'Intentionally. But she mentioned your name and said you lived in Needham, and…' I shrugged modestly.
'Elementary.'
'Yes, of course, won't you sit down.'
I sat.
'You and Bibi were high school friends.'
'Yes, earlier than that. We were friends all through school.'
'Do you still hear from her?'
'Not very much, I'm afraid. We exchange Christmas cards, really, very little more than that.'
'You know where she is now?'
'Well, I gather she's not at home, in Medford?'
'No, would you have any idea where she might be?'
'No, I'm sorry. I don't.'
'You've not heard from her?'
'No. Not in ages.'
She shifted in her chair and crossed her legs. I was right. The panty hose were dark tan. The legs were good, too.
'And you have no thoughts where I might find her?'
'No, I'm very sorry, but I really don't.'
'Names of any friends she might have contacted?'
She shook her head slowly.
I stood and took one of my business cards out and gave it to her.
'Well, if you do hear from her, or you think of anything that might be useful in finding her, please give me a call.'
'Of course,' she said and stood and shook hands with me.
'I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful.'
'Me too,' I said and went back out into the rain with the collar of my trench coat turned up. In uniform. Driving back to Boston I thought about how she had not once asked why I was looking for Bibi or if she might be in trouble, or any of the questions she might have asked if she really hadn't talked with Bibi. Maybe if I laid low in the weeds for a while and didn't bother Abigail any more, the houseguest, whoever she was, might assume the risk was over and come back.
CHAPTER 34
Hawk and I were in Bay Village, on the south end of Charles Street, approaching a couple of hookers.
'This is a pretty long end run ain't it?' Hawk said.
'You got a better idea?' I said.
'Could talk with Julius again.'
'We can do that,' I said.
'But let's see if we can find out a little about what's going on down here in the trenches.'
'That where we are?' Hawk said.
'Right here where the cash is earned,' I said.
'Good evenin',' one of the hookers said.
'I'm Wanda.'
'Aren't you cold?' I said.
She had on a red sleeveless top and a white miniskirt and three inch white heels.
'Got a sweater over in the doorway,' she said.
'You cops?'
'You ever see a cop dressed as good as me?' Hawk said.
'Some of the undercover Vice guys looking pretty fresh,' Wanda said.
'We're not cops,' I said.
'We're looking for a missing woman.'
'You think she hooking?' Wanda's friend asked. She had on black toreador pants and a huge blonde wig.
'No, but it's a place to start,' I said.
'Who runs you?'
