"You didn't tell him I'm the witness?"
"I decided against it. He's committed to his lie. I think we should try and identify the woman instead. She might be a member of the hotel staff, or someone in the band's entourage."
"Maybe he's protecting her?" I suggested.
"Question is why. Lying in a murder investigation is serious. We know he's lying and that makes him even more suspect. He could be protecting the woman."
"Maybe we could ask the band..."
"Not tonight," Solomon warned. "I think you should stay away from the band for now. Joe's pretty angry that they could have been exposed."
"He should be angry at himself. Not my fault," I said again. "He should thank me for getting them back to the hotel and making sure they weren't seen."
"Don't hold your breath," Solomon muttered.
"I won't. Listen, I'm not happy taking the rap for this. Yeah, they set me up, but I still found them and brought them back; and like you said, they're not prisoners. I can't stop them from going places. And you know what? It's not even a nice gig like you told me. The band was awful. Seriously awful, John! They're mean and rude and they're practically dancing on top of the grave of their band member who isn't even buried yet. Yeah, I know they hated each other, but they aren't even pretending to be upset unless someone promises them a spotlight and a camera."
"They're nothing like what I expected either," Solomon admitted.
"I'm this close—" I held up my thumb and forefinger. On second thought, I moved them even closer together, leaving bare millimeters between them, "—to asking to be taken off this case, and it's only been a day. I wanted a nice, safe blackmail, not murder and a bunch of nightmares in high fashion!"
"No can do. You're the only PI I want on this case."
"Ugh," I groaned. "Why? Why me? What did I ever do to you?"
"You keep solving cases, sweetheart."
"So do Delgado, and Fletcher, and Flaherty! I know they do. I've seen them!"
"They're all working on other jobs. Besides, it's better for the band to have a woman around. Sorry, Lexi, you're on the case; but for now, go home. Get some sleep and we'll start again tomorrow."
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"Damage control," sighed Solomon. "And then I'm going to review, once again, every security procedure this hotel and the band have in place. I need to put my team in charge before a real disaster happens."
I raised my eyebrows. "You mean it hasn't already?"
"Seems like you managed the situation rather well," Solomon replied, leaning in to give me the lightest of kisses. "Go home. Spend a day or two in the office working the blackmail case and looking for a connection between the letters and Katya's death."
"Does it help that I checked into Shelley and Amelia's whereabouts? Both were seen by staff downstairs prior to the murder," I told him, hopeful that he'd see the positive side of some of my recent activities.
"Not much but I'll look into it further."
I was too tired to argue. Besides, his instructions had a big plus: B4U wouldn't be my problem for a while and that would save me one massive headache. I was pissed at them and didn't want to see them, especially after they duped me. "You got it, boss," I said, springing to my feet. "A night in sounds relaxing. Who knows? Maybe an idea about the blackmailer’s identity will even pop into my head!"
I kept up my good spirits all the way downstairs in the elevator, and picked up my car from the valet instead of walking through the lot. The paparazzi seemed to have frittered away and no one approached me as I left. I drove home, but truthfully, I didn't want a night in so much as I wanted a night out with my best friend. Halfway home, instead of heading to my recently purchased buttercup yellow bungalow, I hung a right and drove towards Lily's bar.
Ruby was tending the bar when I entered, and it was a little too early for the after work crowd. A few tables were filled with parties of twos and threes, but the real crowd wouldn't arrive for at least another hour. It was perfect for a catch-up, I decided as I slid onto a tall bar stool. I waited for Ruby to finish serving the two guys she was pouring beers for.
"Lexi!" she exclaimed, smiling as she approached. We'd met on my first accidental case and gradually become friends. When Lily opened her bar she'd offered Ruby a job. She occasionally helped me out on a case too and her surveillance skills were excellent. I liked her. "What can I get you?"
"A club soda and a Lily, please."
Ruby wrinkled her nose. "Lily left already. Was she supposed to meet you?"
"No, just thought I'd swing by. It's been a crazy day."
"Aren't all your days?"
I took a deep breath, wishing I didn't have to remember this day. "Not on this scale."
"Want me to call Lily?"
