Chapter 15 - Digging for Dirt
A hush settled over the buzzing bar the moment Roger Cresson entered. People ceased all movement, faces gaped, and muted comments were whispered.
"Hey folks, I know it seems strange for me to be here, but I just couldn't sit alone in my room another minute. I hope you don't mind. I really need to be around friends right now, Mel's and mine. You know this is where we reconnected three months ago, this very bar. Karen, you were here. Lisa, you too. I just want to be with you all, okay?"
"Come on, Roger, let me buy you a drink," an attractive blonde called.
"Karen," Roger whispered to Lee, "one of her nearest and dearest."
"Me too, Roger," someone else called out. Roger identified this one as Mel's cousin Sara.
"Hey, we're all here for each other," someone else chimed in. Roger didn't know her.
Lee moved forward with Roger. "This is Lee, an old friend. He knew Mel from way back in Santa Barbara. Today was the first time he'd seen her in a long time." Roger played it masterfully. "It rocked him badly too."
"Come here, darling. I'll give you comfort," a beautiful brunette offered. Lee, sleek and handsome in a black turtleneck with dark jeans, peeled off from Roger. He had no doubt that they'd make better progress working separately.
Lee's brunette was Rhonda. Rhonda had only known Mel for a year, but went on and on about her generosity.
"So you knew Mel before Roger came into her life? I remember her always having a man on her arm. Was she still like that?"
"On her arm, in her bed. Is there a difference?"
"Maybe a drink or two's worth is my recollection."
"Oh, you really did know Mel then! Roger was kind of a surprise choice for her. Loads of fun, but so accommodating and considerate. It's hard to find that kind."
"Most of the others weren't so kind and considerate?"
"Well, no. Loud sometimes attracts loud, you know. That was Mel's problem until Roger. Lucky her. Ooops." Rhonda stopped to slosh more of her drink. "That was terrible of me!"
"Grief can make us say all kinds of things. Forgive yourself. Can I tell you a secret? Mel pursued me for a while."
"How'd she do?" Rhonda let her fingers run onto Lee's chest.
"We weren't well matched. Besides, Mel always favored the Teutonic type - maybe it was a daddy thing - you know blond and blue."
"Thass so true," Rhonda splashed a little with the hand that was not still resting on Lee's chest.
"I take it she didn't have much luck in that department while you knew her?"
"Not so much." Rhonda took another sip. "You want some?" she offered her glass at Lee sloshing a few drops on his shirt. "Oh, I'm so sorry, tall, dark and handsome." She blotted at the drops with a cocktail napkin far longer than necessary.
Lee realized he looked odd without a drink. "No problem, and yes, I could use a stiff one."
"Me too," Rhonda snickered.
Lee expected that reaction and smiled coyly as he signaled the bartender. "Another one for the lady and a scotch and soda on the rocks for me. So, Rhonda, there wasn't anyone special in her life until Roger?"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that. Just no one worthwhile enough. She thought she had one snared just before Roger appeared, but I think he wasn't what she thought."
"Not really blond and blue?" Lee laughed.
"Of course he was that. Just not an officer and a gentleman. Well, I'm not sure she required the gentleman part, except in public. That was important."
"Someone fooled Mel? Wow, I thought she was sharper than that."
"Honestly, I think there was a certain desperateness about Mel. You know, she wasn't getting any younger or prettier. And just between you and me, I don't think Daddy Warbucks was going to support her forever."
"Well, that makes me glad that she found Roger when she did, knowing she had some good times before this tragedy."
"I heard rumors that his best friend might have done it, that she was some kind of crazy after coming back from Iraq and that she was very jealous of Mel too."
"Really? Who told you that?"
"Mel, for one. She knew the friend didn't like her and, what with being crazy with some syndrome from the war, Mel didn't like her being in the city, even if she was cooped up at the Naval base most of the time." Rhonda stopped to inhale another sip. She missed her mouth and a giant blob hit her shirt. She handed Lee a cocktail napkin to dry it, but he didn't take the bait. "Guess I'd better change out of this. Promise me you'll be here when I get back or I might not leave."
"If you could find me a more interesting party, I'd be out the door with you. I think I may need something more than alcohol tonight."
"Oh, that's not my scene at all. Try screaming Mimi. She'll be tearing her hair out by the end of the night if this is all there is."
"Which one is she?"
"The slutty one."
"I'm sure that should tell me, but we guys aren't that smart you know."
"The blonde with the pink dress. Kind of improper for a wake, but that's Mimi."
"To be fair, I don't think anybody expected a wake tonight."
"True enough. See ya later handsome, if you're smart enough to s-s-tick around."
Lee waited a bit. Mimi had the attention of two men currently, leaving no room for him. He picked another target. He looked familiar to Lee.