Peters questioned Zach over and over on his story. He stayed true to Michaela, but Juliet, when woken, freaked out and blabbed everything.
"She broke into Sterling's house." She pointed at Michaela. "And stole a letter that I'd written to him."
"Is that true, Ms. Bancroft?"
How was she going to get out of this? But Zach cut in. "That's not true. We went into Sterling's house. I found the letter and didn't tell Juliet. I told her that someone else had been there and taken it. I made up the story about seeing Ms. Bancroft there."
Juliet's jaw dropped. "What! I heard someone in his place, too. Why are you lying?"
"You came here in the middle of the night to tell Ms. Bancroft this?" Peters eyed them.
Michaela nodded and shot a warning glance at Juliet, figuring that Zach would possibly corroborate with her about Juliet breaking into her house and pointing a gun at her.
"Where is the letter now?"
Before the police arrived Michaela had taken it from her purse and brought it downstairs. She grabbed it off the coffee table and handed it to Peters.
"This all smells foul to me, Ms. Bancroft." He read it, then said, "If you think that this letter alone merits me waking up one of the most prominent men in this county to be questioned, then you are sorely mistaken."
"What? You're not going to question Ed Mitchell?"
"We've already questioned Mr. Mitchell and he has an airtight alibi during the time of death. He was with a group of people all day at the event and they have all checked out."
"You're not going to look into that then?" She pointed at the letter.
"I'll speak to him about it, but I don't think it has anything to do with Sterling Taber's murder."
Michaela had no response. If Ed had an alibi then the letter probably didn't mean a damn thing. "Don't you have any more to ask them?" Michaela looked at Zach and Juliet.
"Good night, Ms. Bancroft," Peters replied and opened the door, following Zach and Juliet out.
What a total mess. Had they screwed up by calling the police? At least Zach had defended her. He was a decent guy, or had possibly changed his mind about being head over heels for Juliet when she pointed the gun at him. God, how love was so very blind. Here a man was willing to protect the woman he thought he loved, and her father, and deny the truth, likely sending an innocent woman to jail. Crazy.
If Ed had an alibi, what did that mean for her? It meant that she's just wasted half a night of sleep and risked her freedom—and Joe's—at Sterling's place by breaking and entering. That's what it meant. It also meant that she hadn't figured things out yet.
There were still so many what-ifs, including the mystery woman on the videotapes that Sterling had made, the Sorvino clan, Robert Nightingale's vendetta toward Sterling, and, from Paige's account, his now supposed missing-in-action status. Lest Michaela forget, there was also Erin Hornersberg, who had already killed someone in the past, and who thought Sterling lower than a dust mote. She'd sure clammed up when Michaela and Camden had gone to talk to the makeup artist.
Then there was this bizarre situation with Sterling's old girlfriend Rebecca Woodson, the dead party girl. Michaela should've asked Zach about Sterling's family and what they were like. She would have to talk to Tommy Liggett about that. Tommy had spent more time last summer with Sterling than Zach had. Maybe he could shine some light on what had happened there. And there was the undercover blonde woman in the Ford Explorer who was keeping tabs on Michaela. It all seemed so strange; none of it made sense, but at that point her brain was fried from trying to piece any of it together. She decided to try and get some rest.
MICHAELA DIDN'T GET MUCH MORE SLEEP. AFTER tossing and turning for an hour, she got up and made a pot of strong coffee. She didn't know if she'd ever felt so exhausted before. Always an early riser, getting started in the morning wasn't typically a problem. Her life had been filled with plenty of ups and downs, like most people, but before this fiasco she'd finally settled into a peaceful place in her life. Her ranch was a wonderful place to live; she woke up and took care of her animals every day; she taught sweet and special children how to ride; and she thought that maybe there was a possibility with her and Jude. Only a week ago, she'd been able to wake up and be grateful for all that was right in her life. Today, it was hard to do, but she did it anyway, thankful that her animals were there waiting for her and happy to see her. And she was thankful for the caffeine. She was going to need it. Only two hours until Sterling's funeral service; she'd have to psych herself up for the appearance.