I pulled my cell phone from my purse and checked my reflection in the mirrors behind the bar. Despite all the crazy, I still looked good. Now, that was talent. "No, I'll call her." I tapped Lily's name and held the phone to my ear while Ruby dropped ice cubes into a tall glass, added a lime wedge and squirted soda to the brim, pushing it over to me as Lily answered.
"Heeelloo," she cooed, "what's happening?"
"Worst day over. Hate my job. Where are you?"
"How? Why? And shopping."
"What are you shopping for? Why didn't you call me?"
"Nothing, and thought you were busy being glamorous with the you-know-whos. What about the strip club?"
"There is nothing glamorous about them, believe me. Except their wardrobes, purses, heels, and hair. Everything else is awful. Just awful. I'd tell you more, but I'm at your bar and I signed a non-disclosure."
"Gotcha. You can break it in secret another time."
"I would never," I lied. "Where are you shopping? Are you at the mall? Want company?"
"Uh, no. I'm done. Didn't buy anything. Think I'll go home. Jord gets off shift in an hour and plans on making dinner."
"I'm having dinner alone," I moaned. "Solomon is working late."
"What are you having?"
"Hopefully, an epiphany."
"Definitely get fries with that."
"Let's meet up soon and hang out. I've barely seen you lately." I frowned. No, I saw her briefly at the bar, but before that, she was doing something suspicious that she had yet to reveal. The shopping excuse sounded a little thin too. "Except when I saw you with my mom, tailing that guy. What were you doing?"
"Nothing. Don't know. I wasn't there!"
"You were. I called you. We talked about that."
"Don't know what you're talking about. Don't interrogate me!"
"I'm not!"
"And I didn't buy anything at the mall. Nothing. No matter what rumors you hear, I bought nothing. Oh, I think I see your cousin, Siobhan. Gotta run. Catch up soon. Bye!" Lily hung up, leaving me staring at the blank screen. My best friend just gave me a runaround conversation, which made no sense, then hung up! All I wanted to do was rant about my day, give Lily some juicy gossip, and knock back a cocktail, or six. Why was that so hard to achieve?
My phone buzzed and I grabbed it, hoping Lily had a change of heart. Instead, it was an email notification from Ray, The Blue Moon's doorman. I opened it and read the brief message, closing my eyes when I saw the video attachment. Found this on an employee phone in case you ever need it, it read. Don't worry, I scrubbed it from their phone. The video still showed a clear shot of Shelley hanging upside down on a stripper pole. I sighed and closed the email without playing the video. While Ray probably thought he was being helpful, I really didn't need a copy of the video, just his assurance that he'd gotten rid of any other copies.
I half drank my soda, trying not to look as glum as I felt, before paying Ruby and heading back to my car. I didn't want to make dinner, so I drove over to Monty's and ordered a small pizza (with fries and ice cream), and took a seat on one of the chairs by the plate glass window while I waited. The smell of mozzarella and Monty's secret tomato sauce hung in the air while I sat there, ma
king my stomach growl, thanks to a missed lunch.
Two feet came to a stop in front of me and I didn't even need to look up to know whom they belonged to.
"Why the long face?" said Maddox.
"Worst. Day. Ever," I muttered.
"But you're going to get the… Best. Pizza. Ever."
"With all my favorite toppings," I agreed, "but it doesn't make up for the job, the you know who complication, the you know what nightmares I have to interview, and pissing off everyone."
"Sounds like an average day in law enforcement."
"What are you doing here?"
"Weird day, dealing with crazy, famous people. Thought I'd grab a pizza on my way home." Maddox glanced over at the menu board behind the counter, calling to the guy serving. "I'll take a medium hot one."
"You're going to have spicy breath," I told him and he grinned.
"If I melt any plants, I'll let you know."
My order was called and I stood up to reach for the cardboard box and pay.
"You got a small? You eating alone?" Maddox asked.
"Yup."
"Where's the boyfriend?"
"Working late. I’m dining solo."
"Me too. Let's eat together. My place is on the way to your place, or we could go to your place, which is way past my place. What do you say? Did you get fries and ice cream? Say yes!"
I couldn't help laughing at Maddox's suddenly eager face. "Sure, but the ice cream is mine."
