Dead Famous

by Kate Allenton

  “He slept with her,” the detective announced.

  “I know what you’re thinking, but I have an alibi. I was on a plane over the Atlantic when her murder occurred.”

  West had to have been in his mid-twenties when Calinda died. He was older than me but not by much. But that wasn’t my problem. What bothered me most was that it meant he must have betrayed his best friend.

  My stomach twisted in knots, but I tried to keep my composure, staving off the oncoming conversation West and I were going to have.

  “Did the ME find anything else?”

  “She was pregnant,” Detective Tinder announced.

  I slid my chair back and started to pace the room, trying to catch my breath. None of this had been in the papers. West had to have known, right?

  “The father?”

  “We haven’t been able to match that DNA.”

  “Any other suspects?” I asked.

  “Loads.” He took the file from West and slid it in my direction. “There were a lot of people with motive. Her sister for one. She was about to be cut out of the will. Calinda had the papers prepared but hadn’t signed them yet. Her agent was about to be fired. Hell, even her co-star on her last film, and his wife, made the list. He apparently stepped out on his wife with Calinda during filming of one of their movies. Both made the cut. That list doesn’t even count her stalker and crazed fans.”

  I rested my hands on the chair in front of me. There were a lot of people in Calinda’s world who were pissed at her, but to resort to murder? That required something much more sinister.

  “What about forced entry? Any evidence the killer left behind?”

  He shook his head. “Nope, it was almost like this guy was a ghost, not even a single hair or fiber.”

  Perfect, a smart criminal. It was almost unheard of in the police world. Every case always had something. That one thing, that one shred of evidence that, if I could figure out who the killer was, could tie the two together.

  I slid back into my seat before my legs gave out. I needed something, anything, if I was going to be able to help. I started to flip through the file at the list of suspects and read their alibis. In the back of the file was an envelope addressed to the police department. “May I?”

  “Sure, why not?” Detective Tinder said. “It was sent in anonymously. No DNA or fingerprints were on it.”

  Lucky for me, I wouldn’t need either. I glanced in the return address spot. There was nothing in its place. I slipped the envelope free and read the letter.

  She didn’t deserve to die. My rose was just starting to bloom, but even roses have thorns for protection. Where were hers?

  There was no signature, no nothing.

  I closed my eyes and focused my energy on the letter.

  “A man wrote it,” I announced and tilted my head. “He had a picture of her beside it when he wrote it. Her eyes in the picture were slashed. There was a knife sitting on the desk, and after he finished writing, he stabbed the picture again. This man is filled with rage.”

  I opened my eyes. “Dark hair, stubble on his chin.” I rubbed my fingers. “Big fat fingers and a tattoo on his right arm of a rose with the word Mine underneath it.”

  Detective Tinder sat forward. “If I give you a lineup, can you ID him?”

  I shrugged. “Probably.”

  “Wait here.” He shoved out of his chair and stomped to the door, letting it slam behind him as he left.

  The door hadn’t been closed a second before West met my gaze. “I can explain.”

  I shook my head. “Now I understand why you didn’t want me to use any outside help,” I leaned in to whisper. “Worried I might have tuned into you and Calinda getting busy and given everyone an X-rated show of your white butt cheeks.”

  “It wasn’t like that, and you’ve seen me naked. You weren’t complaining last night—”

  I cut him off. I hadn’t been complaining. If I’d had a cowboy hat, I would have been swinging it around like I was riding a bull. Damn him, damn me for not coming here first. I might have found stronger resolve in keeping my distance with this tidbit of information. Maybe, probably not, but it sounded good.

  “This conversation needs to wait.” I gestured to the cameras on the wall; the red dot was flashing. I reopened the file and scanned it again, this time with my energy. Nothing but aggravation, presumably Detective Tinder’s. Could have added a drop of my own.

  Cops care about their cold cases more than most realized. They stick with them like ice cream does to my thighs. Some might even attribute their amount of closed cases to how effective they are in their job. But the honest truth was that evidence was what they needed, and in the case of Calinda Sparks, not much existed. There was no shame that Tinder hadn’t found his man.

  The questions were mounting in my mind. For starters, who exactly had fathered the child? Men had killed for less than being tied down for next eighteen years. Or maybe even a jealous lover had found out. The variables were still too high to narrow anyone from the list. I glanced at West. His alibi was solid enough unless he was Superman or had mastered teleportation.

  Tinder re-entered the room with more than a single page of mugshots of unsuspecting faces. He had a book that had about 30 pages in it.

  “If you find his face, just point him out. We were looking into a guy with that description. I might actually start to believe you if you guess the right one.”

  “I don’t guess,” I said, taking my time going through each and every face, trying to block out the energy not only from their glares but from the energy in the room. I took a deep, calming breath as I flipped through. I sighed and rested my head in my hand to peruse these photos.

  One caught my eye. He wasn’t the one I was looking for, but a badge appeared in my mind’s eye. I pointed at him. “He’s a cop.”

  I turned the page and found three more cops. “So are these.”

  I didn’t care if Tinder believed me; I knew it was true.

