by CC Dragon
Those little cues were used on interrogation subjects all the time. Letting them think you’re on their side. People wanted validation, to feel a part of something, and in agreement with others. Human nature was so predictable.
Her face went sad. “I was so disappointed in him. Really, you think there are heroes left in this world and then they betray your trust. Sonia never would’ve cheated.”
“You don’t think he was justified since Sonia left the soap and basically hurt his career in the process?” Ricky played the bad cop role without too much aggression. He was good.
Vicky glared at him. “Men, they’ll take any excuse to cheat. They’re so hurt by women. If it were the other way around no one would take that excuse. Women still make less than men do for the same work. They still get stuck with the housework and taking care of the kids. But men are the big victims when women don’t do what they want.”
“I hear you.” I nodded. “Danny betrayed my sister. He could’ve been supportive of her big break like she’d have supported him.”
“Exactly.” Vicky slapped the desk. “Danny let one little ding to his ego ruin his marriage. Just like Brian.”
“What about Brian?” Ricky asked.
“My sister’s ex. At first he was nice. The professor who had Danny in to talk—Brian—he encouraged me to stay on my meds. I got this job but it was all a lie. He cheated on my sister with some tramp so she dumped him. She cried for days and days. I called and told him if he ever came near us again I’d stab him in the heart.” Her face went hard and her fists clenched.
“Danny and Brian. What is wrong with men?” I asked, playing along.
I put a few pieces together but there were two ways it could go. I had no idea which until the truth came out. Brian had either sent us on a wild goose chase to get back at his ex and her sister or Vicky transferred her hate for Brian to Danny when she went off her medication.
“Exactly,” Vicky agreed.
The sympathy angle felt natural. “I’m sure you’d do anything to protect your sister, wouldn’t you, Vicky? Just like I’d do anything to protect Sonia.”
“Of course, we have to protect each other. Men don’t care about anything but themselves. You see it all over Hollywood. Leading men trading in their wives of twenty years or more for barely legal bimbos. It’s disgusting. Sports figures too—it‘s terrible. Why even get married?”
“You wouldn’t let a man get away with that, would you, Vicky?” I asked.
“Never, they need to be taught a lesson.” She stabbed the desk with her index finger and pressed until her skin turned deathly pale.
I teetered closer to the edge of believing she’d done something violent. “Are you going to teach Brian a lesson?”
“If he comes near my sister I will. He’s been too smart and never comes around anymore.” She relaxed and moved her hands so the blood flowed to her fingers again. “He believed my warning.”
“What about Danny? Do you think he deserved what he got?” I asked.
Vicky’s face went red with rage. “He played with fire. A woman scorned can‘t be blamed. I bet you don’t lose any sleep over it.”
She’d lose that bet but I couldn’t give it away now.
“When’s the last time you saw Danny?” Ricky cut in.
Vicky sat back and looked a little stunned, like she‘d forgotten Ricky was in the room. “I don’t remember.”
“Come on, you’re a big fan. Did you see him so often you don’t remember?” He pushed the questioning.
“No, I don’t always remember everything well. I think it was recently.” She shrugged. “Why?”
I put my hand on her arm, keeping the connection so she’d keep talking. “I want to find out who killed Danny so I know Sonia is safe. I don’t know if it’s someone out to get Sonia or just after Danny. You understand, it’s the sister thing.”
“Oh sure, of course. Danny deserved it but your sister never did anything to hurt anyone. I can’t believe he was living with that other woman before the divorce was even final. What a jerk!”
“Where were you the day Danny died?” I asked.
“Me?” She frowned. “I don’t know. That was a week ago or something.”
“It’s not that hard to remember last week. Were you at work? Did you have a vacation?” That would be the easiest way to pin her alibi down or not.
“Yeah, I work six days a week, eight until close usually. I‘m good with routine but I forget sometimes.” Vicky crossed over to a flustered state and tried to stand up.
