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Okay.
If that’s what it was all about, that’s what it was all about. The shoes were black “kitten heels” with a flat black bow on the toe. Last night at the mall, she’d eyed an array of five-inch-heeled shoes and boots with a stirring of lust as she thought about the models she’d seen on television in such wear, but her overall pragmatism won out and she forewent them in a hurry, suspecting she would snap an ankle if she actually tried to walk around in something like that.
They were currently cruising through west LA in the late morning, heading toward Rex’s office. He’d given her the choice to stay in Costa Mesa and work her way over to Wembley Grade School in her search for Elizabeth, but the new clothes were for the upcoming rendezvous Kimberley Cochran had planned with her lover. Ravinia had been torn. Yes, there was urgency to find Elizabeth. Even without Aunt Catherine’s warnings, she could sense something going on, something coming. Was it Declan Jr., zeroed in on another one of them? Had he made his way south ahead of her? Or was she just being overly sensitive to her aunt’s fears and worries?
In any event, she’d chosen to go with Rex and work on his other case. If she helped him, then he would help her. He’d promised to drive back to Costa Mesa after the rendezvous. She could go to the school tomorrow. Symbiosis, she thought, gritting her teeth and giving her skirt another tug. She just hadn’t counted on helping him first.
“Pulling on it isn’t going to make it any longer,” he drawled.
She ignored that. “Where’s Casa del Mar?”
“Santa Monica. Right on the beach south of the pier.”
“The pier with the Ferris wheel?”
“Yup.” He pulled into the parking lot behind his office. “This’ll be quick.”
“I know. The contract.” She followed him in through the back door, aware that even the kitten heels were a balancing act. Fine. She could master it.
As Rex peeled off for his office, she heard from down the hall, “Joel? Is that you?”
Pain in the ass Bonnie. Ravinia smiled to herself, walking carefully. She’d never worn such a short skirt ever. The cool California air slipping up her thighs had made her feel half-naked, but she could see the possibilities of dressing up and looking good.
As long as she didn’t trip and fall.
“Yeah, I’m just here for a minute,” he called back to Bonnie.
Ravinia passed by his office door. She’d washed her hair and let it dry straight. One of Rex’s mysterious female visitors had left some makeup scattered in a drawer so Ravinia had attempted to put some on. She’d smeared the eyeliner and had to wash it back off and had hit her eyeball with the mascara wand, but all in all, she thought she’d done okay.
Rex eyed her critically when she’d appeared in the kitchen, then stood in front of him, her hands on her hips. “You look like somebody else,” he admitted.
“That’s the point, right?”
“That’s the point,” he agreed.
She carefully strolled into the front of the office. Bonnie’s back was to her as the girl was looking through the front windows. Sensing someone, she turned around, clearly expecting Rex. The way her mouth popped open and her jaw sagged was an image Ravinia would treasure for a long time.
“Wha . . . what are you doing?” she asked in a strangled voice.
“I’m on a job with Rex,” Ravinia told her.
Rex came out of his office at that moment, holding some papers, frowning down at them. “Bonnie, would you print off a contract for me?”
“For who . . . her?” She looked stricken.
“Yes. Ravinia Rutledge, right?” He glanced at her.
“That’s what’s on my GED.”
He checked his watch. “We’ll pick up lunch then head over to the Cochrans. Kimberley’s rendezvous at Casa del Mar could be a nooner. Don’t want to miss it.”
A nooner. Ravinia filed that away as Bonnie slowly sat down in her chair and pulled up something on her computer. She pressed a few buttons and Ravinia could hear a machine chunking away in another room.
“It’s printing,” Bonnie said dully.
“Thanks.” Rex moved down the hall toward the sound.
“I should be the one going,” Bonnie said in a voice so low Ravinia almost didn’t hear it.
