The white fluffy1 thing Nora Dowd had left on her porch was a stuffed toy.Some sort of bichon or Maltese. Flat brown eyes.
Milo picked it up, had a close look. Said,“Oh, man,” and handed it over.
Not a toy. A real dog, stuffed and preserved. The pink ribbon around itsneck supported a heart-shaped, silver pendant.
Stan
Birth and death dates. Stan had lived thirteen years.
Blank look on the white fluffy face. Maybe it was the glass eyes. Or thelimits of taxidermy.
I said, “Could be Stan as in Stanislavsky. She probably talks to it andtakes it with her on walks. Saw us and thought better of it.”
“What does that mean?”
“Eccentric rather than psychotic.”
“I’m so impressed.” He took the dog and put it back on the floor.“Stanislavsky, eh? Let’s method act the hell out of here.”
As we drove past Albert Beamish’s Tudor, the drapes across the living roomwindow fluttered.
Milo said, “Neighborhood crank, love it.Too bad he didn’t recognize Meserve. But with his vision, that means nothing.He sure hates the Dowds.”
I said, “Nora has two brothers who own a lot of property. Ertha Stadlbraunsaid Peaty’s landlords are a pair of brothers.”
“So she did.”
By the time we reached Sixth Street and La Cienega, he’d confirmed it. WilliamDowd III, Nora Dowd, and Bradley Dowd, doing business as BNB Properties, ownedthe apartment building on Guthrie. It took several other calls to get an ideaof their holdings. At least forty-three properties registered in L.A. County.Multiple residences and office buildings and the converted house on theWestside where Nora availed herself to would-be stars.
“The school’s probably a concession2 to Crazy Sister,” he said. “Keeps herout of their hair.”
“And far from their other properties,” I said. “Something else: All thosebuildings mean lots of janitorial3 work.”
“Reynold Peaty looking in all kinds of windows…if he’s moved from peeping toviolence, lots of potential victims. Yeah, let’s check it out.”
Corporate5 headquarters for BNB Properties was on Ocean Park Boulevard near the Santa Monica Airport. Not one of the Dowd sibs’properties, this one was owned by a national real estate syndicate that ownedhalf of downtown.
“Wonder why?” said Milo.
“Maybe some sort of tax dodge,” I said. “Or they held on to what theirfather left them, didn’t add more.”
“Lazy rich kids? Yeah, makes sense.”
It was four forty-five and the drive at this hour would be brutal6. Milo called the listed number, hung up quickly.
“‘You’ve reached the office, blah blah blah. If it’s a plumbing7 emergency,press 1. Electrical, press 2.’ Lazy rich kids are probably drinking at thecountry club. You up for a try, anyway?”
“Sure,” I said.
--- oOo ---
Olympic Boulevard seemed the optimal8 route. The lights are timed and parkingrestrictions keep all six lanes open during L.A.’s ever-expanding rush hour. Theboulevard was designed back in the forties as a quick way to get from downtownto the beach. People old enough to remember when that promise was kept getteary-eyed.
This afternoon, traffic was moving at twenty miles per. When I stopped atDoheny, Milo said, “The love-triangle anglefits, given Nora’s narcissism9 and nuttiness. This woman thinks her dog’sprecious enough to be turned into a damned mummy.”
“Michaela insisted she and Dylan weren’t lovers.”
“She’d want to keep that from Nora. Maybe from you, too.”
“If so, the hoax10 was really stupid.”
“Two naked kids,” he said. “The publicity11 wouldn’t have thrilled Dowd.”
“Especially,” I said, “if she really doesn’t feel that blessed.”
“Never made it to the bottom of the funnel12.”
“Never made it, lives alone in a big house, no stable relationships. Needsto smoke up before greeting the world. Maybe clinging to a stuffed dog is justmassive insecurity.”
“Playing a role,” he said. “Availing herself. Okay, let’s see if we cantête-à-tête with the rest of this glorious family.”
The site was a two-story strip mall on the northeast corner of Ocean Parkand Twenty-eighth, directly opposite the lush, industrial park that fronted Santa Monica’s privateairport. BNB Properties was a door and window on the second floor.
Cheaply built mall, lemon-yellow sprayed-stucco walls stained by rust13 aroundthe gutters14, brown iron railings rimming15 an open balcony, plastic tile roofpretending to evoke16 colonial Spain.
