A-List

by D P Lyle

“Might be better to do it more quietly,” Ray said. “Don’t let them know what we have here.”

  Doucet nodded. “That would be best.”

  “We can do that,” I said, nodding toward Nicole. “We’ll meet them in the bar after they get back to the hotel today. Grab the glasses they use.”

  “That would work,” Doucet said. “If you can do it.”

  “Piece of cake,” Nicole said.

  “I’ll call Sophie,” Pancake said. “Tell her we are doing happy hour and get her to invite the twins.”

  “Who’s Sophie?” Doucet asked.

  “She’s the makeup artist for the shoot,” Pancake said. “Been with them since the beginning of the series. She’s a close friend of the girls. And she’s the one that told us Tara and Tegan were not necessarily identical twins.”

  “What if she spills the beans?”

  Pancake shook his head. “She won’t. After we got back to my room last night, I impressed on her the importance of keeping this on the DL. Didn’t take much convincing. She doesn’t want to be in the spotlight here.”

  Doucet nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Let me ask you guys something,” I said. Everyone looked my way. “What if they are identical twins? Or, as Pancake pointed out yesterday, true mirror twins? Wouldn’t their DNA be the same?”

  Mack nodded. “Yes, they would.”

  “And if Tara’s DNA didn’t match, Tegan’s wouldn’t either. Where would that leave us?”

  “Right where we are,” Doucet said.

  “Are you saying they might have simply been messing with the techs?” Nicole said.

  “If so, they’ve opened a can of worms for themselves. Basically, evidence tampering.”

  “But if Tegan’s is different,” I said, “and it matches that found under Kristi’s nails, Tegan will have more than a can of worms to deal with.”

  Doucet rocked on his heels. “That’s got to be the understatement of the year.”

  “I don’t get it,” Nicole said. “If we’re thinking the twins did this, the big elephant in the room is why? What possible motive could they have?”

  “Jealousy?” Ray asked. “That’s always a good motive.”

  “Why would they be jealous of Kristi?” Nicole asked. “And why would they do something like that and frame Kirk? They worship him.” She looked at me. “That makes no sense.”

  “Maybe there’s something with Kirk we don’t know about,” I said.

  “Like what?”

  I shook my head. “That I don’t know.”

  “Regardless of motive, we need to focus on Tara and Tegan,” Ray said. “There’s something there that we don’t yet see.”

  Then I had a thought. “Remember what Ragman said? About his recent onetime customers?”

  “What?” Pancake said.

  “He said he sold some ketamine to two young girls. Said they looked like college girls. Pretty.”

  “Didn’t he say they had short dark hair?”

  “Unless they were in disguise,” I said.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  AFTER WE RETURNED to the hotel, we walked over to Decatur, looking for Ragman. Three firemen were washing down a firetruck in the station’s driveway. A quick check of the adjacent alley failed to uncover one Jimmy “Ragman” Walker.

  “You seen Ragman?” I asked one of the firemen.

  “He makes himself scarce when we’re out here,” he said. “Why’re you looking for him?”

  “Need to ask him a couple of questions.”

  “Too bad. I was hoping you’d shoot him.”

  “Oh?”

  “We know what he does. Pisses me off he does it right here by the station. Arrogant little prick.”

  “Why not have him arrested?”

  He laughed. “Lord knows we’ve tried. Problem is he’s as slick as goose shit.” He wiped his dirty hands with a gray towel. “Always seems to stay a step ahead of the gendarmes.” He nodded down the street. “You might check down off Bienville. He sets up down there when we’re out here.”

  And that’s where we found him. As we approached, he seemed to exchange something with two guys, who looked our way and scurried up the street. Free enterprise never sleeps.

  “What the hell do you mofos want now?” he said. I noticed he maneuvered as far away from Pancake as possible. Without actually running away. I also noticed his gaze traveled over Nicole. Really pissed me off.

  “Got a question,” I said.

  “I ain’t got no answers,” he said.

