chapter Twelve
“Time to hound the cops?”
Geraldine had gone back home—after Casey gave several varied and right-out blunt hints that she really should—and Death held out a phone that now looked like a Droid.
Exhausted, Casey lay on the couch in Ricky’s living room, feeling grimy and dusty. “It doesn’t sound like speaking to law enforcement would do any good. Geraldine’s already told them everything I could.”
“Not about Ricky’s stash.”
“Like they’d care about a few scribbled sayings, stale candy, and a biography of a comedienne. What I need is hard evidence, not stuff that has no meaning to anyone but Ricky.”
“So you need to ask Ricky what it means.”
“Don’t you think I realize that? It’s not like I can just call him up and ask.”
Death stepped away, hands up. “Just trying to be helpful.”
“What time is it?”
“Almost seven-thirty. Why? Hungry?”
“Well, yes, but it’s also about time for Bailey to get off work. She said I could check with her about Alicia’s faked job application.”
“Perfect. You can grab supper while you’re there.”
“Not. I’d rather go hungry. You coming?”
Ricky’s car had been taken away by the cops, so Casey strapped her bag onto her back, jumped on Ricky’s bicycle, and headed to the other side of town, Death keeping pace on an airborne Segway. Casey made it to the Slope just before closing and waited outside. When Bailey appeared, it took Casey a moment to recognize her. She’d changed into a different tight shirt, this one with open buttons revealing cleavage, and a clean pair of skinny jeans. She’d obviously made a stop in the bathroom to put on fresh make-up, and her hair was loose, falling around her face.
She headed for her car, confident in high heeled boots, and slid into the driver’s seat. Casey got into the passenger side just as Bailey inserted her key in the ignition.
Bailey yelped and laid her hand on her chest. “Geez, you scared me.”
“Sorry. Didn’t think you’d want your manager to see you talking to me.”
“Yeah, he was awfully crabby this afternoon. I think it’s all getting to him.”
“Did you find it?”
Bailey looked blank for a moment before understanding lit her eyes and she dug in her purse. “It’s been a long day. I forgot for a second what it was you wanted. But here it is.”
Just one side of one sheet of paper. Alicia’s job application. “You need it back?”
“Nah. I made a copy while Karl was out.”
Casey scanned the form. It was everything she feared. All lies, nothing that would help. At least not at first sight.
“So did you get in to see him?” Bailey’s hand waved in front of Casey’s face, like she’d been trying to get her attention, but had failed.
“Who? Your boss?”
“No, Ricky. You said you were going to the prison.”
“Yeah, I saw him.”
“How was he?”
“How do you think?”
Bailey frowned. “I do care about him, you know. Just because Alicia was his actual girlfriend doesn’t mean I didn’t like him. I told you I don’t think he did it, and I will help you find the real killer. Ricky deserves a second chance.”
Poor girl. She had it bad. And Casey had spent so much breath trying to convince Ricky to give her a second chance, Casey should probably follow her own advice. “He wasn’t good. Pretty much a mess. I have to get him out.”
“We have to.” Bailey’s eyes were hard. Determined. “What else can I do?”
Casey considered the offer. “Do you think the other people you work with know anything?”
“About who killed her?”
“Or just about her. Would she have told them anything?”
“I really doubt it. She pretty much kept to herself, and they’re not exactly her type. Not my type, either,” she added quickly.
“Who’s type are they?”
She made a face. “Can’t imagine.”
“What about customers? Any of them she was especially friendly with?”
“Some of the dinner folks, I guess. I get along better with the breakfast and lunch crowds. The working men, you know. Alicia wasn’t real friendly with them. Got them their food and whatever, but they thought she was stuck up. They seem to like me.”
Casey eyed the girl’s clothes. “I wonder why.”
Bailey had the grace to blush. “So do you want me to talk to them? The dinner people or the dishwasher and cook? Some of the older couples who come in for late breakfasts might be good, too.”
“Are you working tomorrow?”
“Got to. There’s no one else, not till Karl hires another waitress.” She brightened. “You interested?”
“No. But I’m going to come by. We can question the other employees together. What’s a good time?”
“Depends. If you want the cook and dishwasher, you’d better wait till after the breakfast rush. You want the dinner folks, you’ll have to come later on.”
“Karl won’t mind?”
“He won’t care. Not if you’re applying for the waitress job.”
“I told you—”
Bailey grinned slyly. “Or you can try to find the guys wherever they went tonight after work.”
“They don’t tell you?”
“I never ask. Don’t really want to know.”
“What about you? Are you headed to the other side of town?”
“I’m meeting some friends there.”
“I thought you didn’t like rich people.”
“Not when they’re treating me like a servant. When I meet them on their terms they’re not so bad.”
“And they don’t see through it?”
Bailey’s eyes were bleak, and she hesitated just a little too long. “Not all of them.”
“All right.” Casey opened her door. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. About nine?”
“That’s fine.”
Casey got out of the car and watched the girl drive away before heading down the sidewalk. She stopped under a dim parking lot light to study the job application, but had to squint. Death held the Droid over the paper to add illumination.
“I don’t get it,” Casey said. “The manager didn’t ask for any ID? He let it all go, no questions asked? How does he get away with that?”
“Come on, Casey; you can’t be completely surprised.”
She folded up the paper and began pedaling. Death rode on the back axles, like a nine-year old, but didn’t need to hang onto Casey to stay put. “So, where are we headed?”
Casey wobbled, but kept the bike upright. “I guess…home.”
“Home. Doesn’t that sound strange?”
But Casey couldn’t let herself think about their destination as she rode. She wasn’t even sure she could think about it when they got there. “Alicia made up a name, supplied only a brand new address, and didn’t even put the number of the phone she was using. Who knows how many places she lived before coming here? And Ricky believed her about wanting to stay.”
“Maybe she really was going to this time.”
“No. People like that, who move around with new names, and fill out fake applications, they don’t stay. They just drop everything and leave people, and jobs, and landlords behind. They can’t be trusted. Not with important things.”
Death laughed. “Do you hear yourself?”
“I know.”
“You’re so self-righteous about her changing her name and hiding her past. But it’s like she’s another you. A Mini Me, like in that movie. Except for, well, it’s You. And she’s not a midget.”
Casey kept riding, turning onto the road where her house sat. It felt like she was riding uphill, even though that stretch of road was flat. “What Alicia did hurt Ricky. I never got in a relationship. Never hurt anybody.”
“I guess it depends on how you define ‘relationship.’ And ‘hurt.’”
“I never made any promises to anyone in the past two years. Especially a man.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes, I’m sure!”
“Then why is Eric VanDiepenbos, that sweet young man from Clymer who just saved your ass, sitting in front of your house?”