“Haley,” Flint said, putting down the fork in his hand, “Mandy Garland said your father requested police protection for you. But I found out that it was your uncle who requested we intervene on your behalf. Can you help clear up this confusion for me?”
Tori stared at Haley. She appreciated Flint being gentle with Haley and the way he kept pushing her forward instead of allowing the young lady to dwell in her personal miseries.
Haley drew in a deep breath, listened to the rain fall outside, and then looked down at her plate. “My uncle asked you guys to protect me?” she asked Flint.
“Yeah, he did.”
“But that man despises me,” Haley said. “I'm not fond of him, either. I hated the way he threatened my father. Oh, Mr. Big Shot Cop, he thought he could bully my father. But...”
“But what, honey?” Tori asked, after Haley trailed off.
Haley carefully placed her hands together. “I got him fired,” Haley confessed, in a voice that came out shaky. “I had to,” she continued, “because Uncle Ned threatened to kill my father over Ann. I had to do something to protect my father. My father told me to mind my own business, though.”
Flint watched tears begin to fall from Haley's tormented eyes. “Hey, now, it's okay. We can stop with the questions for now.”
“No, it's okay,” Haley said. Wiping at her tears, she looked up at Flint.
Flint saw a scared young lady who needed her father to wrap her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. Instead, she had empty air.
“I recorded a conversation between my father and Uncle Ned on my cell phone,” she said. “I was sitting on the stairs. They didn't know I was home. I recorded Uncle Ned threatening to kill my father. I took the recording and made it viral on a couple of social media outlets. Soon after, Uncle Ned was fired. He promised to get even with me.”
“Then why would he ask for police intervention?” Tori asked Flint.
“Good question,” Flint said. “Arnold, find out where Ned is at. My gut is telling me this guy isn't in New York anymore.”
“I'm on it,” Tori said, standing up and rushing into the kitchen.
Matt moved away from the kitchen door. Dave nudged him in the gut.
“Haley, why did Mandy Garland believe your father requested police protection for you?” Flint asked.
Haley shrugged her frail shoulders. “Mandy told me my father asked you guys to protect me. I... was hoping he cared. I was wrong.”
“Mandy Garland tells you a lot, doesn't she?” Flint asked, taking a bite of biscuit and then chasing the biscuit down with some coffee.
“She means well,” Haley said. “Detective, I explained to Tori that Mandy is just scared. She's not out to hurt me. I know she barks, but she's harmless.”
Flint decided not to debate with Haley. Instead, an idea came to his mind. “Haley, you're right. I'll call Mandy and ask her to come right over.” Standing up from the table, he smiled at her. “I expected a spoiled brat. I'm glad you're human.”
Haley smiled up at him through her tears.
*****
Back in the kitchen, Flint found Tori on her cell phone, speaking to the cop who watched the front gate.
“Mandy Garland is at the gate,” she said to Flint.
“I was just about to call her,” Flint said. “Tell Baker to let her in. Have her come around to the kitchen.” He refilled his coffee cup, then walked to the kitchen sink and waited.
“What's going on?” Tori asked.
“I have a problem to fix that I created back at the station.” Flint carefully explained to Tori how he had baited Mandy Garland and nearly hooked her before Chief Cunningham was forced to cut the line. “I have to bait a different hook. So do me a favor, take Haley and get upstairs, okay? Get Haley dressed and find out the location of her uncle.”
Tori nodded. went back to the dining room, and urged Haley up the stairs.
“You go with them,” Dave told Matt. “I'll monitor downstairs.”
Sipping on his coffee, Flint began to form a plan. When Mandy opened the back door with her own personal key, Flint offered a fake smile. “It's good to see you again,” he said.
Mandy didn't smile back. Instead, she pulled off a black raincoat and looked directly at Dave. “I want the security footage. You have no right to hide--”
“Dave, go into the living room,” Flint interrupted, and Dave went immediately. “I was just going to call you,” Flint said to Mandy.
“My lawyer has informed me that I am not to speak with you,” Mandy said in a flat voice.