  He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. “Have you found the one you were looking for yet?”

  I shook my head and continued to flip the pages until I got the very end. I shut the book. “He’s not in here.”

  “You’re sure? All of those guys match your description.”

  “I’m sure none of these faces is the one I saw.”

  “If that’s all you’ve got, I guess we’re done here,” West said.

  “Not yet.” He pulled out a folded piece of paper that had eight more faces. “How about any of these?”

  I spotted him instantly and pointed. “Him, he’s the sender.”

  “Damn it, I knew it.” Detective Tinder cussed and shoved out of his seat. “He was spotted at the crime scene.”

  “I didn’t say he committed the crime. I said he sent the letter.”

  “Who is he?” West asked, taking the lineup photo to get a better look at the men shown.

  “His name is Daniel Splint. He’s a celebrity stalker. There is a mile-long list of restraining orders out on him, but he seemed to favor Calinda.”

  I turned toward West. “Did Calinda ever mention him to you?”

  “I don’t recall her ever mentioning this guy to any one of our mutual acquaintances,” West answered.

  “We haven’t been able to put him inside the house either, just loitering outside at the crime scene.”

  “Detective Tinder, is there a way that I can talk to your suspects? I might be able to get a better read from them in person.”

  Chapter 8

  West led me out of the precinct. This case was more complicated than ever. A missing diamond, all of the affairs, the baby, the agent who was going to be fired, and the sister who was going to be cut from the will, not to mention weirdo stalkers. I thought my life was complicated. Not even close.

  West waited until we were both in the car before he spoke. “I only slept with her once.”

  “How could you do that to your best friend?” I asked. The thou
ght of that kind of betrayal soured my stomach. I thought I was finally getting to understand West. Hell, I let him into my life and never picked up on the fact that he might not be the kind of guy I wanted in it.

  “Phillip had broken things off with her. He’d called things off, and she’d called me crying and talking about killing herself. We got smashing drunk, and one thing led to another.”

  “So you consoled her by sleeping with her?”

  “I’m not going make any excuses. It happened. Do I regret it…”? He took a second before he continued. “It was a mistake we both made. I regret not being able to be a better friend.”

  “You don’t strike me as the kind of guy who has many female…friends.”

  “I’m not. Mistakes are part of life. Haven’t you ever made one, Lady Blue?”

  Yeah, I had, and I think my latest was sitting in the seat next to me. What did I really know about West Archer? He was best friends with a prince, and he was good at getting people to do what he wanted. He was charming and handsome, but beneath all of those layers, what made him tick?

  “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”

  “I’m only here to retrieve the diamond. Nothing else.”

  Liar. No goosebumps. I glanced out the window. The ride back to our hotel was quiet, filled with soft music and sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. West left me in the hotel room when he announced out of the blue that he needed to run some errands and make some calls.

  I dialed Faraday’s number, and he answered on the first ring. “Missing us yet? How’s your case going?”

  “A lot of dead ends. We could really use you back here and talking to these people. You could put out your feelers and tell me if they’re lying.”

  “Trust me. I’d rather be there helping you,” I said, walking to the window and watching the waves crash against the shore. The hits just came pummeling one after another, kind of the way they had in Calinda’s life.

  “Trouble in paradise? Anything you want to talk about?” he asked.

  “Is that Cree? Let me talk to her.” I heard Charlotte in the background before she spoke again. “Tell me everything. Have you met anyone famous? Solved your case yet? I’m still jealous you’re there and I’m stuck here running the business. By the way, that order for Millison’s wedding cake, will you be back in time to make it? You know she’s going to have a conniption if it’s not done.”

  I lowered my head. I missed cooking. I missed my simple life before chasing bad guys. “I’m sorry I haven’t been there much, but if I don’t make it back, you know where I hide my recipes.”

  “Aw, hon. Is that the only answer you’re going to give me?”

  I chuckled. “No one famous that I didn’t already know. The detective is close to retirement and grumpy.”

  “So much like Faraday,” Charlotte answered. “Go on. How’s the six-pack-ab lord doing? Has he figured out how to help you destress, if you get my point.”

  “He’s”—how was I supposed to answer that?—“fine.”

  “Fine?” she said, her voice turning serious. “What did he do? Do I need to fly out there and knock some sense into him? You know I will. Just say the word.”

  “He’s a bit more involved than he led on. Listen. I’m starved and going to get something to eat while I wait for West to get back.”

  “He left you alone?” Charlotte asked.

  “I’m a big girl, Charlotte.

  “Looking for a killer in an unfamiliar town. I should be there. I wouldn’t have left you to fend for yourself.”

  “It’s fine,” I said. “I’m going to grab a bite to eat. I’ll call you later and check in.”

  “Call me if you need to talk or vent or beat someone up. You know a few clicks on the keyboard and I can make his life miserable. Not that I would because, you know, that’s against the law…for anyone listening. I’ll be waiting with margaritas and a bowl of chips and salsa when you get back.”

  My stomach grumbled. I needed food.

  “Don’t worry about Faraday or Freddie. I’m keeping them both out of trouble.”