  Pancake folded his thick arms over his chest. “You want a fucking encore, douchebag?”

  Ragman took a couple of steps back.

  Pancake continued. “I’d be more than happy to oblige.”

  “Shit, man. You can’t come in here and push me around.”

  “Actually, Jimmy, we can,” Ray said.

  I thought using his real name was a nice touch.

  Ragman looked over his shoulder. Probably deciding if escape was an option. Instead he said, “What you want?”

  “The other day,” I said, “you told us about a few of your customers. Not your regulars.”

  “So?”

  “You mentioned two young ladies.”

  “Yeah?”

  Nicole extended her phone toward him. Her picture of the twins on the screen. “Is this them?

  He glanced at the pic. “No. I told you guys they was brunettes. These girls are about as blond as you.” He smiled at Nicole.

  I wanted to unload a few chapters of my self-defense book on him. Maybe the one on internal organ damage.

  “Forget the hair,” Nicole said. “Take a close look. Imagine them with short, dark hair.”

  She handed him her phone.

  He studied the photo. Sort of. His gaze kept slipping over to Nicole’s chest. Finally, he shrugged. “I guess. Could be. Could not be. They was wearing big old sunglasses.” He looked at me. “Told you that.”

  “Does that mean you can’t say one way or the other?” I said.

  “Isn’t that what I said?”

  Yeah, the organ damage chapter. Definitely.

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  HAPPY HOUR TURNED into a party. Once Ebersole found out we were gathering in the Carousel Bar, he took over. Said the party was on him. Sort of celebration of Kirk Ford’s acquittal. I pointed out that Kirk wasn’t yet out of the woods, but Ebersole wouldn’t be deterred. He was almost giddy—no, hell, he was giddy—and I honestly think his pupils turned into dollar signs. I mean, his meal ticket now wasn’t likely to go to jail for life. Would he still be happy if the twins turned out to be involved? Wouldn’t that toss a wrench into the money machine?

  Also, there was nothing on the shooting schedule for the next day. A day of rest for the cast and crew but maybe not for Ebersole. He said he would sit with the editor and the cinematographer and look through all they had done. See if there were any pickups or reshoots needed before moving forward. Another week of shooting, and their work here would be done. Then back to LA.

  Ebersole held court regaling everyone with Hollywood stories. Everyone included Nicole and me, Ray, Pancake, Sophie, Kirk, the twins, and our “fake” friend from Alabama. The “friend” was actually Alton Mack. Doucet had requested—or was it ordered?—that Mack be involved in the collection of Tara’s and Tegan’s DNA. “To make sure it’s done right” was his take. Not to mention protecting the chain of evidence. We introduced Mack as a high school science teacher from Mobile and no one raised an eyebrow. Why would they? He looked like a teacher. And he was smart. And he played the role to perfection. He even had a canvas briefcase, which according to him, held his students’ papers. Actually, it held the tools of his trade, including evidence bags.

  Sophie was subdued. She did laugh and play around with Pancake, but I could tell her heart wasn’t in it. Not that Pancake was the problem, but the situation had tamped down her spirits. She probably still felt like she was betraying friends. Which I guess in a way she
was.

  The twins were the opposite. Giddy like Ebersole. As if the news about the DNA matching no one on the set, including them, cleared away any lingering black clouds. They jabbered on about, since the next day was a free day, all the shopping they needed to catch up on. To me, they looked like a pair of typical young women. Playful and innocent. Were they?

  I had trouble getting my head around the fact that they just might be killers. And if so, sociopathic ones. I mean, this was planned. In great detail. Buying the ketamine, gaining access to Kirk’s room, not to mention strangling the life from a truly innocent young lady. Could they do that? Why would they? That was the big question.

  Had the green-eyed monster of jealousy raised its head? Did Kristi move into territory claimed by one of the twins? Boy, I surely hadn’t detected any evidence of that. Of a relationship between Kirk and one, or both, of the twins. I scrolled through everything any of the three had said, recalling the times they were all in the same room, and I came up empty. Nada. No hint of anything.

