, one possible suspect was ruled out. I briefly described our Rehoboth Beach adventure.}

^{Hines asked, “What are you doing now?”}

^{Cyndie told him we had refocused our efforts on Andi's blackmail case as we thought the blackmail and the murder were connected.}

^{Hines asked, “What will that prove?”}

^{I responded, “Well, besides wanting to know who did this, our goal is to ensure Andi's will is settled in our favor.”}

^{Hines smiled. “You liked the beach house?”}

^{Edie's answer took me by surprise. “Yes, actually, we did, very much.”}

^{I changed the subject. “Walter, we are not convinced all is as it appears on the surface.”}

^{Hines looked at both of us. “What do you mean?”}

^{Edie answered, “It all worked out so convenient for Robert Grayson. He's able to divorce Andi and save a half million dollars in the process. Plus, we don't know why he didn't bring the police into it or investigate it himself. He knew Andi was vulnerable and we think he set out to destroy her by divorcing her and trying to prove she's at fault.”}

^{“Do you have any proof?”}

^{That was the problem. I admitted, “No, not yet, but I'm going to speak to him tomorrow morning. Then, later in the morning, Edie and I are traveling to Florida Wednesday to meet Red Sable, a friend of Andi and Cyndie, to find out what she knows. She quickly moved from Philadelphia after the blackmailing.”}

^{Hines looked uncomfortable with this news and said, “Why are you meeting with Robert Grayson?”}

^{I answered, “I want to ask him about the blackmail and see if he'll help us.”}

^{Walter responded, “I don't know if that's a good idea. You have a vested interest in the outcome of this investigation. I'm sure he knows that. Surely, your ex-girlfriend, Eve Simmons, has told him that you're a beneficiary of his estranged wife's will.”}

^{“I understand what you're saying, Walter, but my instincts tell me he's involved.”}

^{Walter puffed his pipe and smiled, slyly. “Okay, say he is. He's not about to tell you anything. As your attorney, I advise against this meeting.”}

^{He was serious. I hadn't thought that Walter represented us, but he did, and suddenly, I understood he was our attorney.}

^{Cyn spoke up. “Stevie, I see what Walter's saying. Don't do it. I'm sure Eve knows about this and has told Robert to keep quiet.”}

^{I frowned and turned to Walter. “Okay. What do you suggest we do?”}

^{“You told me earlier. I will put Grayson and Eve on notice that we want to execute Andi's will.”}

^{Edie asked, “Will they contest it?”}

^{Walter answered, “I think it's likely, but we have a strong legal position. The beach house was Andi's before the marriage, the prenup agreement excluded the beach house from the marriage property just as Robert's Delaware estate and his Center City office building is excluded from marital assets, and we have Andi's will executed over six months ago.”}

^{I conceded to his logic. “Okay, I'll cancel my meeting.”}

^{We spoke about Andi's remains and Walter agreed to make the arrangements to have Andi's body cremated. We would get Hines a copy of Andi's death certificate.}

^{Hines asked, “So you three are planning to keep the cottage? Will you be joint owners?”}

^{Edie's response surprised me. “Yes, we are. We love it, and can't wait to go back again.”}

^{Our hour visit went quickly and satisfactorily and we left Wilmington at 4:15, just ahead of the Monday night rush hour.}

 

 

^{Walter Hines did contact Eve later that day. On Tuesday morning, June 8, Robert Grayson fired Cyndie from his agency. It couldn't have been a coincidence.}

^{The loss of Cyndie's job took us by surprise. Later, we realized we should have expected it to happen. At the time, Cyndie couldn't stop crying. She called me during the fifteen minutes she was given to vacate the premises. Edie and I were in the airport's waiting area. Cyndie said she had her possessions and was heading to my Delaware home. No, she didn't want us to cancel our Florida plans.}

^{It hurt to leave Cyndie after another trauma. It seemed too soon. Nevertheless, we did. We caught an earlier flight to Atlanta. We were following our hunch all the way. Clearly, it was a gamble to show up in Fort Lauderdale without any idea if this would work. But, we didn't have much else to pursue.}

 

^***

 

^{In Atlanta, during my layover I dialed the phone number of the Sun-Sentinel, the Fort Lauderdale newspaper. A friendly operator answered on the second ring.}

^{“Can you connect me to Red Sable?”}

^{“One moment please.”}

^{There was a pause of a few seconds, and then the phone rang again. After four rings, I heard, “Hi, this is Red Sable, Fashion and Entertainment photographer with the Sun-Sentinel. Today is Tuesday, June 8, and I'm in town and working on location tonight. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I'll get back to you very soon as I check my messages often. Thank you.”}

