Self-Defence

'Well, that's good. It was an odd case, I never really felt I had a handle on it.'

'In what way?'

'The suicide attempt. She was so adamant about not trying to kill herself, but she seemed so coherent. So, no subsequent psychosis or major depression?'

'None.'

'Good. Anyway, say hello to her for me. I still think about her.'

'Will do, Wendy.'

'Actually, I was calling you about something else. This is awkward and don't feel obligated to answer, but have you had any trouble getting paid for treating her?'

'I'm fine with that.'

'Oh. Hmm. I know this is tacky, but I think I told you Woodbridge is in a major financial bind; the staff's under a lot of pressure not to take on any nonpaying cases. I'm under special pressure since it's my first year there- probationary status. Lucy had no insurance and no clear ability to pay. Strict hospital policy is to take care of the crisis, then transfer them over to County. I didn't do that because I liked her and because her brother told me he'd handle it. But the hospital just notified me that a bill they sent to his company was returned unopened, and he hasn't returned any of their calls. None of mine, either. Have you been in contact with him?'

'He's been tied up,' I said. 'Their brother Peter OD'd a couple of days ago.'

'Oh. God. I'm so… sorry for bringing it up. Good-bye.'

I ran and had breakfast. On the news, one of the Bogettes, a sunken-cheeked, twentyish harpy named Stasha, was granting an interview to a breathlessly eager reporter. Her hair was cropped to the skin and she wore a goat- hair vest and a necklace of animal fangs. Jobe Is God tattoo just above her left eyebrow. Her mouth twisted constantly and her eyes pursued the camera.

The reporter was a blond woman in her late twenties, with conspicuous hair. She said, 'So you're saying the police have bungled the investigation so badly that Jobe Shwandt deserves a new trial? But surely-'

'Surely Jobe lives,' said Stasha. 'Surely the truth will spawn its own certain becertitude.' The rest of her speech succumbed to bleeps.

I turned off the set. The phone rang.

'Hey.' Milo, finally.

'Just saw one of your girls on the tube.'

'Spent all night following those hags around town. El Monte, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank. They drive slowly, use their turn signals, make full stops.'

'Where'd they go?'

'Nowhere, just cruising. Pulling over to the curb, waiting, then pulling out again- goddamn game. Final stop was for burgers and fries at an all-night grease palace in San Fernando. One of them comes up to me in the parking lot and offers me a Pepsi. After spitting on it and inviting me to mate with pigs. Then she told me where they'd be going next. 'Want a fucking road map, clown?' '

'Fun.'

'Join the blue army, see the world. Anyway, that was some message you left me on Ms. Shea. What, you tailed her, then interrogated her?'

'It just kind of happened.'

'I'll bet,' he said, grumbling. 'Hopefully she won't sue you. Think she was on the level?'

I told him why I did.

'If App and Lowell are so ready to bump people off,' he said, 'why'd they let the Sheas live?'

'Several possibilities,' I said. 'If Gwen was being truthful, she and Tom don't really know much. And each year the Sheas kept the secret and didn't hit on Lowell for extra money would have reassured them. Also, by now the Sheas are as invested in the status quo as Lowell and App. Respectable business people. The fact that they took money to withhold information on a girl who ended up murdered wouldn't do much for their civic image. And if Doris ever found out they held back money from her, she'd blow her stack and probably try to incriminate them. As it is, she resents their success.'

'Lovely folks,' he said. 'The type who pretends not to smell the gas chambers… Okay, so now we know for sure Sanctum was the last place Karen was seen. But-'

'No proof of any crime. I know.'

'Not without a body.'

'So far Lucy's dream's been panning out, Milo. So the body might very well be right there.'

'After all these years? I can see them stashing her there short term, Alex. But why would they be stupid enough to leave her?'

'Arrogance. I'm sure Lowell sees himself as above the law. And when you get down to it, it's a pretty safe place. Who'd think to look for her there? Even if they did, with all that land, who'd know where to look?'

A sick feeling hit me. 'Oh, boy.'

'What?'

'My meeting with App, yesterday. If he goes checking and finds out my biography story is bogus, he'll start to suspect something. If the body is still up at Lowell's, it could get moved pretty soon.'

'Don't scourge yourself, I don't see that it makes any difference. Even if no one touches the body, we can't. Not even close to grounds for a warrant. And after all these years, there's probably no body to speak of. Animals get hold of bones, scatter them. If App's smart, he'll sit tight and not attract attention to the place.'

'Maybe, but in the past he hasn't sat things out. He and Lowell eliminate people who get in the way.'

'So why haven't they bumped off the Sheas and Doris? Answer: They're discriminating. If Gwen's story is even true. Don't forget, all you've got to connect App is the Ferrari. Anyone could have been driving it.'

'But Lucy remembers someone ordering Lowell around. App would have been in a position to do that.'

'So would Trafficant. And now that you've tossed Mellors into the heap, we've got four bad guys. So let's not start thinking of the dream as gospel.'

'Okay,' I said. 'But it's maddening- getting so close and not being able to grab it.'

'Join the club. Anyway, let me look into Mr. App.'

I gave him the producer's Century City office.

'At the time of the party his home was in Malibu,' I said. 'On the beach side, no doubt.'

***

I called Lucy. No answer. I got in the Seville and headed south to Topanga Canyon.

Just a quick look to see if any cars other than Lowell's were parked in front of the lodge house, then I'd turn back.

Or maybe, if it seemed right, another visit to the old man. Checking to see how he was coping with his loss. At worst, he'd curse me and kick me out. If he was taking one of his long naps, I'd try to cajole Nova into another walk.

Into the forest.

Lacy trees.

***

When I came to the intersection at Old Topanga Road, I had to stop for an oncoming truck. As I waited to turn left, I noticed a car parked in the lot of the market across the road.

Blue Colt. A young woman behind the wheel. When the truck passed, I U-turned and pulled over next to it.

Lucy looked out the window, shocked. Then she smiled.

We both got out of our cars. She had on a plaid shirt, jeans, and hiking boots. Her hair was pulled back in a bun.

'Hi,' she said.

'Hi.'