Binns wasn’t surprised. “That’s a common feeling among the Hispanic community. Especially the newer immigrants.”
Casey forced herself not to look at Gomez. Was he discontent? Did he look at her with disdain? Was he an immigrant?
Not that it mattered.
“Anyone else?” Casey asked.
“You mentioned Laurie. Ms. Kilmer. She has something against Ms. Patterson? Could that have translated over to Ms. Parker?”
“I really don’t— What do you know about the fitness instructors who came before me?”
“Nothing. Is there something I should know?”
Casey wasn’t sure how much of the Flamingo’s dirty laundry she should air. But Andrea’s death had to take precedent over fraud and broken hearts. “Apparently they weren’t all they should’ve been. Two guys ago was just incompetent. Residents liked him a lot as a person, but he apparently didn’t know his stuff when it came to fitness, and Sissy threatened him with a law suit to get him to leave. But the last instructor was worse—he seduced older women in order to get their money. And, actually, I’m not entirely sure it was all older women.”
Binns sat quietly for a few moments. “And you think this could have something to do with Ms. Parker’s death?”
“I don’t know. But there are still bad feelings about him. I have no idea who the women were, although I suspect…” She hesitated.
“Yes?”
“I’m pretty sure Laurie was one of them. I have no proof, but the one time we talked about him she got all flustered. And there was a really uncomfortable discussion before a class that involved Laurie, Krystal, Andrea, and Sissy, about just how much time they’d all spent in Brandon’s apartment.”
Binns gave a half-smile. “Well, I guess we’ll have to look into all of that. Not just with Ms. Kilmer, but the others, too.” She stared at the far wall for a few moments, then smiled suddenly. “You see, Ms. Gray, that’s exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for from you. No one else has seen fit to mention those old instructors.”
“Yeah, everybody feels kind of stupid about them. Especially Sissy. She thinks their failures were her fault, although at one point she made it sound like it was the residents’ choice to hire those guys.”
Binns stood up and held out her hand. “Thank you for being so forthcoming, Ms. Gray.”
Casey shook her hand. “You’re welcome.”
“Perhaps someday you’ll be just as forthcoming with your own history.”
Casey’s stomach flipped. “Haven’t you checked it?”
“Oh, yes, we’ve checked it. We’ve seen your Florida driver’s license, and your old address in Tallahassee. We’ve seen your vita. What we haven’t found is a deep history, or actual people who knew you before two days ago.” Binns’ eyebrows were slightly raised, and she held onto Casey’s hand.
“Yes, well, I’ve always been an introvert.”
“I see.”
Finally, Binns let go, and Casey wiped her hand on her pants.
“Okay, Gomez,” Binns said. “I’ll meet you in the hallway.”
Casey glanced at Gomez, only to find he was staring at her, his eyes narrowed.
“Good-bye, Officer,” Casey said.
Gomez blinked. “Yes, well, good-bye.” He left through the men’s locker room door.
Binns turned to go. “We’ll be in touch. Oh, I meant to ask, do you have a phone number?”
“Yes.” Casey felt her pocket, but the phone wasn’t there. Right. It was still under her mattress. “But I just got the phone yesterday, and I don’t remember the number. It’s up in my room. Can I call you with it? My aerobics class is just about to start.”
Binns handed her a card. “Anytime you think of items of interest.” She looked like she’d just remembered something.
“What?”
“Ms. Parker’s phone. We’ve been able to identify every number but one, and it’s an important one. She called it—or it called her—every day. Sometimes more than once, up until about two weeks ago, when the calls stopped. Any ideas?”
Casey shook her head. “I’d have no way of recognizing a number. I don’t even remember what the area code is around here.”
“I guess you’re right.” Binns sighed. “We’ll be seeing you.” She left, and Casey slumped into her seat.
Why did she get involved in these things? Why?
“Because that’s what you do.” Death stood in the doorway, this time in baby blue Nike warm-ups, with silver cross-trainers. “Krystal may be a man magnet, but you, my dear, are a magnet for trouble.”
“Thanks,” Casey said. “That’s just what I needed to hear.”
“Always at your service. Now, get your butt over here. These exercise fanatics are ready to rip down the door.”