A Body to die for

rear wall. I headed straight for it. A few round white stools with stilt-like legs stood in front of the counter. I was hoping for a soothing shot of tequila. The hardest stuff I found was Tabasco. I took a shot. A few hairs grew on my chest. Ï made a mental note to pluck them later.
    The floor was carpeted in white and the walls were a bluish gray. The room smelled of sweat and industrial cleanser. Jack said, “I knew you were some detective, but how on earth did you figure it out about me and Janey?”
    How could I not? She seemed livid that Jack would take another woman—furthermore, an extremely attractive one—to the suite when Ameleth wasn’t around. She had to have cause to be so openly rude. Ergo, she was jealous and they fucked. Probably only once or twice because Jack was tolerant when he didn’t have to be. A combination of regret and guilt. I said, “Elementary, my dear Watson.”
    He laughed charmingly. His bangs dropped cutely when he said, “You already knew my last name was Watson, so I won’t be impressed this time.” The name Jack Watson did sound vaguely familiar. “But really. Janey must have told you something.”
    I shook my head. “I don’t discuss my psychic powers. So few believe.”
    He poured himself a Perrier and took it over to the exercise equipment. He hopped on top of the CyberRun and placed his drink in the built-in cup holder. He put it on Light Stroll. “I only did it because of Ameleth,” he said, his T-shirt swaying as he strolled. “I was jealous and I wanted her attention. That’s normal, isn’t it? I wasn’t in love with Janey. I guess there’s something wrong in cheating.” Could he not go without exercise for five minutes?
    “Look, Jack, shrink service will cost you extra.”
    “Of course.The money. Just a minute.” Jack leapt from the machine. He excused himself and walked into another room, out of sight. I’d assumed he was headed for the office portion of the suite. I gave the front room a quick sweep. No real business happened in here, I thought, looking at the treadmill and the gym mats on the floor. The distraction of the juice bar was just too tempting. I spotted a door next to a well-grown rubber tree. The tiny glass window in its center was steamed over. I walked toward it. As I got closer, I heard the level hiss of steam. A faint gurgle sound escaped from under the door.
    “I’ve got it,” Jack announced, emerging from the other room. He waved a fan of greenbacks. He walked over to me and placed three thousand dollars in my hand. I pocketed the bundle. My insides were suddenly warm and cozy.
    I said, “You don’t happen to be a smoker?” The texture of money excites all my senses and I craved one.
    “You want one?” He nodded.
    “A jock-strapping young man like yourself has a cigarette for me?” I couldn’t believe he smoked. He seemed to brim with all that was good.
    “Ameleth doesn’t know,” he confessed. “It’s my biggest secret.”
    “Besides Janey.”
    “Besides Janey,” he agreed. “Ameleth is so busy all the time.”
    I hate when men blame women for their own mistakes. “But not too busy to screw around on the side herself,” I said. “You can tell me about the guy now.”
    Jack suddenly looked sad. I felt a pang of guilt for my meanness. But Jack hadn’t hired me for absolu- ‘ tion. I’d give it, don’t get me wrong, but it’d cost him. ’ “He’s owns Cut Me, the health store downstairs. We rent the space to him and get three percent of his I profits. It’s a good deal for Ameleth and me. Cut Me does very well, so everyone’s happy.”
    “Except you.”
    “I see the way Barney looks at Ameleth when she j wears her turquoise G-string bodysuit. It’s disgusting. Like he can see through her clothes.” There couldn’t have been much to see through. I let it pass. “He makes me nervous. They spend so much time together. And they’re so flagrant. I don’t know how many times I’ve found them here in the Jacuzzi. Laughing and sipping beet juice. Of course, she says it’s completely innocent. Not trusting her is what gets to me the most.” Jack’s eyes were damp, though his shirt had dried. It draped over his chest nicely, and for a moment, I was distracted.
    “I trust they were wearing bathing suits?” I asked, thinking of hot wetness.
    “That’s not the point. They were, I don’t know, frolicking.” He puckered in thought. “It hurts me to think about them together.”
    I shuffled my