Not Talented in Hollywood: Not in Hollywood Book 3

by Leonie Gant

  “And yet that’s exactly the reason why you’re here.”

  “I don’t like you very much” I said sullenly. “Don’t you have a client to send to jail?”

  “Oh sweetheart, that hurts, got me right here” he said pointing to his heart with a comical look on his face. I burst out laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

  Travis glanced behind me. “I think we’re in trouble” he said, a wide grin splitting his face.

  I turned around and almost groaned when I looked into the more than slightly annoyed face of one Detective Jake Griffin. Luckily I was saved from having to come up with anything to say because at that moment Crystal walked in and stormed up to Griffin.

  “It’s about time, where is he and what have you done to him?”

  “Miss Bronstein” he said. “Mr Litchfield is currently providing some samples to assist us with our inquiries. If you could please take a seat and show some patience he will be out soon. However if you choose not to take those options we will be forced to remove you.”

  Tact and diplomacy, not really Griffin’s strong points. The sergeant who had been subjected to Crystal when she first came in, seemed to appreciate it though. He sat back in his chair, crossed his arms and enjoyed the show. Crystal opened her mouth and I braced myself waiting for what came next, but she obviously thought better of it and closed it again.

  “Miss Eyre, could I speak to you please?”

  And we were back to Miss Eyre. A woman could get whiplash trying to deal with the moods of a man like this.

  “Looks like you’re in trouble” Travis said in a low voice.

  “Like that’s new” I whispered back.

  “See you around” he smiled.

  I nodded and followed Griffin to the back, once again into an interrogation room. So much for thinking I wouldn’t be ending up back in here. He closed the door and I turned to face him.

  “So did you want to tell me why you arrested my friend not long after coming to see me and…”

  I waved my hand rather than talking about the session at my apartment.

  “And what?” he asked.

  “You know perfectly well what” I said.

  “Yes, but I’d kind of be interested in hearing you say it.”

  “Despite what you may believe, I am not here for your entertainment” I said. “You know perfectly well that Edwin is not capable of murdering somebody.”

  “Actually I don’t know that, I don’t know him at all. As far as I know at this stage it is something he is perfectly capable of doing. He was the last person to see Catarina alive so he had the opportunity. She’d just humiliated him so he had the motive. The knife was one that was in her office as a decoration so he had the means.”

  “Please tell me that isn’t all you’re basing your case on” I said.

  Griffin looked at me sourly. “Of course it isn’t, but I have to do my job and he is a viable suspect.”

  “Of course, your job” I said.

  “Don’t” Griffin growled.

  “Don’t what?”

  “I am not going to let you use this to try to shove me away again. I will do my job because that is who I am but you were right. Previously I’ve used you to get information for cases. I won’t be doing that this time. In fact I don’t want you anywhere near this case. When we are together we won’t be discussing it at all.”

  “That’s going to be a bit difficult when you arrested one of my closest friends.”

  “But that is how we are going to do it.”

  I looked at him inquiringly. “I don’t know how it works for you but I’m really not the kind of person who can just sit around while my innocent friend gets accused of something he didn’t do.”

  “Well this time that is exactly what you are going to do. You have walked into the middle of my cases twice already and both times you’ve almost got yourself killed. I’m not willing to take the chance of that happening again” Griffin said.

  “You know, I love how you are making these sweeping statements as if you actually have a say in what I do.”

  “You get involved in this case and I’m going to arrest you for interfering in my investigation.” Griffin’s scowl deepened.

  “I don’t know where you get your dating advice from but a little hint, threatening a woman with arrest is a really bad step in a courtship.”

  Griffin’s mood changed instantly from annoyed to seducing. I could see the change come over him as his eyes took on a lazy warm look. He stepped closer to me and I stepped back hitting the door.

  “Stop it” I said imperiously putting both hands out in front of me. “We are not doing this up against another wall.”

  “Honey, I am all for getting horizontal with you if that’s what you’d prefer.”

  He leaned in and gave me a soft feathery kiss against my neck, in that spot just below my ear which was guaranteed to start me thinking very happy thoughts. I tilted my head slightly and he groaned.

  “You have no idea how much I want to continue this” he said quietly, “but this is not the place and next time I get you in this position I want a lot of time and no chance of us being interrupted.”

  He gave me another kiss and stepped back smiling wolfishly, as he saw the glazed look on my face. It took me a couple of seconds to realize our moment was over and that once again he had quite successfully distracted me.

  I looked at him seriously. “Edwin couldn’t have done this, I know him and he is just not capable of doing something so terrible.”

  Griffin looked at me regretfully. “I know you believe that” he said, “and I wish I could take that into account, but I’ve been at this job a long time and everyone is capable of doing terrible things. I have to follow the evidence, wherever it leads. Please tell me you understand that.”

  I nodded. “I understand, but you are wrong and I won’t be able to keep out of this if you insist on accusing Edwin. He didn’t do this.”

  Griffin sighed. “I admire your loyalty to him but just keep in mind that people can disappoint you sometimes.”

