The following morning Viv dressed in her walking attire. She paused to execute a few stretches while she waited for Rex. Her foot propped on a rock, she leaned over, feeling the tug on her hamstring.
Then changing positions, she bent her leg back so that the sole of her foot touched her butt. She bounced to keep her balance. "Lookin' good," Rex's voice called out.
Kevin borked a greeting as Viv stood on both feet with a smile.
"I've got some intel," she told him.
"Let's get walking," he replied.
He's looking rather pleased with himself this morning. All seems right in the Redondo universe.
Moving briskly across the sidewalk, they rounded the corner, picking up the pace. Fast enough to make Viv breathless but still slow enough so that she was able to tell him what she'd found out. "You'll be happy to know I prioritized our investigation this morning. I called the HOA first thing instead of getting back to my doula clients. And the assistant picked right up. Her name is Joan, by the way."
Kevin skipped ahead as she continued to explain, "She booked us casita number one for tonight!"
"So soon." Rex lifted his eyebrows. "You must have been very persuasive."
"Somebody canceled last minute, just before I called. To Joan's credit, she didn't want to charge the other client for the full night, so she was more than happy to sign us up."
"They only rent to people associated with homeowners, right?"
"That's my understanding." Viv picked up her pace and kept talking. "In fact, I'm wondering if our Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions agreement lists any rules for the casitas. If they do, I don't have a copy."
"I have the CC&Rs somewhere. There's plenty of information but mostly about the trash cans," Rex muttered. "Only put your garbage receptacles out on Monday in a four-hour time window. Don't put them on the curb too early because it's unsightly. Don't forget to take them back in—"
"Because it's unsightly," Viv finished his sentence.
"And whatever you do, make sure the lid is down. No overflowing trash. Not at the Desert Tortoise Estates. That would be the most unsightly of all."
Rex stepped over the curb to give Kevin more room. The dog romped in front of Viv's legs as if asking her to play. Then he changed his mind, darting across the grass to sniff before lifting his leg. Rex yanked on the lead. "Come on, goofball. Keep up the pace."
When Kevin refused to budge, Viv stopped to catch her breath. "If you're worried about him staining the fake grass, I think he's okay. That's a special brand of artificial turf. Dog friendly."
Rex sounded skeptical. "I won't take the risk. It seems kids can ramble wherever the hell they want, in the middle of the street, in front of traffic. But my dog can be cited for peeing in the wrong place. How do I know this turf is the right stuff? I can't have Kevin ticketed for being unsightly. Now if Kev wants to poop on the fake grass, that's not a problem. I'll pick that up." Rex pulled a doggy bag from his pocket as proof.
Viv chuckled. She had to admit Rex had touched on the truth. She'd not been fined by the HOA but she'd heard other owners complain. And the fines weren't cheap either. Especially when a dog got caught off lead.
As they approached the next turn in the walking path, Viv glanced toward the casitas. "Why don't we have a quick look around the perimeter right now? I didn't get a close look that night, you know, when they found Carmine. I'd like to know if they have windows to the back, for instance." She hurried ahead.
"And if they have direct access to the golf course," Rex called after her. "The killer could have run out the back."
Viv stopped for Kevin to take another sniffing break. Rex dropped the lead to bend over and tie his shoe. In an instant Kevin took off, his tail waving goodbye. He ran straight toward the golf course.
"Kevin!" Rex called.
The dog kept running.
Viv broke into a fast trot. "Kevin," she yelled. Which only made the dog run faster. On the green he shot past a golfer, nearly knocking him over. Viv stopped, out of breath. Rex arrived to stand at her elbow.
"What's gotten into your mutt?" Viv turned to Rex.
"I have no idea. But I'd better go after him. I'll meet you at the casita." Rex left her side, sprinting across the lawn. He'd never have a problem like that with a cat, Viv chuckled to herself.
She made a turn and then stood in front of casita number one. A three-foot retaining wall cordoned off an outdoor area, creating a courtyard big enough to include a round table and four chairs, along with two chaise lounges. Matching umbrellas created shade.
She pushed against the wrought iron gate, which opened easily. The minimal landscaping, with the path leading to the front door, felt familiar. Several houses in the gated community had similar front courtyards. Viv had not opted for that design, preferring the back bedroom as an extra. But she appreciated the appeal.
She walked toward the door, which stood partially open. Poking her head inside, she saw a mop and a plastic container filled with cleaning supplies. "Hello," she called, not wanting to startle the cleaner by appearing unexpectedly.
A man's head poked out from around the corner. "I'm not quite done," he said. "Have the kitchen to finish. Aren't you early? Check-in time isn't until two o'clock."
"Oh, I'm not checking in," Viv explained.
The man scowled. "So why are you here then?"
"I've never been inside so I wanted to scout the place out for my…" Her voice dropped off as she realized that wasn't the truth. She'd made up a story for Joan but even then, she felt uncomfortable.
Fortunately Rex and Kevin arrived, so she didn't have to explain.
"Our family," Rex finished her sentence. "We rented it tonight for our family," he repeated. "Viv's son. Staying with his girlfriend. We hope an engagement is coming soon."
