‘Is there a problem with that?’
‘No. Just, Barry didn’t mention it.’
‘I’ll talk to him. So when were you hoping to get into the mansion?’
Melanie’s eyes widened. ‘You’re still OK with that?’
‘OK? It was my idea. We’d be stupid not to, and the sooner the better.’ She turned to Ada. ‘We’ll get ratings higher than the Kardashian wedding. Who wouldn’t be interested? The trick,’ looking to Melanie, ‘will be in the editing.’
Ada looked between the two women and then at Clarence, who hung in the background, now stomping out a cigarette on the ground. ‘It’s a crime scene,’ she said.
‘That’ll make it better,’ Rachel said, and then, to Melanie, ‘We should get rolls of that yellow crime scene tape, just leave bits and pieces scattered around to remind the audience. So where is Barry? I need to talk with him and see how things are going. Maybe we should all plan on a dinner meeting. Give me a chance to meet the crew and hash some things through with Barry.’
Melanie, who’d earlier told Ada to plan on taping well into the night, immediately shifted to follow Rachel’s cue. ‘How’s eight?’
Rachel looked at Ada. ‘I’d like you to be there and, if you want to, bring your girlfriend?’
‘Love to,’ Ada said, thinking that if she were about to visit Narnia she’d want Lil along for the ride. ‘Could I bring my grandson, Aaron? He’s playing hookey from UConn and I know he’d want to get an inside look at this.’
‘Absolutely, and you know where we should do it − what’s that place right on the green? You know, the one with the awful food but amazing ambience.’
‘The Greenery,’ Ada said.
‘That’s the one. Melanie, reserve a big enough room, if necessary get the whole restaurant. And give me Barry’s numbers. I need to see where things are at.’
TWENTY
Mattie sat back in the too-familiar Grenville police chief’s office, it’s prior occupant’s awards and photos with politicians and celebrities replaced by Kevin Simpson’s fishing-themed decor or ‘Kevin with Trout’, as her partner Jamie had dubbed it. It was hard not to compare the former chief − competent and corrupt − to good-natured Kevin, who knew everyone and everything.
The three of them − Jamie, Kevin and Mattie − sat around his desk focused on the phone, which was on speaker. Kevin’s computer monitor was turned so that the two detectives could view the ballistics report on Lenore’s murder.
‘It’s a match.’ Detective Jean Murphy’s voice came through the speaker.
‘It is, and we’ve got the gun,’ Mattie said, looking at the bagged and tagged nine millimeter Glock on Kevin’s desk. ‘So we’ll go with the assumption: same gun, same shooter.’
This time a man’s voice – Detective Scott Baker – ‘It’s a seventeen C Gen three. It’s what I carry.’
‘You and half the NYPD,’ Detective Murphy answered. ‘What I don’t get is, why leave it in Richard Parks’ bed? It was deliberate. And absolutely no fingerprints?’
‘None,’ Mattie said. ‘Kind of a clumsy attempt to frame Rachel.’
‘Maybe they were done with it,’ Kevin offered. ‘Didn’t want to have it around.’
‘It’s possible,’ Detective Baker said. ‘Although I still like your idea of keeping Rachel locked away.’
‘I tried,’ Mattie said. ‘But her doctor said he couldn’t hold her, and she’s not a suspect. At least she’s allowing a uniformed presence around the mansion, which by the way is a security nightmare. You’d think someone of Lenore’s stature would have had a better system.’
‘They don’t need them,’ Kevin said. ‘You’d be amazed at the number of celebrities in Grenville and Shiloh. That’s why they like it here. People don’t bother them. For Lenore, putting the gate up and a fence around her perimeter was good enough. Or it was before yesterday.’
‘So, in both cases,’ Mattie said, ‘the killer shot for the heart. He, possibly she, hit Lenore’s aorta and Richard’s left lung and ventricle. Death would have come in a matter of minutes. In the case of Lenore, from a distance of twenty-five feet. Richard’s was at close range.’
‘So twenty-five feet with a Glock,’ Detective Murphy added, ‘and a single shot, says someone’s a practiced marksman.’
‘Yeah, and from how you’ve described Lenore’s schedule,’ Mattie continued, ‘someone knew exactly where she’d be.’
