by CC Dragon
According to my sister’s divorce lawyer Danny had rented a home in Santa Monica. The GPS guided me and I parked on the street. The single floor dwelling looked modest for the area. Danny, now out of a job, didn’t have much money apparently. He’d asked for alimony as part of the divorce, but Sonia’s lawyer wasn’t worried. Probably a ploy to ask for something in return. Danny had earned money modeling and acting before the marriage and I knew he wouldn’t starve. But a better settlement certainly was motivation for him to intimidate her.
His bright yellow Hummer sat in the driveway. I walked around the outside of the house discretely. The strategic shrubs and palm trees gave me plenty of cover from the neighbors and everything seemed quiet and ordinary. Rounding back to the front door, I rang the bell.
“Coming,” Danny shouted from inside.
I smiled so I made a good impression when he opened the door. I’d known him for years and while he wasn’t the best actor or the smartest guy, I’d never questioned my sister’s safety with him. If he was the stalker I’d bet it was all about money and the divorce. He didn’t really want to hurt her. If that was the case then I’d beat him senseless and dump him in Area 51 I had an ex-boyfriend there too. I’d dated around during my eight years of single adulthood.
The door swung open and Danny’s face froze. “I thought you were the pizza.”
“Nope, just popping in to say hi.” I stepped inside. “Can I come in?”
He stepped back. “Didn’t know you were in town. You know Sonia and I—”
“I know about the divorce. Sorry things didn’t work out.” I scanned the living room. Brown leather couches, all functional and manly. “Nice place.”
“That’s why you’re here?” He frowned. “My agent got me this place as a rental. Her husband bought and rehabbed a bunch of homes when the market tanked. Better for my image than some crap apartment.”
The former model didn’t have a line on his face. Sonia told me he’d had a little work done around the eyes. Women getting some nips and tucks didn’t seem nearly as weird as men having Botox parties. In Chicago men watched sports and drank beer...caring about their looks generally stopped at avoiding pot bellies and baldness. Todd was a real hottie there. My sister’s taste in men was different. Danny was pretty and pure Hollywood.
“I’m here for my sister.” I walked back toward the kitchen and saw pretty flowered towels and a pink centerpiece on the wooden table.
“She wants me to back off? This is a divorce, lawyers negotiate. She can’t send in the big guns to intimidate me.” Danny stepped back.
The doorbell rang and he ran to get the pizza. He set the large pie out on the counter.
“Want a slice?” he offered.
I peered suspiciously at the big name chain that made generic pizza. “No thanks. Carbs? You?” Mocking him was half the fun of being the sister-in-law.
“I’m out of a job so I’m stress eating.” He grabbed a slice, folded it, and started chewing.
“Well, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m just concerned for my sister.”
“I could call my lawyer and tell him you’re trying to pressure me in the settlement. Community property is the law so he says I get half.” Danny didn’t make a move for his cell phone lying on the kitchen table. Instead he went for slice number two.
“I’m not a lawyer or here about the settlement. Honestly I don’t care how you two divide up your mansion contents. Marriages don’t always work—people change and they grow apart.”
It’s what the teachers told me when my dad walked out. I broke down in tears one day at school. The funniest part was I wasn’t upset, I was really relieved. But I let them think what they wanted.
Fear and anger were emotions I’d learned to channel by then. The absence of fear freaked me out for a little while. My sister would not live in fear if I could help it.
“You don’t hurt her, I won’t hurt you,” I said.
“So why are you here?” He dropped a half-eaten slice back into the cardboard box. “I told her I wouldn’t bother her anymore. I tried, okay, but I’m done. I swear.”
Was there something my sister hadn’t told me? I got that tingle of sisterly secrets. “What? What were you bothering her about?”
“Getting back together—I tried it a few times. I screwed up, okay? Her career got so big and I was stalled. Everyone loves her. So I got drunk and stupid one night at a buddy’s party.” Danny grabbed a bottle of beer from his fridge and chugged it.
