Chasing Shadows (21 page)

I’m just considering the possibility of this
building having modern wiring, when a loud vehicle of some kind
goes motoring by behind me. They have their high beams on. I watch
the car lights mingle with the window lights. Ah... I didn’t notice
it before but the car headlights picked up the scroll work over the
gate. There it is, larger than life, in fancy but legible wrought
iron, the word
James
.

“Thanks.” I whisper. In response, I feel a warm
tickle of air, like a breath, on my cheek. I check my phone, 6:34
PM November 1st. I take a deep breath and walk purposefully up to
the gate. Just because I can, I try the handle. Its locked tight.
So, using my phone as a flashlight, I look over the names set
behind a little plexiglass panel next to the buzzer buttons. Third
row down, second column in: L. Tucker and S. Madison. Wow. I look
over the rest of the names to be sure, but there aren’t any other L
and S combinations. These must be the roommates Lexi and Sara. It
makes me nervous but I guess I’d better push the button. Hope
they’re not dead. Hope their not about to die. I push
it.

A few seconds later the speaker crackles to
life. “Hello.” Says a thin female voice. In that instant I decide
not to be Kelly Morgan.

“Hi.” I project. “I’m Meegan, Kelly’s cousin. I
wondered if I could talk to you.”

“Kelly?” The voice is skeptical.

“Kelly Morgan.” I enunciate. “Also Madeline
Cross and Rebecca sent me your way.”

There’s a very long pause. So long in fact that
I know they’re either arguing in there, or hoping I’ll go away. I
finish my cigarette and flick it into the snow bank. Maybe they
won’t let me in. That would sort of be a relief. At last the
speaker comes back on.

“406” says the voice and the buzzer goes off. I
open the gate and enter the courtyard. They didn’t say which
entrance and there are three, so like a good reader I start to my
left. There is indeed another buzzer at this door. I press number
406. They buzz me in. As I cross the threshold, I’m hit with a
staggering blast of hot scented air. I blink several times
adjusting to the bright, warm lobby. The floors are black and white
tile and very shiny. The walls are butter yellow and hung with
paintings, landscapes like you find in a motel. To my right is a
bank of mailboxes and a long hallway that must go to the apartments
on the first floor. To my left is a little brass elevator. I push
the button and wait. My ears sting. I didn’t know they’d gone numb
'til the heat hit them.

The elevator arrives with a ding. It’s exactly
the kind of elevator you’d expect. Not trashy, no urine smell, but
not opulent either. I push the button for four and look around for
security cameras but I don’t see any. I try to dredge up some
feeling of recognition, but this is futile like it always is. The
best I can do is a very manufactured sense of observation. It’s
like I’m watching myself move through the elevator doors and walk
sedately down the red carpeted hallway. 406 is on my right,
courtyard view.

I knock on the door. It’s opened almost
immediately by a short, busty, blonde girl. She takes one look at
me and gasps. “Holy shit.” She says. “Kelly?”

I shake my head. “She’s my cousin.” I answer.
“Madeline said... well, can I come in?”

“Sure, sure, honey.” The short blond opens the
door wider. She’s wearing red boxer shorts with a yellow duck
pattern and a white tank top. The top is thin. Her nipples and her
dark areolas show through the material. I’d say she must be cold
but it’s stifling in here. She steps back letting me into a narrow
foyer. “I’m Sara. This is Lexi.” Sara gestures to the even blonder
woman lounging on the couch farther in. Lexi is like Sara stretched
out. She’s tall and thin, less busty, all legs. She’s wearing a
similar outfit to what Sara has on but in tones of blue. I feel
like I just walked into a pajama commercial or a Victoria’s Secret
lounge wear shoot.

“Hi.” I nod. “I’m Meegan.”

“Nice to meet you, Meegan.” Lexi smiles at me
from her spot on the couch. “You really do look just like her.” She
says.

I nod some more. “Yeah, I know. Thanks.” The
blondes look expectantly at me, so I open my mouth to give them
some explanation. “I’m here because I met Madeline, and she acted
like she knew me. This was right before she died. That made me
think she knew Kelly. Kelly hasn’t contacted her family in a long
time, so I thought I’d see if any of you know where to find her or
anything... Oh and I let Rebecca think I was Kelly at the
memorial.” I tuck some hair nervously behind my ear.