She weighed her options. None of them looked too great. Facts were that if she went, all eyes would likely be on her, including Detective Peters, who would surely show up. Wasn't that what investigators did while on a case? Show up at the funeral in case the perp made a wrong move? Oh goodness, she had watched one too many Law & Orders. Had Peters really questioned Ed Mitchell? What if Juliet had convinced Peters that Michaela had stolen the letter? She knew she couldn't continue to lie to him. It wasn't who or what she was, and it could prove to be the final slice in cutting her own throat.
The downside of not going to the service was that she had a gut feeling whoever did kill Sterling would be there, and maybe, just maybe, she would pick up on something that the police had missed.
She slipped into a black dress, knowing that she had no choice but to make an appearance at that funeral. She would do her best to make herself nondescript. Maybe no one would notice her. Yeah, right.
Her plan didn't work. As expected, Detective Peters was at the church. He eyed her when she came in. Maybe she was being paranoid, but damned if a lot of people didn't stare at her when she walked in. So much for the nondescript, inconspicuous part. She tried to not allow him to unnerve her. Paranoid. That's all. She was being paranoid.
Then she spotted Robert and Paige Nightingale, which was odd to say the least. Hadn't Robert left Paige only two days before, his anger getting the best of him? And where was Camden? She had chutzpah when it came to the down and dirty questions. Robert's arm was wrapped protectively around Paige's shoulders. Quite a change of heart. Obviously they'd worked out their differences. Or not. Could it be that Paige knew something about Robert that he did not want the world to know? Maybe that he'd killed Sterling out of rage and now he needed her as an alibi? Was it possible that Robert had murdered Sterling over his grief and his belief that he was to blame for his son's death? Paige had replaced her child, in a sense, with Sterling. Loss of a loved one was the worst kind of grief. Michaela knew it firsthand. Maybe Paige couldn't take any more loss in her life, and had told Robert that she'd speak the truth if he tried to divorce her. Michaela had pegged Paige for an insecure woman. Would her sadness and insecurities force her to remain in a dead marriage? If Michaela had learned anything on this path called life, it was that everything was a possibility.
She decided to take a seat at the back of the church to be able to watch as people flowed quietly in and slipped into their seats. This way she'd be able to get a good look at everyone who showed up.
Watching the Nightingales seat themselves, she again thought about Robert's possible reason to want Sterling dead, and she understood it. She could not imagine what it would feel like to lose a child. If Robert truly blamed Sterling for the untimely and horrible death of his son, then she could almost understand his need for vengeance. But what about Paige? She'd been distraught the other day in Robert's office. Did she have anything to do with Sterling's murder? These questions needed answers. Michaela was still searching. But what reason would Paige have to kill Sterling? It didn't add up. So for now, she'd cross her off her list. She'd also been able to satisfy her mind that neither Zach nor Juliet had anything to do with Sterling's murder. True, they'd been up to no good, but she didn't think them responsible for killing him. Juliet's father didn't look as if he was a candidate any longer, but what about any one of the Sorvinos? She thought about the ring she saw Ed give Pepe. Had it been a payoff of some sort?
She watched as people continued coming into the church. Zach entered with Tommy Liggett, who Michaela felt could have some answers for her, at least about Sterling's family and Rebecca Woodson. Tommy worked for Juliet's father at the jewelry store. From all accounts, Tommy appeared to be a nice enough guy. But even nice people had skeletons to hide sometimes, and Michaela couldn't help but wonder if Tommy was one of those nice-guy-next-door types who one day went psycho on his good friend for a particular reason—or for no particular reason at all. Tommy had wavy light brown hair, sincere blue eyes, and dimples when he smiled. In a way he looked similar to Sterling, but was cuter, rather than handsome, like his pal had been.
Michaela turned as someone touched her shoulder. "I wasn't sure you'd be here, what with the bad press," Camden said.
"I had no choice but to come. Wish I hadn't though; everyone is looking at me."
"Relax. No one is looking at you. And if they do, I'll stick my tongue out at them."