“I’ll go check with the branch manager.” Ricky left the room.
“I don’t remember killing anyone. I’d never—I couldn’t do that. He’s too big and strong.” Her speech and breathing became rapid. “Right?”
“Ricky will go and check the schedule. The cops have to check out anyone who had contact with Danny. You understand, it’s their procedure.”
It was hard to play on her side but if she ran I couldn’t stop her. Assaulting her could make the whole thing blow up worse.
She nodded and began to rock in the chair. “I want to talk to my sister.”
“She’s at work, let’s wait for Ricky,” I said.
As long as Vicky didn’t ask for a lawyer I didn’t care if she wanted to call the tooth fairy. Vicky was over eighteen, not a minor, so all she could request was a lawyer to stop the inquiry. If the police took her she’d get one phone call.
Ricky returned but didn’t sit. “They say you didn’t show up to work that day or the two following. You called in sick. Can you account for your whereabouts?”
“No, I don’t know. Sometimes I forget. I don’t take the right medication when I get confused and that makes it worse.”
“Did you go see Danny? Get another interview? Did you get mad at him?” I asked in as friendly a tone as I could.
She nodded. “I remember now. I asked him about the cheating and he got annoyed. He didn’t want to answer certain things and didn’t want to talk about the new girlfriend.”
She chewed the skin around her thumb until it bled. Definitely not totally normal.
“Did he get angry?” I prompted.
She nodded shakily and kept rocking in her chair.
Ricky leaned over. “If it’s self-defense you need to tell us. Were you in Danny’s house?”
“I don’t remember where. But he was mad.” She began to cry. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, I‘m sorry.”
“Vicky Reynolds, you’re under arrest on suspicion of murder.” Ricky read her the Miranda rights and cuffed her. He called in a squad from the local police department and it turned a quiet public library to madhouse.
I avoided the cameras and paparazzi by staying inside while Ricky and the uniformed cops went out and took her to the police station. Needing a ride, I called Jordan and convinced him to come get me at the back door even though libraries were so tragically out of fashion.
Chapter Thirty-Five
I walked into the mansion with a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Sonia charged me and hugged me.
“It’s true? They arrested someone?” she asked.
“Hail the conquering goddess.” Jordan curtsied like a pro.
“Yes, that San Bernardino sister went off her meds. They’ve got her in custody.” The heat was off my sister and onto someone who had an obsession and a motive. If her wires got crossed on Brian and Danny and all that anger raged up, murder could happen. I’d read cases at the Academy where people murdered for much less.
“What about Fluffy?” Sonia asked.
My head fell back. “They’re going to serve a search warrant on her car, her home, and especially her computer. If she took Fluffy we’ll get her back.”
I shuffled to the couch and sank down.
“I hope so.” Sonia didn’t appear as relieved as I’d hoped.
“Aren’t you happy?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I’m glad they caught the person. I just don’t know—I can’t believe it
was a fan. That’s so awful.”
Jordan comforted my sister. “Didn’t you hear Hel? Meds, the girl was a few stitches short of a Prada bag. Darling Sonia, you’re safe and that’s the key here.”
Sonia nodded. “I know. Was she after me?”
I thought about that. “Claims not to be, but if she was messed up on her meds it’s possible she was doing the stalking thinking this was still Danny’s house. Then she figured out it wasn’t.”
“If she’s got a screw loose, sweetie, you did everyone a favor.” Jordan steered Sonia over to the bar and mixed some drinks. “Now, how about we celebrate and have dinner on the town?”
“No, I can’t do that. It’d look terrible.” Sonia took a long drink.
“She’s right, we should lay low for now until the charges and pleas are in. At least Sonia’s off the hook.” I rubbed my temples and wanted quiet more than anything.
Then the doorbell rang.
“It’s the press.” Sonia joined me on the couch. “I can’t deal with that.”
“You want me to answer the door?” Jordan asked.