The ground floor was a take-out pizza joint17, a Thai café and its Mexicancounterpart, and a coin-op laundry. BNB’s upstairs neighbors were achiropractor touting18 treatment for “workplace injuries,” Zip TechnicalAssistance, and Sunny Sky Travel, windows festooned by posters in bright,come-on colors.
As we climbed pebble-grained steps, a sleek19, white corporate jet shot intothe sky.
“Aspen or Vail or Telluride,” said Milo. “Someone’s having fun.”
“Maybe it’s a business trip and they’re going to Podunk.”
“That tax bracket, everything’s fun. Wonder if the Dowd brothers are in thatleague. If they are, they’re skimping20 on ambience.”
He pointed21 at BNB’s plain brown door. Chipped and gouged22 and cracking towardthe bottom. The corporate signage consisted of six U-stick, silver foilparallelograms aligned23 carelessly.
BNB inc
A single, aluminum-framed window was blocked by cheap, white mini-blinds.The slats tilted24 to the left, left a triangle of peep-space. Milotook advantage, shading his eyes with his hands and peering in.
“Looks like one room…and a bathroom with the light on.” He straightened.“Some guy’s in there peeing, let’s give him time to zip up.”
Another plane took off.
“That one’s Aspenfor sure,” he said.
“How can you tell?”
“Happy sound from the engines.” He knocked and opened the door.
A man stood by a cheap, wooden desk staring at us. He’d forgotten to zip thefly of his khaki Dockers and a corner of blue shirt peeked25 out. The shirt wassilk, oversized and baggy26, a stone-washed texture27 that had been fashionable adecade ago. The khakis sagged28 on his skinny frame. No belt. Scuffed29 brown pennyloafers, white socks.
He was short—five five or six—looked to be around fifty, with down-slantedmedium brown eyes and curly gray hair cut in a tight Caesar cap. White fuzz onthe back of his neck said it was time for a trim. Same for a two-day growth ofsalt-and-pepper beard. Hollow cheeks, angular features, except for his nose.
Shiny little button that gave his face an elfin cast. Either he’d used thesame surgeon as his sister or stingy nasal endowment was a dominant30 Dowd trait.
Milo said, “Mr. Dowd?”
Shy smile. “I’m Billy.” The badge made him blink. His hand brushed thecorner of shirttail and he stiffened31. Zipped his fly. “Oops.”
Billy Dowd breathed into his hand. “Need my Altoids…where did I put them?”
Turning four pockets inside out, he produced nothing but lint32 that landed onthin, gray carpet. A check of his shirt pocket finally located the mints.Popping one in his mouth and chewing, he held out the tin. “Want some?”
“No, thanks, sir.”
Billy Dowd perched on the edge of his desk. Across the room was a larger,more substantial work station: carved oak replica33 of a rolltop, flat-screencomputer monitor, the rest of the components34 tucked out of view.
Brown walls. The only thing hanging a Humane35 Society calendar. Trio of tabbykittens staking a claim on ultimate cute.
Billy Dowd chewed another mint. “So…what’s happening?”
“You don’t seem surprised we’re here, Mr. Dowd.”
Billy blinked some more. “It’s not the only time.”
“That you’ve spoken to police?”
“Yup.”
“When were the others?”
Billy’s brow creased36. “The second I’d have to say was last year? One of thetenants—we’ve got a lot of tenants38, my brother and sister and me, and last yearone of them was stealing computer stuff. A policeman from Pasadena came over and talked to us. We saidokay, arrest him, he pays late anyway.”
“Did they?”
“Uh-uh. He ran away and escaped. Took the lightbulbs, messed the place up,Brad wasn’t happy. But then we got another tenant37 pretty soon and he got happy.Real nice people. Insurance agents, Mr. and Mrs. Rose, they pay on time.”
“What was the name of the dishonest tenant?”
“I’d have to say…” Slowly spreading smile. “I’d have to say I don’t know.You can ask my brother, he’ll be here soon.”
“What was the other time the police visited?” said Milo.
“Pardon me?”
“You said the second was last year. When was the first?”
“Oh. Right. The first was long ago, I’d have to say five years, could beeven six?”
He waited for confirmation39.
I said, “What happened a long time ago?”
“That was different,” he said. “Someone hit someone else in the hallway, sothey called the police. Not tenants, two visitors, they got into a fight orsomething. So what happened this time?”
“A student of your sister’s was murdered and we’re looking into people whoknew her.”
