The next morning Rex woke instantly, thoughts about the night before popping into his mind. What a success, finding the revolver and the flash drive.
Viv seemed kind of quiet as they left. The sight of the gun must have frightened her, he concluded. Pushing aside the sheets, he stood. Gotta get up now. Time's a-wasting. He stretched his arms over his head. Then he headed toward the shower.
By the time he pulled on his pants from the night before, Kevin pushed through the door. He bounced over to sniff the pocket of the jeans. "No treats, Kev." Rex reached in with his hand and pulled out the flash drive. "But look what I have instead." He held it in front of Kevin's nose.
The dog's head drooped in disappointment. "Come on, buddy. Let's get some breakfast."
Kevin's ears perked up. He readily followed him down the hall. The dog's head swiveled. Then he took a detour toward the living room sofa. Leaping up, he curled into a ball, resting his chin on his front paw.
Sutton stood by the kitchen table and held up a coffee mug.
"Not for me. I'm already hyped up. Did you get the job done?"
"Since you left the key under the mat, I had no trouble slipping inside. The stucco and paint should be totally dry by now. The cleaner isn't coming back until after checkout at two o'clock."
"You opened the shoebox, right?"
"Of course I did. Tidy little revolver. Very old school. Looked like a woman's gun."
"I thought the same. But I left it for the cops to figure out. What's more important is this!" He reached into his pocket and held up the flash drive.
"So that's why you're so happy." Sutton took it from his fingers.
"That drive must hold something big for sure. Since it required being hidden in a closet, behind a wall and a hefty lock," Rex said.
"I have time this afternoon to find out." Sutton grinned.
"I was hoping you'd say that. I haven't told Viv that I took this away with me. I didn't want her to worry. By the time you figure out what's on it, I can give her the full report."
Rex glanced toward his backyard. Kevin had let himself out the dog door. He sauntered past the firepit, making his way toward the fence.
"The dog door is working," Rex remarked.
Sutton nodded. "That's good. He has a thing for Miss Kitty. Waits by the fence, like he is now, hoping to catch sight of her."
"Viv does let her out to roam in the morning," Rex mused.
"Plus she uses the morning time to give Miss Kitty a run of her backyard. She doesn't leave the cat. She sits outside to watch. Then she calls and Miss Kitty comes right over. It's kind of cute. Those two have a great relationship."
Rex sighed. "Viv seemed kind of depressed when we walked home last night. I think the revolver may have upset her."
Sutton looked thoughtful. "Not everyone has a military background. Maybe that's the first gun she's seen close up. She's lived a sheltered middle-class life up until now."
"Do you think she's reconsidering—about our private investigating business?" Rex felt his voice catch in his throat.
"Ya never know, boss. But I have things to do and someone I'm meeting this morning. I'll leave you to figure that one out."
As Sutton left through the door to the garage, Rex continued to stare into his backyard. He watched as Kevin stalked the length of the fence, stopping to paw at a board. The dog reversed and walked the other way, this time lifting an ear to listen.
Rex turned away from the glass door and sat down at the table. Opening his laptop, he saw a message on his phone and stopped to read.
He confirmed the appointment before texting Viv.
Her return thumbs-up put a slight dent in his otherwise happy mood. She was way too quick with that response. I wonder if she's getting tired of walking with me…
By the time he handed his keys to the commercial parking lot valet, he was only five minutes late for his appointment. He'd forgotten all about what he called his quarterly tune-up. Dr. Paul Ryan was the preeminent dermatologist of Palm Desert.
The larger, more popular town, Palm Springs, drew most of the big names in plastic surgery. But his doc had his share of Hollywood stars on the lineup. Most people preferred a bit of anonymity when it came to the work they had done. That's why Dr. Ryan had become so popular. If you went to the surgeons and skin care specialists in Palm Springs, you might run into people you know. And you might even be caught by paparazzi. Even though the parking garage was discreet, it was not impervious to photographers.