Flint put down his cup of coffee. “Ms. Garland, I allowed you back into this house. I'm going to allow you to see Haley. You're standing in this kitchen because I believe we can help each other. If you start playing rough ball, then you can easily take a hike. It's true, you don't have to talk to me, but the law affords me the privilege of tossing you out of here on your rear end.”
“I understand,” Mandy said. “That's why I came here. My lawyer doesn't know we need to talk. I want to be near Haley, so I'm willing to cooperate with you. I also have come to make a confession. I did go into the basement last night. I lied.”
“I know you did,” Flint replied easily. Mandy Garland was changing her game plan. It would be wise for him to coast along on the current until he knew exactly what her new playbook might read. “Why did you lie?”
“You know I smoke. Haley hates cigarettes. I escaped into the basement to smoke. It's that's simple,” Mandy lied.
Flint nodded. Too bad the basement didn't smell like cigarette smoke, he thought. “I recently kicked the habit. I have to tell you, it wasn't easy. I caved in a few times along the way, too. I know what it means to want a smoke, let me tell you.” Flint offered a sympathetic smile. “Listen, Haley and I talked. She trusts you. Besides, I have an idea of who the killer is. You're in the clear. But there are a few questions I want to ask you. Not now, though. How about some coffee instead?”
Mandy shook rain off of her rain jacket. Shocked to see that Flint had taken in her lie without a battle, she felt relief wash over her. Sure, it was risky returning to the house, but if she wanted to be close to Haley, she had to out think and manipulate Flint and Tori. Realizing that she had a small window of opportunity to work with, she chose to race back to the house and speak with Flint after calling the station and being informed of his new location. “Yes, coffee would be nice.”
Flint put down his cup of coffee. Walking to the coffee pot, he fetched a brown mug down from an overhead cabinet and poured Mandy a cup of coffee. “Here you go. It’s hot, be careful,” he said, handing Mandy the cup of coffee. He grinned. “We don't want any lawsuits now, do we?”
Mandy wasn't amused. “I would like to see Haley.”
“Haley is upstairs changing. She'll be down shortly. In the meantime, I do want to ask you just one question, if that's okay?”
Mandy sipped her coffee. She didn't like black coffee, but she also didn't want to ask Flint for some sugar and cream. “Yes, what is it?”
“Play nice,” Flint said.
“I'm sorry,” Mandy said. “What question would like to ask me, Detective Flint? I'm exhausted and upset. I called the hospital. Uncle Rogers, well, he didn't make it.”
“I'm sorry.”
Mandy continued to sip at her coffee, her eyes cold. “Please, ask your question.”
“All I want to know is why Haley's father asked the police to become involved? I called the man and he doesn't seem too interested in being a caring, loving, father, but I'm sure you know that already.”
Mandy looked away from Flint. She studied the food sitting on the stove. “Haley has been cooking, I see.”
“Yeah.” Flint smiled and made a quick mental note. “Ms. Garland, help me out, okay.”
Mandy walked to the stove. After staring down at the fresh biscuits sitting on the two back eyes on a baking pan, she closed her eyes. “Haley's father asked the police to get involved because… I asked him
to,” she lied. “I immediately knew I had made a horrible mistake. I made every attempt to have Haley's father not contact the police, but he refused.” Obviously, Mandy thought, finding confidence in her lie, Haley's father was now playing the concerned father in order to hide the way he truly felt about Haley.
“Makes sense,” Flint replied, finishing off his coffee. After setting the cup down in the kitchen sink, he walked out of the kitchen without saying a word.
Mandy remained in the kitchen, trying to desperately figure out what kind of game Flint was playing.
*****
There was nothing like being on the set of a movie on a rainy day. The sights, the sounds, the feel, all mingled together somehow transported the mind in a strange land where imagination was free to play. That was how Tori saw the movie set, anyways. It was in the back of a large building the size of ten city blocks, it seemed.
The set was designed to resemble a creepy house sitting alone in the woods. It always amazed Tori how set designers could create such realistic features that actually made you feel as if you were in a completely different time and place even though, in reality, you were only in a building sitting on the back lot of a studio. “Isn't this great?” she asked Flint, taking a bite of her chili dog.