I surveyed him. I’d grown so accustomed to his outfits that I didn’t really think how they’d play outside of California. But the low-rider capris in peach and the green blouse tied to show off his ab muscles were a bit out there.
“I’ll get it,” I said.
Checking through the peephole first, I was pleasantly surprised at who was on the other side. “It’s Harriet.”
“Who?” Sonia asked absently.
“Sam’s sister,” I filled in. “Your agent. You really are off your game.”
Opening the door, I did see some paps camped out across the street. I ushered her in quickly and closed the door.
“What brings you by?” Sonia asked.
“Sorry to drop in unannounced, but I saw the news and was so thrilled.” Harriet was decked out in black leggings, a black and white horizontally striped shirt, and a black beret.
“It’s not official yet. They’re doing searches and stuff.” I took one of the big bags she had. “What’s all this?”
“It’s my experimental cooking day. My chef and I do it once a week and I get creative. When I saw the news I knew you couldn’t go out to eat, so I decided to bring some stuff to you. Hope you don’t mind.”
“You’re a lifesaver!” Sonia sat up on the couch and smiled for the first time in a while.
“It’s a little different so you have to be open.” Harriet set the bags down on the dining room table.
I inhaled deeply and the scents contradicted each other. “We can always order in. Really, you don’t have to feed us.”
“Please, Sam hates my weird cooking. He’s so traditional that he still likes sushi.” Harriet suppressed a laugh.
“How last decade.” Jordan rolled his eyes.
“Well, I’m cutting edge. I’ve got Cajun kugel and biscuits with chocolate gravy.”
The silence couldn’t be denied.
“I didn’t think kugel was Cajun.” It was the nicest comment I had.
“It’s called fusion cooking, taking two entirely different things and melding them together. It’s delicious.”
“Do the biscuits go with the chocolate gravy or is the chocolate for ice cream?” Jordan’s smile was nearing a grimace.
“I know it sounds gross but believe me, I tried it. It’s really good.”
I didn’t care for biscuits and gravy the normal way. My stomach registered no hunger, only fear.
“It’s been such a stressful day, Harriet, I’m not sure I can eat anything spicy and experimental. Might not be good for me today,” I said.
Sonia glared at me. “I think it’s so sweet of you to feed us. I can’t wait, but I’ve got to watch the calories.”
Harriet laughed. “Please, you’re a stick. You need to eat something before you disappear.”
“I’ll have Lupe bring out some dishes and silverware. She was making chicken breasts so that’ll go perfect.” Sonia went into the kitchen with a spring back in her step.
If it was me off the hook for a murder charge, I’d be ready to eat anything and skipping too. But nothing was final until they found hard evidence or had a signed confession. I expected Vicky’s sister to get her a lawyer and they’d argue that it wasn’t a real confession.
All I could hope was Ricky got her to confess in writing or on tape before the sister and lawyer got to Vicky. Maybe we got the right woman who was behind it all; no more stalkers lingering in bushes. I hoped.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“We’ve got to change and get to the party.” Sonia raced up the stairs after a long day on the set.
It felt like déjà vu ran through me.
“What party?” I asked.
Sonia’s behavior had been erratic since Danny’s death. At times she appeared completely back to normal then at others she seemed on the verge of breaking down. I was exhausted from the roller coaster.
It was Friday night. Episode two of her show successfully taped; ‘in the can’ as they called it. I wanted to get some rest. Since the murder, there had been no more notes on the cars or any indication that anyone was trying to enter the house. She was in danger but we could relax a little inside the house. She’d settled in back at work although I wasn’t letting her go anywhere alone.
“I didn’t tell you? Sorry, a friend of mine from the soap is throwing a big party for her twentieth year on the show.”
“I’m sure she’d understand the stress you’re under and the danger you’re in. Blame me for not letting you go.” I’d rather take the blame and have her safe.
“She was my mentor. I have to go.” She whined from the second floor.
