Vivienne rinsed the dishes, thinking about the conversation with Rex. He'd been quite open about his reasoning, the part when he lied to Farrah.
"I figured we already told a lie about using the Fluff and Fold for your large comforter. And then one more lie, still about laundry, didn't seem that bad. Plus we are interfering with police work. Since we're not legally private investigators, at least not yet, I knew we didn't belong."
"Private investigators?" Viv said with surprise.
Rex glanced away. Viv suspected that he was searching for the right words. Now self-conscious about lying, he couldn't do what was natural to him. I've managed to put a slight dent into his confidence.
"Okay, about that." He cleared his throat. "I've been thinking about getting a PI license. Actually I had Sutton look into the details. It wouldn't be that hard. I would only need a couple more classes at the community college. Since I have the hours and training from the military, it would be really easy for me. Your licensing might take a little longer. But you can work under my license while you take the necessary classes. Then we'd have every reason to show up at police scenes and not have to make…excuses."
The way he said it, the title even—private investigators—made her head spin. Even later after he left, as she added soap to the dishwasher, she couldn't quite wrap her mind around the idea. Oh sure, he'd alluded to his fascination with Philip Marlowe. But Marlowe was a fictional character.
She closed the door of the dishwasher with a thump. That's okay for him and maybe Sutton. But he keeps saying “we” as if I'm included.
With a mug of hot tea in hand, she made her way down the hall to check on Miss Kitty. She found her cat curled up on a fluffy blanket in the middle of the sofa. Viv sat down next to her. The low rumble of a purr began, followed by a ping from the cell in her pocket.
He'd put an emoji with an exploding head.
She added a gif with two people walking a dog.
Then her eyes flew open. He'd sent the heart emoji, making his feelings known right there in plain sight.
The next morning Viv walked with Rex and Kevin, feeling a bit jittery. Despite her best intentions at keeping him in the friend category, he'd sent that emoji. She never meant to lead him on. But rather than talk about it, she preferred to let him think a heart emoji was an everyday occurrence for her. Why not? Just a cell phone thing.
She picked up her pace, realizing her discomfort. Focusing on her body, the heart and muscles, she pushed away her emotions. "So I've been reflecting about the Fluff and Fold," she told him.
"Me too," he answered immediately. "You go first."
"According to the website, it's open twenty-four seven. But no one was behind the counter. Isn't there usually an attendant; somebody to pick up laundry that's dropped off and who keeps the place clean?"
"It would make sense. I was wondering that too."
Viv's arms began to swing at her sides. She looked past him across the street. Again the woman with the baby carriage walked on the opposite side. The same blanket, draped over the front of the stroller, hid the baby from the bright glare of the early morning sun.
Viv lifted her hand to wave.
The young woman didn't look her way. She kept walking straight ahead.
"She's not that friendly," Rex commented.
"Did you notice anything about the way she's dressed?"
"The sloppy t-shirt and sweatpants? I saw that."
"No, not those. Her shoes."
"Unless women are wearing high heels, I rarely notice their shoes."
"She had on Nikes. Fairly new looking."
"Really?" He sounded interested. "So that's the third sighting this week. Were they the same style?"
"I'm not that into sneakers," Viv admitted. "I don't know if they're the same style. I did see the Nike logo though. Which reminds me, what did you do with the boots and baby oil you found at the Fluff and Fold?"
"I put them back in the bathroom," he said.
"Probably a good idea. They're not ours. Maybe the woman who left them will come back. It could be her only pair of shoes. Have you thought of that?"
He looked at her quizzically. "That never crossed my mind," he admitted.
This time he picked up the pace. Kevin bounded ahead.
Once Viv caught up, he asked, "Will the search for Carmine Nelson continue today?"
"I think so. Why don't we have a sit-down with Sutton this evening? Maybe she's found that address."
He snapped his fingers. "Then the next day we can check out Carmine's house and go back to the Fluff and Fold and look for the behind-the-counter missing employee."
"It might be risky to go right back to the laundry so soon. If Farrah catches us again…" Viv's voice faltered.
Kevin made a quick left turn, breaking into a run. Then he skidded to a halt. They watched him sniff the corner of the grass.
"Officer Farrah showed up unexpectedly, which makes me wonder how she knew we were at the Fluff and Fold," Viv said.
"She may have surveillance or at least CCTV," Rex replied.
"Could be," Viv said.
"I did make quite the spectacle of myself. I hope it's not on some tape being passed around the precinct for laughs." He looked down at his knee. "Feeling pretty good this morning, thanks for asking."
She shrugged. "I'm not going to inquire about every ache and pain. It's not what I do. Push through it is my motto. Just so you know."
"Understood," he said.
The sound of a wail came from across the street. "That baby certainly has a loud cry. I wish she'd pick the child up."