Dusted to Death

by Barbara Colley

  When a look of skepticism crossed Gavin Brown’s face, Charlotte rushed on. “Only problem, somehow he knows that I know. I could tell from the way he kept glaring at me. Then, when I left the meeting, a black SUV followed me. I’d be willing to bet my last dime that Toby Russell was the driver.”

  Charlotte paused a moment and took a deep breath. Suddenly, she remembered something else she needed to tell him. “I almost forgot. You know that letter opener—the murder weapon?” When he nodded, she said, “Nobody probably bothered to tell you, but they always have at least two duplicates of each main prop.”

  Gavin suddenly stiffened, and he didn’t look quite as skeptical as he had in the beginning.

  Satisfied that she was finally making headway and really had his attention, she said, “I’ve thought about it and thought about it, but couldn’t come up with anything to dispute Angel’s fingerprints on that letter opener. Then I remembered about the props, and finally figured it out.”

  “Figured what out, and what about the props?”

  Charlotte quickly explained. “The prop department always supplies at least two duplicates of an important prop. The day before the murder was discovered, Angel shot a scene where she had to use the letter opener. It would have been easy for anyone who had access to the props to take one of the other two, stab Nick, then replace it with the one that Angel had handled the day before. All the killer had to do was”—Charlotte shivered at the thought—“smear a little blood on the prop that had Angel’s fingerprints.”

  When Charlotte didn’t say any more, Gavin asked, “Is that it?”

  Her lips thinned in aggravation. “Are you still being sarcastic?” she shot back.

  The detective sighed deeply, and after a moment, he slowly shook his head. “No,” he answered. “No sarcasm this time.”

  “Then, yes, that’s it.”

  He nodded, stared at her a moment more, then pulled out a notebook and pen. “Okay, then, once more from the beginning.”

  Charlotte was so thrilled that he was actually interested enough to go through it again that she didn’t mind getting grilled for the next half hour, while he jotted down names and information.

  When he finally closed the notebook, he said, “Do you have someone you can stay with tonight?”

  “Then you really believe me?” For some perverse reason, she needed to hear him admit it out loud.

  “Let’s just say that there’s a lot here—” He tapped the notebook with his forefinger. “A lot that I need to check into before this goes any further. Now—once again—do you have someone you can stay with tonight?”

  Not exactly an admission out loud, but pretty close, she decided. Charlotte nodded. “I can stay with my sister, but I’ll need a couple of things from home—some medications I take.”

  He nodded. “Okay. I’ll follow you home, then follow you to your sister’s house. One thing, though, if, at any time, you see that black SUV, don’t stop. Just keep driving, and remember, I’ll be right behind you.”

  During the drive to her house, Charlotte phoned her sister. “Maddie, are you up for company tonight? I need a place to stay.”

  “What’s happened?” Madeline asked, a note of alarm in her voice. “Are you okay?”

  Shades of déjà vu, thought Charlotte. The last time she’d stayed at her sister’s house overnight had also been because of her involvement in a murder investigation. “I’m fine, Maddie, and I’ll explain everything when I get there. Okay?”

  A few minutes later Charlotte pulled into her driveway, and Gavin Brown pulled in right behind her. When she slid out of her van, he stuck his head out of the window and said, “I’ll wait out here for you.”

  With a nod, she hurried up the steps to the front door. Once she was inside, the first thing Charlotte noticed was the blinking light on her answering machine. Ignoring it for the moment, she rushed around and, using a couple of tote bags, gathered the few things she needed for her overnight stay. She also adjusted her thermostat and made sure that Sweety Boy had plenty of food and water.

  Ever aware of the passing time, she quickly replayed her messages: one from Bitsy, one from Hank, one from Louis telling her that if things went well, he’d be home on Thursday, and the last one from Bert O’Banion.

  Bert!