“Wow.” Sara says crossing her arms, and leaning
against the wall. “You sound like Kelly too. Doesn’t she sound just
like Kelly, Lexi?”

Lexi nods. “Just exactly like!” She agrees all
chipper. “Come on in and sit down honey. We haven’t seen Kelly
in... God, a long, long time have we, Sara?”

“Nope, long time.” Sara smiles. “You want a
coke?”

“No, I just finished up a coffee, thanks.” I
say, moving to the little arm chair next to the sofa. The room is
good sized. It houses a sofa, two chairs, an entertainment center
and a variety of shelves and end tables, all with room to walk
around. There are doors leading off the main room. I can see a
tiny, clean, yellow kitchen to my right and I imagine the bedrooms
and bathrooms are off in the other direction. It’s decorated for
cozy. Not the posh atmosphere I would’ve expected of escorts, but
who knows? Maybe they don’t bring their work home with
them.

“So,” I start. “Rebecca called you
the
roommates. Does that mean Mads lived here too, or just that you’re
each other’s roommates?”

Lexi smiles. “
The
Roommates
.” She whispers dramatically. “It’s a title, Sara.
Haven’t you always wanted a title?”

Sara laughs and flops down on the couch with
Lexi. Sara drapes her arm over the other girl’s leg. “Mads lived
here for a while, but that was months ago.” She says
solemnly.

I fold my hands around my empty coffee cup. “I
didn’t see you at the memorial.” I say, hoping I’m not being too
blunt.

The two girls sigh in unison. Lexi says. “We
couldn’t make it.”

Sara nods. “We had work didn’t we,
Lexi?”

“We did.” Lexi responds in an airy tone. “Hey
listen, Meegan.” She says wrapping her arm around Sara’s shoulders.
“We have this box.” Sara gives Lexi a confused look. “You know Mads
box of printouts.”

Sara smiles. “Oh, the Kelly letters.” She cuts
her gaze to me. “We didn’t know what to do with them, but since
you’re here, Meegan.”

Lexi gives a charming open look. “Yes since
you’re here, you’ll know what to do with them.”

“They’re pretty racy.” Sara says.

Lexi gives a laugh that’s more like a purr.
“You know Kelly. She can really say things.”

Sara giggles. “I know Mads family wouldn’t want
them, but you’re Kelly’s cousin...” She hops up.

“I could get it, Sara.” Lexi says.

Sara rolls her eyes. “I’m already up, Lexi.”
and she bounces off into another room.

Lexi turns to me. “Kelly and Mads were, like,
internet friends. They met when they were kids and kept up online.
They told each other
everything
.” She says the last word
like it’s a scandal. “After Mads moved out we found these printouts
and Oh my God.” She fans herself. “They had, like, a competition.”
I cough. I feel my cheeks redden. “Oh no.” Lexi whispers. “It’s
going to be too much for you.”

Sara flounces back into the room carrying a
shoebox. “Oh no.” she sighs. “Not you’re thing?”

I clear my throat. “No please.” I say. “I’d
love to read them. I was just thinking of Kelly’s mom, my aunt. I
just won’t tell her anything that might upset her. I... I knew
Kelly was sort of... free. I actually really want to read them.
Maybe there’ll be some clue to where she went or what happened to
her.”

At this the roommates exchange a glance that
might be loaded or might not. Sara sashays over and places the
shoebox in my lap while taking my empty coffee cup in the same
motion. When she bends over me her boobs end up in my face. “You
look
just like
her.” She whispers before standing back up.
“You know who might know something is Gwen. Don’t you think so,
Lexi?”

Lexi nods.

“Mads’ sister.” I say. “I saw her at the
memorial, but I couldn’t really talk to her.”

Lexi fiddles with her hair. “Doesn’t she work
at a coffee shop, Sara?”