The word “murdered” drew Billy Dowd’s hand to his mouth. He held it thereand his fingers muffled40 his voice. “That’s awful !” The hand dropped to hischin, clawed the stubbly surface. Nails gnawed41 short. “My sister, she’s okay?”
“She’s fine,” said Milo.
“You’re sure ?”
“Absolutely, sir. The murder didn’t take place at the PlayHouse.”
“Phew.” Billy drew a hand across his brow. “You scared me, I nearly pissedmy pants.” He laughed nervously42. Looked down at his crotch, verifyingcontinence.
A voice from the doorway43 said, “What’s going on?”
Billy Dowd said, “Hey, Brad, it’s the police again.”
The man who walked in was half a foot taller than Billy and solidly built.He wore a well-cut navy suit and a yellow shirt with a stiff spread collar,soft brown calfskin loafers.
Mid44 forties but his hair was snow-white. Dense45 and straight and clippedshort.
Crinkly dark eyes, full lips, square chin, beak46 nose. Nora and Billy Dowdhad been modeled from soft clay. Their brother was hewn from stone.
Bradley Dowd stood next to his brother and buttoned his jacket. “Again?”
“You remember,” said Billy. “That guy, the one who stole computers and tookall the lights—what was his name, Brad? Was he Italian?”
“Polish,” said Brad Dowd. He looked at us. “Edgar Grabowski’s back in town?”
“It’s not about him, Brad,” said Billy. “I was just explaining why I wassurprised but not totally surprised when they came in here, because it wasn’tthe first—”
“Got it,” said Brad, patting his brother’s shoulder. “What’s up, gentlemen?”
Milo said, “There’s been a murder…one ofyour sister’s students—”
“My God, that’s horrible —Nora’s okay?”
Same protective reflex as Billy.
“I already asked him that, Brad. Nora’s good.”
Brad must’ve put some weight on Billy’s shoulder because the smaller mansagged.
“Where did this happen and who exactly did it happen to?”
“West L.A. The victim’s a young woman namedMichaela Brand.”
“The one who faked being kidnapped?” said Brad.
His brother stared up at him. “You never told me about that, Bra—”
“It was in the news, Bill.” To us: “Did her murder have something to do withthat?”
“Any reason it would?” said Milo.
“I’m not saying it did,” said Brad Dowd. “I’m just asking—it’s a naturalquestion, don’t you think? Someone garners47 publicity, it has the potential tobring out the weirdos.”
“Did Nora talk about the hoax?”
Brad shook his head. “Murdered…terrible.” He frowned. “It must’ve hit Norahard, I’d better call her.”
“She’s okay,” said Milo. “We just talked toher.”
“You’re sure?”
“Your sister’s fine. We’re here, sir, because we need to talk to anyone whomight’ve had contact with Ms. Brand.”
“Of course,” said Brad Dowd. He smiled at his brother. “Billy, would you dome48 a favor and go down and get a sandwich from DiGiorgio’s—you know how I likeit.”
Billy Dowd got off the desk and looked up at his brother. “Peppers, egg,eggplant, and tomato. A lot of pesto or just a medium amount?”
“A lot, bro.”
“You got it, bro. Nice to meet you guys.” Billy hurried off.
When the door closed, Brad Dowd said, “He doesn’t need to hear about thiskind of thing. What else can I help you with?”
“Your janitor4, Reynold Peaty. Anything to say about him?”
“You’re asking because of his arrests?”
Milo nodded.
“Well,” said Brad, “he was up-front about them when he applied49 for a job. Igave him points for honesty and he’s been a good worker. Why?”
“Just routine, sir. How’d you find him?”
“Agency. They weren’t up-front about his past, so we dropped them.”
“How long’s he been working for you?”
“Five years.”
“Not that long after his last arrest in Nevada.”
“He said he’d had a drinking problem and had gotten clean and sober. Hedoesn’t drive, so any DUI problems aren’t going to happen.”
Milo said, “Are you aware of his arrest forpeeping through a window?”
“He told me about everything,” said Brad. “Claimed that was also thedrinking. And the only time he’d done something like that.” He flexed50 hisshoulders. “Many of our tenants are women and families with children, I’m notnaive, keep my eyes out on all the employees. Now that the Megan’s Law databaseis up and operating, I check it regularly. I assume you do, too, so you knowReynold isn’t on there. Is there some reason you’re asking about him, otherthan routine?”
“No, sir.”