  “Hi, Charlotte. Bet you’re surprised to hear from me. Listen, there’s something I need to talk to you about, so give me a call. I’ll be waiting. My number is—”

  Charlotte quickly grabbed a pen and pad and scribbled down his phone number. “Humph!” she grunted. So Bert had something he needed to talk to her about. And Louis had something he needed to talk to her about. “Well, stand in line, boys,” she drawled. “Stand in line.”

  With a shake of her head, she stuffed the phone number into her pocket. After erasing the messages, she grabbed her tote bags and purse, and headed for the door. Right now, her biggest worry was staying alive.

  By the time Charlotte arrived at her sister’s home the sun was setting and there was still no sign of the black SUV. True to his word, Gavin Brown had followed her all the way.

  Gathering her bags, Charlotte slid out of the van and locked the door. To her surprise, Gavin got out of his car and walked over to where she was standing.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  His only response was a nod. Then he said, “Don’t go back home until you hear from me. Once we check out your story and locate this Toby Russell character, I’ll let you know. Also, I need a number for Benny Jackson.” He pulled a small notebook and a pen out of his pocket.

  Charlotte nodded. “His number is on my cell. Just a second.” She set down her bags, then dug her cell phone out of her purse. After pressing some numbers on the phone, she showed him the number on the tiny screen and he jotted it down.

  “Now give me the number here at your sister’s house.”

  Charlotte told him Madeline’s phone number, and he wrote it down. He slipped the notebook and pen back inside his pocket, and said, “Don’t discuss this with anyone else. The fewer people who know about this, the better chance we have of locating Toby Russell and solving this thing.”

  “Okay.” Charlotte dropped her cell phone back inside her purse. “But I’ll have to tell my sister something.”

  Gavin chuckled. “With your imagination, I’m sure you can come up with some kind of reason.”

  Charlotte grimaced and picked up her bags. In other words, she was going to have to lie to Madeline.

  “One last thing,” he cautioned. “Don’t go anywhere without checking in with me.”

  “Okay, but—”

  “No buts.”

  “Just listen,” she insisted. “Tom Rolland, the producer, asked me to work tomorrow. They’re dismantling the set and moving Mrs. Duhè’s stuff back in. Once that’s done, the place will need a good cleaning, which is why they hired me in the first place. I know for a fact that Lagniappe Security will have someone there, a guard named Samantha O’Reilly,” she added. “My friend Louis Thibodeaux says she’s one of the best guards that Lagniappe has. Do you know Louis?”

  “Yeah, I know him, and yeah, Sam is pretty capable, but that doesn’t alter the fact that a man got killed on their watch. Lagniappe really dropped the ball on that one.”

  He had a point, a really good point, so what was she thinking? After what she’d been through, it was pretty stupid to even consider going anywhere until Toby Russell, a.k.a. Alex Scott, was firmly in custody. Charlotte shivered just thinking about what could happen.

  “Look, Mrs. LaRue, it would be easier all around if you just stayed put until we find this guy.”

  “You’re right,” she agreed, somewhat relieved. “And I know it doesn’t seem that important, considering the circumstances; it’s just that Mrs. Duhè is an elderly lady and a longtime client who depends on me. Besides which, Mega Films is paying me a lot of money for this job. But only if I actually do the job,” she emphasized.

  “Believe me, I understand, but right now y
our safety is more important than a job or the money.”

  Both relieved and disappointed, Charlotte sighed. “Yes, I do realize that.”

  “Tell you what, just as soon as I know anything, I’ll call you. And if it helps, I can contact Tom Rolland too. I can always come up with a reason why the crime scene shouldn’t be disturbed yet. Meanwhile, I’ll put in a call and request that a patrol car be assigned to make extra rounds by this address.”

  Charlotte smiled, amazed at the complete change of attitude in the detective in such a short time. “Thanks,” she said, and really meant it. “As for Tom Rolland, I’ll handle him. A delay for a day or two won’t make that much difference.” At least she hoped it wouldn’t. Bitsy wouldn’t be pleased with a delay and neither would Tom Rolland, especially since she couldn’t explain why she was going to have to miss work tomorrow, but oh, well, too bad. She really had no choice in the matter.

