barely entered the building when a manâs loud curses caught her attention. They came from the ladiesâ locker room farther down the corridor. Casey pushed the door open and nearly stepped on scattered makeup, magazines, and clothing. Sickly sweet perfume from a broken bottle seeped into a pair of socks. Hands on hips, Stan stood in front of a group of open lockers.
âIt looks like some moron used bolt cutters on five padlocks, including yours,â he said. âSee if anythingâs missing. The cops will be here, eventually.â
âAny idea when it happened?â
âBetween two and five this morning. Janitors found the mess when they showed up. They might have scared the freak off. The menâs room wasnât touched.â
Casey picked up the black garter belt and stockings she wore yesterday.
âAside from this, how are you doinâ, kiddo? Any leads on your dadâs killer?â
âNot that I know of.â
âDid they get hold of that woman?â
Casey shoved the lingerie in her locker. âHow did you know about her?â
âI overheard the detectives yakking about some lady who saw your dad the night he died.â
âDid they happen to mention a name or description?â
âNot that I heard.â
Casey dumped her bag on top of the stockings. âEverythingâs here and none of itâs valuable, so Iâd better get going.â
âIâll have new locks put on today.â
âThanks.â
She was jogging toward the M15 when she heard a familiar voice calling her. She turned and saw Lou running to catch up.
âHey, gorgeous,â he said, slowing to a stop. âYou running to catch a bus or preparing to leap over one?â Louâs gray eyes shone over a pair of dimples and a sweet smile.
âIâm trying to be on time.â
He gazed at her outfit. âLet me guess, high-powered executive, right?â
âAnd purse thief target.â She stopped to tuck in her blouse.
âI heard you left early yesterday.â
âI did, but came back around quarter to five to read up on this assignment. You were gone by then. Anyway, I have news that only a horror fan like you can appreciate.â
âOh?â
Casey put her arm around Lou, something sheâd caught herself doing a lot lately. Lou returned the gesture. Rhonda thought Lou was in love with her, but Casey didnât think so. She and Lou had been friends for years and heâd never even hit on her. Sure, theyâd gone to pubs, shared tons of pizzas, and seen the occasional movie together, but heâd never asked her on a real date. Lou had had his share of girlfriends, but sheâd noticed that he looked more intensely at her lately. Did it really matter, though? She wasnât good relationship material, but neither was Mother, and if there was a person Casey didnât want to emulate, it was her mother.
âYou want to talk about it at my place tonight?â Lou asked. âIâve restocked the Coors.â
âCasey, hurry up!â A wall of hairy, freckled flesh shouted from the M15 bus. âWeâre late.â
She started for the bus. âHow about I give you a lift to bowling tomorrow? We can talk on the way down, because tonight Iâve got to see a house, which is part of my news.â
âThat doesnât sound so terrible.â
âIt is, trust me.â
âCan you give me a hint?â
Casey thought about it. âResurrection.â
âGood word, but I have no idea what you mean.â He rubbed his chin. âBefore I forget, Iâve got two sets of tickets, one for a new blues singer and the other for the Canucks, nosebleed section. Which would you rather see?â
âYouâre joking, right? Itâs the playoffs!â
He laughed. âJust checking.â
âSo, who will you take to the blues thing?â
âMom. The tickets are another birthday present