Flint studied the movie set. The set was too large, offering many dangerous shadows that a killer could hide in. Staring at fake and eerie trees stretching to the ceiling, he shook his head. The entire movie set took more than thirty minutes to maneuver through. And the main feature of the set, the creepy looking two story country home, sitting in the middle of the fake woods, lacked nothing. The house was huge, furnished with a real basement, attic, bedrooms, bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, wrap around front porch, hidden hallways, the works. “I don't like it,” Flint said. “I prefer Haley to be at the house.”
“We stayed at the house all day yesterday,” Tori said, spilling a little chili sauce on the dark green blouse she was wearing over a long brown dress. “Flint, Haley is contracted to make this movie.”
“I know,” Flint said, but it didn’t make him feel any better. Standing next to an exit door, Flint watched Haley speaking with Mandy. The two of them were standing at the entrance to the set. Haley looked beautiful in the red dress she wearing, Flint thought. Her beauty matched Lana Turner. Yet, Flint thought, staring at Haley, the young lady was a lost little girl on the inside. Sure, Haley was smart. After all, she was attending nursing school before Mandy hooked her claws in her. But deep down, Flint knew, all Haley wanted was to be loved and to give love. But not just to anyone, only to a heartless father. “I don't like surprises. Haley should have informed of this stunt yesterday.”
“Don't be so hard on her, Flint. Haley already told you she was waiting to see what Mandy wanted to do,” Tori said. “Look, Dave and Matt are walking around. The studio has extra security on set. The Chief has some of our guys walking around in plain clothing. We're here. And trust me, no one is getting into this building without going through a thorough security check.”
Flint glanced at Tori. “This building is big enough to fit a small town in it. There is no way we can keep a killer out if he's determined to get in. Besides, Arnold, the killer might not have to sneak in. He may walk in with open arms.”
Realizing that Flint was right, Tori looked around. She was letting her excitement overwhelm her ability to think rationally and logically. “You're right, Flint. I'm sorry. I get excited when I'm on a movie set. They make everything look so realistic. It's incredible. But, this is just a building, and this set is just made up of wood, plastic, paint, and other materials that will be torn down once this movie is completed. I need to keep my head in the game.”
Flint saw Dave appear from behind a tall, plastic, tree, speak in a walkie-talkie, and then vanish again. Matt appeared from behind a second tree, nodded his head at Flint, and walked out of sight.
“Rest of the crew will be allowed in once Matt and Dave give us the green light,” Flint said.
“Why does Matt keep looking at me with those silly eyes?” Tori asked.
“Matt thinks your hot stuff, Arnold,” Flint said in a voice focused on his work rather than casual talk. “Arnold, watch Haley. I'm going to take a peek at the crew. I know they're not too happy about having to stand outside in the rain.”
“You got it,” Tori said. “And hey, Flint, I'll get the stars out of my eyes. We have a job to do. My focus is on Haley, okay?”
“Hey,” Flint said, putting a hand on Tori's shoulder, “at the end of the day, we're only human. We're not robots. Don't kick yourself so hard.”
“Thanks, partner.”
“Watch Haley, okay? I'll be back in a few minutes.” Flint pushed the exit door open and stepped outside into a heavy shower falling on a world filled with studio creations. Fortunately for Flint, a group of angry people standing outside holding different colored umbrellas brought the reality of the real world straight down onto the ground of the studio like a crashing meteor.
“How much longer, Detective?” a tall thin man with a thick mustache asked. The man's name was William Denton, the director. Holding a black umbrella, he stared at Flint with impatient eyes. The man reminded Flint of a hippie, even though he dressed in a simple gray button-up shirt tucked into a pair of blue jeans.
“I want you to bring in the actors,” Flint told William. “The camera crew, extras, everyone else needs to stay outside for now. I only want the actors, got it?”
