Murder & The Movie Star: A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery - Book 12

by Dianne Harman

  “So, if it does turn out to be a murder investigation, you always tell me to start with who has the most to gain when someone is murdered. When I was on the Internet before you got home, I read that she had a daughter, Kim, but not much was known about her. Her name is Kim, and I assume she will probably have the most to gain if she inherits her mother’s substantial estate.”

  “That’s true, and I had to call her and tell her about her mother’s death. Juan, the gardener, was the one who told me Jacquie had a daughter who lives near here. I found her phone number on Jacquie’s cell phone contact list. Like you said, the daughter’s name is Kim, and she lives at that retreat center a couple of miles from here. If you remember, we drove by it one time. It’s run by some Indian guru, and people come from all over the country to study with him.”

  “What was her daughter’s response?” Kelly asked.

  “Not quite what I would have expected. I asked her if she had any idea what had happened, and if she knew of anyone who could possibly be involved if it was determined that foul play was involved.” He stopped talking and took a sip of his wine. “What was interesting was her response.”

  “Why?”

  “She didn’t seem all that broken up. I asked her what her relationship was with her mother, and she said they were somewhat estranged, because Jacquie wanted her to leave the retreat center and live with her. She said her mother didn’t approve of Guru Dev, yoga, or meditation. Then she went on to say that her mother was a very difficult person to be around, and if foul play was involved, she wouldn’t be all that surprised.”

  “Wow. That’s kind of a cold response when you hear that your mother was found dead.”

  “I thought so, too. I asked her if she knew what had been in the wall safe, and she told me that her mother kept a large amount of cash and her jewelry in it. My next question was who would have access to it.”

  “I’d be curious about that as well,” Kelly said.

  “Her answer was interesting. She said there were several people who knew the combination, and she was one. Kim said her mother’s assistant, Maizie Ortiz, knew it, and she was pretty sure Jacquie’s ex-husband, Deke Cannon, knew it as well. She said there may have been others, but she couldn’t think of any more.”

  “So, what are you going to do with that information?”

  “Remember when I told you that I knew the Beverly Hills police chief? I’m going to call him and see if he knows anything about the ex-husband. My secretary told me Jacquie had recently given an interview to some celebrity gossip magazine, and there was a scathing reference in it to Deke, her ex-husband. I called Jacquie’s attorney, and he said even though Jacquie and Kim were not on the best of terms, Kim will inherit her entire estate, which he said was pretty substantial. He said as soon as Maizie Ortiz returns from her granddaughter’s surgery, he’ll have her inventory what’s in the house, so he can begin to probate the estate.”

  “Well, if this turns out to be a murder investigation, there’s your first two suspects,” Kelly said. “I wonder if there are any others.”

  “I don’t know. When I talk to my friend, I’ll ask him if there’s anyone in the movie industry who might qualify as one. He’s pretty wired to it, so maybe he can help.”

  Just then Mike’s cell phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and answered it. “Hi, Lem, no, Kelly and I were just sitting here talking. What’s up?” Mike listened to him for several minutes, and Kelly noticed that Mike had a very concerned expression on his face.

  “Rich said that? Seriously? The woman hasn’t even been dead one day, and he has no idea if she was even murdered.” He listened to Lem and then said, “Lem, don’t worry. He’s just blowing smoke, trying to create headlines. If she was murdered, I’ll solve the case. I promise you it will not affect my re-election, no matter what he says. I’ll call you tomorrow after I know a little more.” He ended the call and looked grimly at Kelly.

  “I gather your opponent is already making noises about the Jacquie Morton case,” she said.

  “Yes. He’s thrown down the gauntlet and said if it was his case, he’d solve it in hours. Rick also said if I can’t solve it within a few days, it’s just proof that this county needs a new sheriff, and he’s the one who should be elected.”

  “Well, Sheriff, in that case, I guess we need to determine once and for all if Jacquie Morton was murdered, and if she was, then we have to solve the murder and catch the killer.”

