“No, really, I’m just headed out to the grocery store.”
“Moving in day, huh? Always nice to get a fresh start in a new place.”
Casey wasn’t sure what to say. Was he referring to her job, or something more? What exactly had Sissy and Maria told him? Would they share her personal information with the rest of the staff? But he wasn’t looking at her anymore. Now he was wiping off the water spritzer. Not that it needed any more shining.
“Well, I guess I’ll be off,” she said. “Nice to meet you.”
“Stop by any time. Bar’s open till midnight, and I’m pretty much always around.” He gave her one last grin before moving back down the counter to respond to another called order.
Casey found the grocery store just down the block, and spent the rest of the time before her next class filling her fridge and cupboards with the basics and making herself a quick vegetable stir-fry. She was soon trotting back down to the aerobics floor for kickboxing. She harbored a slim hope that the woman from the lobby and swimming pool would show up for this class—it would be the kind of class most in line with the look Casey recognized in her eyes—but didn’t really expect to see her.
Death, however, wasn’t about to miss something like this, and showed up with all-black workout clothes, ready to kick some ass. Casey was getting very good at ignoring it all, and smiled when Andrea and Krystal came in. They strode right up and took places in the front row. Again, Casey was interested by how two women with all of the same basic features and coloring could have such different auras.
She went over to them. “Somehow I’m not surprised to see you two here.”
Andrea laughed. “We need to get the stress of the day out somehow, don’t we?”
“And let out all our pent-up aggression from pandering to the all-male management at work,” Krystal grumbled.
“That’s right,” Andrea said. “We can’t exactly beat up our boss, can we?”
Casey agreed. “So you work together?”
“Bank down the street. You’d think in this day and age there would be more women in leadership positions, but at our place it’s still all men at the top.”
“I usually like men on top,” Krystal said.
Andrea groaned. “You’re going to make Daisy think we’re complete sluts.”
“Not you,” Krystal said, winking at Casey. “Just me.”
Casey laughed and held up her hands. “I’m not here to judge.”
Andrea slid on her workout gloves and secured the Velcro straps. “Have you moved in already?”
“Yup. I got the usual apartment instructors use. What was the last guy’s name?”
“Brandon.” Krystal practically growled the name. “He was a horse’s a—”
“Laurie! Have you met Daisy?” Andrea’s smile was strained as she greeted the part-time aerobics instructor.
“We had lunch together.”
“Great! We were just welcoming her to the Flamingo. She’s moved in already.”
“Into Brandon’s old apartment.” Again, Krystal said the name with disdain.
“Yes,” Laurie said. “It’s a nice one.”
“Been there a lot?” Krystal said coolly.
“A few times. How about you?”
“Oh, that is a nice condo,” Andrea said cheerily. “Great view of the pool, right, Daisy?”
Laurie’s jaw tightened. “Know the apartment well, do you, Andrea?”
“Oh, not that well, I mean I’ve been in it once or twice, but—”
“Of course she doesn’t know it well,” Krystal said. “I told her. I’ve been in the condo, and the view is fantastic.”
“Okay, everyone, are we ready?” Sissy danced into the room, this time in a lemon yellow velour tracksuit.
“Did you know?” Krystal said to Sissy. “Daisy’s moved into Brandon’s old apartment. We’re having a contest as to who’s been in it more. Laurie says it was her. I say it was me. Andrea thinks she’s even been there a few times, but I think she’s just remembering what I told her. What do you say?”
“You? Why would you—”
“Unless you want to join the fun. How well do you know that apartment?”
“I’m the condo manager. Of course I know that apartment. I can’t imagine what you’re implying.”
“I’m sure you can’t. You don’t have that kind of imagination. But I was wondering, have you heard from Brandon lately? If anybody knows where he’s been since he left, I would think that would be you. You know, being the condo manager, and all.”
Sissy went bright red, and raised a manicured nail to point at Krystal. “You watch what you’re saying, you little sl—”
“Okaaaay!” said Andrea, clapping her hands. “Time to get started with class!” She gave a high laugh and gestured to