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They kept the discussion going for another half-hour, but when the Colonel began to nod off, Garrett suggested they call it a night. Besides, at that point they had exhausted just about everything they knew about the ill-fated couple and agreed to meet again the following night after they learned more about the status of the bank account. Hopefully by then Garrett would also have additional information from his new detective friend.
Cameron walked over to the Colonel who had slid down in the easy chair, his chin resting on his chest as he snored gently. She gave him a light tap on the shoulder and after a few inward snorks he sat upright looking a little confused.
“Sorry if I startled you. Um, you sort of nodded off and we’ve decided we can’t accomplish anything more tonight, anyway.”
Fully alert now, he said, “Did I miss anything important? This drifting off is one of the things I don’t like about being as old as I am. But then, what a blessing that I’m in ship shape. Poor old Clarence. He’s beginning to drag, too. Twelve is really old for a dog his size, but he’s a trouper, that boy.”
Cameron and Kate accompanied the men to the courtyard to say their good nights. Everything was so quiet along the walk in front of the house it almost didn’t seem real. A lone mockingbird started a rant in one of the trees, but other than that not a sound was heard. Compared to Kate’s vintage Painted Lady Victorian right in the heart of San Francisco, the quiet Venice Canals neighborhood was downright peaceful. Kate looked up at the black sky sprinkled with stars and the small slice of moon. “I’ve never asked you this, but do you ever just come out here and drink in the peace and quiet of this paradise? It’s sort of like having your own retreat. Beautiful, tranquil. Sometimes when things really get hectic and tense, I wish I lived somewhere like this.”
“By hectic and tense, do you mean like the situation we’re right in the middle of now? Missing trophy wife, dead old doctor and who knows what else? I mean, I know in your business you get involved in crime way more than I ever have. In fact, most of the time the only theft I’m concerned about is some other agency hijacking a client. But occasionally, like now, trouble decides to find me and when it does everything seems to blow up and Milt goes crazy worrying about me. Do you realize this is the first time we’ve been involved in playing sleuth and haven’t had Kim involved with her level accountant’s mind? What do you say we call her tomorrow and let her know what’s going on?”
Kate yawned and patted her mouth. “Good idea. Let’s do it, but tonight I think I need to turn in. All this tranquility is getting to me.”
As they walked back into the house Cameron said, “Do I remember correctly, or did you threaten to sell that gorgeous Victorian of yours a few years ago? I think you were considering moving to Sausalito back then. What happened?”
“Ah, like many pipe dreams it wasn’t really practical for me. I need to be near my office and although it sounded so appealing, fighting traffic to drive in didn’t. Besides, I do love my house. You haven’t seen it since Art of Paint finished the five-color paint job. I’ll have to send you a photo. Better yet, you’ll need to spend a weekend with me when this is all over. It’s such fun to see people’s reactions when they visit for the first time expecting the inside to look like arsenic and old lace because of the cool outside. Then they walk into sleek contemporary design.”
Cameron turned off the outside lights and locked the door. “Deal. I’d love to visit, but right now I’m going to turn in, too. I’ve got a heavy day ahead. What will you be up to?”
“Me? I’m going to find out more about your missing Barbara Shady.”
THE NEXT MORNING, CAMERON puttered around in the kitchen when Kate made her way down. For once the beautiful redhead didn’t look picture perfect. Instead of one of her designer outfits, she wore jeans, a tee shirt and sneakers. Even without her flawless makeup, though, she could have passed for much younger. The problem was she looked tired, and that was unusual for her.
Concerned, Cameron poured a cup of coffee as her friend sunk into one of the breakfast room chairs. The aroma of the good French roast filled the small area. Kate put her hands around the cup and took a sip. “Boy, I’m dragging this morning. Good thing I don’t have any appointments. I just couldn’t get to sleep last night thinking about that body and the missing wife. Something is nagging at me, but I can’t seem to grab onto it. Like maybe I’d heard something about him before, but that’s crazy. I haven’t spent that much time in LA. Maybe it’s about her. I don’t know. Wish I could put my finger on it, because it is definitely bugging me.”
“You know what? It’s a beautiful morning. Why don’t we walk over to Mama’s Bagels on Washington instead of grabbing a bite here? The ocean air should wake you up. I’ll trade these flats for heels when we come back and take off for the office where I must put my nose to the advertising grindstone while you lounge around here. That way you’ll be rested for tonight.”
“Lounge around? Not by a long shot. My dear, I will be pounding the keys and manning the phone getting background information on those two. Hmmph. That’s called work.” She gave a cheerful laugh to show her sarcasm wasn’t anger.
“Okay, a change of subject. What do you think of Danny Garrett? Quite a hunk, isn’t he?”
During the walk they passed the time with small talk. Kate agreed that Garrett was a hunk and Cameron detected a nice lift to her friend’s voice as she talked about him. Mama’s Bagels occupied a prime spot in the little strip shopping center that was next to a big open area filled with tables and umbrellas. It was a popular morning hangout, and Cameron knew lots of the regulars. Before going inside to place their order, she waved to a few who flashed smiles and waved back. One bald fellow with a diamond stud in his ear called out, “Hey, Cami. Who’s your friend?”
She laughed and replied, “Forget about it. Out of your class, Freddie.”
Minutes later they savored bagels slathered with cream cheese topped with Nova Scotia lox and capers while Kate filled her in on some of the things that had tormented her through the night. At the crux of it all was the obvious question. Why was Al Shady, respected retired Beverly Hills doctor to the stars, being watched by the police? Was he really the victim of a break in or was there something more sinister to it? Maybe they would learn more that evening.