  Mike raised an eyebrow and said, “No, not we, Kelly. I need to solve this case. I don’t want you to get involved in it. You inadvertently were involved this morning by being in the wrong place at the wrong time when you discovered Jacquie Morton’s body, but that’s the extent of it. Do we have an understanding?”

  “Of course, Mike. It was just a slip of the tongue.”

  “I’m going to believe that it was, because I would hate to think that you would deliberately get involved in something when I’ve specifically told you that it doesn’t involve you.”

  “Consider it done, Sheriff. Now it’s time for dinner.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Lisette Andrews picked up her cell phone and called Teddy James, the man who would be directing The Triangle. The call was immediately answered, and she heard Teddy warmly say, “Darling, how are you this morning? I’ll be so glad when you begin filming down here. I’m lonely without you.”

  “Me too, Teddy. I’m cold, and it’s overcast here half the time. I need to get back to Southern California and soak up some sunshine.”

  “Just a couple more weeks, and Mickey should have that script the way Jacquie wants it. How are things going on that end?” he asked.

  “That’s why I called, Teddy. It’s not going well at all. I’m beginning to wonder if there’s something wrong with Jacquie. I know she has a reputation for being a real diva, but the way she’s been acting lately goes way beyond what you might expect from a diva. I really feel sorry for Mickey. She disses whatever he writes, although she never reads anything in front of us. Jacquie says she concentrates better when she’s alone at night. Several times Mickey has asked her to read a page or two when the three of us are together, and she’s refused. I wonder if she has some physical problem. The whole thing seems very strange to me, because after she bombed in her last film, she really needs this one to be a hit, and I’d think she’d want to do whatever is needed in order to get back on top.”

  Teddy was quiet for several long moments and then said, “I just wish I’d been able to get the financial backers of The Triangle to see that you were the one who was absolutely perfect for the lead. Jacquie’s too old for it, and I’m worried this film is going to bomb like her last one. If it does, that’s going to affect both of our careers. Let me make a couple of calls and see if I can find out anything.”

  “Thanks, love, I miss you. When are you coming up here?”

  “I’ll be there in a few days. Jacquie’s asked for a meeting with you, Mickey, me, and the producer, Lou Jordan. We decided on next Wednesday, so it won’t be all that long, and I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Me, too, baby,” Lisette said. “See you then.”

  After Teddy ended the call, he sat at his desk thinking what he should do. His reputation was on the line, and he was very concerned about Jacquie’s behavior. The last few times he’d seen her he thought something was off about her, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He knew she’d had what she called “maintenance work” done over the years by the plastic surgeon he’d sent all of the studio’s starlets to. Maybe he’d know what was going on with Jacquie.

  A moment later a receptionist answered his call, “Dr. Trumbull’s office. How may I direct your call?”

  “This is Teddy James. I’d like to speak with Dr. Trumbull. Would you tell him I’m on the line? Thank you.” He was pretty sure Roy would take his call, if for no other reason than Teddy had sent him a lot of patients over the years and was probably responsible for Roy being able to afford the large yacht that ha
d been prominently featured on the Christmas card Roy sent out last year.

  “What a surprise, Teddy. I never hear from you, but you keep sending me all those beautiful women who work for you. What can I do for you?”

  “I’d like your professional opinion regarding one of your patients,” Teddy said.

  “Happy to help if I can, but I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of my oath involving patient-physician confidentiality.”

  “Of course not, Roy, I’m well aware of it. Just as I’m aware of how much all the women I’ve sent you contributed to the new boat that you featured on last year’s Christmas card. I’m sure those referrals allowed you to buy it.”

  There was silence on the other end of the line for a few moments and then Roy asked, “What would you like to know, Teddy?”

  “Thanks, Roy. I knew you’d see it my way. I want to know if there’s anything going on with Jacquie Morton. I know she goes to your office several times a year for botox treatments and a little nip and tuck here and there. She seems off to me, like something’s wrong with her. My reputation and a lot of money are riding on her new movie, and if there’s a problem, I need to know about it.”