‘Yeah,’ said Detective Baker. ‘Apparently on days she shot two episodes, her every minute was mapped out. The tough part is there was no secret about that. We’ve got a list of over three hundred people who’d have had access to her schedule.’
‘But not Richard,’ Mattie added. ‘He’s in a meeting at LPP Tuesday night. Over two hundred executives were in that meeting. Lots of them aware they’re about to get the ax.’
‘Yeah, the tension in that room,’ Detective Murphy said, ‘was thick. People were sweating. They all wanted to know if they still had jobs.’
‘Did they?’ Jamie asked.
‘No,’ Murphy replied. ‘And with Richard’s death the top executives at LPP have started laying off everyone associated with Lenore Says. Monday morning half of them are to going to find their belongings in boxes.’
‘That quick?’ Mattie asked.
‘Yeah, apparently the cash drain is huge. And if there’s not a product and sponsors, their CFO wants to pull the plug fast. Which speaks against one of the producers or crew members wanting to kill Lenore. Their livelihood depended on her being alive and able to get in front of a camera.’
‘True,’ Mattie said, ‘but not all the plugs are getting pulled, correct?’
‘That’s right,’ Detective Murphy replied. ‘LPP has a dozen reality shows on the air, and another dozen in production.’
‘Like Final Reckoning,’ Mattie said. ‘Frankly, that’s the common denominator in the two murders, or it could be.’
‘Agreed,’ Detective Baker said. ‘And here’s a strange thing: there’s absolutely no documentation, at least none that LPP is willing to divulge, that talks about that show. Apparently this Barry Stromstein decided to put the ball in motion all on his own. He’d had a meeting with Lenore the morning she was shot. Word is he was one bad idea away from getting canned.’
‘And,’ Mattie said, ‘witnesses saw him and Richard having words … or at least Richard was having words with Barry. Richard wasn’t keen on the show, and this is where things get freaky. Rachel Parks wanted to have Lenore’s estate featured on the show, as in selling her mom’s things.’
‘Seriously?’ Detective Murphy asked. ‘That’s—’
‘Yeah,’ Mattie continued. ‘Richard and Rachel were not seeing eye to eye on that. So since we’re talking motive and access, we’ve got to look at Barry Stromstein and his cast and crew.’
‘So the motive would be what?’ Kevin asked.
‘A hit TV show,’ Mattie offered. ‘Staying employed.’
‘It doesn’t sit quite right,’ Detective Baker said. ‘Think about it: yes, this Barry guy is off trying to make a show, possibly without the necessary approval. For all he knows both he and his crew have pink slips waiting.’
‘Do they?’ Mattie asked.
‘Not yet,’ Detective Murphy replied. ‘Seems Rachel Parks has taken an interest in the project.’
Kevin grunted. ‘You’re not kidding. She was on the phone not an hour ago wondering when the CSI team would be finished, so they could start setting up the house for shooting.’
‘What did you tell her?’ Mattie asked.
‘That I’d get back to her. You guys are running this show − you tell me.’
‘Interesting,’ Mattie said.
‘What are you thinking?’ Detective Murphy asked over the speaker.
‘Everything leads us back to this creepy show,’ Mattie said. ‘There’s way too many connections for this to be coincidence. At the very least whoever killed Lenore and Richard are insiders who are familiar with both
LPP headquarters and Lenore’s Shiloh mansion.’
‘And her schedule,’ Detective Murphy interjected.
‘Even the security, or lack thereof, around the estate,’ Jamie added.
‘The mansion’s been used in dozens of episodes of Lenore Says,’ said Kevin.
‘Right …’ Mattie said. ‘Kevin, if they want to shoot that show, I’m thinking we should let them. The CSI team can get everything wrapped up tonight. I could be wrong, but I think there’s something about this show that’s connected to the murders.’
‘You want to hear something funny?’ Kevin asked.
‘Sure,’ Mattie said.
‘When I was on the phone with Rachel, she asked me not to clean up a thing. She said, “leave all the crime scene stuff”, but here’s the kicker. She said, “leave the blood”.’
‘What were you thinking?’ Jamie asked Mattie as they headed to their black SUV.
‘It’s this show,’ she said. ‘The more I think about it, who really profits from this?’