How glib he sounds making up the story as he goes along.
"Sit, Kevin," Rex commanded.
The dog sat, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, his sides still heaving from his golf course run.
"So can we have a look around?" Viv asked.
The cleaner nodded. "Sure. Have at it. I'll be done in ten minutes. I'll have to lock up after that."
"Oh, we don't want to get in your way," Viv explained.
"You gotta leave the dog outside," the man said. "They don't rent to pets and I don't want to clean up anything he leaves behind."
"Kevin is house-trained," Rex said.
"Fur. That's the real mess. They shed and then my pay will get docked." He turned his back to them, disappearing around the corner.
Viv whispered, "I think we should start with the bedrooms down that hallway. He'll be done with the kitchen very soon and then we'll have to leave, so let's make it quick."
"I'll put Kevin in the courtyard," Rex said.
When he returned, she explained further. "According to Joan, there are two master suites, both with attached bathrooms. That door," she pointed to door closest to the main room, "is most likely the third bathroom for guests."
Rex’s eyes narrowed. "As sorry as I am to say this, I'd like to begin in the bedroom where they didn't find Carmine. I'm in no hurry to go back there."
Without further explanation, he walked ahead. When he stopped in front of the closed door, she nearly collided into his back.
"Anything wrong?" she asked.
"Could you just give me a minute? I know this sounds crazy, but I can read a room. Especially if I'm the one to walk in first. If we open the door slowly and step in without talking, maybe I'll get an image or a sense of energy that may have something to do with Carmine's killer."
Questions rose in Viv's mind. She didn't believe in psychics and Rex never admitted that he was one. In fact he usually denied the label, explaining that his mentalist job required a certain skill set, which did not include superpowers. But there were times like this that Viv wondered if Rex really was psychic, only he didn't want to admit that he was. "What do you mean an image or a sense of energy?"
"I am not psychic," he insisted. "I'm a professional mentalist with observational skills. And I do have a vivid imagination." He raised his eyebrows at her.
"So you say. Except for now when you tell me you feel things and see images."
"Just give me a minute," he said impatiently. "That's all I ask." He opened the door and stepped into the room. Viv followed quietly, watching him carefully.
He closed his eyes and then took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Holding out his arms, keeping his elbows to his sides, he turned his palms up. Then he began to rotate his body clockwise. He stopped when he'd come full circle.
Viv might have giggled had he not been so serious. The behavior seemed odd for Rex Redondo, the performer. And even odder for Rex the ladies’ man.
His eyes flew open. "I'm not getting anything so far.” He looked toward a closed door. "That's probably a walk-in closet. In the interest of time, we can look in there later tonight. Why don't we gather information again in the second suite? I think I'm ready."
"That's where we found Carmine," Viv warned.
Rex nodded. "It's bound to have something, an unsettled atmosphere at the very least." He walked past her toward the hallway. She followed slowly, feeling her own reluctance.
Rex opened the door and entered the room first. Viv exhaled quickly. She stood beside him as they both gazed at the carefully made bed.
Viv noted the expensive sheets, creased and folded over at the top. She inhaled the scent of lavender that pervaded the room. An array of fluffy pillows, stacked against the quilted headboard, displayed the letters DTE in black thread.
"I guess DTE stands for the Desert Tortoise Estates," she said.
"The place has been thoroughly cleaned. I don't have to do my thing. No lingering energy here."
"So you can feel energy and then see images? Does that mean you use your five senses?" Viv said out of curiosity.
"I do get a sense of things. Sometimes I can see a rolling image behind my eyes. Right here." He pointed to his forehead. "Probably a result of being around too many slot machines over the years." He tried to laugh but then turned his face away. Viv could tell it was a sensitive topic. He's been an enigma since we first met.
Rex began a slow amble around the room. He opened one door and closed it immediately. Then he opened another door and stepped inside. "Beautiful tub and shower in there," he called out. Then he stepped out and opened the other door again. This time he went inside.
She heard a low whistle. "You might want to have a look in here," he said.
One step inside the closet and Viv stopped. Matching velvet hangers hung to one side. Shelves had been built on the other. "You'd have to bring a lot of clothes on vacation to use all of those." She nodded to the dozens of hangers.
"Maybe they rent for longer periods of time, not just short-term." Rex looked over her head and pointed. "So there's the electric panel right there. And then if you look down, toward the floor—now what do we have here?"
It was a half-size door with two locks. "What do you suppose that's for?" she asked.
"It may be a really big safe," he said. "I suppose renters want a place for their valuables. If staff comes in to clean, that makes sense."
"But the bolt…" Viv tugged on the metal. "If it were for renters, wouldn't this be a combination lock that could be reprogrammed for each guest?"
Rex nodded his agreement. "I think we need to look into this."
"How would we do that?"
"Ask some questions. Maybe Joan would have an explanation. After this evening you can say your son wanted to know."
Before Viv could respond, barks came from the courtyard.
Viv stepped to the window to look toward the front of the house. "Look who the cat dragged in." She pointed to a woman dressed as a police officer, who bent down to pet Kevin.