need a room. There was an incident and I need to get this pink stuff off of me.”
“There’s a car wash around the corner. Might be a better bet for that stuff. And don’t you live in Sinful?”
“Yes, but I don’t want people there to see me like this.”
“Uh-huh. Listen, I’m fine with renting you a room. Heck, I’d rent to Charles Manson if he had cash, but I gotta tell you, if you have to moonlight at that kind of job, then maybe you should reconsider this whole PI thing for something that pays better.”
“You’re probably right,” I said, figuring there was no point in trying to explain, and not that I could without giving away our somewhat criminal behavior.
He told me the price and handed me a key. “Do me a favor and try to brush some of that off in the parking lot. Housekeeping is going to kill me.”
“I’ll do what I can,” I said and headed out.
Ida Belle found a spot close to our room despite the unusually crowded parking lot, and we all hopped out.
“The clerk said to try to shake some of this off outside,” I said. “I think he’s afraid housekeeping will give notice.”
“Sounds like the new clerk is as uptight as the last one,” Gertie groused, and she shook her head, flinging glitter everywhere.
“Oh, it’s the same old clerk,” I said and explained why he was back as we headed inside.
While one of us showered, the other two tackled the clothes. I swear, it was like the glitter was covered with glue the way it stuck to fabric. I could see why the clerk was concerned. It would still be in the carpet until they changed it, which was probably slated to happen on the right side of never.
Finally, we’d done the best we could do. Gertie shifted her revolver and Mace out from her cleavage to her new purse, along with the lint rollers, and we stuffed the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash back into the plastic bag. We figured we probably needed to put together an emergency kit and this was a start. Then we did once last inspection. Our clothes were pretty good but if I dug my fingers into my scalp, I still came up with glitter. And since lint-rolling my hair was out of the question, I figured I’d have a fabulous scalp for some time to come. Hopefully, Carter wouldn’t take a close look.
We’d bought beach towels at the store and covered the seats with them to prevent getting glitter on our clothes again when we got back in the SUV. So all we needed to do now was head for the car wash and give the SUV a good vacuum and use the lint rollers to try to get the glitter out. At least Ida Belle was all about utility and had leather seats and rubber floors instead of carpet. That helped.
Chapter Fifteen
I had just opened the motel room door to step out when I caught sight of Tiffany crossing the parking lot. I practically shoved Gertie down getting back inside and closing the door, then ran over to the blinds and lifted one to watch. Sure enough, her red Mustang was parked at the back of the parking lot almost hidden by a dumpster and a big hedge. I couldn’t remember if it had been there when we arrived but then, I hadn’t been scanning the parking lot like normal as it wasn’t that kind of visit.
“What the heck?” Gertie asked as she pushed herself off the dresser.
“It’s Tiffany,” I said.
Gertie and Ida Belle rushed up beside me to peer out.
“What are the odds?” Ida Belle asked.
“In Sinful?” I asked. “Probably higher than most.”
“Did you see what room she came out of?” Gertie asked.
“Not even,” I said. “She was already crossing the parking lot. But as soon as she drives off, we need to pull the SUV down some and keep an eye on the rooms in line with her path. Maybe we’ll recognize someone coming out.”
“You don’t want to follow her?” Ida Belle asked.
“I don’t think so,” I said. “It looks like she met someone here. So unless she has two secret meetings, she’s probably headed back to Sinful.”
We watched as Tiffany got in her car and drove away and Ida Belle pulled out her cell phone and dialed.
“Yes. May I speak to Liam please?” she said. “Oh, okay. Do you know when he’ll be back? He was going to help me with