“Yes, exactly.”
“I don’t think—”
“If you’re not ready to go completely nude yet, we have some little towels you can wear around your waist.”
Christina pressed her hand against her mouth. “I’m definitely waiting in the car.” She turned back the way they’d come, a waved hand in the air. “See you later, Ben. I’ll expect a full report.”
“But, Christina!”
Kerrie whispered into his ear, “I’d let her go.”
Ben felt her hot and very present flesh pressing close to him. “Why?”
Kerrie sniffed. “I only have one towel.”
“Are you sure this is absolutely necessary?”
“I’m afraid so, Mr. Kincaid.”
Ben stared at himself in the mirror hanging on the wall of the changing room. It was him all right—skinny, white as a ghost, and wearing nothing but a ridiculous white terry-cloth cover-up around his waist. He looked like an extra from The Ten Commandments. Without the Man Tan.
“Couldn’t you just explain that I’m not a member?”
Kerrie shouted back at him through the curtain. “I’m afraid it would be considered very offensive. Just imagine. How would you feel if you were attending your church service and someone walked in—”
“Naked?”
“Yes. Well, this is the same thing. Except exactly the opposite. If you know what I mean.”
He continued staring into the mirror. “I can’t believe anyone would be comfortable in a getup like this.”
“Most people aren’t. That’s why they go nude. The towels are just for the newcomers and people with … special problems.”
Ben’s eyes widened. “Special problems?”
She nodded. “Susceptibility to sunburn. In the least desirable places.”
“Oh.” As a delaying tactic, Ben decided to read the RULES OF CONDUCT posted on a sign in the changing room:
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A CHRISTIAN FAMILY PARK. WE EXPECT YOUR CONDUCT TO CONFORM WITH THE MORAL STANDARDS OF A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AT ALL TIMES. CAMERAS AND CAMCORDERS ARE NOT PERMITTED EXCEPT BY SPECIAL PERMISSION OF THE MANAGEMENT AND THE PHOTO SUBJECT. NO PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE COMMON AREAS. PLEASE SHOWER—WITH SOAP—BEFORE ENTERING THE POOL OR HOT TUB. REMEMBER, YOU MUST BE NUDE. NO CLOTHING, BATHING SUITS, OR INTIMATE BODY JEWELRY WILL BE PERMITTED.
Ben winced. Intimate body jewelry?
He made a few more minute adjustments to the tiny towel. It seemed there was no turning back, so he took a deep breath and pushed himself through the curtain. “Ta-da.”
Kerrie giggled. “You look divine, Mr. Kincaid.”
“Right.” He walked brusquely toward the door. “And by the way, call me Ben.”
“Oh, wow. I can’t believe it. This is like a dream come true.”
“For me, too. Now where’s this prayer meeting?”
They left the cabin and strolled down a hilly expanse, threading their way through unclothed acolytes and meditators. Kerrie chattered virtually non-stop. She had apparently tuned in for every day of the gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Barrett case. Consequently, she was abundantly knowledgeable about Ben’s cases and career.
“I think it’s just wonderful the way you’ve been able to help people,” she chimed.
“It would be more wonderful if they paid regularly.”
“I’m sure helping people isn’t the way to get rich, but you had to do what was in your heart. You know what being a lawyer is supposed to be about, even if the rest of the world seems to have forgotten.” She touched his exposed shoulder. “What cases are you working on now?”
“To tell you the truth, Kerrie—” He stopped. He couldn’t bring himself to dash her enthusiasm with the revelation that he wasn’t practicing anymore.
A few moments later, they arrived at an open-faced clamshell-style arena with rows and rows of stone-bench seating. The arena was about half occupied.
The attendees were on their feet singing “Amazing Grace.” Up front, a video screen was flashing the words in a follow-the-bouncing-ball style.
“Christian karaoke,” Ben noted. “I love it.”
He scanned the rows of benches as the multitudes finished the song: “ ‘We’ve no-o le-ess days, to si-ing God’s praise, than when we-ee first began.’ ”
A man with an impressive hairdo—and nary a stitch of clothing—walked to center stage and began preaching.
“At least you know he has nothing to hide,” Ben said.
Kerrie nudged him. “I see Denny. He’s in the back.” She pointed.
“Okay. Thanks.”
“Ben?”
He stopped. “Yes?”
She stood awkwardly beside him. Ben realized that one of the problems with wearing no clothing—one of many—was that you had nowhere to put your hands. “After you’ve had a chance to talk, do you think maybe …”
He waited anxiously for the end of the sentence. “Yes?”
She twirled her fingers. “I know it’s presumptuous of me, but I just thought maybe we could get together. You know—to talk. I’d love to hear more about your work.” She took a step closer to him. “And then we’d just see what developed …”
He took a step back. “Unfortunately, I’m very busy right now.”
“Oh. Of course.” Her eager smile faded.
“I’ve got this new investigation going. And time is of the essence.”
Her eyes met the floor. “Sure. I understand.”
He peered down at her crestfallen face. “But look. Can I call you here at the camp? Maybe we can set something up. After the crunch has passed.”
Her chin lifted. “Would you? Would you really?”
“If I can. And for that matter, my number’s in the book.”
“I can’t believe it!” She wrapped her arms tightly around him. “This is so exciting! I can’t believe this!”
Ben sidled out of her embrace. “I’d probably better talk to Denny now.”
“Right. I don’t want to slow you down, ’cause I know how important your work is.” She turned away, then turned back. “But if there’s anything I can do—”
“You’ll be the first one I call.”
She wrapped her arms around herself. “I can’t believe this! I just can’t believe this!”
Neither can I, Ben thought. Neither can I.
He carved a path through the thick of the congregation. He did his best to wind his way through the pews without letting his eyes drop below chin level. It was a challenging exercise in mental concentration.
Finally he made it to Denny’s row. He slid into the pew beside him.
“Ben!” It was the same old Denny he had known and admired behind the drum set, except that he was now naked as a jaybird. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you.” Although, he thought, I didn’t want to see as much of you as I’m seeing.
“Hey, you look good in a towel. Nice pecs.”
“Gee, thanks. Look, can we talk?”
“Well, I don’t know.” He gestured toward the front. “We’re having Bible study.”
“I’ll keep my voice down.” Ben slid in close. “I wanted to ask if you saw anything the other night. You know, before I found the body.”
“Man, I’ve already answered these questions for the cops. Who are you, Junior G-man?”
“No, I’m a lawyer.”
“Oh, man, right. Like, I heard that, but I didn’t believe it.”
“Believe it. The cops are on Earl’s tail, and he’s asked me to help. Find out what really happened.”
“Just like Matlock on TV.”
“Something like that. Did you see anything out of the ordinary? Anything maybe you didn’t remember at first, but did later?”
Denny shook his head. “I don’t think so, man. The whole evening seemed perfectly same-old same-old to me. Till that corpse flopped down in your face.” He leaned closer. “Hey, what did that feel like, anyway?”