Mistaken Character

by R A Wallace

  “Sounds specific enough to get her fired if they’re true,” Leslie pointed out.

  “I thought she was cleared,” Ariana said. “The principal shouldn’t believe any of this.”

  “She still has to address it,” Callie explained. “She has the school board and the community to answer to. She can’t just ignore something like this.”

  “Then you have to prove it isn’t true.” Ariana’s arms were still crossed.

  Callie looked at the stubborn set of her sister’s jaw. She used Ariana’s phone to text the address of the web site to Sierra, then handed it back to her sister.

  “Prove what isn’t true?” Wade asked as he walked in. He set a plate of grilled meat on the table.

  “It sounds like some sort of social media smear campaign against Ms. Chen.” Leslie poured a glass of tea for him and set it near his plate.

  Wade crossed the room to the sink to wash his hands. “Someone seriously has it in for her lately.”

  “That’s what I’m saying.” Ariana transferred salad to her plate and added some grilled chicken.

  Leslie pointed at Blake’s dinner setting. “Have a seat, Callie. Blake didn’t stay for dinner.”

  Callie glanced at the time. “I can’t stay long. I have to meet with a client.”

  “After hours?” Leslie asked.

  “It’s a special case,” Callie said.

  Ariana’s phone buzzed. She lifted it from the table and read the text.

  “Sierra said they’ll look into it.” Ariana quickly texted her thanks.

  Callie filled her plate with salad and added some grilled chicken.

  “Where did Blake go?” Wade asked.

  “I’m guessing girlfriend,” Leslie asked.

  “He said he doesn’t have one,” Ariana pointed out.

  Wade and Leslie shared a look.

  “Wonder what her name is?” Wade aked.

  ***

  Callie followed Geoff upstairs to a large bedroom suite. Spencer Ives was in a hospital bed. There was a nurse checking the tube running from one arm. She nodded to Geoff and left the room when they entered.

  Callie walked over to the bed. Spencer Ives waved to Geoff. Geoff pulled a chair closer to the bed then stepped to the side of the room. Callie took the seat.

  “Did you learn anything?” Spencer asked.

  “I don’t want to get your hopes up,” Callie said.

  “You can’t. You can’t bring her back to me.” He coughed. It was a short, dry sound.

  Callie nodded. “Okay. I know that the official police report said it was a suicide, but it sounds like there are still some questions there.”

  “I knew it,” Spencer said.

  “I don’t have enough to definitively state one way or another yet,” Callie warned. “I can only say that one of the detectives on the case doesn’t like the way things added up.”

  “Yes, yes. Keep going.”

  “Her boyfriends weren’t much help. They didn’t seem to really know her.”

  Spencer started to speak then began coughing. Geoff opened the bedroom door and called to the nurse. She must not have gone far because she stepped into the room immediately. Callie jumped up and moved to the side of the room to get out of the way.

  After crossing to the bed, the nurse poured some water and raised the bed a little more to make it easier for Spencer to drink. Once she was sure the coughing fit was over, she checked his vitals before leaving the room again.

  Callie returned to her seat.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Spencer said.

  “I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well,” Callie said.

  “I’m sorry that I may not be around long enough to see you find Crystal’s killer.” Spencer leaned back against the pillows.

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Where were we?” Spencer’s eyes fluttered closed. “Oh, yes. What is your next step?”

  “I’m going to visit the television station where Crystal worked,” Callie said.

  “That’s good. She spent a lot of time there. Someone should know something.” Spencer’s eyes began to flutter again.

  Callie waited several moments before standing. She crossed the room and followed Geoff out. The nurse immediately went back into the bedroom and closed the door behind her.

  “He’s not doing well,” Callie said.

  “No, he isn’t.” Geoff stopped at the front door of the house. “No pressure, but if you could speed things up…”

  “I’ll do what I can,” Callie promised.

  Chapter Eleven

  Greyson greeted Sierra and Michael when he breezed into the office early in the morning. Michael pulled his earbuds out and stood to shake Greyson’s hand. Sierra stood and leaned in for a hug before returning to her seat.

  “Callie didn’t mention you were in town.” Michael leaned against his desk.

  “I wanted to check on the office renovation.” Greyson pulled a key from his pocket. “Want to check out the space next door?”

  “Are you kidding?” Sierra jumped up from her seat. “I’ve never been over there. I can’t believe you talked Mrs. Brzeski into letting us have the space.”

  Greyson went out the front door and walked down the sidewalk to the next door in the building. He unlocked it and stepped inside. Sierra and Michael were right behind him.

  Michael flipped on the lights. “This is going to be nice.”

  “It more than doubles the size.” Sierra put her hands on her hips as she looked around. “Where will your offices be?”

  Greyson checked his bearings and walked over to one side of the room.

  “This wall here goes away. A new one will go in over here dividing my office from Callie’s. The space in the front area of the existing office will be a reception area. Your office space over there will be separate from that to give you some privacy from anyone entering off the street and will also be renovated.” Greyson pointed toward the wall that separated the space they were in from the current office. “They’ll put in an access door to the two spaces right there.”