  “Thanks, Charlotte. I’ll call you soon.”

  I hung up, grabbed my purse, and headed down to the hotel restaurant just as my stomach growled again. I stood at the entrance perusing their display menu, when teenage girls started to scream in that way that makes me wish I had a remote to mute them. Lord forbid I was staying in a hotel with a touring boy band. I turned to find a familiar face headed my way.

  Actor Charlie Gallows was smiling from ear to ear, signing pieces of paper shoved in front of him as he slowly worked his way to me.

  “I heard my favorite psychic was in town. I had to see with my own eyes.”

  “Charlie.” I smiled when he pulled me in for a hug. The flashes of cameras had me staring at the bystanders with wide eyes. Of course, the flashing cameras didn’t faze him one bit.

  “Is this your normal?” I asked, stepping out of his arms.

  “Depends who you’re asking.” He took me by the arm. “You don’t want to eat in there.” He ushered me to the door. A driver was standing by a Town Car with the door open, and Charlie gestured inside. “I’ll take you to some of the best food you’ve ever eaten.”

  I glanced inside the posh car and settled into the leather seats as Charlie headed for the other side and climbed in. “I’m not sure I’m dressed for fine dining.”

  “You’re dressed fine for where we’re going.” He smiled and called out a name to the driver.

  “I’m disappointed in you, Blue.”

  “Join the club.” I chuckled, pulling out my phone. I shot off a text to West to inform him I’d left the hotel and who I was with. “How did you know where to find me?”

  “Spade sent me on a wild goose chase at first. He said you were staying at his new place.”

  “We were supposed to. I just haven’t found time to pack up.”

  “When that didn’t work, I gave my assistant the assignment to track you down.”

  “And here I thought hotels didn’t give out guests room numbers or names.”

  “They don’t. She called Spade’s driver to ask where you were staying. Spade mentioned he’d lent you the limo that you’d yet to use. The poor guy is still waiting on you to appear to drive you somewhere.”

  I felt like a heel. I should have told him it wasn’t necessary or at least let him nap in the back.

  He slipped my phone out of my hands and entered his number and handed it back. “I should have given you my number on the island.”

  “There was a lot going on,” I said. “So where are you kidnapping me to? Should I have brought big sunglasses and a hat to hide from your fans? I heard they’re still kind of ticked at me for you turning down the movie.”

  Mad was an understatement. His fans were furious with Charlie’s announcement that he made the decision to choose a different role based on the words of a psychic.

  “I signed the contract for the new movie last week. We’re scheduled to start filming in a month. You should totally come to the premiere with me and be my date.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’d rather stay out of the media until people forget about me.”

  “You’re a hard one to forget, Cree Blue.”

  The driver slowed the car in front of a food truck selling barbeque. A smile stretched across my face as Charlie and I both got out. “Be still my heart.”

  “You’re going to love this. Can I order for you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  The smell of the cherry wood in the industrial-sized smoker filled the air. I could almost taste the smoky-sweet, savory barbeque sauce on my lips. The line wasn’t bad, but if I had to guess, it would be when the sun started to lower and people from the beach got a whiff of the amazing smell.

  I stood next to Charlie at the window. “My man, George is the master of barbeque. He hails from Texas near the border. George, I’d like to introduce you to Cree, my favorite psychic from the bayou.”
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  George was a short, pudgy cowboy-hat-wearing guy. His smile was contagious. “Well, Ms. Cree, what would you like?”

  “We’ll have two of the Gallows.”

  I raised my brow and met the twinkle in Charlie’s eye. “You have a dish named after you?”

  “He should. He invented it one night while we were taking a break from poker.”

  “George is more than a barbeque maestro; he’s a card shark. I lost a bundle to him that night.”

  “And he took my pork sandwich to a whole new level. I won twice that night,” George added. “Go take a seat at the picnic bench and I’ll bring them out to you.”

  Charlie pulled out his wallet and tried to pay George, but he wouldn’t take the money. Charlie slid it into the tip jar instead before escorting me to the table. This place was amazing. The ocean was in sight, the park right behind me. A boardwalk with people crazily dressed skating up and down the sidewalk. This was how I’d always envisioned California.

  “I like him,” I announced, sliding into the seat of the picnic table.

  “I thought you might.”

  “He has great energy.”

  “Only you would say that.” He chuckled. “So, fill me in. Have you found the diamond yet?”

  My mouth parted before I snapped it shut. “Is nothing sacred? Who told you? Was it Glynis or Butler?”

  “Neither. I’m friends with Samantha Sparks.”

  “Calinda’s sister? How?”

  “She’s in charge of publicity at the studio. She got a call from West scheduling a sit-down with you and her. He told her you might be able to catch Calinda’s killer. She remembered your name from my movie announcement and sought me out to find out if you were the real deal. Of course, I told her you were.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I smiled, wishing I’d been able to use Insight to get a better feel of what really happened. The answers I needed were going to have to come from Calinda herself or wherever I could find the strongest connection to her.

  “Here you go.” George set two baskets in front of us and a third basket full of fries between us. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”