  I was pulled from these thoughts when Ebersole tapped on his champagne glass with a spoon, raised it, and declared that Kirk had been “completely exonerated.” The twins clapped and giggled the loudest. Kirk merely nodded and mouthed a thanks. My impression? He didn’t feel as if he had been “completely exonerated.” After all, the DA had made no moves to drop the charges or even say a word publicly about the DNA evidence, meaning Kirk was still the guy in her eyes.

  The twins took a liking to Mack. They were even flirty, maneuvering him to the sofa between them, asking him questions, touching his arm or leg, laughing at his jokes. Mack seemed to enjoy it. Immensely. I hoped he’d keep his eye on the ball, the reason he was there, and not the twins’ low-cut silk blouses. I know I had trouble with that and I was sitting across from them. He did keep his briefcase wedged between his feet.

  At least I could tell them apart. With Nicole’s help. She pointed out that Tara’s blouse was black, Tegan’s peach. Good thing because I had them pegged exactly wrong. I knew Nicole’s tell, the brown fleck in Tara’s eye, but from where I sat, I couldn’t see it. Too far away.

  I was concerned that the party atmosphere would make grabbing the evidence tricky, or even impossible. Mack looked calm and unconcerned. As if he believed that when the time came to grab the twins’ glasses, the chaos might help.

  It did.

  Tegan stood, drained her champagne glass, and placed it on the table. “I need to visit the little girls’ room.”

  Tara stood, also draining her glass. “I’ll go with you.” Then she looked at Mack. “I expect those to be refilled with champagne by the time we return.” She laughed and they were off.

  I could never understand why women couldn’t go the restroom alone. Or so it seemed. They went as a pack. I’m sure it was so they could talk about us guys without a filter. Of course, guys are guilty of that, too.

  This time it helped.

  Mack nodded to me. Ebersole was sitting in a chair at one end of the table. I casually stood and stretched, then maneuvered around the coffee table, positioning myself between him and Mack. I asked him something stupid about how many more days of shooting were scheduled. He told me, in great detail, the scenes they still needed to shoot, but I paid no attention. I hoped he wasn’t able to see whatever Mack was doing behind me. Apparently that was the case, as he gave no reaction. When I turned around, Mack sat there like nothing had happened; but the two glasses were gone.

  I motioned to the waitress. She came my way. I ordered another bottle of champagne and asked if she could bring everyone fresh glasses. Of course, she could. By the time the twins returned, two filled glasses sat before them.

  Tegan lifted hers and titled it toward Mack. “You’re the best.”

  Mack hung around for another twenty minutes before saying he had to go. A dinner engagement. The twins gave him mock pouts, hugged him, and gave cheek kisses before he left.

  Mission accomplished.

  But there was one more thing I wanted to do.

  Soon Kirk headed to the men’s room. I waited a couple of minutes and then followed. I loitered in the lobby until he came out and intercepted him before he entered the bar.

  “Can I ask you something?” I said.

  “Sure.”

  I glanced around. A few people were looking at us without really looking. I suspected Kirk was used to that because he seemed not to notice.

  “Let’s step outside.”

  “Oooh. Sounds mysterious.”

  We were on the street when I said, “Not really. I just want to know about you and the twins.”

  Was that a flash of concern that rippled across his face?

  “What about us?”

  “You’ve known them a long time.”

  “Oh, yeah. Since the series started.” He smiled. “They were kids then. I think fifteen. Maybe sixteen.”

  “Do they pull that twin stuff on you, too?”

  He laughed. “All the time.” He shook his head. “Every time I think I can tell them apart, I’m wrong.” Another laugh. “And they use it to mess with me.”

  “And everyone else, as far as I can tell.”

  “They do take delight in it.”

  “Did you and them ever have any problems?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like anything. Any arguments or something like that over the years?”

  “No. Maybe a disagreement on dialogue, or staging, or something like that. Creative differences as they say. But those are always minor and, in the end, not our decision. Ebersole makes all those calls.”