‘That Barry guy,’ Jamie said, ‘and I suppose anyone associated with the show, if it becomes a hit, including our adorable Ada.’
Mattie chuckled. ‘Yeah, I can see that. Although for someone living in a retirement community she does seem always to be in the middle of homicides.’
‘She is in the middle of this show,’ Jamie offered.
‘True, and that is a beautiful thing.’
‘Because—’ Jamie stopped. She clicked the button on her key ring for the locks. ‘You’ve got to be kidding?’
‘It is convenient,’ Mattie said as she yanked the passenger side door open.
‘Mattie, we’ve been working together three years now?’
‘Close to, rookie. You got something you want to say?’
‘Just an observation,’ the young detective said. ‘Last time we were in this town your friends Lil and Ada were extremely helpful.’
‘They were.’
‘And they got hurt.’
Mattie paused. ‘I don’t remember that.’
‘Not physically, not that time. But remember what happened. That horrible woman posted pictures of the two of them in bed.’
Mattie swallowed; discussions of Lil and Ada’s relationship made her nervous. ‘I’d forgotten about that.’
‘I hadn’t,’ Jamie said. ‘I think they’re two of the most courageous people I’ve ever met. So if you want her to try and get information, you know Ada’ll do it. Everything here looks so pretty, but we both know it’s just window dressing. This is a double murder and we still don’t know the motive. And if you’re right and the killer is connected to this show, Ada’s in the middle of something dangerous.’
‘You don’t think she’s already digging?’
Jamie chuckled. ‘I didn’t say that. I think that’s under the heading of leopard, spots … changing.’
‘We should talk to her, but I hear you. We should do it on the DL.’
Jamie glanced at Mattie as they headed north toward Shiloh for a last look at Lenore’s estate before opening it up to the cast and crew of Final Reckoning. ‘It can’t be easy for them,’ she said.
‘For who?’
‘Lil and Ada. Think of all the shit I get? The only reason they didn’t can my ass was because you were willing to be my partner. Even before I came out, everyone just assumed I was gay.’
Mattie really wished Jamie would change the subject. ‘You’re a good detective. It shouldn’t matter.’
‘It shouldn’t, and it does,’ Jamie said. She felt Mattie’s discomfort and, not for the first time, wondered at its source. She knew Mattie had married young, had a son, Oscar, who was in a graduate program at UConn. Beyond that, Mattie didn’t talk about her personal life. ‘I asked Patty to marry me.’
‘Congratulations,’ Mattie said, wondering how much longer it would take to get to the estate. Without doubt Jamie had grown into her favorite partner. Their first year together she’d been more of a mentor and supervisor. But not now; the woman was smart, had good instincts and an uncanny ability to see below the surface of a person’s words. She didn’t care that she was gay. So why does this conversation make you squirm? ‘What made you pop the question?’
Jamie slowed as they passed the stretch of road where the chain-link fence had been cut. ‘Beyond that I love her and want to spend my life with her, it’s a lot of practical things. We both want kids, and we’re looking for a house. I have a brother who thinks I’m going to hell for being gay and Patty has a brother-in-law who won’t let her near his own kids. Her sister’s a wimp who just lets him do that. All I can think is that if something were to happen to either one of us, we’d have no protection. Those assholes could come in and try to take it all. While same-sex marriage still only counts at the state level, with the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and DOMA, maybe it’ll become federally recognized.’ She paused. ‘I’m thinking about what the New York detectives said.’
‘Which part?’ Mattie asked, relieved to be back on the more comfortable topic of murder.
‘About how many people despised Lenore. Not just disliked, but actively hated or feared her.’
‘Like Barry,’ Mattie said as the locked gate to Lenore’s estate came into view. There were news vans parked in front of it and uniformed Grenville officers. Jamie showed her badge through the windshield and the gate opened.
‘The problem is, his alibi is good. We could probably poke a hole through the time Lenore was shot, but we’ve got half a dozen witnesses saying he was holed up in meetings through two a.m. the night Richard was killed. The bigger question is how many Barrys are out there?’
‘They’re getting a subpoena for LPP’s human resources records. It could be many.’
‘Revenge is a good motive,’ Jamie said as she eased the SUV behind a CSI van. ‘And then there’s the big secrets of Lenore being gay and possibly having more children.’
Mattie swallowed. ‘Yeah.’