  “It’s going to be so nice.” Sierra glanced toward the front door. “We should get back in case anyone stops next door.”

  “I’ll turn off the lights and lock up,” Greyson said as the other two left.

  He stayed a moment longer to envision his new office next door to Callie’s. After locking the front door, he turned to find a mail carrier walking toward him with a large package.

  “Do you need help?” he asked the older woman.

  Rosemary smiled. “You could get the door for me.” She pointed at the door to Indigo Investigations with her chin.

  “I can definitely do that,” Greyson said as he quickly stepped in front of her to get the door. As soon as she passed inside, he took the package from her. “I’ve got this.”

  Rosemary took out her scanner to mark the package delivered. She pulled some envelopes from the bag around her shoulder.

  “Hey, Rosemary,” Sierra said as she stood to take the mail.

  “Hey, here you go.” Rosemary turned back to smile at Greyson on her way out the door. “Thanks for your help.”

  “Not a problem, Rosemary. I’m Greyson, by the way.” he read the name on the label and passed the box to Michael.

  “Hey, it got here early.” Michael jumped up from his seat and began opening the box.

  “You’re worse than a kid,” Sierra laughed.

  Michael didn’t argue with her. Instead, he pulled out a new laptop.

  “Hey, is that what I think that is?” Sierra walked over to join Michael. He grinned at her. She smacked his arm. “I can’t believe this.”

  “What?” Greyson asked.

  “It’s a forensic workstation,” Sierra explained. “We’ve been doing some forensic work for Callie.”

  “This will make things a lot easier and allow us to do way more.” Michael looked at the device with a satisfied smile.

  “What will?” Callie asked as
she walked into the office.

  Sierra explained the new computer.

  “Will it help with Inez Chen’s problem?” she asked.

  “We’ve been looking at that,” Sierra said. She turned to Greyson. “Ariana’s teacher is being smeared.”

  “After being setup,” Michael added. “Someone hacked into her computer and placed questionable files on her school computer.”

  “Questionable?” Greyson asked.

  “Actionable,” Callie said. “The school was forced to put her on leave without pay until the situation was resolved.”

  “Which we did,” Michael said.

  “But now she has a new problem,” Sierra said. “Someone posted messages online saying she had letters on her computer that implicated her with an underage student.”

  “Someone is out to get her,” Greyson said.

  The others nodded as the front door opened.

  “Hey, you’re all here. Excellent,” Bree Fornelli said.

  “We have a copy of the final plans for the office design that you approved and the work will begin today,” Nate Lazlo said as he stepped in with his hand out.

  “Nate, great to see you.” Greyson shook his hand first then turned to greet Bree.

  Bree held out her hand and smiled. “Nice to put a face to the name.”

  Greyson shook her hand then tugged after a moment to pull it away.

  “We were just looking at the space next door.” Greyson pulled the key out. “I’ll leave this here so anyone can get you inside.”

  Nate finished greeting Sierra and Michael then turned to Callie and held out his hand. He engulfed hers with both of his and held on.

  “I think you’ll like the final product,” Nate said to Callie.

  “I’m sure we will,” Greyson responded as he took a step closer to Callie.

  Sierra shot Callie a look and went back to her desk. Michael reached for the key from Greyson.

  “I can let you in the other side if you want to see it now,” Michael said to Nate and Bree.

  “That would be great, thanks,” Bree said as she followed Michael out. “They’ll renovate that side first before they tackle this one. That way, you’ll always have a finished space to continue working.”

  Callie watched them leave then turned to Greyson. “What’s on your agenda today?”

  “I need to begin tracking down my teaching assistant. You?” he asked.

  “I’m headed to a television studio.”

  ***

  Callie followed the receptionist from the front desk through a narrow hallway. She looked with interest inside the few rooms that they passed. She’d never been to a television studio before. It didn’t really look like what she was expecting. The receptionist stopped at an office door that was slightly ajar and tapped. Callie heard a voice inside. It sounded like someone was on the phone. The receptionist held up her finger. When the voice stopped speaking, she tapped on the door again.

  “Yes!”

  The voice Callie heard seemed short-tempered. The receptionist motioned toward the door then turned and left. Callie stepped into the office. The woman behind the desk was wearing purple reading glasses low on her long, narrow nose. Her red hair was worn short and styled. She was currently studying Callie with narrowed eyes.

  “What have you been on before?” she asked.

  “Excuse me?” Callie stopped in front of her desk. The gold nameplate said Shannon Platt.

  “I haven’t seen you in anything. Were you on the west coast?” Shannon asked as she looked over her glasses at Callie.

  Callie shook her head.

  “Well, it doesn’t matter either way. You can’t bypass the regular application process. You’ll need to submit like everyone else.” Shannon reached for her phone.

  “Excuse me, Shannon? I think there’s some confusion. My name is Callie Indigo, with Indigo Investigations. I’m here to speak with you about Crystal Delaney.”

  Shannon stopped reaching for her phone. She focused her attention on Callie again.