  I waited until a couple walked by. The woman looking at Kirk, then grasping the man’s arm, whispering to him as she gave a quick backward glance. The man kept walking, never looking back, either not interested or possessing the good manners not to gawk.

  “Did you ever have a thing with either of them?”

  He hesitated. “No.” Another hesitation. “Why do you ask?”

  I laughed, trying to sound casual. “I mean, we’re guys, they’re hot, and I know you have a reputation for—what’s the word?”

  “Being a hound?” He laughed. “I’m afraid that’s true. I can’t deny it.”

  “I imagine in your world, that’s almost expected.”

  “Part of the job. You know, being the big movie star. All that crap.”

  “Does that mean you don’t enjoy it?” I ask.

  “Are you kidding? I love it. Who wouldn’t?”

  “But never with Tara or Tegan?”

  He frowned slightly. “Where is this coming from? Did someone say something?”

  “Not really.”

  “Not really? What does that mean?”

  “No, no one said anything. I just sense they have a big crush on you.”

  He laughed again. “They do. And I on them. But in an older brother sort of way.” He tapped my shoulder with a fist. “Maybe if I’d met them later, and they weren’t part of the franchise, then maybe. But I still see them as kids. All fresh-faced and innocent.”

  Innocent? Were they? Was he?

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  “WHAT DO YOU mean by hinky?” Tony asked.

  He was back at Maison Maralee, Melissa Mooring nestled in the crook of his arm. They were in a postcoital haze when the conversation returned to the case.

  “Hinky. Odd or strange.”

  “I know what hinky means. What I want to know is what it means here. In this context.”

  “Something with the DNA. The samples taken from those sisters—the twins—Tara and Tegan James—weren’t kosher.”

  “That’s it? Not kosher?”

  She propped up on one elbow. “You’re the one with fingers in the crime lab. Not me.”

  “You’re an Assistant DA. Don’t they have to give you that kind of information?”

  “News flash. The DA’s office isn’t always their primary concern. Most things I learn about come from official reports. Or rumor and innuendo. And that can take days, ev
en weeks.”

  “I know.”

  “Then why are you busting my balls about this?”

  “I’m not. Besides, you don’t have balls. I checked.”

  She laughed, fell back against him, and kissed his cheek. “Are you going to be able to stay tonight, or should I head home?”

  “I need to check out a couple of things. But why don’t I grab some wine and cheese and come back after that?”

  “That works. And bring some of that wonderful capicola salami. I love that.”

  “Will do.”

  She stretched and rolled to a sitting position. “I’m going to shower and then do some paperwork until you get back.”

  Tony called Reuben, dressed, and walked downstairs, climbing into the limo, Reuben driving, Johnny in back with him.

  “Where to?” Reuben asked.

  “My office.”

  Ten minutes later they walked into the Belly Up. Robert and Kevin were there, actually working. Well, sitting at the bar anyway.

  “What’s up?” Kevin asked.

  “Nothing.” Tony walked by and entered his office. Reuben and Johnny followed.

  Tony dialed the crime lab and got his guy on the phone. “What’s going on with the DNA?”

  “It looks like those two girls—the twin ones—faked their sample. Swapped places or something. At least that’s what I hear.”

  “Why would they do that?”

  “Why does anyone tamper with evidence?”

  Tony rubbed his eye with a knuckle. “Because they have something to hide.”

  “Exactly.”

  “The question is what?”

  “I can tell you that Detective Doucet is giving them a hard look.”

  “Maybe I should, too. Thanks.” He hung up. “Okay, I want you guys to shadow the twins. Tara and Tegan James. I want to know where they are at all times.”

  “Will do,” Reuben said.

  “And be ready to grab them if I say so.”

  “You think they’re involved in Kristi’s murder?”

  “The cops seem to.”

  “Wow,” Johnny said. “That changes things. How do you read this?”

  “Maybe they were jealous of Kristi. I mean, they had Kirk Ford to themselves until Kristi came along.”