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“Well, I don’t want to ride with someone who doesn’t exfoliate.”
“Say what?”
“I’m not interested in Ranger’s men. I’m interested in Charlie Shine. Could we please get going?”
“Hunh,” Lula said, “you’re Miss Cranky Pants today.”
* * *
—
Darlene Long lived in a midrise condo building by the river. We parked in the condo lot and looked up at what we guessed were Darlene’s windows. Third floor, rear-facing unit. No balcony. Shine scrimped a little on his honey’s digs. Not that I should throw stones. At least she had digs.
“Now what?” Lula asked.
“Now we snoop around.”
We got out of the Firebird, and I told the Rangeman guys who were parked behind us to stay. I gave them the same firm voice and hand signal that I use with Bob.
“Does that work?” Lula asked.
“Sometimes.”
The building’s lobby was dated but clean and brightly lit. Tenant mailboxes were lined up in an alcove. Darlene’s name was on one of them. We took the elevator to the third floor and walked the length of the hallway.
“This is her condo,” Lula said. “It’s a corner unit. 304.”
We stood in front of the door for a couple beats and listened. We leaned in closer.
“I don’t hear anything,” Lula said. “Maybe we should kick the door in.”
“Maybe we should try ringing the doorbell and knocking first.”
“Sure. That would be another way to go.”
I rang the bell and Darlene came to the door.
She looked past me to Lula. “Long time no see.”
“I’ve been busy,” Lula said. “I’m in the law enforcement business. We got a lot to do.”
“We represent Charlie Shine’s bail bondsman,” I said. “Charlie missed his court date, and we need to get him rescheduled. We thought he might be here.”
Darlene managed a small smile. “Sorry I can’t help you. I haven’t seen Charlie in ages.”
“You don’t mind if we look around?” Lula asked her.
“Go right ahead, but don’t move anything. My housekeeper is very picky about things being out of place.”
“I have that problem too,” Lula said.
Lula lives in a one-room apartment on the second floor of a lavender and pink house. It used to have a bedroom, but she converted it into a closet, so now she sleeps on her couch. Her kitchen consists of a half refrigerator and a hot plate.
We checked out Darlene’s bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. No Charlie Shine.
“It’s not like we doubted you,” Lula said to Darlene. “It’s just no stone unturned.”
“Of course,” Darlene said.