^{After the beep I said, “Hi Red. This is Stevie Garrett. I'm currently investigating the death of our mutual friend, Andi Grayson. I'm in Atlanta and flying with another friend of Andi's to Fort Lauderdale in a few minutes. We'll arrive around five o'clock, today, Tuesday, June 8. I want to meet with you and discuss my investigation. Feel free to call me on my cellphone number.”}

^{I gave her the phone number and then said thank you and goodbye. I felt sure I wouldn't hear from her.}

^{I briefed Edie on Red's message and Edie guessed Red would be shooting that night. Edie had done some Internet surfing on Monday and saw a fashion show scheduled for Tuesday night. It seemed possible. However, Edie couldn't find Red's home address or phone number, perhaps due to her recent move to Florida. We made our plan.}

^{In another half hour we were flying to Florida. At four-forty our plane touched down into America's tropics. Warm, humid, eighty-degree air greeted us as we walked off the plane into the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport. It felt wonderful; it felt like the height of summer.}

^{Our reservations were at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel. I rented a convertible green Mustang and we left the airport about fifteen minutes after we landed.}

^{“Stevie, since we're going to a fashion show, I need to shop.”}

^{“Really?”}

^{“Yes, really, I need to find a dress and shoes.”}

^{“Can't you wear something you packed?”}

^{“No, I need a flashy, sexy little thing to squeeze into, like the rest of the women who'll be there.”}

^“OK.”

^{“Plus, I want to get there early and look around. I want to find Red.”}

^{Edie planned to scout out the joint, speak to Red first and get us in the show, with or without tickets.}

^{I asked, “How will you know her?”}

^{“I remember what she looks like.”}

^{“You do, how?”}

^{“I met her at Andi's wedding.”}

^{“Oh, that's right. I met her there too.”}

^{“Drop me at the shopping district here in town.”}

^“OK.”

^{We drove to Las Olas Boulevard. We cruised the street until Edie said, “Stop here! This shop will do. I'm sure it'll have some cute things.”}

^{We were in front of a boutique called 603 Glam. It looked like the trendiest clothes store on the boulevard.}

^{Edie then said, “Drop my bag at the front desk. I'll get it when I check in. I'll take a taxi to the hotel.”}

^{“OK, Edie.”}

^{Then she leaned over and gave me a long kiss goodbye.}

^{After check-in I went up to my room and unpacked. Then, I called Cyndie and comforted her for a while. She was pissed off at Robert Grayson and hurt, too. After the call, I went down to the lobby and bought a local paper. I scanned the headlines and read a story about that evening's summer fashion show. I then asked the concierge for directions.}

^{The lady concierge explained. “Our hotel is about three miles north of the Lago Mar. The show begins at 8 p.m.”}

^{“Great, how do I get there?”}

^{The kind, immaculately-dressed, thirty-something lady provided precise directions.}

^{Then, she asked, “Do you need a ticket?”}

^{I acted coy, “Yes, I need two, but I hope to get them at the door.”}

^{Jennifer, the concierge responded, “You could be out of luck as the show is sold out. But, it just so happens that the Lago Mar provided some tickets to each hotel on the beach. I have three tickets left. Do you need only two?”}

^{“Yes, thank you so much.”}

^{The kind young lady added, “By the way, Mr. Garrett, do you have a tie, sport coat and slacks with you?”}

^“Yes.”

^{“Wear them. I'm sure you will need them to get in.”}

^{Edie called shortly after I was back in my room. She was leaving for the fashion show and would take another taxi.}

^{I asked, “Did you find something sexy?”}

^{“You'll have to tell me. It sure is a short mini. And, these heels seem taller than four inches to me.”}

^{I could only imagine how hot she looked. I said goodbye and be careful.}

^{Edie said, “I will. I love you, Stevie.”}

^{It was now 6 p.m. If successful, Edie said she would leave a ticket for me with the resort's concierge. I'd follow Edie there later. If Red didn't appear at the fashion show, we would go to her newspaper's office tomorrow and hang out until she showed up or we learned where to find her.}

 

^***

 

^{I killed time over the next ninety minutes. I ate a late lunch on the plane, so I wasn't really ready for dinner. Instead, I took a quick dip in the outdoor pool. Then, I showered and got dressed for the show. I spent the last half-hour nursing a vodka tonic and munching on appetizers in the Paradise Grill & Bar, the hotel restaurant.}

^{At seven-thirty, I was in the parking garage putting down the convertible top of the new Mustang. I headed out on Atlantic Boulevard in my green machine. The sun had just set and the traffic was light on my ride south. The night was filled with the sights and sounds of this beach city. The ocean was on my left and I drove with the balmy air blowing through my short hair.}

^{The Lago Mar Resort was a tropical paradise. Set inside an exclusive neighborhood, this was clearly the top of the Fort Lauderdale beach community. Lit in blues and purples the three-storey white hotel sparkled on this warm June night. A line of expensive cars made their way up the drive to the bright mauve-colored palace in the palm trees. Directed to a distant parking lot I left the top down, figuring that in this place I wouldn't need to worry about vandals.}

