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message. She stopped at Perry’s to get his cat. Someone was there and beat her up.”

Chapter Five
    “Let’s go,” I said. “My car’s on the corner.”
    Jill slipped on a pair of red flats, which were next to the window seat. She glanced at her dowdy sweats. “I can’t go like this!”
    I looked myself over and cringed at the chipotle stain that had seeped into my t-shirt. “I’m in jeans. It’s fine,” I said, deciding not to call much attention to my sloppiness.
    “Give me a minute,” she said crossing the room and disappearing down the hall. From her bedroom she called, “Do you want a fresh shirt?”
    So my sloppiness had not gone unnoticed.
    “That’d be great,” I called back.
    Sighing, I pulled out my phone and messaged Galigani. I told him about Melanie and that we were on our way. Then I messaged Jim and waited for Jill.
    After a few minutes, Jill returned in tan slacks and a red blouse that matched her Wizard of Oz shoes. Her face was freshly scrubbed, make-up reapplied, and hair coiffed.
    “I’m ready,” she said, handing me a clean t-shirt. Printed on the front of the shirt was a logo for Escape from Alcatraz, a 1.5-mile swim that took place every year in San Francisco.
    “Wow! Did you do the Escape from Alcatraz?”
    She snorted. “God, no. A friend did it.”
    I nodded. “Let’s go.”
    “Oh, Kate. You don’t have to go with me. I’m fine. I’m sure you need to go home to the baby.”
    I waved off her concern. “I left Jim a message. He’s fine watching her.”
    Jill walked to her front door, her hand poised on the knob. “No, really. I’ll deal with Melanie on my own. You go home.”
    I shook my head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet. A few months back, I started my own P.I. business. My mentor, Galigani, is meeting us at Perry’s place.”
    Jill’s face paled. “What?”
    “We think you’re on Brent Miles’ hit list.”
    <><><>
    I drove to Franklin Street, while Jill sat quietly in the passenger seat. She offered a few directions when I complained about no left turns, but other than that she remained silent.
    On Franklin, the parking wasn’t nearly as tight as I feared and I managed to nab a spot in front. Galigani’s car was nowhere in sight, and I also noted the absence of police cruisers.
    Had we missed everyone?
    Jill hastily climbed out of my car and hurried up the walk to Perry’s front door. Before we reached it, the door swung open and a short brunette holding an ice pack to her face appeared.
    “Melanie!” Jill screamed as she rushed toward the woman. “Are you all right?”
    Melanie lowered the ice pack, revealing a bruised eye. With her free hand, she gingerly touched her lip, which was swollen and cut.
    Jill gasped. “Your face, my God!”
    “Does it look as bad as it feels?” Melanie asked.
    “Yes! You poor thing,” Jill said.
    Melanie stepped aside and let Jill and me into the apartment. “I called the cops but they haven’t got here yet.”
    She looked me up and down.
    Jill said, “This is my friend Kate. She was over when you called and she gave me a ride.”
    “I’m sorry for your loss,” I said.
    Melanie nodded. “Thank you. I’m still in shock. I feel like Perry’s going to walk through the door at any minute.”
    She wandered toward the brown leather couch and motioned for us to take a seat, but we all remained standing. The apartment was tidy, with a masculine décor. Burgundyrug, brown lazy boy chair and matching mahogany side tables all screamed out “bachelor” and seemed directly incongruent to Jill’s taste.
    “What happened?” Jill prompted.
    Melanie looked around the room, a lost expression on her poor, battered face. “I came to pick up Whiskers, you know? Where is he now?”
    Jill shrugged. “He’s probably hiding. Go on.”
    “I unlocked the door and came in, there was a rustling sound from the bedroom, I called out. I actually called out ‘Perry.’ Can you believe it?” She shook her head and