He watched Viv glide through the pool, one arm stretched over her head, then the next. He admired her red suit sliding along the surface of the water. He took a deep breath, pushing aside any thoughts of what she'd look like without her suit. If for no other reason than she wasn't ready and he was worried.
She'd gotten herself into danger at the casino. Just thinking about her being alone with Joey made him angry. He didn't trust the man. Not just because he was a daily gambler. But because Rex read desperation all over him; someone who stole money from the elderly. Though he had to admit that he wasn't surprised. No wonder Carmine's family wanted Joey out of the way.
But what bothered him even more was how carelessly Beverly and Peter were willing to use Viv. An innocent woman. A doula by profession, someone who helped women and families, to do their dirty work. That was unconscionable.
"Hey, boss, want another beer?" Sutton wore a two-piece black bikini with a cover-up that didn't cover up. The white fabric only emphasized her body underneath. This always puzzled Rex, how women managed to not cover up what they intended to cover up. Not that he minded but…
He took the IPA from her hand. "Thanks." He returned his eyes to the pool.
Viv emerged at the shallow end, reminding him of the actress Bo Derek in the old movie 10. Though she was slightly more mature, the water streaming off her body as she pushed her hair from her face made him smile. He blinked to bring himself back from the fantasy.
Viv came closer to grab a towel from her chair. Wrapping it around her body, she sat down next to him. "Can I have a sip?" She pointed to his beer.
He handed over the bottle. She took a long draw as he admired her neck, how it dipped down toward her breasts, which still heaved slightly from the aerobic swim. She handed him back the bottle.
Rex looked toward the mountain range, now surrounded in reds and golds as the sun made its descent. "I never get tired of this view," he commented.
"Magical," Viv added.
"If you say so." Sutton handed Viv a freshly opened beer. "I, for one, am over the desert sunsets. I like the darkness, when the stars come out, the moon when it's full. More spooky."
"I like that too," Viv admitted.
Rex placed the empty bottle under his chair. "I think it's time to come up with a plan," he said. "One that includes bringing Joey Baker to justice."
"I've been paid ten grand already," Viv admitted. "Maybe I should give it back..."
Sutton nodded. "But before you do that, I've done some more investigating online. Joey's cleaned all of his information. A professional job. I got nothin' for you except what we saw on the bus bench. You two found his house, but I don't think he lives there as a permanent residence. I do know he's been married and divorced but the records are sealed."
Rex was surprised—Sutton rarely came up empty-handed. Not even when they worked intel in the military. She always had something to offer. But then he realized, she just did offer something. Not what she found but the fact that she couldn't find anything.
Joey Baker must be a crook, otherwise he'd have stuff on the internet. Regular people could be researched easily enough. For ten bucks you could get reports of where they lived and past addresses. But this was the second guy on the HOA who must have had his social media scrubbed. So then nothin’ in this case means something.
Viv stood and dropped the towel on a chair, reaching for her cover-up. Lifting her arms over her head, Rex felt a quick inhale as he observed the dress slipping over her suit.
Viv's cover-up actually covered up. She looked beautiful in the cobalt-blue dress. And since it wasn't that chilly outside, she left her arms bare. Tempted to run his finger down the one closest to him, Rex turned away before speaking.
"I have an idea. I think we need to look into the casita where Carmine was murdered. I mean, before that night, I wasn't aware the community even had rentals, let alone a casita for that express purpose."
"Casitas," Viv prompted. "I know there are at least two. I used to walk up near the golf course and that's how I found out. Before I met you."
"I assume the HOA is in charge of the rentals?" Rex asked.
"Why don't we try this?" Viv said. "I'll call the HOA office tomorrow and find out how to rent a casita. Maybe I'll pretend my son's visiting from out of town and that he doesn't want to stay with me, preferring a little privacy. That kind of thing. Then we'll at least know the procedure for renting. That may give us a hint about why Carmine was found between the fancy sheets."
Rex agreed. "At the very least we can get keys and look the place over. Probably too late for actual clues. I'm sure the cops swept the place."
"But you never know," Sutton said. "People in a hurry, even the pros, make mistakes. Leave stuff behind. You might find something."
"That's settled," Viv said.
"Is another beer out of the question?" Rex asked Sutton.
She stood up. "Viv?"
"Not me. I'm fine with this one."
As Sutton walked away Rex felt an urge to reach out and take Viv's hand. His fingers twitched. But instead he said, "Nice evening we're having."
Viv burst out laughing. "Is that all you can say? Sounds kinda lame for a ladies’ man."
This time he didn't hesitate. He took her hand in his. "I'm feeling a bit shy," he admitted. "Especially after getting Starsky and Hutch to bully you into the Airstream. I thought maybe you'd still be upset with me."
She moved his hand to rest on her thigh. "I thought I'd be more upset with you too. I don't understand it, maybe some kind of mentalist trick." She turned her head, a provocative smile on her lips. "Are you doing that mind meld thing on me, Rex Redondo?"
He laughed. "I'd do it if it worked. For some reason I can't wrap my persuasive thoughts around your sweet mind, but not from lack of trying. I tried that first night. All I got was a no trespassing message. Very clear, that was."
He thought of how he'd been attracted to her from the beginning. And how the lack of reciprocation had only made him want to be with her more.
The back door slid shut. "Here's your bottle," Sutton said.
Rex reluctantly took his hand off Viv's thigh. He lifted the bottle and smirked at Sutton.
As darkness settled over the backyard, the pool took on an otherworldly glow. The mountains in the background cast a shadow as the full moon lifted, floating its way over the highest peak. "It's a marvelous night for a moon dance," Rex sang.
"I love that song. Van Morrison, right?" Viv smiled. "I was listening to it in my car the night I drove home and found cops at my house."
"The ones I called in," Rex said, a hint of apology in his voice.
"I'm not mad at you for that." Viv's words came quickly. "In case you were wondering. The 911 led to some painful days afterward, but that's not your fault. I want you to know."
"You're remarkable," he said. "And thank you for that. I can't tell you how much it—"
"Okay then. I'm going." Sutton pushed back her chair to stand up. "And I recommend that you two get some rest too. If we're taking this investigation forward, we'll need our wits about us." She stooped to gather the empty beer bottles.
"I think Sutton has a hot date," he said. Once she disappeared into the house, he finished his thought. "But so you know, going to our separate beds is okay for now." He reached for her hand. "But not forever."
He held his breath waiting for her response.
She let go of his hand. But not as a brush-off. Just gently as if she had to move on now and didn't want to hurt his feelings. "I'm exhausted," she said slowly. "And I still have to feed Miss Kitty. How about we say good night. I'll see you for our walk in the morning."
"Sounds good." He didn't want to disagree. He didn't want to lie either. And more importantly, he didn't want to pout. He was turning over a new leaf. Rex Redondo, man of great patience. A man, not a boy.