Riptide

Then there was Chatty Cathy.

That was the name by which she was known in the pocket park where she lived. Her worldly goods were stashed in a shopping cart. She talked loudly to herself day and night. Even the other homeless people kept their distance.

One night three months ago she disappeared. Her cart was still there, but she was gone. It seemed unlikely she would leave without the collection of junk she prized. But her body never turned up, and there were no signs of foul play.

“Would the body have to be transported by car?” Jennifer asked.

“Not necessarily. There’s a big old dump bin in the alley right across from the park. A body wrapped in trash bags could be tossed in there, and if the sanitation crew wasn’t paying attention-and why would they? — it could be dumped into the garbage truck without anybody noticing. By now, Chatty Cathy could be in a landfill.”

All the crimes had occurred within the last year and a half. Jennifer asked if the cutoff date was arbitrary.

“No, it really seems like more bad things than usual started happening around eighteen months ago. Not all at once, mind you. But that’s when the cream started to curdle.”

“Any idea why?”

“Pacific Area lost two detectives around that time. Reassigned downtown. Not replaced. Less manpower means lower solve rates. That’s why I say they need to prioritize this district. Allocate the personnel.” She produced one of her heavy sighs. “Hell, you know how the song goes by now. I’ve been singing it long enough.”

“You sing it well.”

“A little off-key, but at least you can make out the words.”

“Are there any leads in the cases that interest me?”

“Not really. There was a sighting of a person unknown, probably a vagrant, near the spot where Elizabeth Custer was killed. No description, except the guy was hooded. Might’ve been the killer. Might’ve been nobody. Witnesses heard a noise the night Chatty Cathy went missing. A woman’s cry, from the park. Was it her? Did it mean anything? Who knows?”

“So basically all those cases are dead ends.”

“Unless you’ve got a new angle. Do you?”

“I’m not sure. I need to see if I can find a pattern.”

“Your buddies in the department are treating each case as a standalone. They’re probably right.”

“Probably,” Jennifer said, hoping it was true.

“This suspect of yours-”

“Possible suspect.”

“Whatever. This guy-I’m assuming it’s a guy-does he live in Dogtown?”

“Yes.”

“Got any priors?”

“No.”

“Why put a spotlight on him, then?”

“He’s mentally ill.”

“Violent?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

Sandra was unimpressed. “Lots of head cases in Venice, and not just in Dogtown. Lots of violent, antisocial males. Gangbangers, sociopaths. Druggies who’d kill you for the dollar in your pocket or the sneakers on your feet. No shortage of suspects. Or possible suspects, if you prefer.”

“So you think I’m imagining things?”

“That’s the way I’d bet.”

“I’d be happy to find out I’m being paranoid.”

“Of course, if you are wrong, those cases will continue to be unsolved.”

“That’s the downside.”

“On the other hand, there could be an even bigger downside to being right.”

“Which is?”

“If the bad guy knows you’re on to him-you could be next in line.”

Jennifer thought of the note on her windshield. “That’s a chance I’ll have to take.”

“See, that’s what I mean. You’ve got spunk.”

“And you hate spunk.”

“No, that was Mr. Grant. Me, I like spunk. As long as it doesn’t get you killed, honey.”

The words lingered in Jennifer’s mind as she picked up the tab and said goodbye. Before leaving the restaurant, she took a chance on using the ladies’ room. It was surprisingly clean.

Leaving the bathroom, she spotted Draper eating alone in the rear of the restaurant. From where he was seated, he had a decent view of the table she and Sandra had shared. She approached him, unsmiling.

“Spying on me?” she asked.

Draper dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “Just grabbing a bite.”

“And you just happened to pick this place?”

“It’s close to the high school. I assume that’s why you picked it.”

“So you did know I was here?”

“I saw you. Talking with Sandra Price. I didn’t realize the two of you were friends.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“No doubt. It could be a problem, though.”

“Meaning what?”

“Sandra isn’t exactly in tight with the department. She’s regarded as a thorn in our side. If you’re associating with her, it might make it difficult to continue hiring you.”

“First you follow me here, now you’re threatening me.”

“I didn’t follow you. And I’m not threatening. But whatever you tell us as a consultant has to remain confidential. It can’t be shared with civilian outsiders. Especially a civilian whose racket is baiting the department.”

“I don’t think it’s a racket. She just wants these cases solved.”

“That’s what we all want. What were you two talking about, anyway?”

“None of your business.”

“It wasn’t a casual conversation. You were taking notes.”

“Maybe she was giving me recipes.”

Draper shook his head. “That’s not the kind of answer my supervisors would accept.”

“Are they going to know about this?”

“Should they? Why were you meeting with Sandra Price? Why the sudden interest in community activism?”

“Don’t interrogate me, Roy. I’m not one of your suspects.”

“No, you’re a colleague. And I need to be able to trust the people I work with. If I can’t trust you, I won’t be able to recommend your services anymore.”

“I’ll survive.”

“I’ve tried to help you out by bringing you in on my cases whenever possible.”

“Don’t do me any favors.”

“I guess I won’t, in the future. Unless you level with me about what’s going on.”

“I had an enchilada for dinner. Now I’m leaving. That’s what’s going on. And by the way, nice technique at the meeting tonight. Way to win friends and influence people.”

“I wasn’t trying to win friends.”

“Too bad. You could use some.”

She walked away, her eyes burning. She couldn’t believe she’d defended him to Sandra less than an hour before. Or that she’d considered putting the moves on him. There must be something wrong with her.

She was stalking angrily down the street when she heard Draper’s voice. “Hey, Jennifer. Wait a second.”