“It’s ten in the morning.”
“So? I mean, how can you drink all day if you don’t start in the morning?”
“I’m working, Phoebe.”
“You shouldn’t let that stop you. In fact, why don’t you join me? I have a drawer full of bathing suits and I bet you and I wear the same size.”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” Margot said as she pulled up the other chaise lounge and sat on the edge so she was facing Phoebe.
“Why not? You shouldn’t be shy about wearing a bikini. I bet you look good. Maybe better than me right now. I haven’t been too inspired to get to the gym.”
“I’m working on keeping you out of jail, Phoebe.”
“So no sunshine and vodka for you?”
“No. I’m sure I’m not the first to ask you this, but do you have any idea how Lucas might have gotten the straight razor?”
“Other than he stole it when he killed my husband?”
“Yeah.”
“No.”
“Is there anyone else who could have taken it? Is it something your husband would have noticed missing?”
Phoebe sipped some Vodka as she thought about it.
“The razor was just for show. Tim liked the idea of a straight razor, but he didn’t shave with it regularly; in fact, the only time he tried, he cut himself. So, it could have been gone for a while without him knowing it, but I can’t think who would have been in our bathroom to steal it other than the maid and I don’t think she would do that. Even if she were a thief, there are a lot better things in the house to steal and I can’t picture her hanging out with Lucas.”
“Can you tell me how to reach her?”
“You’re not going to accuse her of stealing are you?”
“No, but she might have noticed when the razor went missing.”
“She’d have a better idea than me. I have her number somewhere.”
Margot thought she might get up and go find the number, but the only thing she moved was her glass back to her lips.
They both turned as the back gate opened again.
Margot was surprised to see Detective Anderson walk through.
“What are you doing here, Margot?” he asked. She was surprised he’d taken his eyes off Phoebe long enough to notice she was there.
“I work for her defense team, why are you here?”
“I just thought I’d drop by to say hello.”
Margot looked over at Phoebe. “Do you want me to call Browers?”
“Why? You think that cute lawyer, the one with the Porsche, would come by? If so, you definitely need to go change into one of my suits. That pants suit thing you’ve got going does not do your body justice.”
“A detective just walked into your backyard. Trust me, he does not have your best interest at heart.”
Phoebe lowered her sunglasses so Anderson could see her wink and then said, “I can’t speak for his heart, but I think some of him has my best interests in mind. At least certain interests.”
Looking at Anderson, she was probably right, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a detective looking to solve a case.
“Then I’ll call them for you,” Margot said as she fished her phone out of her purse.
“I don’t think you need to do that, Margot,” Phoebe said, “Harlan is one of the nice ones.”
“There are no nice detectives, even if you know their first names.”
“Maybe you just have a bad attitude,” Anderson told her.
“What do you really want, Anderson?”
“I was in the neighborhood and during the course of my investigation, I noticed Ms. Masterson was having some difficulties,” Anderson said as pointed at the nearly empty glass of vodka in Phoebe’s hands. “I thought it might be prudent to check on her.”
“Bullshit.”
“Don’t be so cynical, Margot,” Phoebe said right before she gulped down the last of her drink, “I told you he was one of the nice ones.”
“Look, Margot,” Anderson said, “since you’re here watching over her, I’ll be on my way.”
“You sure you don’t want to stay for a drink?” Phoebe asked as she stood up. If the alcohol had any effect on her, it didn’t show.
“I think Detective Anderson wouldn’t want to be drinking on the job.”
“She’s right. We’ll talk soon, Phoebe.”
Phoebe smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Anderson left the way he came in and Phoebe headed inside.
“Get your maid’s number while you’re in there,” Margot told her.
“Okay, you sure you don’t want a drink?”
“I’m sure.”
Phoebe returned with a Merry Maids business card with the name ‘Mary’ written on the back with another phone number.
“Be nice, like I said, I like her.”
“No problem. Is he right?”
“Who?”
“Anderson.”
“You mean Harlan?”
“He and I aren’t on a first name basis, but yeah.”
“I’m not in jail, yet. If you worried about me hanging myself or drowning in the pool, you don’t have to. I’ve drank like this for a while now.”
“I can hang out if you don’t want to be alone.”
“But you’re not going to drink with me?”
“No.”
“I’m fine, Margot. In fact, the idea that you’re out there looking for who really killed Tim makes me feel a lot better than you sitting here being a bummer while I tan.”
“Okay, I might go call your maid then. I’ll come by later.”
“Sounds great.”
“If Anderson comes back, call me. He might seem nice, but you can’t trust him.”
“If you say so.”
“I do say so. See you later, Phoebe.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Margot went out to her car and was getting ready to call the maid when she saw Harry Lee had returned her text from the wee hours of the morning.
The text