“So you’re the stalker,” I smiled.
It added up. He knew about the side door on the garage. When I left Vegas I’d hoped this would be a one or two day job rather than something that dragged on and on like most of my sister’s drama.
“What? Stalker? No!” He slammed the bottle down. “What’s going on?”
“She’s received some disturbing threats. Nothing physical yet, but if you’re behind it—you’ll pay. I don’t care what the lawyers, LAPD, or anyone says. You’ll answer to me.” I stepped into his personal space and glared. “And I don’t care about consequences. There’s no I’d answer to that my ex can’t get to and smooth over. So you’re in danger of me putting you in the hospital.”
Danny swallowed hard. He knew I’d make good on any threats. His character on the soap tried karate once and I’d shown him a few moves. He knew exactly what I could do without a gun.
“I’m not threatening her. I wanted her back, not hurt or scared.”
My gaze stayed locked on his and damn it, I believed him.
“People get crazy in divorces and your career is suffering. Are you sure your agent or lawyer didn’t hire someone to mess with her for your benefit? Your career and hers aren’t hurt by all the tabloid ink.” I had to be sure.
He shook his head. “I haven’t seen the stalker thing in the press.”
“I meant the divorce. We’re trying to keep the stalker out of the news so I can find the criminal quick and quiet. But your divorce just started. Maybe you’re getting what you want out of this. The news won’t hurt your prospects and I can’t completely stop the news.”
He shook his head. “You’re jumping to a lot of conclusions, Helena.”
“I’m following a lead, so prove me wrong. Check with your agent and lawyer to make sure no one is orchestrating a Hollywood stunt to help you.”
Danny’s eyes narrowed. “You really think I’d let that happen?”
“I think your agent or lawyer could pull the strings behind your back. No physical harm but a few threats. Plant a few notes and she’s spooked. It gets press and keeps your divorce story alive. You can put your hand on a Bible and swear you knew nothing about it but you’re part of the story. That lines their pockets too. Relax, Danny, I just want to make sure I’m covering all my bases. If this turns out to be the source, good. She’s not in real danger and I can fix it fast.”
I took a look down a hall under the guise of pacing off my frustration. There were girly clothes hanging in his bathroom.
“Who is she?” I folded my arms.
He sighed. “None of your business, but she has a small part on the soap. I’m supposed to be a monk? Sonia and I are separated.”
“I’m just asking. She got a name?” He’d tell me. He still acted like we were family.
“Faith Louis. And no, she’s not stalking Sonia. Faith has nothing against Sonia, she even said I shouldn’t go after any money. Just a clean divorce. I’m not good at being alone.”
“I’m not judging. If you’re as concerned about my sister as you claim, you’ll help me. I warned you when you married her—I’m on her side no matter what. I’ve been taking care of her a lot longer than you have. You’re a nice guy, Danny. I liked you, but I’m only concerned with her.” This wasn’t a time for divided loyalties. He shouldn’t doubt what side I was on.
He nodded. “Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine.” Sort of a lie.
I walked into the kitchen, grabbed a pen from the counter, and wrot
e my cell number on the magnetic notepad on the fridge. “Call me when you’ve talked to your lawyer and agent. Make sure they’re not screwing with my sister because if I need to talk to them, I will. You won’t like how I handle them so it’s best if you get the truth. Anything they’re doing to upset my sister, I’m going to take that out on you. Got it?” I gave him the unwavering stare of confidence that I could keep up for hours.
His eyes narrowed. “I won’t let anyone hurt her. Not while we were together and not now. You never trusted me, did you? Sonia said you were like that—you never trusted any of the men she or your mom dated. You’ve never stayed with a guy longer than a few months since your divorce. Who messed you up, Helena? Todd was a good guy.”
I hated being around people who knew me so well. When I didn’t answer he just shook his head. Danny couldn’t hurt a fly. I’d hoped it was simple but even now, faced with accusations, he was more hurt than angry.