‘New York says there were at least three girlfriends, and Clarence can probably confirm that. So there’s a potential jealousy angle.’
‘Then why go after her son?’ Mattie asked. ‘I think that motive can go lower on the list.’
‘Probably right. Still, I’m keeping it on mine. And then we’ve got our mystery surrogate. Maybe she wasn’t happy with the deal, or decided she wants to keep the kids. In terms of the money trail, by killing Lenore and Richard you’ve bumped off two of the three natural heirs … but then why not take out Rachel? Here’s a thought: with so many people hating Lenore, it’s almost like they could have raised an office pool to hire a hit man.’
Mattie snorted. ‘That would be a first.’
Jamie laughed as she opened the door. ‘Think about it … but no, I keep getting hung up on the part where, yes, they hated her and were afraid of her, but she was also the one putting fat paychecks into their pockets.’ She looked at the mansion and then back at Mattie. ‘You’re right.’
‘About what?’
‘Ada. She’s on the inside of the LPP machine; maybe she can find out what makes it tick.’
TWENTY-ONE
Barry couldn’t decide if he were the luckiest producer in television history or the most screwed. ‘Oh God, no,’ he whispered under his breath. He plastered on a smile as Rachel Parks sauntered down the staircase of the mansion. What has she done? She’s crazy, absolutely out of her fucking mind.
At the foot of the stair two cameras captured her advance. The girl was an expert, having studied at the serpent’s breast. Her expression was subtle, her eyes lovely like her mother’s, with a hint of sadness, her black dress clinging to her curves without being sluttish. Her face was dewy and young, but what was freakish was she’d dyed her hair auburn − just like Lenore’s, like seeing the mother brought back to life thirty years younger.
Rachel paused two steps from the bottom, one hand gracefully holding the railing. She’d wanted to start the show with an introduction. Barry was leery, but had q
uickly discovered that what Rachel wanted, Rachel got − like mother like daughter.
He glanced at his crew, most of them with him since LA and Model Behavior. He had managed to keep them employed and on the cusp of what might be the hottest new show in TV. That it might simultaneously bring reality TV to a new low in taste was irrelevant.
In addition to his inner circle, the mansion was crawling with over a hundred LPP employees, many of them on the verge of being laid off; this shoot was an eleventh hour reprieve from the unemployment line.
‘Thank you for coming,’ Rachel said. She looked down and then straight into a camera.
Barry checked the monitor as she paused, her eyes wide. He held his breath, not knowing if the girl could deliver. If she couldn’t he had lots of tricks, but if she could … He bit his lip.
‘My mother had so many beautiful things.’ Another wistful pause. ‘But she’s gone, and so is my brother. Things are just things and it’s time for me to start anew. Welcome to my home, to where Lenore raised me and my brother Richard. We’ve had lots of film crews and lots of good times over the years. Some of you watched, and saw Lenore do everything here, from stuffing a turkey to hosting parties for A-list Hollywood.’ She shook her head and gave a small, sad laugh. ‘I could tell you stories about those. But now, it’s a new chapter and, much as I loved my mother, her taste’ − she swept her hand upward as a camera followed, panning over the lavish second story landing with its gilt mirror and Louis Quatorze furnishings – ‘is not mine. So, in the spirit of my mother, who was a television innovator, I’d like to welcome you to Final Reckoning.
‘To get us started, I’d like to introduce my dear friend and the show’s hostess, Ada Strauss.’
Barry called ‘Cut’. He looked at Rachel on the monitors. She was perfect. He stuffed back the excitement; this is going to work. This is really going to work. He gave Melanie instructions to get the next scene set, both of them having gone the last forty-eight hours with almost no sleep and an untold amount of coffee and energy drinks. Last night had been pure insanity once they’d realized that Rachel was serious about moving forward with the shoot, Lenore’s estate and the mansion. The roadblock of it being a crime scene had evaporated with a single call to the accommodating chief of police. But once it became clear that this was a go, Barry knew he was over his head, with no storyboards, no shoot schedule, inadequate equipment and crew … and no one could ever know that. Yes, they’d worked out the broad strokes of the show, but the details and logistics, plus the lack of an approved budget … Melanie had summed it up nicely. ‘Shoot first and ask questions later.’
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