^{I grabbed my coat and tightened my tie. The walk to the hotel gave me the chance to take in the scene. Attractive, well-dressed women of all ages surrounded me, most with middle-aged to older men. The women were of various shapes and sizes, but all were dressed well. The wonderful floral aromas (jasmine?) battled with the liberal amounts of perfume and cologne on the beautiful people of the Gold Coast.}

^{I walked into the open air lobby and the sights improved even more. I took in as many lovely ladies as I could. My favorite was a redhead standing by herself in a corner in a green chiffon dress. She looked like a Roman slave girl. She was a gorgeous creature with a large chest, long legs, middle-of-the-back tresses, gold sandals and a dress that showed her assets and let my mind start imagining going fun places with her.}

^{“I see you like the sights?”}

^{It was Edie, in full makeup and with her very dark brown hair beautifully brushed down on her shoulders. Her fit, petite body was in a tight, white halter mini-dress, and she wore impossibly high heeled pumps.}

^{“What took you so long?” she asked, “The show's about to start.”}

^{Before I could answer, Edie spoke again. “Stevie, here's your ticket. We're right down front.”}

^{I answered, “Thanks.”}

^{Edie said, “Oh, I almost forgot. Red Sable is here. We spoke and she seems really broken up about Andi. I asked and she answered that she has no idea who murdered Andi. Though, the way she said everything struck me odd - she was too scripted.”}

^{“Thanks.” I didn't know what else to say except, “You look great.”}

^{“Oh, you silly man.”}

^{Before I cold react, Edie kissed me on the lips. Then, she spun on her four-inch heels, tripped slightly, grabbed my hand and pulled me forward into the ballroom, the setting for the fashion show.}

^{I quickly acclimated myself to the fabulous Lago Mar Hotel as show time was fast approaching. The show was a preview of next year's summer fashions, including swimsuits.}

^{We entered as the lights dimmed and the music became louder. The tickets Edie acquired (I never found out how) were aisle seats in the tenth row; the first row at the end of the runway. This seat would provide incredible views up at, what I hoped were, stunning young models.}

^{The show began with a rush of loud techno music and some fog from dry ice. The lights came up on the stage and the runway.}

^{Edie pointed out Red Sable. She was stage-right in the roped-off photographer's section. I recognized her healthy, natural features; shoulder-length vibrant orange-red hair, a clean makeup-free face, and bright aquamarine eyes. Her hair was parted off-center with more hair on the right side of her head. She wore khakis, navy-blue sneakers and a bright blue polo shirt. She kept reaching for equipment in her two bags. Red was here to work.}

^{In total, the show lasted over an hour and featured twenty different models. The models were young, thin and pretty. They wore bright, short, cotton sundresses. Next, they paraded in crinkly skirts of lightweight material with citrus-colored tank tops. They saved the swimsuits parade for last.}

^{All the swimsuits were small, revealing and totally impractical for anything except to show off nearly naked bodies. They were very pretty, very small string-bikinis in solid pastel shades. The suits had tiny triangle tops and g-string bottoms, highlighting long lean limbs, thin tummies, and appealing breasts. No woman would wear these suits to swim and, even pool side, they would be very risqué.}

^{The other thing that kept creeping in my mind was that these models were very different from Cyndie and Edie. Besides being very young, these girls were pounds lighter. These barely legal girls all pretended to have an attitude that I didn't find appealing.}

^{During the whole shoot Red was very busy. I think she snapped 400 photos using her two digital cameras.}

^{When the show ended, Edie whispered in my ear, “Speak to Red now. I'll return to the hotel. Call me later.”}

^{The show ended and the audience began to clear. I stayed seated and waited as Red methodically packed her cameras and other equipment in her bags.}

^{Just before she finished, I stood and approached her. “Hello Red, it's been a long time.”}

^{I stood on the other side of the photographer's section rope. Red was in a kneeling position five feet in front of me. Her head snapped up and it took five seconds for her to recognize me, but then she recovered.}

^{“Stevie Garrett! God, you never change.”}

^{“Neither do you.”}

^{I was surprised that she came right up and hugged me. She replied, “You look great as usual. You know you're the only man I'd say that to.”}

^{“Thank you, but if I didn't know better, I'd think you were hitting from the other side.”}

^{Red answered, “No such luck, buddy. What are you doing in Fort Lauderdale?”}

^{“I want to talk to you.”}

^“Why?”

^{“It's about Andi Grayson. Have you heard she's dead?”}

^{She coolly answered, “Yes, I have.”}

^{I needed to break the ice quick. I blurted out, “Red, have you had dinner, I'm starving?”}