Bobbi was leaning back against the car, her arms crossed with one heel resting on the running board. Her hair was a tangled, damp mess and her makeup had been smeared by a good cry. She was just beautiful.
I was hesitant to approach her, but she looked up and smiled wanly.
"I was afraid I'd be too late, I thought he'd gotten you."
"How did you get here?""The minute I was out of the cabin I rolled my shoes up in this robe and went overboard. It's not a long swim to the pier, and a person swims better naked."
Feeling modest now, she pulled the wrapper more tightly around her shoulders. "I knew he'd use the car sometime, so I hid in the trunk."
"Are you all right?"
She nodded. "Now I am. I didn't think I could do anything... but when I heard him talking-it doesn't seem like I did it now, it's like it happened to someone else."
"He made it easy."
"I wanted to help you and to get back for Slick. He was a roughhouse, but sometimes he was good to me. I guess it's not just bodies after all."
"Where'd the gun come from?"
"It's Slick's. He always kept a spare in the glove compartment. The cops'll think he did it." She looked at the open door of the house.
"He couldn't do it and be dead on the yacht."
"He can if we get Gordy to help."
"Gordy? But-"
"Lebredo's got some stuff on him, that's why Gordy had to play the stooge. I figure it's with his lawyer. You can imagine what kind of lawyer Lebredo had. We just offer him more money and buy it from him."
And if he doesn't sell?"
"Then you can burgle the place. From what I heard you've got a real talent for it."
"You don't mind what I am?"
"I don't care about that. You are what you are. You don't judge me, I don't judge you. But could you tell me how you got this way?"
"Because of a woman."
She shook her head and laughed a little. "I guess we're starting even. I'm the way I am because of a man." She went tiptoe and kissed me. "Come on, let's get this mess out of the way. I'm tired."
With Bobbi's persuasion, we called a truce with Gordy. He drove us back to the yacht while she explained what she could do about Lebredo's lawyer. All Gordy had to do was transport Morelli's body to Paco's house so it'd look like they shot each other. I guess in a remote way they had.
"With any luck," she said, "no one's going to know they're dead for a couple of days at least, and by that time we'll have found your stuff.''
Gordy nodded agreeably, he trusted her. He set the brakes and started out of the car, and I grabbed his shoulder.
"Where's my trunk?"
"Trunk?" He winced. I eased my grip.
"Lebredo took it," said Escort. "Where is it?"
"But he didn't, said it was too much trouble. He told me to go along with him on that. He just let it drop to keep you both in line."
I shook my head. "A bluff."
Gordy shrugged. "Poker was his game." We all got out and watched him walk down the pier to the rowboat. He started talking to the oarsman, telling him about the change of situation.
"I hope he remembers to leave his gun with Lebredo so the bullets match up," I said.
"He might also wish to clean the clip and the unspent bullets left in it of any prints as well," Escott suggested.
"I'll make sure," said Bobbi.- "We may need the car. Will you be able to get home all right?"
"Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow night. Promise."
She kissed me again and went to join Gordy.
"What a very remarkable girl," Escott commented as we walked slowly away, headed for my car that I'd parked near the club.
"I think so."
"You know this makes us all accessories after the fact?"
"Yeah, but do you think she should go to jail?"
"Not for a single hour." He looked like he wanted to say more, but he was tired and it was a long walk for him. He eased into the passenger seat with a grateful sigh, then pulled out the list and squinted at the figure-covered pages.
"Benny said something about substitution." I started the motor.
"Then it shouldn't be too difficult to solve." He nodded at the eastern sky. "You'll have to hurry, the dawn does not wait."
"I should be the one to say things like that.""Yes, but you're not as melodramatic as I am."
"That's a shame. Considering what I've become, I really ought to go in for it."
His eyebrows twitched. "You're not seriously thinking of acquiring a black opera cape?"
I chuckled. "Don't be ridiculous. It's the wrong season and they cost too much anyway.''
He looked relieved.