  Again, it was quiet on the doctor’s end of the line. Teddy heard him take a deep breath and say, “Teddy, there is a problem. About three years ago Jacquie was in here for a couple of treatments, and I thought she was having problems with her eyesight. I gave her the customary consent form to read and sign, and she said she’d read it later. I told her I needed her to read it and sign it before I could administer the treatments to her. She broke down and told me she’d been having problems with her eyesight and that her assistant, Maizie, had become her driver and essentially her eyes.”

  “Oh no, I was afraid of something like this.” Teddy said. “No wonder she won’t read the script in front of the screenwriter. Sounds like she can’t. I’m assuming you referred her to someone who’s an expert in that area.”

  “Of course I did. Dr. Magnussen called me back a few days later and told me that Jacquie Morton was in the early stages of an eye disease called macular degeneration. I’d heard of the term, but I wasn’t all that familiar with it, so I asked him what the prognosis was.”

  “What did he say?” Teddy asked, thinking that a movie and his career was riding on what he was going to hear from the doctor in the next few minutes.

  “He said it was incurable, and it would only get worse. It doesn’t result in death, but it often results in the patient becoming blind or very close to it. I’m sorry, Teddy. I’m sure that presents a problem for anyone trying to read a script.”

  “That it does, Roy, that it does.”

  “Teddy, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t use my name if you tell anyone about this. My giving you this information is highly unethical. If you don’t mind my asking, what do you intend to do about this situation?”

  “I don’t know, Roy. I need to think about it. Obviously, it needs to be handled very delicately, but I certainly don’t see how Jacquie can star in a movie if she can’t even read her lines.”

  “I’m sure you’ll come up with a solution, Teddy. I have to go. I’m due in surgery in a few minutes. See you at the premiere.”

  After the call ended, Teddy continued to sit at his desk, deep in thought. He wondered how he would ever be able to extricate himself from the mess he was in. Finally, after an hour spent thinking of all the different alternatives, he made what he considered to be the only decision he could make. Jacquie Morton could not and would not star in The Triangle, and he would do whatever it took to make sure she didn’t. A plan began to form in his mind, and for the first time since the movie’s backers had insisted Jacquie Morton play the lead, he felt confident the movie could be a hit, but a few things had to be taken care of, like Jacquie Morton, for one.

  CHAPTER 12

  The next morning Kelly turned off the alarm clock before it could go off and wake Mike. She knew when he was involved in a case he needed all the sleep he could get. She took care of the dogs, made a cup of coffee, got dressed, and she and Rebel left for the day. She quietly closed the front door, and then the two of them headed out to her minivan which she’d left in the driveway the previous afternoon.

  She normally never picked up the morning paper which was always on their sidewalk when she left for the coffee shop each day, since she knew Mike loved to read the cartoons, and he’d told her he always went out and got the paper as soon as he was up, even before he poured himself a cup of coffee. For some reason this morning she bent down to see what the headline was and gasped when she read it. There, on the front page above the fold, was a picture of Mike with the headline “WILL THE DEATH OF JACQUIE MORTON, THE BELOVED MOVIE STAR, MEAN CURTAINS FOR SHERIFF MIKE REYNOLDS?”

  Kelly picked the paper up and quickly scanned the article. It was all about Jacquie’s death and how Mike’s opponent, Police Chief Rich Monroe, said if Sheriff Mike Reynolds couldn’t find out how Jacquie had died, it was just one more reason that the county needed a new sheriff. Kelly’s first instinct was to hide the paper from Mike, but she knew if he didn’t read the article while he was at home, he’d buy a newspaper on the way to the station, or there would even be one waiting on his desk for him when he got there. She thought that the timing and the way Jacquie had died couldn’t have come at a worse time. For the first time since Mike had decided to run for re-election, she was concerned his campaign might not be successful.