Music began playing, an indicator that the services were about to start. As several latecomers filed in, Michaela's gaze fell on a man and whom she assumed to be his wife being escorted to the front row. "Are those Sterling's parents?" Michaela whispered in Camden's ear.
"I don't think so. He had told me that his folks were older. Those two look, what, in their forties. At least, the man looks like that. I can't tell with the woman."
Michaela nodded. The woman's head was down and it was difficult to get a good look at her face. "Well, they must be relatives."
"It would figure, but I'm not sure. I didn't know him that well to get his life story."
"You knew him pretty well."
Camden rolled her eyes. "You are mean sometimes."
"I know."
THE PARISHIONERS LISTENED TO THE HEARTFELT service given by the pastor, whom Michaela was pretty sure had never even met Sterling, as he spoke in generalities about the man. Something told her that Sterling didn't frequent church much.
When the pastor finished, he invited any attendees up to the podium who wished to eulogize him. It was strange, but no one took him up on the opportunity. Did everyone harbor ill will toward Sterling? After a minute, Tommy decided to go up. Michaela could tell by the way he moved back and forth from one foot to the other that he was nervous being in front of the crowd.
"Sterling was a good guy, a good friend, and all-around good man."
Michaela scanned the crowd and took note that Ed Mitchell had a protective arm around his daughter. Was he as uncomfortable as Tommy looked to be? Then she noticed Zach. He actually appeared almost bored. What a different crowd they all were.
Tommy went on to relate a humorous story about Sterling falling off one of his polo ponies and having to ice his rear. He got a few chuckles from that and then sat down.
Michaela figured they were about finished when the gentleman from the front row took his turn at the podium. All he said when he took the stand was, "On behalf of the Taber family, we thank you for coming today to honor my brother. Sterling's life was amongst his friends, and thus his family has made the decision to have him buried here, where he was loved by so many. Thank you again."
Hmmm. So the older, distinguished guy was Sterling's brother. Okay, so maybe, just maybe, there was an off chance that Sterling's family showed compassion for him by wanting to bury the man in Indio, but she doubted it. Here the brother was the only one making an appearance at the service and that was all he had to say about his sibling? Oh, that made her skin crawl. No, there was more to it. The Taber family wanted nothing at all to do with Sterling. Not in life or in death. That was as plain and simple as it seemed. It made her feel very sorry for Sterling, and actually she started to form a better picture of what appeared to be a lost soul. Not that she agreed with some of the things he'd apparently done or the way he'd conducted his life, but there may have been some deep, dark reasons for Sterling's actions and behavior. Michaela couldn't help wonder if the man's way of life had caused his own demise—a death that maybe his family was behind, wanting to rid themselves of any more scandal he might cause them.
TWENTY-SIX
MICHAELA'S STOMACH CHURNED AS SHE APPROACHED Sterling's brother and his wife. She had no clue what she would say. "Um, why is it that your family ostracized Sterling when he was never charged with or convicted of a crime?" No, that would probably not go over too well. She could not help thinking though that the Tabers had distanced themselves from Sterling because of what had happened to Rebecca Woodson.
She decided on the practical, caring approach. "Um, excuse me, Mr. Taber?"
Sterling's brother turned around. He had slicked-back silver hair and the same blue eyes that, for Sterling, had caused most women to melt. Granted, they hadn't done a damn thing for Michaela, but she appeared to be in the minority. Mr. Taber was of average height and looked to be physically fit underneath what was likely a silk Italian suit specially tailored for him.
Then his wife turned around and Michaela's blood ran cold.
"Yes?" Sterling's brother said.
Michaela tried not to stammer as she made every effort to take her eyes off his wife. She was as beautiful as the brother was handsome, albeit in a sort of "shiny and bright" high-society way. Her obscenely large diamond ring sparkled in the desert sun. But it wasn't the diamond that stunned Michaela, it was the fact that Mrs. Taber was the star of Sterling's videos.
"Yes?" Mr. Taber said again. "Can I help you, miss?"
Michaela reached out her hand, somehow finding a way to string words together. "I'm so sorry for your family's loss. I'm sure it was quite a blow."