  “Yes, I did get a call from Mr. Ives. I apologize for the confusion. I’d forgotten about it.” Shannon waved to the chair in front of her desk.

  Callie took the seat. Shannon was still studying her.

  “Do you really think there’s a story here?” Shannon asked.

  “I believe everyone has a story to tell,” Callie said. “I’m trying to figure out Crystal’s. Can you help me?”

  Shannon leaned back in her chair. “What are you hoping for?”

  “Access to your employees. I need to interview the people that worked with Crystal. They might be the ones who knew her the best.”

  Shannon nodded slowly once. “Okay. What’s in it for me?”

  “I’m sure you would have the appreciation of the family she left behind,” Callie said.

  “Doesn’t draw an audience,” Shannon snapped quickly.

  Callie figured out the story about Crystal’s death was going to get out either way.

  “Mr. Ives believes it wasn’t suicide,” Callie said.

  This time when Shannon nodded, she smiled.

  “And we’ll have access to that story when it breaks.” Shannon made it sound like a statement, not a question.

  “But I’d rather have a chance to interview people without them getting a heads-up first,” Callie said. “No need to put everyone on their guard by assuming they’re a suspect in Crystal’s death.”

  “Understood. It may take more than one attempt to interview everyone. They aren’t all here at the same time.” Shannon tapped a long, red fingernail on her desk. “Al Rosales is free right now. You’ll find him in his office. He does our sports reporting.”

  “Okay. Any others?”

  “You should be able to catch Fiona. Fiona Hendricks is part of the crew. She assists the on-screen personalities.”

  “What can you tell me about Crystal?” Callie asked.

  Shannon didn’t hesitate. “She was a royal pain to work with, but she always got her story and she had connections. With what she brought to the show, she was worth the attitude.”

  Callie followed Shannon’s directions to Al Rosales’s office. The man was working on a computer when she tapped on his door. He looked twenty-something. He wore his dark hair in a buzz cut around the sides. It was a little longer on the top and styled to stand up in the front. It took Callie a moment to realize that she’d seen him on television before. He seemed much smaller in person. He was right around her height.

  She introduced herself. “Shannon said that I might take a few minutes of your time.”

  He motioned toward the small plastic chair crammed next to his desk. Callie took the seat.

  “I’d like to ask you some questions about Crystal Delaney,” she said.

  “Huh. There’s a name I haven’t heard in a while,” he said.

  Al leaned so far back in his chair, Callie thought he would topple over.

  “She’s only been gone for what, a month?” Callie asked.

  He shrugged. “Long time in TV land.”

  “You worked with her?” Callie asked.

  “Not directly, no. I just handle the sports. I do most of my own research and then I walk onto the set when it’s my time.”

  “But you were here working when she was,” Callie clarified.

  “Yes.”

  “What can you tell me about her?” she asked.

  “Not much.” He picked up a colorful note and balled it up then tossed it into the trash can like he was playing basketball.

  “Try to think of something.”

  He shrugged again and picked up another colorful note.

  “I can tell you that watching her stab people in the back was sometimes more entertaining than watching sports.” He made a show of throwing the balled-up paper into the can. “Score.”

  Callie found Fiona Hendricks in another room. This one was larger than Al Rosales’s office. It looked like a work room, of sorts. There was editing equipment, computers, s
creens, monitors, and other technology that Callie didn’t necessarily recognize.

  The brunette working in the room was around five seven, Callie’s height, but was probably at least a few years older.

  “Can I help you?”

  Callie entered the room, introduced herself, and explained why she was there.

  “You’re Fiona, right?”

  “Yes, I am.” Fiona looked curious, but receptive.

  Callie looked around the room. “What do you do here?”

  “Well, I assist the others with their stories.” Fiona pointed to some of the equipment. “I find still images, research material for them, I help find supporting material in form of text, video, or photos. That sort of thing.”

  “Sounds pretty important,” Callie said.

  Fiona looked pleasantly surprised at the compliment. “It keeps me busy.”

  “Did you ever work with Crystal?” Callie asked.

  “Of course. Quite a lot, actually.”

  “I understand she could be…” Callie hesitated. “Difficult to work with.”

  Fiona smiled. “She could be difficult, yes. Honestly, I’m used to it. There are a lot of big… personalities in this business.”

  “What can you tell me about Crystal?” Callie asked.

  Fiona picked up a pencil from the desk in front of her and began turning it in her hands.

  “I thought she was a little different before she, well. You know.”

  “Before her death? Different how?”

  Fiona turned the pencil. “I think she was planning to shift to an online format rather than being on-screen here.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “She seemed a lot more interested in handling her own video. She was always the type who preferred to work alone, anyway. I just figured if she could do her own video and control everything without having to clear it with Shannon or anyone else first, she would probably be happier. Is was the only reason I could think of for why she suddenly seemed more interested in not having a dedicated camera operator.”

  “Who would you say she was close to here?” Callie asked.

  Fiona let the pencil drop from her hands. “I think she was friends with Isabel. She does the weather.”

  “Did you see Crystal the night she died?”