“We’re not all evil.” He returned to his pizza and stuffed his face. “Did you want something else?”
“If I thought you were evil you’d never have married my sister. You have any hand in hurting Sonia, you’ll need some serious plastic surgery. You know her life as well as she does. So you either help me or you’re a suspect—call me.” He wasn’t my criminal but he could be a source of information.
“I will.” He looked me up and down. “Nice boots. When did you start dressing like a diva?”
“I’m undercover. Don’t worry, if you come near my sister, I can still kick your ass with these!” I walked out the door and shook off the stress.
Jordan was right. People noticed labels even when there were other more important things on their minds. Talk about a freak show of a town!
Danny knew the real me. I couldn’t fool him, but that was good. He’d been put on notice. Part of me wished that I could trust men but Dad started it and Danny wasn’t helping. Even good ones like Todd didn’t really listen. My life wasn’t going to revolve around a man’s career. I was relieved to see Sonia wouldn’t let Danny run her life either.
Chapter Ten
After a long day on the set Sonia informed me we were going to the nail salon. Yanking her from her normal routine wouldn’t work so I picked my battles. Maybe immersing myself in her life would help me uncover the stalker.
I parked around back of a small white building in what she told me was West Hollywood. A trendy looking herbal tea and exotic coffee shop sat across the street next to The Laughing Buddha Café which boasted gourmet sandwiches, plus more retail shops all around. It felt less pretentious than Rodeo Drive or the Brentwood mansions but the overall feel was trendy which meant expensive.
We walked in the back door and were greeted by a petite Filipino woman perfectly made up right down to her bronzer. With a big smile and big hair, she hugged Sonia.
“I know who this is.” The woman who had no hint of an accent pointed at me.
“Hel, this is Emerald, the best nail tech on the West Coast. Emmy, this is Hel.” Sonia acted like nothing was wrong but her mood swings were normal.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. Here to visit?” Emmy waved us into chairs and placed Sonia’s feet in a tub to soak before starting on my hands.
Sonia answered for me. “Well, yes, more to fix the stalker issue.”
“Stalker? Poor thing! You can’t catch a break.” A cold and cutting female voice answered instead of Emmy. The voice came from a side room before the woman emerged.
“Carmen, you’re so sweet.” Sonia air kissed the tall brunette stick figure with flawless features.
“Of course, honey. Anything you need, you just call me and I’ll be there like that.” Carmen snapped her fingers and checked to make sure the polish hadn’t smudged. Then she nodded in my direction. “I have to go now, but it’s a good thing you hired a bodyguard.”
I wanted to slap the false eyelashes off this woman and I had no clue why. Sonia didn’t take that crap, but she was now. The Sonia I knew was always popular and the leader. Yet she was being nice to Carmen.
“Actually she’s my sister just in for a visit. Nothing that dangerous. But you’re so nice to worry about me.” Sonia put an arm around me and suddenly I felt like I had slipped into a parallel universe.
“Sister? Really? Well, don’t worry. Plenty of leading ladies have one just like that at home. Genes can be cruel.”
“So can I,” I muttered under my breath.
Carmen hugged Emmy and slid a large tip into her pocket before walking out the door with a swish in her walk.
“Who was that bitch?” I asked.
“No one. She used to be on the soap playing a very brief character. Then Carmen married rich and divorced him,” Sonia said as if that explained everything.
“Good story, but more details,” I requested.
“The hubby married her and then did the illegal maid in their bed. The man scored a gorgeous Latina trophy wife like her and he had to hit the help? Carmen came out of it looking like a saint.” Emmy shrugged. “Men. But Carmen is more of a frenemy than a friend.”
“Why talk to her then?” I asked.
Sonia sighed in annoyance. “Today’s bitch is the next big thing. One good part, she’s the big name, and I’m sucking up to her. It’s complicated here—shows get cancelled after one season or one episode. You have to understand demographics too. The Latino population is only growing so who is better fixed in that area? Me or her? Her.”
