Keep cool and keep him talking. Suck it up. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe that Isabel killed Susan no matter what the police or press are saying. She didn’t do it.”
“How do you know that? How can you be so sure? I heard the cops have some pretty solid evidence and that Suz was her nastiest self around your friend Isabel. And trust me, I have seen Susan at her nastiest self, and not even I would want to go toe-to-toe with that woman. There’s been a time or two I wanted to take her out and teach her a lesson for being a bad girl.”
“Really? Did you?”
“Hell, no. I liked screwing her too much and, like I said, I’m not a committing type of man. Even after we parted, and she hooked up with the old dude and then Waltman, every once in awhile she came to me for some real lovin’. We always had a good time together.”
“And she didn’t mind that you were also sharing the, uh, love sausage, with her sister?”
“Why should she? She was banging this and that and all for the dinero. She came to me for a good time. At least I was keeping it all in the family and with Jennifer it obviously isn’t for the money. Well, maybe now that she has some, it makes things more fun. Just kidding.”
Was he?
“Jennifer is a wild cat, and she likes to live life as a drama, just like Susan did, but with Jennifer I’m always in control. With Susan she took control, and for a man like me, that can be a bit difficult at times.”
“Susan and Jennifer were obviously different, but they must’ve loved each other. They were sisters, after all.”
“Love? Maybe a bit. You’re right. They were blood sisters, and that’s why I convinced Susan to include Jennifer in her will.”
“You did that?”
He nodded. “But for Susan, it was more about guilt.”
Nikki shifted in her chair and almost spilled her coffee on herself. “Guilty for what?”
“Those two had it rough growing up. Susan made out better than Jennifer because she was far more resilient and far more savvy. Susan left her baby sister behind.”
“You’ve got to be more specific than that.”
“Typical dysfunctional family story. They grew up poor white trash.”
Nikki cringed. Those were words she’d heard before, when she’d been a little kid back in Tennessee before she’d been sent to live with her aunt. “So, their mom and dad were poor?” This was info she’d already figured out from speaking with Jennifer, but she wanted Paulo’s take.
“It’s more than that. Daddy left them all high and dry when the girls were real young. He was a loser, you know, the always drunk kind.”
Nikki nodded. “Tough stuff.”
“Yeah, the dude left them, and their mom did what she could. They lived in Arizona. Mom cleaned houses for rich folks in Scottsdale. Sometimes the girls would have to tag along, and believe me, Susan was all eyes and ears.”
“She told you this?”
“Oh yeah.” He nodded emphatically. “Like I told you, we were tight for a while there.” He held up his hand and crossed two fingers. “As a kid, she started listening to those rich people and how they came into money and how they spent and saved, soaking up everything she could hear.”
“Smart.”
He pointed a finger at her, shaking it. “Told you, and sneaky. Jennifer liked the wealth, too, but like I said, savvy isn’t what my girl Jenny is all about. She may like the cash, but actually that girl has a pretty big heart, and she goes way too much on emotion than anything else. All she is, is one big act. Trust me, there’s a real sweet girl under there.”
Okay, if he said so, but Nikki had her doubts.
“Mom wasn’t as smart as her oldest daughter, and she started stealing from those she worked for.”
“And she got caught.”
“You’re smart, too, aren’t you? I like that,” he replied.
“Did their mom go to jail?”
“Not only that. She served her time. The kids went to a foster home, and I guess lucky for them, depending on how you look at it, they got to stay together. Once their mom was out of jail, the dumb broad didn’t even try to locate the girls. Susan has been looking over her shoulder for dear old mama to show up all these years, figuring that if she ever found her that her hand would be out like the beggar on the street.”
“The girls have had no clue where their mother is or has been?”
“Nope. Surprise for Susan when Jen came knocking at her door. She wasn’t too happy about that either. She tolerated her, and I think I saw a few seconds over the last year of what could be thought of as affection between them, especially when Susan was handing over a check to her sister.”
“Jennifer was taking money from Susan.” She said it more as a statement than question, knowing this answer, too.
“On a regular basis, but Susan was getting pretty sick of it. She had the dough and marrying into the cash flow of the century was gonna be a big help, but she didn’t like feeling sucked on. She put up with it though.”
“Because she felt guilty? You still haven’t told me what Susan felt guilty about toward Jennifer. If anyone should feel guilty it should be their mother.”
“Guilt and family is a funny thing. In the foster system the girls went from home to home. In their teen years they wound up with a fairly well-to-do family. Susan got real close with the dad, if you know what I mean. When the foster mom found out, she kicked out both of the girls, and they each split up, going out on their own. Susan wanted to come here to California and Jen wanted to stay because she’d met a guy, who, of course, knocked her up.”
“Jennifer has a child?”
“She did. She went on the system, had her baby, and the baby later died of SIDS. The woman has not had it easy. She’s struggled from this job to that and from this man to that. She’s a looker. You’ve seen her.”
