That was another avenue she didn’t care to explore.
I said, “When I met Christian, he didn’t look like any parolee I’ve ever seen. His hair was styled and his wardrobe was elegant. Did you do that for him?” I knew full well she had, but I was curious to see if she’d own up to it.
“Being handsome counts a lot in this world. He’d never get a job looking as he did.”
“Maybe Ari will hire him if he doesn’t get sent back to Lompoc.”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“Well, whatever happens, that was nice of you.”
“He tells me you went into Lou’s looking for him, so you must have realized how bright he is. Why did you want to talk to him?”
“I hoped to warn him off. I got him into this and I’d like to get him out. I don’t know what you have in mind, but it can’t be good for anyone.”
“How much did he tell you?”
“Nothing and I didn’t press the point. This is between you and your ex. My only concern is to see that Christian and I don’t get caught in the crossfire.”
Her look was unblinking and I had no way to know if she was really hearing me or not.
“You have any idea where the baby was placed?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I did leave a letter in his file, but I’ve never heard from him.”
“There’s time yet. Does Ari know?”
She shook her head for the second time. Then she said, “So now what? So far, I don’t see that we’ve settled anything.”
“I was just getting to that. I’m going to do you a favor here. And this is purely hypothetical,” I added for purposes of clarity. “Let’s say two years ago you came into some money, maybe twenty-five thousand bucks in cash in exchange for missing art . . .”
I could see I had her undivided attention, so I went on.
“I’m not asking you to confirm or deny because I don’t want to know. All I’m saying is that if, by some chance, the police kept a record of the serial numbers on those bills, you’d be very smart to go back, anonymously if you must, and clean up the mess. Do you know the man I’m referring to?”
“Yes.”
“Does he know it was you, in this totally imaginary theft?”
She shook her head in the negative.
“Give him back the money. I know you still have it because two hundred of that is the cash you paid me for putting you in touch with Christian Satterfield. See how good I am to you? I’m not even asking what you’re up to.”
“I’d be prosecuted.”
“Making restitution is your only chance of avoiding prosecution. He can look at it as an object lesson. He should have had his million-dollar painting insured in the first place.”
“What makes you think this man would agree?”
“He has his painting back. If you give back the cash, what’s he got to complain about? It’s called making a deal. Settling out of court. It’s done every day, just not quite like this.”
“I understand and I’ll take care of it.”
“Which brings us back to Ari. Do you want to know what I think?”
“By all means.”
“The way I see it, you’re pissed at Ari. He’s pissed at you. Neither of you have much use for Stella. You’re desperate for something, but I’m not sure what. Only that you’re willing to steal it if push comes to shove. Ari’s feeling ripped off and he’s determined not to make one more concession to you. You’re setting up some kind of showdown to make him look bad or make yourself look good, but I don’t see the point. You can’t battle with Ari and imagine the rest of us won’t suffer the consequences. There has to be another way to work out your differences.”
“So earnest.”
“I am. And don’t condescend.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Talk to Ari.”
“I don’t want to talk to Ari. If anything, he’s the one who should be talking to me.”
“Good. Fine. I can set that up.”
“I didn’t say I’d do it. I’m pointing out that if either one of us is to yield ground, it should be him. He’s cost me everything. My marriage, the home I love, my best friend.”
“Actually, you kind of did that to yourself, slapping him with papers so fast. You could have allowed yourself a little cooling-off period.”
“Too late now.”
“No, it’s not. That’s exactly what I’m getting at.”
“Have you ever been married?”
I held up two fingers.
“And how did that turn out?”
“Just because I couldn’t solve my own problems doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have a go at yours.”
“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but you’ll have to let us muddle through on our own.”
“But you’re making a hash of it,” I said. “This is what I find so exasperating. I thought rich people were smart. I thought that’s why you raked in all the money, because you had life all figured out.”
“Wouldn’t that be lovely,” she said, but her expression was bleak.
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