Frenemies were nothing new but if Sonia thought Carmen wasn’t going in my file of potential problems, she was wrong.
“She’s nothing special.” I hoped that would boost my sister’s ego.
“Damn right! A good customer, I can’t complain, but she’s a bit player. Always the Hispanic mom in local commercials. She’ll need plastic surgery touch-ups in a year—she parties too hard. It’ll catch up to her.” Emmy folded her arms and studied me more intently. “Oh good. You’re kick ass girl, right?”
“That’s one way of putting it. I’ll keep Sonia safe.” I nodded.
I started to realize how important labels were here and not just on clothes. Only a few words defined you and other people chose them. I was kick ass and black belt apparently.
“I’m sure you will. Then you fix my ex, okay?” She winked.
“Is Roger still being a jerk?” Sonia studied the bottles of the latest designer nail polish collection.
“Roger is your ex?” I asked. Not completely sure I wanted to get involved but I was a sucker in these situations. “What’s the problem?”
“Yes, the ex. So greedy and lazy plus he’s not paying child support on time. The jerk is already three months behind and I’ve got a little boy.” She turned a picture so I could see it. “Chris is only seven. Always growing out of things and wanting to do sports. He loves baseball and that’s expensive. Roger has never been on time but now he’s just ignoring me and his son. He never buys Chris big things on the weekends he has him. Half the time he doesn’t take him on his visitation weekends.”
“That’s terrible. Chris needs time with his father, divorced or not.” Sonia shot me a look.
I ignored her. Every so often Sonia got on the long lost daddy kick and wanted answers. When she was little it was easier to distract her with makeup or candy. I wondered if I could afford the Hollywood equivalent of a diversion ice cream cone.
For now I focused on Emmy’s issue. “He should definitely pay. Is he out of work or something?”
“Hell, no. He owns three car dealerships with his father—Ford, Lexus, and BMW. All make good money but he doesn’t take a salary so nothing to garnish. Courts won’t do anything until he’s really behind. My lawyer says it’s not worth fighting it yet so let it add up for leverage.” She sighed and massaged my hand.
Inwardly groaning, I marveled at how Emmy relaxed muscles I didn’t know were tense. It helped me think better and I knew this Roger just needed his attitude adjusted. Anyone who could work this magic on my muscles deserved resp
ect. “The lawyer probably charged just to tell you that. I swear, divorce is a bigger money making scam than weddings. I won’t do that again.” I sighed.
“You’re so cynical and you had the best guy.” Sonia picked out a new hot pink polish for her toes.
“With what you’re going through, little sister, you should understand that no one knows what’s going on inside a marriage except those in it. My divorce was pretty amicable but most aren’t. Still, we had to do all the paperwork. You and Danny have lawyers, agents, and a lot more assets. I’m sure you don’t want to give Danny a bunch of money but you don’t want this to drag out either.” It was a good way to bring up Danny. My sister could smell a lecture but I knew he’d come up naturally.
“No, but Danny isn’t my kid. He’s a grown man who can make his own money. You didn’t get alimony. I shouldn’t have to support him for the rest of his life because I make way more and we were married for a few years. If we had a child, that child deserves everything from both parents. Kids are different.” Sonia always wanted children but working in front of the camera all the time, she wouldn’t let her figure go.
Emmy nodded. “It’s so hard.”
“What is?” I asked.
“I spent too much time on the divorce, moving to my own place, and dealing with Chris’s fears when Roger and I split up. The meetings and the lawyers went on forever. He dragged it out on purpose. I lost a lot of clients and some of my nail techs. Without Roger’s money I’m not sure I can make it much longer. With my current cash flow I can afford the rent on my apartment but not this space too.” She pressed her plum lips together.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is there a less expensive space you can move to?” I didn’t want to act nosy but Emmy seemed to be the open book type.
She had asked for my help, joking or not.