  I nodded. “Are we done?”

  “For now, but you need to remember that I want you to stay out of this.”

  I nodded again, it’s easier to misinterpret a nod than it is a direct answer. In this case my nod meant that I knew he wanted me to stay out of this but I was still going to do what I thought was right. From the tightening of Griffin’s face I got the feeling that he knew exactly what my nod meant. Before he could try to talk me out of it I surprised him by giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Bye” I said, turned around, opened the door and stepped out quickly.

  Getting to the front desk I was in time to see Edwin walk out. Crystal jumped up with a cry and threw herself at him. Edwin wrapped his arms around her and started stroking her back as he murmured into her ear. I stopped and let them have their moment. If any good was coming out of this situation it was that two people who meant a lot to me were finally working out that they meant the world to each other.

  “You guys ready to go?” I asked.

  Crystal turned to me, surreptitiously wiping her eyes. “I think so.”

  I looked inquiringly at Edwin.

  “I’m done” he said curtly his eyes drifting past me and I knew that Griffin had followed me out.

  “See you later Travis” I said as I hustled the two of them out.

  He grinned. “With your track record, I’m betting I’ll see you soon.”

  I grimaced. “Just be careful of your next client.”

  Travis’s booming laughter followed us out of the station.

  Chapter Seven

  By mutual agreement the three of us ended up in my apartment breaking open a tub of ice cream.

  “So” said Crystal breaking the silence. “Were you planning on telling us exactly why the cops think you killed the director?”

  Edwin studied the tub intently.

  “Edwin” I said gently. “We need to know if we are going to help
you.”

  Edwin dropped his spoon and looked away.

  “The cops think that I killed her because she said some things about my acting. They think I killed her in a fit of wounded pride and rage.”

  “Why, would they think that?” Crystal asked as she scooped up some ice cream. “Catarina had a go at everyone. What makes you so special?”

  Edwin looked discomfited. “Yes, but I was the idiot who slept with her.”

  Crystal stopped eating and stared at him. Deliberately she put her spoon down and got up off the floor where we had made ourselves comfortable. Without looking at us she left the room and I heard the front door open and close. Edwin’s head dropped back against the couch cushion.

  “I didn’t want to tell her.”

  “I can understand why.” I shook my head. “What were you thinking sleeping with her?”

  Edwin shrugged his shoulders. “It was one time, I don’t know why I did it. She was there and she was willing. She kept telling me that she could see a great actor in me. I know now it was all just a load of garbage, but at the time I was feeling pretty low. Believe me I knew it was a mistake straight away. Do you think Crystal will forgive me?”

  “Of course she will” I said squeezing his hand. “It just might take a bit of time for her to get her head around it.”

  Of course it would be a period of time when she was going to make Edwin miserable.

  “So, is that the only reason the cops are looking at you for the murder, the fact that you slept with her.”

  Edwin nodded.

  “How did the cops find out about it, if it only happened the once.”

  Edwin refused to look me in the eye.

  “Seems she kept a diary which listed all the men she slept with and had comments and a rating system.”

  “That’s disturbing” I said.

  I looked at him and when he looked back I quickly glanced away.

  Edwin sighed. “No, they didn’t tell me what my rating was or what she wrote about me.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask” I protested and Edwin raised an eyebrow at me. “They must have other suspects then if she kept a diary of all her…” my voice tapered off.

  “Conquests” Edwin supplied dryly.

  “I was going to say partners” I said defensively.

  “Because that makes it sound so much better” Edwin said sarcastically.

  “Do you want an argument with me?” I said starting to get annoyed.

  Edwin dropped his head back again. “No, I’m just mad at myself for being so stupid. I’ve had a thing for Crystal for so long but I’ve always just been in the friend zone. I guess I got to the point where I figured that was all I’d ever be. Between thinking she could never be interested in me and realizing that I was never going to make it as an actor, I started doing some pretty stupid things and this was just one of them.”

  I hated hearing him sound so defeated, it just didn’t sound like the optimistic Edwin that I usually talked to.

  “So what are you going to do about it?” I asked.

  “What do you mean?” Edwin looked perplexed.

  “I mean, how about you suck it up and deal with the situation in front of you.”

  Edwin’s phone chose that moment to ring. He held it up and waved it in front of me. “Saved by the proverbial bell.”

  I smiled cheerlessly and went back to eating my ice cream. After his call finished I looked at him expectantly.

  “That was Catarina’s assistant, seems like the funeral is being held tomorrow.”

  “Already,” I queried, “don’t the police still have the body for examination.”

  “I don’t know, all I know is that the funeral is tomorrow. Catarina’s assistant Peter is planning it and he’s trying to get as many people there as he can.”

  “Even though you’re a suspect,” I said slowly.

  Edwin shrugged, “I said it might not be appropriate that I be there, but I’ve worked with him and he insisted he knows the police have it wrong and that I should have the opportunity to grieve for Catarina like everyone else.”