That was true. Jennifer was pretty, but she badly needed a makeover. She seemed to have the belief that more of everything was better than less—more makeup, more cleavage. Nikki was sure that Jennifer could be far more attractive by showing off less. “Both of these women filled you in on all of this? Their life story?”
“I am good with the ladies.” He leaned back in his chair and winked at her.
Yuck.
“I probably shouldn’t be telling you any of this, but you seem like a nice lady, and who knows, maybe I’ll want something from you someday.”
Comment ignored. Nikki figured the guy wasn’t being an open book for her because he was a nice man who liked to talk, but that didn’t matter, because whatever his reasons were to be flapping his mouth the way he was didn’t concern her. She pursued more questions. “Do you think Jennifer could’ve killed her sister?”
He laughed. “Jennifer couldn’t kill a damn spider crawling across the floor the other night.”
“The spider didn’t have a will with Jennifer in it.”
“Maybe not, but why would Jen do something like that? For the condo? No. There may have been bad blood between the girls, but they did love each other. They were sisters, and not only that, why would you want to kill the cash cow?”
“Because the cow owned a real nice condominium here in the city worth a helluva lot of money, more than, I’m sure, Susan was giving her on a regular basis.”
“I see your point, but I’ve been investing for Jenny some of that money Susan was giving her, because I’d like to see her do well for herself. It’s not in her to kill Susan, and why risk it? Why risk all that she’s gained? No, sweetheart, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Besides, my girl Jenny doesn’t have the skills or finesse to carry out murder.”
“What about you?” Why not go for it? Someone had tried to run her down the night before, and she wanted to see if she accused this man, if he wouldn’t squirm. She wanted some answers and fast. She knew Isabel’s time was running out and the thought of her sitting in that jail cell in Santa Rosa was heartbreaking.
“Not only are you smart”—he clucked his tongue—“but you’re
a goddamn comedian, too. Why would I want to kill the best lay I’ve had in my entire life? Trust me, Susan would’ve been back in my bed in no time, once the honeymoon was over, regardless of her marriage vows.”
“And, it didn’t bother you that you were sleeping with both Susan and Jennifer, and it really didn’t bother Susan?”
He shrugged. “It’s sex, babe. Total ecstasy. Who gives a shit? Jennifer might have cared if she knew what was going on, but she never knew and she never had nor has a need to know. Especially now.” He stared pointedly at her.
She got his drift. Nikki wondered silently if Jennifer did know that she was sharing a bed with her very own sister and if her motive to kill wasn’t about money at all, but over a man. This was getting a bit too Jerry Springer for her.
“I may have the finesse and brains to murder someone, but I don’t have a need. Why bother? I have everything I could ever want and desire, and I don’t have a problem getting the things I don’t have. Killing people is not how I get what I want. Besides what could be my motive? I have my own money, which I do very well at earning, and I don’t take handouts. Never been my style, so killing for Susan’s money wouldn’t be up my alley, and if it was, and I know what you’re thinking . . . If it was about money, and since I put Susan up to including Jenny in her will, you’re thinking maybe I got greedy. I hook up with Jenny and get my own piece of the pie.”
“You said it, not me.”
“If that was my deal, I sure in hell would’ve waited until she was married to Waltman for a bit, and convince Jenny to cozy up to big sis a little more. Have her get in good and tight and then kill Susan. I’d wind up with more myself. Besides I’d have married Jenny first to make sure I got what I thought was mine. But, sorry, sweetheart, that wasn’t or isn’t my deal. Murder is not my style.”
Surprisingly enough, Nikki believed him. The man was an egomaniac, but a murderer? She had her doubts. However, she still wasn’t convinced that Jennifer hadn’t done away with her own sister. Nikki had to wonder if it was possible that Jennifer did indeed know she was sharing her bed buddy with her own flesh and blood. Could Jennifer have gotten rid of Susan over a man? Even if it was this creep? She didn’t think Jennifer was as dumb as Paulo did. He might be underestimating his girlfriend or whatever she was to him, but Nikki wasn’t about to.
“I know you want to help your friend out and I can get that. Sad thing is, I think you might have to face it. Your friend, in all likelihood, murdered Susan. I heard a rumor going around that your friend Isabel and Kristof had a thing at one time.”
Nikki had to bite her tongue. How dare he. He didn’t know Isabel. “Where did you hear something like that?”
“I have my ways. Listen, it’s been great speaking with you, and I do hope I cleared up some things for you. I told you what I did in confidence, because some people may have the wrong idea about Susan and Jenny. They’re both decent women who had rough starts in life. Susan wasn’t always the nicest person around, but she didn’t deserve to die. And, if you want my opinion, Jenny is an innocent bystander who is finally going to maybe get a chance to enjoy life a little. Granted it’s at the expense of her sister, but life is bizarre that way.” He stood and took her hand, giving it another one of his slimy kisses. “If I can ever help you out in any way, you know how to find me.”