Brad Dowd inspected his fingertips. Unlike his brother’s, beautifullymanicured. “Please be up-front, Detective. Do you have the slightest bit ofevidence implicating51 Reynold? Because he circulates among lots of our buildingsand as much as I’d like to trust him, I’d hate to incur52 any liability. Not tomention the human cost.”
“No evidence,” said Milo.
“You’re sure.”
“That’s the way it looks, so far.”
“So far,” said Brad Dowd. “Not exactly encouraging.”
“There’s no reason to suspect him, sir. If I hear otherwise, I’ll let youknow.”
Dowd fiddled53 with a hand-stitched lapel. “There’s no subtext here, is there,Detective? You’re not suggesting I fire him?”
“I’d prefer that you don’t.”
“Why’s that?”
“No sense stirring things up, Mr. Dowd. If Peaty’s turned his life around,more power to him.”
“That’s how I feel…that poor girl. How was she killed?”
“Strangled and stabbed.”
Dowd winced54. “Any idea by who?”
“No, sir. Here’s another routine question: Do you know Dylan Meserve?”
“I’m aware of who he is. Is there any sense asking why he’s part of yourroutine?”
“He hasn’t been seen for a while and when we tried to talk to your sisterabout him, she ended the conversation.”
“Nora,” said Brad wearily. His eyes shot to the doorway. “Hey, bro. Smellsgood, thanks.”
Billy Dowd toted an open cardboard carton, using both hands, as if his cargowas precious. Inside was a hero-sized sandwich wrapped in orange paper. Aromasof tomato paste, oregano, and basil filled the office.
Brad turned so his brother couldn’t see and slipped Miloa yellow business card. Perfect match to his shirt. “Anything I can do to help,Detective. Feel free to call me if you have any further questions—that smellsfantastic, Billy. You’re the man.”
“You’re the man,” said Billy gravely.
“You, too, Bill.”
Billy Dowd’s mouth screwed up.
Brad said, “Hey, we can both be the man.” He took the sandwich and cuffedhis brother’s shoulder lightly. “Right?”
Billy considered that. “Okay.”
收听单词发音 |
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fluffy
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| adj.有绒毛的，空洞的 | |
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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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janitorial
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| adj.管理的(janitor的变形) | |
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janitor
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| n.看门人，管门人 | |
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corporate
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| adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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plumbing
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| n.水管装置；水暖工的工作；管道工程v.用铅锤测量（plumb的现在分词）；探究 | |
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optimal
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| adj.最适宜的；最理想的；最令人满意的 | |
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narcissism
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| n.自我陶醉，自恋 | |
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hoax
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| v.欺骗，哄骗，愚弄；n.愚弄人，恶作剧 | |
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publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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funnel
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| n.漏斗；烟囱；v.汇集 | |
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rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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gutters
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| （路边）排水沟( gutter的名词复数 )； 阴沟； （屋顶的）天沟； 贫贱的境地 | |
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rimming
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| n.（沸腾钢）结壳沸腾作用 | |
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evoke
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| vt.唤起，引起，使人想起 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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touting
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| v.兜售( tout的现在分词 )；招揽；侦查；探听赛马情报 | |
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sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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skimping
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| v.少用( skimp的现在分词 )；少给；克扣；节省 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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gouged
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| v.凿( gouge的过去式和过去分词 )；乱要价；（在…中）抠出…；挖出… | |
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aligned
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| adj.对齐的，均衡的 | |
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tilted
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peeked
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| v.很快地看( peek的过去式和过去分词 )；偷看；窥视；微露出 | |
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baggy
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| adj.膨胀如袋的，宽松下垂的 | |
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texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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sagged
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| 下垂的 | |
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scuffed
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| v.使磨损( scuff的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚走 | |
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dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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lint
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| n.线头；绷带用麻布，皮棉 | |
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replica
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| n.复制品 | |
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components
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| （机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分 | |
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humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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creased
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的过去式和过去分词 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹； 皱皱巴巴 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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garners
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| v.收集并（通常）贮藏（某物），取得，获得( garner的第三人称单数 ) | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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flexed
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| adj.[医]曲折的，屈曲v.屈曲( flex的过去式和过去分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
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implicating
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| vt.牵涉，涉及（implicate的现在分词形式） | |
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incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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fiddled
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| v.伪造( fiddle的过去式和过去分词 )；篡改；骗取；修理或稍作改动 | |
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winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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