  When she got to Kelly’s Koffee Shop, she knew her prediction that the day would be especially busy because of Jacquie’s death had been absolutely correct. There were several cars already parked in front of the coffee shop, waiting for it to open. Molly, Roxie, and Charlie were already there as well. She greeted them, unlocked the door, and started the big commercial coffee urn, knowing she could at least give her customers a cup of coffee while they waited for Kelly and her staff to do what was necessary to get the coffee shop operational.

  “Kelly, I’m sorry about the article the newspaper ran about Mike and his opponent. What did Mike say about it?” Roxie asked.

  “I don’t know. The paper was on the sidewalk when I walked out to get in my minivan. I usually never pick it up, but for some reason this morning I did. After I read it, I took it back in the house for Mike to read. I debated taking it with me, so he wouldn’t see it, but I knew he’d either buy a newspaper or there would be one at the station. Someone would make sure he read the article, but it didn’t sound like very objective reporting to me. Mike’s opponent, Rich Monroe, has started to run a very nasty campaign and with a few more weeks left before the election, I wonder what other dirt and unfounded claims he’ll make. The only saving grace is that Mike and I lead pretty boring lives.”

  “Yeah,” Roxie said. “The next thing you’ll know there will probably be a picture of Rebel, Skyy, and Lady, along with some of the dogs you helped rescue when Maggie Ryan was murdered and they found over thirty dogs in her house. I can see it now. The headline will read something like ‘Sheriff Reynolds and Wife Break County Law by Owning More Than Three Dogs’. And it will probably be above the fold. After this morning’s article, who knows what that guy will come up with?”

  “Thanks, Roxie. That makes me feel even better,” Kelly said sarcastically.

  “Sorry, but I’m just so angry about that article. Mike has to be the best sheriff this county has ever had, and it infuriates me that some sleazy chief of police who happens to be running against Mike is trying to discredit him. Actually, I’m surprised the paper even published it.”

  “I know, Roxie, I felt the same way when I saw it. I wish there was something I could do to help Mike, but right now I’m not sure what it would be.”

  “Kelly, you’ll think of something. You always do. Mike’s lucky to have you watching his back. I predict you’ll find out what happened to Jacquie, and Mike will easily win his campaign for re-election.”

  “I appreciate your confidence and, believe me, I hope you’re right. Those are
predictions I like, but now we need to get this coffee shop open and ready for business. Look at the line that’s already formed at the front door. This may be the busiest morning we’ve ever had. I hope we don’t run out of food.”

  Roxie turned around, looked at the door, and shook her head. “I recognize some of the people, but there’s a lot of faces I don’t know. Think it’s people who are here because of Jacquie’s death?”

  “Sure do, and with that, it’s time to open for business. Ready, Charlie?”

  He smiled from his place in the kitchen and gave her a thumbs-up. “Don’t worry, Kelly. I’ve got the cooking fairy on my shoulder this morning, and she’s going to make sure everyone leaves here fat and happy.”

  She grinned at her staff. “Thanks, guys. I really don’t know what I’d do without you. Okay, it’s show time.” Kelly unlocked the front door and within minutes almost every seat in the coffee shop was occupied. Roxie and Molly delivered menus and coffee to the customers, and tried to keep everyone happy as best they could.

  The morning went by in a blur. None of the staff had a moment to sit down, to say nothing of Charlie’s normal cigarette break which he took in the morning whenever there was a slow time. Not only was every seat taken in the coffee shop, there were always people standing by the door, waiting for customers to finish eating and relinquish their seats.

  Promptly at noon, the coffee shop door opened, and Doc Burkhart walked in. His usual smile was gone and in its place, he wore a somber expression. When Kelly’d noticed his truck drive into the coffee shop parking lot, she’d taken a seat at a small table, waiting for him to come in. She waved to Doc, and he walked over to the table.

  “Thought I better save this one for you, Doc. Seats are at a premium today. Why such a somber look?”