  I know I looked skeptical.

  “He’s been with Catarina for years and from what I saw is pretty devoted to her. He probably truly believes there will be people grieving for her.”

  “Do you want company?” I asked.

  Edwin’s gratitude was palpable. “Thank you yes, I really don’t want to turn up to that thing on my own, especially if people are thinking that I could have killed her.”

  After Edwin left I went to Crystal’s apartment and, using my emergency key for a change, I opened the door. Sure enough she was in her room burrowed under the covers. Grabbing hold of one end I gave it a yank to find her curled up with streaks of tears down her face. Hardening myself to her obvious distress I put my hands on my hips.

  “I didn’t really think that hiding was your style.”

  Crystal waved her hands around while gulping in air. I waited until she could talk.

  “He slept with her, I love him and he slept with her.”

  I sat down on the bed.

  “Have you told him you love him?”

  Crystal paused and then shook her head.

  “Didn’t you go out on a date just a couple of nights ago with that artist freak who wanted to pose you with post it notes covering your body and use you for his latest showing?”

  “Well, yes” she said.

  “So maybe having a go at Edwin over something he did before you started showing all this interest in him is a little unfair.”

  Crystal glared at me mutinously. “Number one, you are ignoring your role as best friend. Regardless of how stupid my feelings are at this point I don’t want logic. I want you to provide chocolate and agree with me that he did the wrong thing. I’d do it for you.”

  “I know you would, and with any other guy I would be right there with you. But this is Edwin, who you have been in love with for ages. Despite the fact you date like it’s a competition and whoever has the highest number wins. If you play this wrong you could lose him and I know you don’t want that.”

  Crystal tossed her pillow at me halfheartedly.

  “I know, I just… I’ve never been jealous, not with any guy I’ve been out with and here I am hating a dead woman because he slept with her.”

  “Well”, I said standing up, you’ll need to get over it, because tomorrow you and I are going to accompany Edwin to her funeral. We are going to be appropriately respectful and somber and we will support our friend. Are we clear?”

  “Yes Mom” she said with a glint in her eye.

  I sighed. “Now why would you go and insult me like that?”

  Crystal grimaced. “Sorry, you’re really nothing like my mom.”

  After the many stories Crystal had told me of her mother and her many maternal failings I would hope not.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning as the three of us entered the funeral home, I was surprised at the small number of people there. Catarina’s assistant Peter greeted us.

  “Thank you so much for coming.” His eyes were shiny with unshed tears as he clasped Edwin’s hands. His eyes widened as he saw Crystal. In Hollywood, Crystal’s father is considered someone who can make and break careers. In the social set she is considered pure gold so the fact that she had turned up for Catarina’s funeral meant something. The fact she was there for Edwin and not for Catarina didn’t come into it. She was there so that upped the social tone of the funeral. It was all about appearances, even when you were dead.

  Looking around though, it would seem that appearances weren’t exactly working for Catarina. There were a few of the actors that I remembered from the play she had been directing. Sure enough, in the back of the room keeping their eye on everyone attending were Detectives Griffin and Ramos. Feeling a little unsure of myself I briefly nodded in their direction and looked away. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Tomas Burnelli attending. Tomas used to work as a personal assistant for Monique
, like I did. However he had found his calling as a funeral events planner. I wasn’t surprised to see that he was here. I’d used him myself when having to organize a funeral and he was very good at pulling together a tasteful send off for the dearly departed in a very short period of time. Seeing me Tomas’s eyes lit up and he headed in my direction.

  “Trudie, my dear” he said in that voice of his which managed to be both quiet and respectful but with a hint of the party personality he had to keep hidden while working. I could tell it just wanted to burst through though.

  “I haven’t heard from you in months, but I did see that photo online of you and Kai Roth.”

  I dropped my head and had to stop myself from groaning. During my last job with the teenage prodigy from hell I committed the cardinal sin of an assistant and got noticed. One night I had to drag the most gifted singer of the current generation (his words, not mine), drunk out of his mind, away from a strip club. Unfortunately his brain had not caught up with the fact that the woman he was trying to maul was not one of the delightful strippers in the club who had been, oh so friendly, when he started throwing the cash around, but his perfectly boring assistant. Unfortunately for me during this time when I was trying to fend off the dozen hands he seemed to have grown, a couple of paparazzi, showing their usual exquisite timing, had taken a photo. The next day the headline had screamed about the teenage singer and his new cougar girlfriend.

  At twenty five years of age I was a cougar. Ever been the focus of a teenage girl hate campaign? I’ve seen sharks in a feeding frenzy more friendly that those girls were. Social media lit up and I was enemy number one on the teenage girl hit list. I have never been called an old, ugly slut in so many descriptive ways in my life. Of course the little, let’s use the term pop star for now, refused to clarify the situation. He just let it go, feeding on the collective outrage. Another reason I was really glad that job was over. That and the excruciatingly uncomfortable conversation I had with my grandmother, who tried to gently suggest that he might be a little too young and too wild for me.