I knew the tone. My sister could be too nice to people. Really, tonight was for her to show off that she was okay and going on with her life. Maybe there would be more support with the soap crew?
“Won’t it be hard?” I asked.
“I have to go,” she called. “It’s the right thing.”
I headed up the stairs. “It’ll remind you of Danny. Wasn’t Faith on the show too?” I watched Sonia change into a sequined short red dress.
“She was an extra on the show and she’s entitled to be invited as much as anyone. I don’t know if she’ll go but I have to be there. They were like my family when I moved to L.A. It’ll be good for me.” She sorted through her purses and found a red one that matched.
“So am I your date?” I joked.
Sonia shrugged. “It’s sort of an open house event so I can bring as many people as I want. Why?”
“Backup can’t hurt, especially at a big party.”
Sonia grinned. “We can bring Jordan. I’ll call him.”
Not that Jordan wasn‘t a tall strong man but I‘d feel better with someone armed. A few impromptu martial arts lessons in the wardrobe room didn’t make Jordan a black belt. I‘d feel better with more experienced backup in a crowded and unsecured situation.
“That’s good. What if you bring him and I’ll bring someone else?” I asked.
“You’ve got a date?” she asked with a sisterly grin.
“Just Ricky.”
“Cops! I’m tired of them. But Ricky is okay. Hot and he likes you a lot. Get dressed, we can’t be late.” Sonia went in search of shoes.
Two hours later I walked into another mega mansion in Malibu with my sister, Ricky, and Jordan. Ricky looked a little uneasy but attractive enough in his suit that no one would notice.
“Thanks for doing this, I’ll feel better with you here just in case. My sister circulates a lot and it’s hard to keep an eye on her in the crowds,” I said.
“No problem, I’m off duty. She needs a keeper and I’m all for some free food and a taste of luxury,” Ricky smiled.
My sister led us to the guest of honor and we were introduced. The woman’s name was Debbie something and she looked great for having been on a TV show for twenty years. A little too tanned but all her work looked natural.
�
�Helena Morris?” she gushed. “I’ve read all about you.”
“About me?” Did everyone read gossip stuff here? It was freaky.
“You’re all over the gossip websites. What a great move, shooting at a paparazzi.”
“Can‘t take her anywhere,” Ricky chuckled.
“And elbowing that rude musician—the nerve of some men is flattering.” The actress rolled her eyes.
“And no one has filed charges?” Ricky muttered.
“Trust me, he deserved it.” I smiled. “I told you about that, didn’t I?”
“And then there were pictures of you in some generic clothes on the set with your new job as the tech consultant on Sonia’s show. Lovely, hope you stick around. You’re so refreshing. I love the dress.” Our hostess walked off to greet more guests, dragging my sister with her.
“Was I just insulted or complimented?” I asked.
“Both.” Jordan nodded. “This dress looks good but I told you not to wear non-designer in public. The paps are watching you.”
“Ricky, can you keep an eye on Sonia while I learn all about my flaws?” I nodded to the group.
Truly, I wanted to snoop around about Faith without anyone suspecting. She’d been avoiding me and Faith would know if Danny received threats.
“I’m on it, we’re cruising the finger foods. And your ass looked great in those photos online.” He winked.
I waved him off before walking off with Jordan. Halfway across the room I spotted Carmen. “What is she doing here?”
“Small world.” Jordan shook his head.
Carmen walked right up to us like she knew us. “Ladies, how are you? Still babysitting your sister? I saw you have a hot guy on her now.”
“You don’t have any reason to want Danny dead, do you?” I went with blunt. Nothing else worked in these situations.
She laughed. “I barely thought about Danny when I slept with him. I haven’t seen him since. No, I had nothing to do with it.”
I believed her. Damn. “So who did you want to screw? Danny or my sister?”
Carmen’s face turned a burnt orange color as she spun on her heel and strode off.
“What is wrong with people?” I asked.
