Страница 51 из 75
Avocado appliances in a kitchen.
Time warp-a time before Steve's. Some kind of inheritance? Even so, why not update?
Maybe inertia-or being stingy-had led the ex-wife to split. But, no, he'd tipped thirty percent.
He said, “This is it… ta-dah… want some water? I'm a little parched myself.”
“No, thanks.”
“Another decaf? Anything.”
“I'm fine.”
He filled himself a glass from the tap. “Oh, sorry-please sit, make yourself comfortable.”
Liana perched on a sofa. Stuffed as firm as a surfer in a wet suit.
Why am I in this guy's place? He just happens to show up at the bar? Okay, he's a regular, he didn't stalk me. But that could be even scarier; a regular at a place where two women disappeared, and for all I know, I've walked right into his-
Aaron's voice overtook her own: Stupid, Lee, not what I pay you for. Run like hell…
Steve Rau rinsed his glass, walked toward her, stopped a couple of feet away. “Ultrachic décor, right?”
“It's… nice and domestic.”
He laughed. “Full disclosure: My parents own it. Five years ago they moved to a retirement community outside Las Vegas and what started out as house-sitting ended up quasi-permanent. I say quasi, because they keep threatening to come back.”
Liana said, “The boomerang generation.”
“That's good-I think I'll steal it for a paper.”
“Be my guest.”
“Anyway, I'm not allowed to change a thing, just in case. Except the books-they took all their paperbacks and Dad's medical stuff, so at least I've got that.”
He pointed to a case full of drab textbooks. Econ, poli sci, business, math, computer programming, human-factors psychology.
Exactly what you'd expect for what he claimed to be. And he'd used his real name-the doorman's greeting was proof of that.
Doctor Rau.
And Gus the bartender had confirmed the ex-wife thing.
So far, on the level. Unlike someone else we know.
Liana said, “If my parents left me anything, I'd be thrilled.” She sashayed to a large, single-pane window. “Look at that view.”
“I love it, but I should still get my own place.” His voice was low, throaty, warm against her ear. He'd moved behind her silently.
She turned, faced him.
He said, “Oh, man, you are so incredibly beautiful.”
Oh, man?
Oddly enough… she kissed him.
He was putty.
The first time was on one of his parents’ floral couches. Scratchy polyester itched Liana like crazy but for the ninety seconds the whole thing took, she was okay.
The second time was in his bed. A whole lot better, in all regards.
He drifted into REM sleep, eyes shifting beneath the lids, back and forth like windshield wipers.
Liana extricated herself, sat up, waited, making sure he was out.
His mouth dropped open. He began snoring. She slipped into her panties, left the bedroom, explored his living room.
Frozen di
She examined some of his textbooks. In many, he'd printed neat notations.
Does this co
Corr, caus, both? Orthogonal? Reg.analysis worthwhile? Prob no.
Hedge fund manip of unreg fuel funds relev to short-term per/barrel? Saudi p.f?
A small desk in the corner comprised his study. In the drawers were bank receipts and credit card bills that confirmed his identity and said he was frugal. And doing all right: a hundred nine thousand bucks in a money market account. He paid his credit card debt in a timely fashion.
The bottom drawer was filled with notebooks featuring the same academic printing. Also, a letter from his boss, a Dr. Hauer, praising Steve's presentation at “the World Affairs Council meeting.”
Nothing false, nothing kinky, nothing remotely evil.
She headed back to the bedroom.
Steve met her in the doorway, wearing a blue bathrobe, looking groggy. Big guy.
“You okay?”
“A little restless,” she said.
“I'd give you a tour, but there's nothing to see.”
“I was enjoying the view.”
“Let's enjoy it some more.”
“I'd better get going.”
His face sagged. “You're sure?”
She nodded.
“Okay… I was hoping you'd… I understand, it's up to you. But don't take that as apathy, Laura. I… this was… I'm so glad we met up again.”
Cupping her chin, he pushed hair away from her face, kissed her eyelids. She was naked above the waist but his hands didn't explore.
She rested her head on his chest. This time the pelt didn't bother her. His heart was racing.
“I'm glad, too, Steve. But I really need to be getting home.”
“Where's home?”
Liana hesitated. He laughed. “Talk about premature interrogation. I don't even know your last name.”
Now what…
Her silence must've stretched longer than it felt, because Steve sighed. His shrug was heavy with defeat. “I'm sure you've got a good reason to guard your privacy… is there any way we could do this again? Not come here, I mean. Just go out-hang out, like you said?”
Liana's mind raced.
His face fell. Backing away into the bedroom, he searched the floor for his clothes. Remembered he'd left them in the living room and passed Liana and retrieved them. “Whatever you're feeling, Laura, for me it was… sorry. I'll walk you down to your car.”
Liana stood there.
He dressed quickly and awkwardly. Turning his back, as if struck with sudden modesty. “Laura, if I said something that bothered you… my ex said I was always saying things that upset her, claimed I was pushing her buttons. But God help me, I had no idea, and I guess I'm still clueless.”
Liana looked away from him, into the bedroom. Jumbled sheets. The smell of sex lingered. The washcloth he'd fetched to protect her from “my steel wool” had fallen to the carpet. His idea. Not wanting to bruise her.
Laura…
Hearing the fake name made her feel cheap.
She said, “Let's sit down.”
CHAPTER 31
Delaware's recommendation made sense to Aaron: Keep a close eye on Raymond Wohr, use the pimp to leverage up.
But that put everything in Moe's lap and left him with nothing to do and when Mr. Dmitri called to ask how things were going, he had to fake.
The Russian wasn't fooled, telling him, “If something ever happens, tell me. Maitland is not looking happy.”
Click.
Aaron drove to the German, retrieved the Opel, called Merry Ginzburg for the third time, wanting her to press for more on Mason Book's hospitalization. Still no answer.
Next stop: someone who'd definitely cooperate.
Manuel Lujon's father and grandfather were skilled gardeners who'd kept up some of the grandest estates in San Marino. Manuel's three older brothers had continued the family tradition, moving Lujon Landscaping to the Westside where they tended ego-scorecard properties in Holmby Hills and Beverly Park.
Manuel, twenty-five, bright, with no affection for mulch, had gotten a B.A. in screenwriting from the U. that hadn't landed him anywhere near the Industry. His day job was working in a used-book store on Pico near Overland. Aaron called on him when he needed a certain type of camouflage.
Asking Manuel to just be, not do-the kid was too honest to be an actor. Unlike Liana, who could deceive like a pro.
She also hadn't returned his call, had probably learned nothing during her second trip to Riptide.
His day for being shut out by women. He could always call Mom.
That made him laugh out loud, but the sound felt contrived.
Like I'm an actor.