Sara puts her hands on her hips. Her face is a
stage version of ‘thinking’. “Yes, Lexi, I think she does.
Intelligencia right?” I take a moment to be distracted by their
constant use of each other’s names. Do they do this when they’re
alone too?

“Right, Sara, good memory.” Lexi coos and then
she squirms a little on the couch, seemingly to get more of my
attention. “Look Meegan, if you want to talk...”

“Or get together.” Sara interjects.

“Yeah. “ Lexi continues. She runs her hand from
her knee to her ankle. “After you read those.” She points to the
box in my lap. “There might be things you want to talk
about.”

Sara turns her back to me. Now her ass is in my
face. “Doesn’t she look
just like
her, Lexi?”

“Totally, Sara.” Lexi nods and to me she says.
“Anyway call us, or come over if you want to. Sara, give Meegan our
number will you?”

“Sure, Lexi.” Sara chirps. She crosses to
retrieve a pen from the end table and comes back to jot the number
on top of the shoe box. The whole sequence is a show in itself. I’m
not even going to try to explain the mental flashes I’m having.
Fuck, am I gay? Maybe for the roommates. Suddenly I’m not so sure
that they’re escorts. Did anyone actually say that but me? These
two girls probably just do what they do, and anyone who’s in the
room feels compelled to empty their wallets. When Sara finishes
giving me their number, I stand up, which is weird because Sara
doesn’t really back up any to give me room.

“Thanks.” I say. “I’m glad I caught you
and...”

“You have to go?" Lexi asks from the
couch.

Sara looks up at me all innocent and
sweet.

“Yeah.” I say in a regretful tone. “I have a
date.”

“Ahh...” Sara says nodding as if this confirms
something, she steps back a bit.

Lexi stands up slowly. “Good luck, then.” She
says and she crosses the room to the door. As she goes all I see is
legs and motion. She opens the door.

I cross to her. “Thanks again.” I say but it
comes out funny because my mouth is suddenly very dry.

Lexi puts her hand on my upper arm. “Bye,
Meegan, honey.” She says. “Call if you want to.”

I nod, smile and get the hell out of there. In
the elevator I check my phone. 7:02. half an hour, and most of that
was waiting at the gate. I feel odd about the roommates and elated
that nothing bad happened. The shoe box is on the heavy side, or at
least I’m sure it will be once I’ve carried it around for a while.
It’s too big to fit in my bag. I want to rush home and start
reading, but I have a date with Qasim in less than an
hour.

I wonder if I’ll be on time. Hell, I wonder why
I’m keeping the date. Also, and this isn’t so unusual lately, I
wonder where the fuck I am. I wasn’t paying attention when I
followed the shade. I sort of wish I paid to have GPS on my phone.
I can be very cheap sometimes, but if I wasn’t then I wouldn’t have
the savings account I have. This leave without pay thing would
stress me out hardcore. As it stands, I can afford to be jobless
for a few weeks, two months tops, without losing my
apartment.

Chapter Ten

Once outside the gate of the James building I
balance the shoebox on my hip, then retrieve and light up a Camel
with my right hand. I'm standing here trying to decide which way to
go when my phone vibrates. I hold the cigarette between my teeth
and fish around for my phone. It's a number I don't know. I think
its one of the ones from Sunday. Could be Fin. Could be Qasim. I
guess I may as well answer.

"Hello." I say tentatively, cradling the phone
against my shoulder. I'm just going to have to set the box
down.

"Meegan?" It’s Qasim.

"Hey Qasim."

"Uh..."

"What?"

He laughs. "Well, you actually answered your
phone so now I don't know what to say. I had a voicemail message
all planned out."

I smile. I like my unavailability. "So, what
were you going to tell the voicemail?"

"I was going to tell it that I hope we're still
on for tonight."

"We are. What're we doing?"

"Uh... I had a couple of ideas I thought I'd
run by you."

I nod. "Do you have a car or are
we..."

He doesn't let me finish. "I thought we'd take
a cab."

"Cool."

"But I can get a car."

I'm intrigued. "You can? You can just
procure
a car?"

He laughs again as if I was funny. "Sure, Ralph
has a car he said I could use."