"Ah, another girlfriend, I suppose," he replied hesitatingly. He shook her hand lightly, as if she might break.
"No. No, not at all. I hardly knew Sterling. I was on his polo team for a few matches and took lessons where he boarded his horses—"
"Charles, we need to go," the wife interrupted. She looked Michaela up and down.
"I apologize, miss, but our jet is waiting. What did you say your name was?" the brother asked.
Michaela hesitated.
"I know who she is," the wife said coldly. "I've seen her in the news. She's the woman who murdered Sterling."
"No. No, I didn't! I would never kill anyone."
"She's crazy, Charles. I've read the papers. Let's go now."
Charles Taber studied her, his lips turning up at the ends. It sent a shiver down Michaela's backside, as she thought it an evil look. Then he shook her hand again. "Well. If you did it, thank you very much, and if not, as you say, I'm sorry for your troubles."
"Charles, we have to go."
"Yes, Carolyn. Good day, and good luck with your legal woes." The Tabers picked up their pace.
Michaela went after them, all the knots in her stomach gone and replaced by rage. "Wait a minute, wait just a minute. I had nothing to do with your brother's death, and frankly, I find your callousness revolting."
"I knew she was one of his women," Charles said to his wife.
"Dammit, I never dated Sterling. I didn't even like the man, but I didn't kill him and I feel terrible that he's dead."
"That would make sense since you are charged with his murder."
Michaela stared at these two insolent jerks for a second in an attempt to regain her composure. "You know what, I have to wonder about the two of you. Why are you so relieved that your brother is dead? I know all about the controversy last year out in Santa Barbara. And Mrs. Taber, I could have sworn that I've seen you before? Were you ever in any movies or any type of film projects?"
Carolyn's face went ashen. "No! Charles, come on. I told you she was insane! She's a lunatic."
"Maybe it was those home movies that Sterling showed to some of us. I think maybe you were on vacation. I should send you a copy. I'm certain that it was you. I don't remember your husband in them, but yes…looking at you now, I'm sure of it."
"We've never been on vacation with Sterling," Charles Taber replied. He looked at his wife.
"I have
no idea what you're talking about," Carolyn Taber snapped. "They can't lock you up soon enough! Charles, we have to go."
Carolyn turned and marched away. Charles gave Michaela a nod and followed his wife, who turned around when she reached the car and glared at Michaela. The woman was chock full of secrets that she aimed to expose.
Camden caught up with Michaela, who stood there stunned, watching the Tabers' town car pull away. "What was that all about?" she asked.
Michaela shook her head. "Those people are strange. Really strange, and I have to tell you that Sterling's sister-in-law has some ugly skeletons in her closet."
"All super rich people have stuff to hide."
"No. There's something more here. I've got proof that Sterling and his sister-in-law were having an affair."
"No! Oh come on."
Michaela nodded. "Oh yeah."
"You've got to take it to the police. Michaela, you and your snooping are going to get yourself killed."
Now there was a thought to mull over. Spend fifty years to life in prison or take the chance that she might actually figure this all out and save herself. "You're probably right, I do need to hand the tapes over to the police."
But the other dilemma with that was explaining how she came into possession of the tapes in the first place. If she told the truth it would confirm Juliet's story to the police about breaking into Sterling's place. And once that was affirmed…well, it would likely plant further doubt in Peters' mind and could possibly cause her to wind up in jail on separate charges. Plus, would evidence that she'd stolen be allowed in a court of law? Oh jeez, what a mess.
"Yes, you do. Michaela, don't go delving into their lives. It'll be trouble. Look what they did to Sterling. They banned him from the family."
Michaela crossed her arms. "They didn't exactly ban him. They cut his allowance in half. And most of America wouldn't complain about Sterling's ten grand a month. I'm not sure what you don't get about the fact that I was arrested for Sterling's murder. If I don't find out who killed him, Mrs. Robinson…" Camden frowned. "Then I am screwed. Totally screwed. No more horse training, no more helping children, no more having margaritas with you as the sun goes down. Nothing, nada, finito. Get it?"
The Michaela Bancroft Mysteries 1-3 Page 56