William rolled his eyes. Watching the heavy rain soak Flint's hair and then race down his overcoat, he assumed he was dealing with a cop who thought he was real macho. William yelled for a young man Haley's age to come forward. “Today we're shooting the interior scenes in the house. Only Zach and Haley will be working.”
Flint waited until a tall, handsome looking young man with jet black hair walked up, holding a gray umbrella over his head, protecting the white silk shirt he was wearing over a pair of tan pants. Zach Dennington glared at Flint through angry eyes. “Yeah, what?” he asked William.
Flint studied Zach's face. Zach resembled a linebacker who needed anger management courses.
“Detective Flint wants to speak with us inside,” William said.
Flint hit the exit door with his fist. Moments later, Tori opened it from the inside.
“Inside,” Flint told William and Zach.
William followed Flint inside the building, and Zach tagged behind like an angry pit bull. Spotting Tori still speaking with Mandy, Flint rushed up to her. “Get Mandy of sight,” he whispered to her before William and Zach could hear.
“Got it,” Tori whispered back. She hurried over to Haley and gently put her arm around her shoulder. Leaning close, she whispered in Haley's ear. Haley then looked back at Flint, and Flint nodded.
Then Mandy grabbed Haley's hand and walked her down a fake dirt trail leading to the house. Tori cautiously drew out of her gun and followed. Dave and Matthew appeared from a different part of the set and followed Tori. Flint caught Zach watching Tori walk away. William didn't seem interested.
“Are we going to work today or what?” Zach exploded at Flint. “Listen, Dick Tracy, I don't have all day. I have a life and--”
“Shut your mouth, boy,” Flint snapped at Zach. “I don't care who you are, is that clear? I don't care how many magazines your face appears on or how many silly girls thinks you're crap don't stink. I'm here to protect Haley Frost, not take lip from someone who still has to have his mommy cut the crust off his bread.”
Zach stared into Flint's face, realized that Flint meant business, and backed down. “William, what's this all about, huh?”
“Haley has been receiving death threats,” William explained in a bored voice. “Detective Flint, Haley Frost is not the only strawberry in the patch that has received death threats. I've received death threats before… from my ex-wife.”
“Is that all?” Zach asked. “We're being delayed because the princess is scared?”
“
Why do you call Haley that name?” Flint demanded.
Zach shoved his hands down into the front pockets of the tan pants he was wearing. “She's not one of us, that's why. Look, Detective, in this business, you have to fit in, get with the game, play ball the right way, in order to make it. Haley Frost is having her name on a few films because she's pretty and everyone thinks she's this wonderful princess. She's a waste of time if you ask me. The girl has no talent, no skill, no real reason for being in LA. The only reason Haley Frost is here is because she's pretty, period. Buy hey, looks fade.” Zach grinned.
Flint nearly slapped the grin off Zach's face. Instead, he fished for more information. “You don't like Haley, I take it?”
Zach shrugged. “I work with all kinds of roses in this business. Haley Frost is a weed.”
“You're no prize tulip,” William snapped at Zach. “If you were, you wouldn't be acting in a movie that's being made to push us through the winter. When people are snowed in and get bored, they will pay to watch anything.”
“This movie will be shown in the winter, then?” Flint asked.
William nodded. “Another stupid teen slasher that will bring in a nice penny. If this movie was distributed out to the American public in the summer, it would flop. It's all about knowing your audience and when to drop a carrot in front of their noses.”
“Is Haley Frost a talented actress?” Flint asked William. “I want an honest answer.”
William shook his head. “Haley has beauty, and that's what sells, detective. How many teenage boys in America will see Haley's face on the big screen and dream about marrying her someday? Haley's look is different, which is what people want.”
“Lana Turner,” Flint said.
William nodded. “The spitting image,” he agreed. “But this isn't the days of Lana Turner, detective. Today I'm forced to make films where girls run through the woods falling down while the killer chases them. It's a shame, too, because, with some acting classes and proper coaching, Haley could turn out to be something terrific. But that stiff agent of hers refuses to help Haley grow, only lining her up in films like these.”
Detective Flint Box Set: A Detective Story Box Set Books 1-3 Page 18
