Rex knew that he was taking a risk. Telling Viv that he wanted to feel the room, that might be more than she needed to know. And then he'd done his turning in a circle bit. He wasn't sure that she'd understand why he'd not been entirely honest when he said he wasn't psychic.
The truth was Rex had a way of knowing things. His reluctance to talk about it came from childhood. He'd had trouble as a kid trying to explain to his dad and mom how he knew what he knew. Dad patted him on the head and dismissed him. Mom only raised an eyebrow and kept washing dishes. He sensed that she was afraid for her only son, and that she suspected he wasn't quite right in the head.
When he was nine he made the mistake of trying again. Valerie McNally lived next door. He really liked her. He tried to make a dead bird come back to life. Of course it didn't. She refused to speak to him after that.
Since then Rex would always insist, "I'm not psychic." Until Viv. He told her as much as he could, mostly about the images. She looked skeptical, so he stopped. But she didn't make fun of him. Maybe I can trust her not to think I'm crazy. Or would she be like everyone else and distance herself just because he was different.
Rex’s fingers had tingled and turned hot when he touched the lock on that door in the closet. Something's hidden in there. Something important. Unfortunately he had no idea what.
He wanted to explain to Viv but then Kevin barked. Once he looked out to see who was there, he knew he couldn't continue. They both made their way to the living room to greet the officer.
"Fancy meeting you two," Susan Farrah said in a bright voice. "Somebody reported a stray dog on the golf course." She pointed at Kevin, who sat with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. “I figured I’d keep him in the courtyard while I called animal rescue, and then I ran into you two."
"That's Kevin," Rex explained.
"He ran away," Viv added.
Susan scowled. "I'll make sure to write up the report with full detail. He's a Bernedoodle, right? I want to get the breed down correctly. Blaming Kevin's misdemeanor on a poodle or a cocker spaniel may result in a paperwork nightmare and my citation being dismissed. That wouldn't be right."
Viv giggled. "Kevin is a Berne, and you can send the fine to him." She nodded toward Rex.
"I'll take it out of his treat fund," Rex dryly responded. "I hope he didn't do too much damage—to the course, that is."
"Just annoyed the golfers." Then Susan smiled. "Okay, so truthfully, I love inconveniencing those old farts. They have so many complaints. They get even more cranky if they have nothing to complain about."
Officer Farrah looked around the room, her eyes coming back to Rex and Viv. "So what are you two doing here anyway? I thought discovering one dead body would put you off this place, never to return again."
"We're renting the casita for a family member," Viv explained. "Thought we'd have a look around." And look at me just picking up that story.
"Where you found a dead body?” Farrah sounded less than convinced. "You two aren't interfering with an investigation, are you? I heard all about you butting in from Janis in Lily Rock. Quite the detectives. Is that what you're thinking—that you can find the killer?"
The series of questions, coming one right after the other, made Rex squirm. His instinct was to deny Farrah's accusations. But instead he did a turnaround. Mostly so Viv wouldn't think he was lying.
"That's exactly what we're doing. I'm getting my PI license. This is something I plan to do in retirement. And this one," he put his arm around Viv's shoulders, "is going to be my partner."
"That's a terrible idea!" Farrah claimed. "You two should be thinking about retirement hobbies like playing bridge and cornhole tournaments. Settle down like the old farts on the golf course! Volunteer at the church. They always need somebody to organize the canned goods."
To Rex's surprise, Viv didn't pull away. She moved a bit closer as if appreciating the support.
"Don't dismiss his idea," she told Farrah. "We were very good at detecting the last time. And I think we'd be great partners."
Rex stood taller. He adjusted his arm around Viv's shoulders, wondering if she really meant what she'd said.
Farrah glared. "So I'm assuming you mean business partners, not the other kind?"
Now Viv shrugged off Rex's arm. "That's correct. Neighbors in crime. That's us."
Rex took a deep breath. Viv may not be all in. But she did stick up for me. That's something. He consoled himself with that thought, just as the cleaner came around the corner.
"I'm leaving," he said, propping his mop against the wall. "Have to lock up. Time for all of you to go." He stared at Officer Farrah. "I didn't know you were here."
"So you work maintenance?" She sounded surprised.
Rex felt the hair raise on the back of his neck. There's something going on here…
He cleared his throat and then jumped in. "I noticed a locked door in the back bedroom closet. You must know about that."
The cleaner's face froze. "What do ya mean?"
Rex pointed toward the hallway.
“Oh, now I remember. I never go in there. Maybe an owner's locker?"
"An owner's locker. I didn't know the casitas were individually owned. It was my impression that they were group owned, part of the HOA. The community pays for the maintenance and repairs."
"And improvements," Viv added.
The man scowled. "I have no idea." He picked up his tote. "You have to ask Mr. Langford about that. I'm just a cleaner. He's the one who gives me orders."
"Do you have a key to the locker?" Viv asked hastily. "Since we're technically owners, we should have access to that locker and the contents inside."
"Again, talk to Mr. Langford. He's in charge of the casitas." His words were dismissive and impatient. Until he turned to stare at Susan Farrah. "You're lookin’ good," he commented in a low suggestive voice.
Susan Farrah glared at him. "Don't be surprised if I get a warrant to search that locker."
"Like I said, you three gotta leave so I can lock up."
Walking home, Kevin pranced between them. He looked at Rex and then Viv as if expecting a treat. When neither complied, he raced ahead.
"Why don't we get a copy of those CC&Rs from Joan? Then we can look them over during lunch. I want to know more about the casitas. Who owns them, for instance, and where the money goes from the rentals," Rex suggested.
"I'll give her a call right after my shower," Viv said.
"So tonight when we stay at the casita, I want to see what's in that locker. Maybe we can get ahead of Farrah."
"Sure," Viv agreed. "I'd love getting ahead of her, especially after she insulted us."
Rex felt his nerves tingle.
The whole night with Viv on a case. My day just keeps getting better and better.