Page 16 of The Perfect Poise

“Hi,” she said warmly, as if there was no battle of wills going on, “are you the folks with the city?”

Jessie admired the careful vagueness of her question.

“We are,” she said, indicating that Ryan was with her.

“Come on back,” she said, opening the door for them.

They stepped inside and Kelly led the way, moving quickly, as if she didn’t want too many people to notice their presence. At the end of the hall, she opened another door, this time to what was clearly Leach’s office.

“Please have a seat,” she said. “The doctor is just wrapping up a consultation with a potential patient. I’ll make sure he’s right in.”

“Please make it quick,” Ryan growled. “We’re tired of waiting.”

“Of course,” Kelly said before closing the door.

Jessie surveyed the office. Like the rest of the practice, it was pristine to the point of sterility. The desk had only a closed laptop and one manila folder with a pen resting on top of it. While there were no pictures on the desk, there were many on the walls, interspersed between his various degrees and certifications.

In every one, Leach stood beside someone either beautiful or famous. There were some of him next to models at events, others on the golf course with sports figures that Jessie recognized but couldn’t name, and a few from fishing trips with a couple of well-known actors.

In every photo, Leach looked immaculate, as if he’d taken a moment before each one to check his hair and attire so that everything was in place. In addition to the photos, there were three large paintings, one on each wall, that Jessie gathered he’d picked up at auctions like last night’s.

“Seems like Garrett Leach likes to be seen with pretty people,” Ryan noted.

“Yep,” she agreed. “He strikes me as the kind of guy who enjoys keeping up appearances. Can’t imagine he liked being shown up last night.”

Ryan was about to reply when the door opened, and Leach walked in. He looked just like his photos. In his mid-forties, with perfectly coiffed silver hair, bronzed skin, and zero wrinkles, he reminded Jessie of a middle-aged Ken doll.

“Let me guess why you’re here,” he said, closing the door without introducing himself. “It’s because of Chloe, right?”

Jessie and Ryan exchanged a look that they both understood to mean: I guess we’re starting this now. She shrugged, and he smiled.

“That’s right, Dr. Leach,” Ryan said. “We have some questions for you.”

“Yeah, I heard the news when I woke up this morning,” Leach said as he walked over and sat at his desk. “I figured you’d want to talk to everyone who was there at the auction last night, but you guys are getting an early start.”

“We’ve actually been at it most of the night,” Ryan said, “but we’re glad to get the opportunity to clear up some things that are unresolved.”

He took a seat in one of the chairs facing the desk, and Jessie took the other.

“Well, I’m happy to help,” Leach said. “I just ask that we make this as quick as possible. I've got eight more patients to see this morning, and I'm already behind."

“How well did you know Chloe?” Ryan asked, not commenting on the request to make this “quick.” Jessie knew he wouldn’t be rushed.

“Moderately,” Leach said, unable to hide his disdain. “We traveled in similar circles. She actually came to see me once about a possible procedure, but ultimately went another way.”

“Were there any hard feelings?” Jessie wondered.

Not on my part,” he said. “I wished her the best, even though she didn’t ultimately make the best choice of surgeons. But that’s none of my concern.”

“So you knew her pretty well when you were both bidding on that piece last night?” Ryan confirmed.

“Yes, we regularly crossed paths in that world,” he said, nodding at the paintings on the walls. “As you can see, I’m a connoisseur.”

He seemed to be waiting for them to congratulate him on his taste, but Jessie had other ideas. It was time to make this guy a little uncomfortable.

“And she outbid you on the piece you wanted,” she noted, allowing a sharpness into her tone that flirted with taunting.

“That’s right,” he acknowledged, his voice suddenly tight.

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