interjected, “We visited one person who acted in porn films. Her apartment was very luxurious, while Mr. Gillespie’s, well, wasn’t. Do you know why?”
“Layne was also helping to support his mother, grandmother, a sister, and a brother. It didn’t leave much for him, but he never really cared about money for himself. I think he did the films so he could send the dollars to his family. But he stopped doing that when he came to work here. At least as far as I know.”
Wallis cleared his throat and said, “Well, it was good of him to take care of his family. That makes him okay in my book. No matter, well, no matter how he went about it.”
“Just to be clear, did he perform in gay porn or…?” said Pine.
Blakely looked confused. “Oh, I see. No, it was straight porn, not gay. Why, do you think just because someone performs in drag for a living that he has to be exclusively gay?”
Wallis looked at the others. “Well, I’ll admit that I thought that.”
“I actually don’t know what Layne’s sexuality was and I never asked. And while a lot of men who do drag are gay, they can be of any sexuality, really. But I will tell you that I have seen Layne with young ladies, and they did not seem to me to be just friends. I’ll let you arrive at your own conclusions on that.”
Pine said, “We’re going to have to. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”
Chapter 38
THEY STAYED OVER in Savannah that night and drove back to Andersonville the following afternoon. While in Savannah they checked out some leads provided by Blakely and Spotter, none of which amounted to anything. Gillespie was well liked and had no known enemies.
When they got back to Andersonville around five thirty they split up into two teams. Wallis and Laredo would attend the postmortem on Layne Gillespie, while Pine and Blum headed on to Columbus, Georgia, to speak once more to Beth Clemmons.
“So at least we have a connection between the victims: adult films,” said Blum as they drove on the short trip to Columbus.
“But let’s not put the cart before the horse. We have no idea if Layne Gillespie knew or worked with Hanna Rebane. But even if he didn’t, the killer could be someone with a hatred of porn films and actors. That could be a solid lead for us.”
“And the veil and tuxedo?”
“No clue as yet. Although it could be some sort of insult to them. Porn stars made to look like old-fashioned toppers on a traditional wedding cake.”
“If Rebane worked with Gillespie, he might have also worked with Clemmons.”
“That’s what I’m hoping, because we can’t ask Rebane any questions.”
“What do you think is going on, Agent Pine?”
“Something that seems really complicated.” She paused and stared out the windshield. “Which of course means it could actually be incredibly simple.”
“Simple? You won’t catch me describing it that way.”
“Never say never, Carol. It’ll save you a lot of time.”
* * *
They arrived in Columbus a little over an hour after leaving Andersonville. It was around seven in the evening. It was warmer here than it had been in Andersonville, but cooler and less humid than Savannah. Pine had phoned Clemmons but gotten no answer. They pulled to a stop in front of the condo building, got out, and walked into the lobby. They checked in with the concierge, and Pine’s badge got them into the elevator and up to the sixth floor. They knocked on Clemmons’s door but got no answer.
“She could be out, but you’d think the concierge would have told us that,” said Pine.
“Or there could be another reason she’s not answering,” said Blum ominously.
“We have no reason to go into the apartment. I can’t break the door down.”
Pine knocked harder. No response.
“That’s funny,” said a voice.
They turned to see a young, bespectacled man standing in his open doorway across the plushly carpeted hall.
“What’s funny?” said Pine.
“Well, I’m pretty sure that Beth is home. I was coming up a few hours ago and she was going into her place.”
“She could have gone back out,” said Blum.
“No, she said she was going to take a hot bath and stay in for the evening. And I’ve been sitting in my front room all this time reading. I’m pretty sure I would have heard her if she had gone out.”
Pine looked at Blum, then at the door. “Think that gives us probable cause to go in?”