Paulo left and Nikki went into the bathroom to wash her hands. Maybe Paulo hadn’t done it, but he’d told a huge tale and Nikki wondered why. Had he really thought that she might wind up in the sack with him after spilling all he knew about the Jennings women? Or had he had ulterior motives to either deflect suspicion off of him and onto Jennifer? Or was his need to tell all about trying to convince Nikki that Jennifer was just an all-American girl underneath that tough exterior?
Nikki had no idea. She really didn’t think he’d murdered Susan, but maybe Jennifer had, and he knew it. Maybe he was trying to protect Jennifer.
She checked her watch. Time was racing by and she only had an hour before her lunch with Blake Sorgensen. So maybe she hadn’t just had coffee with a murderer, but she couldn’t help wondering if she was about to have lunch with one, because the photos she’d seen at the Waltman Castle might have been Blake Sorgensen’s reason for killing Susan.
Chapter 19
Blake Sorgensen suggested they meet at The Boulevard, which was across from the ferry landing and had beautiful views of the Bay Bridge and amazing artwork, including a mosaic of a peacock that covered the bar room floor. Such a shame Nikki had to waste the amazing view and eclectic beauty from inside the restaurant with puffed-up, puffed-out Blake Sorgensen.
“A bit surprised to have you call me, Miss Sands. At first I wasn’t sure who you were, but then I remembered that you were the lovely young woman I met the other day at the wedding.” He hung his head for a few seconds. Then looked back up and out at the ocean. He reached for the scotch and soda he’d ordered.
Nikki thought his eyes were glassed over from more than just the booze. “I tried reaching you for a few days, like I explained over the phone. I’m glad I finally reached you.”
“I told you before that I’ve given up on young women.” He laughed. It was sad laughter. “Besides, Gorgeous, aren’t you and that fine young man you were with on Saturday an item?”
“No. Actually, he’s my boss.”
“Right. I’ve heard that said before. One of my girl-friends used to say that, too.” He leaned across the table and whispered, “What? Is he married?”
“God, no. He really is my boss.” Nikki quickly scanned the menu and ordered a chicken salad.
“Whatever, dear.” He lit one of his stogies.
She shifted in her chair away from the smoke. “I called because of Susan’s murder.”
He swirled the contents of his drink. “I’m stunned and deeply saddened. I had no idea of the situation, until your phone call. As I believe you were aware, I left the reception early to catch a flight out of town. I’m at a loss as to why you phoned me and insisted we meet. I can’t see what I could possibly say or do.”
“Oh. I think that maybe you do. I was a friend of Susan’s.” Nikki was getting way too good at these little white lies. “I’m also a friend of the woman the police have arrested, and I know she couldn’t have done such a horrendous thing. I need to know what your relationship was with Susan.”
He leaned in again, scotch and tobacco on his breath. “Don’t bullshit an old bullshitter, honey. Cut to the chase. I know you weren’t dear old friends with Susan. You’re also certainly not a detective. Bottom line, what do you want from me? For some reason, I suspect that you already know what the nature of my relationship with Susan was.”
“You’re right. Let’s cut to the chase.”
The waiter set down Nikki’s salad and Diet Coke. She picked through the salad with her fork for a minute, wanting Blake to squirm. He didn’t appear to be much of a squirmer until she looked back up to him and said, “Did Susan break that old bullshitter heart of yours? Did you take your hurt and anger out on her by killing her?” Ooh, boy, she was getting either brave or stupid at this game.
His bloodshot eyes snapped to attention. “Where do you get off?”
Nikki set down her fork. Blake picked up his drink. His idea of lunch was apparently that of the liquid kind.
“I get off saying this because my best friend is sitting in a jail cell in Santa Rosa for a crime I know she didn’t commit. I also know because you admitted it to me that you were conveniently out of town for the past few days, and since you know that I know you and Susan were more than friends, I have to wonder if you may have been involved with putting your lover six feet under, and then you ran away to Mexico to wait for things to cool off.”
Blake Sorgensen slammed back the rest of his drink and waved to the waiter, and then pointed to his glass. “Think I’ll need another one for this conversation.” His eyes brimmed with tears.
“You might.” This moment would probably be a good time to change her t
actic. The man was half looped and now emotional. Being sympathetic might draw more of the truth from him than going the hard-nosed route. She touched his gnarled hand. “I’m sure the police may find out about your relationship.”
“I hope not. I don’t want Kristof or Marty to know. I would never want to hurt Kristof like that. Can I ask you how you knew?”
“Woman’s intuition.” She didn’t know if now was the time to spring it on him that there were some photo stills hanging around that might put Paris Hilton to shame. Nikki also didn’t want to break it to him that Kristof may have already known, and probably Marty, too. “I can completely understand that you wouldn’t want them to know, since you’re such a good and dear old friend. You and Susan had quite a thing, I take it.”
“I loved her. I really loved her. Hell, I’m such a fool. I’m the one who introduced her to Kristof. He had no idea about us, and at first I didn’t know the two of them were seeing each other.” The waiter set down the refill on the scotch.
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