Rex had stumbled on Paul Ryan years ago. Recommended by one of his pals who lived in Beverly Hills. Ryan had yet to do an actual facelift on Rex. The doctor had managed to keep him youthful-looking with other techniques. Not that Rex garnered the attention of a film actor. But he did have a few thousand fans who cared.
Periodic injections and fillers worked. But for the past couple of years, Ryan prescribed more rejuvenation treatments instead. Including frequent appointments with a dermatological assistant who used LED, ultrasound, and micro-currents.
Gloria, the special assistant, slapped Rex around, nothing short of martial arts. Along with vigorous kneading, she'd assure him, "This is good for you. Waking up the skin. Better blood flow and increased oxygen." Then Gloria would hold up her hands as proof. "My hands. They are the first technology." Then she'd slap him across the face for emphasis.
And then the quarterly retreats at Three Bunch Palms also helped. A weekend of even more intense treatments, combined with soaking in the natural hot spring water. After that, Rex felt rejuvenated. Everyone went there, especially celebrities, if they wanted the latest in skin renewal treatments.
But now Rex sat down in the waiting room. He had a few minutes before his appointment to consider the murder case. To wonder what Sutton would come up with on that drive.
"Mr. L," came a voice. A young assistant, dressed in a white nurse's uniform, held the door. She waited for the man across the room. He stood immediately, tucking his reading glasses into the front pocket of his shirt. Ducking his head, he cast a quick glance in Rex's direction before hurrying toward the door.
Rex looked amused. If I'm not mistaken, that's Pete Langford. As the door closed quietly, he considered the situation. Maybe I can take advantage of this unexpected run-in. He glanced toward the receptionist's desk. She looked completely immersed in her computer screen, oblivious to him.
Laying his magazine on the table, he stepped closer. "Seems pretty busy today." He leaned his arms on the counter, his posture relaxed as if just making conversation.
She glanced his way, her hands poised over the keyboard. Rex's eyes traveled to her name tag. "Regina, that's a beautiful name."
The woman frowned. "My grandmother's, if you must know." She reluctantly dropped her hands to her sides and turned to face him. "How can I help?" Her voice sounded less than enthusiastic.
Rex noted her flawless skin. A slight pinkness to her cheeks gave her that enviable fresh and young look. She certainly qualifies as the poster girl for this place.
He cleared his throat. "I saw my buddy Pete going in for an appointment. Didn't have a chance to say hello. Would you mind giving him a message?"
The receptionist shook her head. "I don't know what you mean, unless it's the patient before you."
"Yeah, that's the guy. Pete Langford." Rex willed his mind to open, appealing to Regina's trained impulse to help a patient. He waited, and then he was rewarded. Maybe she felt a bit guilty for her previous impatience. But now she glanced toward her screen and then back to him.
"Normally we don't share names at our clinic. But yes, that was Peter Langford. So you're friends. Do you want me to tell him you said hello?"
Bingo! Ol’ Pete is getting a treatment. And he's probably a regular patient like me. I bet I know where he'll be spending the weekend.
"You know what? I'll probably be seeing him this weekend," Rex said casually. "I assume he's going for the skin retreat at Three Bunch?"
"That's right. Have you already reserved your spot? We have a waiting list now. But you can certainly catch up with him then." The receptionist turned to her computer. She closed one window and clicked another, revealing a spreadsheet. "Yes. Here it is. Your prescription. A weekend of radio frequency treatments, along with collagen stimulation. May I confirm your reservation now?"
"Oh, yes you can." Rex couldn't contain his enthusiasm. And then on a hunch, he asked, "I assume my dear friend Beverly Nelson will also be at the retreat. That would be fantastic. Maybe I'll book a dinner the first night for all three of us."
Gloria clicked again. "Yes, Ms. Nelson has also booked this weekend. She's confirmed as well."
Rex stepped away from the desk, a smile on his lips. He couldn't wait to tell Viv that he'd walked right into an unexpected opportunity to spy on their favorite couple.