Serpentine

Chapter 36

Sunday. Same war room, same whiteboards, same coffee and tea and pastries in pink boxes augmented by a heap of plastic-wrapped, handmade deli sandwiches financed by Milo’s cash.

No writing on the boards; instead, Dudley Galoway’s enlarged DMV photo, enlargements of a modest-looking single-story Spanish house taken from Zillow plus several aerial shots of the property. No vehicles in any of the images.

Milo explained the situation.

Moe Reed and Alicia Bogomil listened impassively. Jen Arredondo’s eyes widened with each fact. She wore loose hair, a red tee, black jeggings, red Vans, looked like a high school senior.

When Milo finished, Alicia said, “This woman — if she is alive — is something else.”

Milo walked to the board and pointed to one of the aerials. A wide view that covered two blocks. “Everyone’s got a double-width driveway and a garage, not much parking on the street. So we can’t just sit there, anything unusual’s going to be spotted, especially by an ex-D like Galoway. But even by an unsuspecting neighbor. We can’t afford to have Valley patrol show itself.”

Moe Reed said, “Not safe informing them?”

“Don’t know if Galoway still has police contacts, so no. The best alternative I can come up with is pulling off a little theater. Meaning you guys play roles. I’d be part of the repertory but Galoway knows me.”

Using Meg Meecham’s word. Arredondo looked baffled and Milo noticed.

“There’ll be some acting,” he told her.

Alicia said, “All right, ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.”

Moe and Arredondo squinted at her.

“It’s a movie, guys. Sunset Boulevard?”

No response.

Alicia said, “Before my time, too, but my mom watches it all the time.” Small smile. “On her VCR.”

Milo said, “No close-ups. Let me emphasize, we’re not trying to get cozy with the suspects, need to assume Galoway’s gonna be more vigilant than a civilian and the same goes for Dorothy or whatever she’s calling herself.”

Reed said, “What is the goal?”

“I’d be happy with finding out who lives there. It may turn out to be simple. We know both of Galoway’s vehicles but have no idea what she’s driving. We spot a third vehicle and trace the tag to a female, big step. We don’t, I’d settle for some inkling of her presence or absence.”

Alicia said, “When’s garbage day? We can go back at night, empty the cans, see if there’s female stuff in there or who mail is addressed to.”

“Too risky, kid.”

She shrugged.

Milo turned to Reed. “For you, I’m figuring a delivery guy. There are three vans in the impound lot scheduled for the auction next month. No logo or signage on any of them, we’ll get stick-on vinyls that fit with whatever you’re delivering. Any preferences?”

Alicia patted Reed’s colossal biceps. “How about iron anvils?”

Reed smiled. “Whatever you choose, L.T. So I’m just driving by, not making a delivery.”

“Correct,” said Milo.

“Then I can alternate — plumbing, then electrical, whatever.”

“That’s fine if you can disguise yourself sufficiently so Galoway doesn’t see the same face in different sets of wheels.”

Jen Arredondo made a soft, mouse-like noise.

Milo looked at her.

She said, “I do makeup. Did. In high school, for drama.”

“Excellent, what can you do with Detective Reed?”

Arredondo blushed. “Um, there’s beards, mustaches. Wigs. If you want to go to the next level, there’s putty you can add to the nose or the chin. We did that on Les Miz.”

Alicia grinned. “You can turn him into Quasimodo?”

“There was no one like that...”

Milo said, “Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Alicia said, “Oops.”

Arredondo said, “I mean I’m not like a professional but I could change him.”

Milo said, “Give me a list of what you need.”

“Is it okay if I contact my drama teacher? He knows where to get everything.”

“Long as he’s not a felon with a big mouth.”

“I don’t think so...”

“Tell him you’re working on the department Christmas show.”

“You have one of those?” said Arredondo.

Milo smiled. “This works out, we just might. Okay, kids, let’s plan on starting tomorrow. I’ll set up the vehicles, tell you where to pick them up.”

Arredondo said, “Um, sir? What will I be delivering?”

“Not sure, yet. Let’s see what Detectives Reed and Bogomil come up with first.”

“I could do one of those magazine subscription deals? Ring the bell, someone answers I give a speech about bargains?”

“Too close for comfort, Officer.”

“I’ll be fine, sir,” said Arredondo, not sounding convinced.

“Did you act in the school play or just do makeup?”

“Makeup, sir. But I did magazine subscriptions for real. Two summers, between my junior and senior years. I sold quite a few.”

“Hmm, let me think about it. One more thing: If at any point Galoway shows himself and anyone can follow safely, do it. Any questions? Okay, then—”

“Actually, sir,” said Arredondo, fidgeting.

All eyes on her.

“Yes, Officer.”

“It’s not a question, sir, it’s something that maybe is relevant?”

Out of her pocket came a folded sheet of paper. “I’ve been looking at the sites with all the missings on them whenever I have a chance and a couple of hours ago something came up. While I was eating breakfast.”

Alicia said, “Working meal? Dedicated.”

More blush. “I had nothing else to do.”

“That’s good, Jen. Really.”

Arredondo shrugged.

Milo took the paper and read. “Great work, Officer. Unbelievably great work.”

For the first time since I’d met her, Jen Arredondo smiled.

Below the photo of Benicia Cairn was a new string of comments.

That sparked six responses, one of which said a response wasn’t necessary “if you really have nothing new,” and five that offered counsel similar to that of Bonnie from Tulsa:

Milo looked at me.

I said, “V.”

Jen Arredondo said, “It could be something?”

“We know of another woman who associated with Benni Cairns and Dorothy named Victoria Barlow. You all know how we feel about coincidences. So let me try to sort this out. We’ll still keep tomorrow in mind but there might be a delay.”

Alicia leaned over and slapped Arredondo’s back lightly. “Let’s hear it for breakfast.”

Milo pointed to the sandwiches. “Next we’ll hear it for lunch. Officer Arredondo, you pick first.”