  “Okay, then, I’ll be in touch. Now get inside so I can get to work.”

  Charlotte nodded and headed for Madeline’s front door. At the door she only had to knock once before Madeline immediately opened it. “Well, it’s about time,” Madeline said. “I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for you to get here.”

  “Nice to see you too, Maddie.” As Charlotte stepped through the doorway, she glanced over her shoulder. Gavin Brown was still standing where she’d left him, watching and waiting to make sure she was safely inside before he left. With a sigh, she firmly closed the door behind her.

  When Charlotte set down her bags, then turned and locked the door and slid the safety chain into place, Maddie’s eyes widened in alarm. “What in the devil is going on?”

  Buying time to think of what she was going to tell her sister, Charlotte said, “Can I at least put my pajamas on first? And I’d love a glass of iced tea, if you’ve got some made.”

  With a grunt of disbelief, Madeline waved her hand toward the guest bedroom. “By all means, sister, dear, make yourself at home. But I want an explanation.”

  “Okay, okay,” Charlotte retorted. “No need to get all huffy about it.”

  “Well, hurry up.”

  Rolling her eyes, Charlotte grabbed her bags and headed for the bedroom.

  Feeling much more comfortable in her pajamas a few minutes later, Charlotte left the guest room and went in search of her sister. Though she’d come up with a couple of outright lies to tell Maddie, she’d finally decided to simply tell her sister the truth.

  She found Madeline waiting for her in the kitchen. “Here’s your tea.” Maddie handed Charlotte the glass. “Now sit!” She pointed to a chair at the kitchen table.

  Charlotte smiled at her sister. “Yes, ma’am.” Once they were both seated at the table, Charlotte said, “All I can tell you is that I can’t tell you anything.”

  “What? You’ve got to be kidding!”

  Charlotte shrugged. “Nope. I was told not to tell anybody.”

  Madeline narrowed her eyes. “This has something to do with that movie business job you took and that man being murdered, doesn’t it?”

  Chapter 18

  Suddenly unsure again what to tell her sister, Charlotte took a sip of her tea. Now what?

  Just stick to the truth.

  Yeah, that’s probably best. She gave her sister a no-nonsense look. “Like I said, all I can tell you is that I can’t tell you anything.”

  Madeline glanced up at the ceiling as if seeking guidance for a hopeless cause. “I knew it! I just knew it!” She jerked her head forward and glared at Charlotte. “When none of us could get in touch with you Sunday or Monday, I told Judith then that I bet you were somehow involved in that mess. I swear, Charlotte, you’re like a magnet when it comes to murders.”

  Charlotte simply shrugged, since there was nothing she could say. On the outside, she was sure it appeared that way, but what was she supposed to do? Let a murderer go free?

  Suddenly an old quote used by John F. Kennedy in some of his speeches chased through her head. All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

  Charlotte sighed. Nope, this particular murderer wasn’t going free, not if she could help it. But right now, she needed to somehow placate her sister. “Maddie, I really do appreciate you letting me stay here. I know you’re upset with me, and I’m sorry about that.” Unable to help herself, she yawned. “Oh, my goodness,” she said. “I think I’m done for tonight. If you don’t mind, I really need to go to bed.”

  Without waiting for her sister to respond, Charlotte shoved out of her chair and walked over to the sink. She poured out the remaining tea into the sink and put the glass in the dishwasher.

  Charlotte turned to face her sister. “Just one more thing. I’m expecting a phone call either tonight or tomorrow, so if the phone rings late tonight, don’t get upset.” Not that she was really “expecting” Gavin Brown to call, not exactly. More like hoping and praying. The sooner this mess was over, the sooner she could get back to her real life.

  Madeline’s expression was a mask of stone, but she finally stood up. “Like I said before, make yourself at home.”

  “Don’t be mad at me,” Charlotte pleaded. Madeline was her only sibling, and she hated it when they argued or disagreed. “I promise that I’ll explain everything when I can.” Though her sister’s expression still didn’t change, Charlotte walked over and hugged her anyway. “Good night, hon. And thanks again.”

