True Detectives

CHAPTER 36

Dr. Steve Rau said, “A private eye.”

“I work for a private eye, Steve. I'm an actress by training.”

“Obviously a good one.”

More stunned than angry. But no one liked being lied to. His wife had made a fool of him, Liana had no way of knowing if this was turning into bad déjà vu.

She'd positioned herself close to the door, just in case.

After the night they'd spent together, kind of a cart-after-the-horses thing.

Steve said, “Liana…” As if trying on her real name for size. “So that first time was an assignment?”

“My boss and I are looking into Caitlin Frostig, that girl who disappeared.” Making herself sound more important than she was.

Performer's reflex, because life was an audition.

“And I brought her up before you asked,” said Steve. “You must've thought that was a strange… I also told you about a couple who disappeared, talk about purveyor of good cheer. Later-when I got home that night-I did a little computer research. Turns out the couple was running from the law and got caught.” Smile. “But you probably know that.”

“I do.”

“I felt like an idiot,” he said. “Meeting you and bringing up people vanishing. No reason you'd ever call me, you probably thought I was bizarre… so you were back there tonight to work?”

“That was the plan, Steve. It kind of got sidetracked.”

“Pardon?”

“This,” she said. “Everything that's happened tonight. That had nothing to do with work.”

Though if you happen to have info I can use, I won't complain.

“Oh,” he said. “Well, I was thrilled to see you. Liana.” Tasting her name. “I like that better than Laura-not that Laura's not a fine… you really are Liana?”

“Want to see a birth certificate?”

“Sorry.”

“I should be, Steve. You have every right not to trust me.”

“Since that first time, I've been hanging out at Riptide more regularly than before, hoping to see you again. I pretty much gave up. I did have to do some traveling-delivering papers. Have you been back before tonight?”

“No,” she said.

“So this is almost… karma… though I guess it really isn't that remarkable, just simple probability. I'm there high-frequency, so anytime you drop in, there's a good chance we'll meet.”

Liana smiled. “Sounds like another learned paper.”

He slumped. “Mr. Smooth.”

“You're a good guy. Stop being so hard on yourself.”

She got up, sat beside him on his parents’ fusty old sofa. He reached for her hand, hesitated. She made the move, squeezed his fingers.

“Liana, tonight, seeing you again-it was as… life was finally working out. If that's coming on too strong, I don't care. Nor do I care what brought you there in the first place.”

“You're not coming on too strong.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“So we can keep seeing each other? That's what I care about-I don't see why it should interfere with your assignment-is that what you call it?”

“It's just a job, Steve.”

“Sounds like an interesting job.”

“Not usually.”

He played with her fingers. “Undercover operative. Your mission should you choose to accept it.” Slowly spreading grin. “Do you get to wear costumes?”

What do you think this is?

Liana said, “The truth is, Steve, I do it because I can't do what I really want.”

Putting herself out there.

“Acting's a tough thing,” he said. “I admire your perseverance.”

“The only acting I've done for years is voice-overs. For cartoons.”

“Really? Can I hear a few?”

“Some other time.” She kissed him. It made her feel better.

They sat there for a while, holding hands.

He said, “There's no way you could stay the night?”

“I have an audition tomorrow.”

“Private eye or voice-over?”

“The latter,” she said. “Goofy squirrel.” She rattled off a line of stupid rodent dialogue.

He cracked up. “How about this: I'll set the alarm and we'll both get up early.”

“Not tonight, Steve.” She reached for her bag, pulled out her genuine business card. “Here's my number. I promise it's real.”

He studied it. “You're in the Valley.”

“Does that disqualify me?”

“Hey,” he said, “Sherman Oaks born and bred until Mom and Dad decided to socially climb. When can I see you again? Give me a time or I won't be able to concentrate.”

“If work doesn't get in the way, how about tomorrow, say eight?”

“I've got meetings till eight. Nine, okay? I'll make a reservation- you like Italian?”

“Who doesn't?”

“Excellent. Il Travino, not far from you in Tarzana.”

“Looking forward to it.”

The next kiss was his move. Longer and softer. For a beaten-down quasi-nerd, his technique was getting good. That second time, in bed, he'd made her feel things she hadn't felt for a long time. Even that bear-pelt was something she could get used to.

He said, “Now I feel great-let me walk you down.”

“Steve, at the risk of being totally tacky, I'm going to do something totally work-related right now.” She drew out the photo of Adella Villareal and her blue-blanketed baby. “This is another girl related to the case. They found her strangled in Griffith Park.”

Steve winced. Nodded. “I've definitely seen her at Riptide. Several times. Never at the bar, always in a corner table, back in the VIP area. Years ago, when the celebs were still-this is that kind of case?”

“Could be,” said Liana.

“She had a baby? I wouldn't have thought so.”

“Why not?”

“She seemed more of a party girl… I guess anyone can be a parent. The baby's okay?”

“No one's seen the baby since his mama got killed.”

“Oh, my God. Okay, okay, let me remember what I can… I never saw her with Caitlin. She was always in the back room. Dolled up, laughing. The reason I remember her is because she was extremely… she was a good-looking girl.”

“Sexy,” said Liana.

“In a flashy way. Maybe overdressed… you've been to Riptide, it's casual. And she was never alone-this could get interesting for you and your boss, Liana. Because she was always with the same people.”

He told her who.

She took hold of his face and kissed him hard. “What'd I do to deserve that?”

“Delivered good news, sweetie. Smooch the messenger. Maybe I will stay the night. But first I need to text my boss.”