Part 17 (1/2)
”What do you mean?”
She pursed her lips. ”Mindy used the restroom at the Coachman when we had lunch there the other day. She noticed the feet in the stall next to her were facing the toilet while the person peed, not away from it like a lady who sits down. Mindy waited by the sinks. Your friend Leslie came out of the stall.”
I didn't know what to say.
Celeste's lips compressed into a thin line of distaste. ”I swear when she came into the dining room and hugged me, I felt a Willie. A big one.”
Celeste had comparisons too numerous to name, including quite possibly my own father. I only had Ray. I clutched my bag of donuts even tighter, speechless.
She shrugged. ”So you knew. You've always been open to the alternative lifestyles.”
I could not, would not, discuss this any further. I needed a distraction. ”Ah ... my tan pants I bought the other day got ruined in the grocery store parking lot. Would you have another size four?”
”Let me check.” Celeste disappeared into the clothes racks.
I sank down into the armchair by the dressing room. Leslie Flynn, a man? That would explain her size, homely appearance, and deep voice, but what about this guy she wanted to attract? Was she changing teams in every way?
Contrary to Celeste's catty statement, it wasn't that I was open to alternative lifestyles. I was more oblivious and uninterested-and I thought those things were private. I never discussed my feelings about Ray with anyone. It would make me feel disloyal to him. I certainly didn't discuss our s.e.x life with anyone. That would make it less ... special. It was supposed to be only between us, wasn't it? Ray was my first and only, but I knew other people approached s.e.x differently, some very differently. In theory, I got the concept. h.e.l.l, I even watched HBO. But in practice, in the real world ... ultimately, it was none of my business.
Celeste reappeared, holding my replacement tan pants.
I pulled my credit card from my wallet and offered it to her.
She smiled, clearly pleased to be selling me the same pair of pants twice within forty-eight hours. Dollar signs may have flashed on her eyeb.a.l.l.s like the readout on a one-armed casino bandit. I thought I heard a ca-ching.
We finished the transaction without further conversation. Maybe she thought we had nothing left to say. It was more likely that she knew she'd shocked me, and she didn't want to break her spell. She did thank me when she handed me the bag. I thanked her, too. Then I ran.
Danny was in the garage with Cory when I returned to the shop. I handed out donuts and napkins and headed for my office to think.
As I walked into the room the phone rang. It was Ray.
”I checked on Leslie Flynn's brother. I don't find any record of him.”
”What do you mean? I just talked to them both on the phone.”
”The brother doesn't have a current driver's license or a New York State identification card. The only vehicles registered to their address are registered to Leslie.”
Strange, especially considering Leslie's plans to leave Wachobe. If her brother didn't drive, how would he get around? Surely running a farm required leaving it on occasion for supplies. Maybe the bookkeeper she wanted to hire would provide his transportation as well.
I had one more question for Ray. ”What kind of vehicles does Leslie have?”
”A yellow Mustang convertible and a Ford pick-up truck.”
”That makes sense. One for farming, one for fun.”
Ray heaved a sigh, sending a crackle over the line.
”One thing doesn't make sense, Darlin'. Leslie's driver's license says she's male.”
That confirmed it. I filled Ray in on Celeste and Mindy's observations. ”Leslie did say she was seeing Dr. Albert for the last few months. Maybe she has some kind of gender issue.”
Ray sighed. ”I'm wondering if she even has a twin. Based on this picture, she'd make one b.u.t.t-ugly woman. Maybe she's a split personality.”
I could tell from the tone of his voice that he didn't look forward to confronting that. His training for the sheriff's department only covered so much. I decided not to mention Leslie's new, improved femininity. My makeover efforts only made it harder for him to recognize her now from the driver's license photo. ”Can you call Dr. Albert and ask him about her?”
”Dr. Albert won't tell me anything, Darlin'. Not unless Leslie poses a danger to herself or someone else.”
”I've had my doubts about his treatment of Erica. Maybe he doesn't know Leslie's a danger.” Frankly, after spending time with her, I would be surprised to learn she was, but I didn't want to rule it out.
”Let me see what I can find out about her. I'll take this DMV photo over to The Cat's Meow when they open at noon and see if any of the girls can link Leslie to Josie ... I mean Jessica James. In the meantime, you sit tight.”
That was easy for him to say, but oh so hard for me to do. I paced the showroom, circling the Ferrari until I got dizzy. When Cory left for lunch, I took Danny out for pizza. He talked about what he'd worked on with Cory that morning. I pretended to listen, all the while thinking about Leslie. When we got back to the garage, he ran off to see Cory. I went into the garage and peered over Cory and Danny's shoulders as Cory explained the steps involved in taking the dent out of Brennan's Mercedes. They tried to ignore me. I clicked around the Mercedes, running my hand over its lines.
Finally, Cory had enough. ”What's wrong, Jo?”
”I'm waiting for Ray to call me.”
He glanced at Danny and apparently decided not to ask any more questions.
I rocked back and forth on my heels.
Cory glared at me. The garage was his territory. The showroom was mine. I could tell he wanted me to leave them to work in peace.
The phone rang.
I ran out of the garage, skated through the showroom, and slid to a stop behind my desk in time to catch the call on the third ring. ”What'd you find out?”
”Is this Asdale Auto Imports?”
”Yes. I'm sorry. This is Jolene As ... Parker, the owner. Can I help you?”
”This is Maury Boor.”
My heart skipped a beat. I sank on to my chair. ”Emerson Maurice Boor?”
”Just Maury, please.”
”Maury, I've been looking all over for you. Is Erica with you?”
”Yes.”
”Can I speak to her?”
”She can't talk now.”
I shot to my feet. ”What do you mean, she can't talk now? Where are you?”
”I can't say. I promised Erica.” He sounded defensive.
”I want to talk to my sister, and I want to talk to her now, Maury. Otherwise, I'm going to have you arrested for kidnapping.”