  When the phone did actually ring, Charlotte groaned. What time was it anyway? She forced her eyes open. Since it was dark outside, it had to still be night. She rolled over in the bed and glared at the illuminated dial of the clock on the bedside table. Three o’clock.

  With another groan she reached over and turned on the lamp, then grabbed the telephone. “Hello?”

  “Mrs. LaRue?”

  “Yes, Detective. It’s me.”

  “Good news!”

  “Well, I should hope so, given the time of night—or should I say morning?—that you’re calling me. Did you get him?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “What do you mean, ‘Yes and no’?”

  “He checked out of his hotel, and we’ve traced him to the airport. According to Southwest Airlines, he boarded a plane headed for Hollywood around midnight. We contacted the California FBI and they’ll be at the airport to take him into custody just as soon as his plane lands.”

  “The FBI?”

  “Yeah, well, besides murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, we’re charging him with attempted kidnapping as well.”

  “Who did he try to kidnap?”

  Gavin Brown laughed. “Why, you, of course. Yeah, I know, it’s a stretch, but we wanted to throw everything we could at him.”

  “Okay, that’s great. So, does this mean that I was right about Toby and Alex being the same person?”

  “Yeah, it sure looks that way. The lab finally got back to us, and we got a set of fingerprints back that matched Alex Scott’s. Our boys are still going through all of the movie props to find those other two letter openers, but we will find them, one way or another.”

  “A man named Dalton was in charge of all of the props,” she offered.

  “Yeah, well, we’re still trying to get in touch with him.”

  “He should be at Mrs. Duhè’s house in the morning,” she told him. “And speaking of tomorrow, does this mean it’s okay for me to go to work?”

  There was a slight hesitation; then Gavin said, “I’d rather you didn’t—not until we actually have this Scott guy in custody—but I guess it won’t hurt. One of our crime scene guys is going to go through the house again, just in case those props are still there. If you do go, make sure that Sam knows what’s going on.”

  “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make good and sure she knows.”

  “Well, I just wanted to let you know what was happening. Be careful and be cautious.”

  “Good night, Detective.”

  “Night, ma’am.”

  Charlotte turne
d off the phone and placed it on the bedside table, then switched off the lamp. She should be feeling a huge relief, she thought as she turned over onto her side and pulled the covers up to her chin. So why wasn’t she? Probably because she was still half asleep and still so very tired. Yep, she decided. That had to be the reason.

  She should also call Benny and let him know what was going on. She snuggled down farther in the bed. Too late tonight. She’d call him tomorrow. What she needed now was a good night’s sleep. After a good night’s sleep, she was sure she’d feel better about everything in the morning.

  When Charlotte woke up the following morning, any relief that she’d expected to feel was buried beneath a horrific headache. In the bathroom, she splashed water on her face. After a brief, fruitless search for Tylenol, she figured that the kitchen was the most likely place Maddie would keep medications. Besides, if she wasn’t mistaken, she could smell coffee.

  Charlotte entered the kitchen and found it empty. So where was Maddie? Maybe she was still asleep. Then, on the cabinet in front of the coffeepot, she spied a piece of paper. Charlotte picked up the note and read it.

  Charlotte, I forgot about my hair appointment this morning. I should be back around noon.

  What time was it anyway? And where did Maddie keep her Tylenol? She glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Nine o’clock,” she cried. Oh, for pity’s sake. She couldn’t believe she’d slept that long.

  Heaving a sigh, Charlotte began opening cabinets. First Tylenol, then coffee. Then a shower and breakfast. She finally found the Tylenol, along with various other medicines, in a narrow cabinet next to the sink. Swallowing two of the capsules, she decided she should probably have a glass of juice and take a shower before breakfast and coffee. The last thing she needed was one of those weak spells again.

  In the shower, Charlotte kept thinking back to her conversation with Gavin Brown. Parts of the conversation were a bit hazy, but there were parts of it that kept nagging her.