Maddox's box landed on the counter and he pulled out cash, paying before holding it up. "Follow me!"
I couldn't remember the last time I visited Maddox's apartment, but little had changed except for a large plant in a new planter in the entryway. I dropped my purse next to it before hanging my jacket on the peg, noting he added a couple more pretty pillows to his couch in the living room. We bypassed that and I followed him into the kitchen. He pulled out plates and a pizza cutter, placing them on the table and adding paper napkins and glasses, along with a bottle of mineral water. He sliced up my pizza, tipping it onto my plate and I divided half the fries, then poured the water while Maddox slid half of his medium hot onto his plate. He loosened his tie as he sat and undid the top button of his collar. I tried not to think about the time I delivered a pizza to him and what ensued thereafter on this very table before the cheese had time to cool. I shook off the thought since I had no business to think such things and concentrated on raising a hot slice to my mouth.
"I don't want to talk about work, but who do you think killed her?" asked Maddox.
I chewed and swallowed before replying. "I'm glad you started with an easy question."
Maddox laughed. "Sorry. Do you think it's got something to do with the blackmail?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I've only just started investigating. I can't rule it out." I opened my mouth for another bite, but paused, frowning. "Why the interest? Ah! You've taken over the murder case!"
"You got me. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, the FBI officially stepped in. We're trying to work it as a joint op but I'm treading on some of my old buddies' toes over at MPD."
"I bet you are!"
"Garrett gave me an earful."
"Sounds about right."
Maddox shrugged, chewing happily. Underneath his cheerful exterior, I caught sight of some strain around his eyes. For all that, he didn't seem to mind taking over the case, but I was pretty sure he minded annoying his former colleagues. "Looks like we're both working the murder case."
"Who says I am?" I countered, finishing the second slice in record time, and reaching for a couple of hot, crispy fries.
Maddox gave me a disbelieving look. "Sure you are. I know you. You can't stay out of this."
"Okay, I am, but unofficially. Officially, I'm looking into the blackmail connection and trying to work out if the blackmailer and the murderer are one and the same. As for who that might be, I don't know. My suspect list covers the rest of the band, their manager, their crew, security staff... the list goes on."
"That's some list."
I took a drink, washing away a little cheese and grease. I briefly pondered how useful it could be to have FBI resources at my disposal during my investigation. Sure, I had the agency's resident tech geek, Lucas, and a familial connection to the homicide squad, but it would have been useful to have an “in” with Maddox too. I didn’t know what Solomon would say about me asking Maddox for help, but I figured since he knew everything, he probably already knew Maddox was working Katya's murder.
"Who is on your list?" I asked.
"Everyone." We laughed at the futility of our lengthy lists. "So, you want to put our heads together on this?" Maddox asked.
"Does that mean you want to see the blackmail letters?" I tossed back.
"Sure, but it would be good to get your thoughts too, since I don't suppose I can convince you to take a nice, safe case?"
"Nope, you can't," I smiled. I decided against telling him I'd already tried to remove myself from the case and gotten shot down. "Okay. I'm going to head home, but I'll share the letters if you share the autopsy and forensic findings. Deal?"
"Deal," Maddox agreed. "Although you know, I could just requisition the letters without making any deals with you?"
I did know that, so I just laughed and began to clear my plate.
"No, leave it. I'll clear the plates. It was nice having dinner with you."
"Yeah, I enjoyed it too."
"Better than eating alone, right?"
I nodded, stepping past him to retrieve my coat from the entryway. I grabbed it from the peg, turning to pull it over my shoulders when I knocked a couple of envelopes to the floor. I reached for them, intending to return them to the small shelf. As I turned them over, the top item wasn't in an envelope, and I blinked in surprise as I looked at it. A booking for two at a romantic, little inn near Lake Pierce for the weekend. Hurriedly, I dropped the papers onto the shelf, and turned as Maddox stepped into the entryway.
"Don't forget your ice cream," he said, handing me the carton. "I'll call you tomorrow."
Chapter Seven
"How do you know it's a romantic getaway?" Lily asked. I was lying in bed, and the first thing I'd done upon waking was make a coffee, return to bed, and call Lily.
"I'll send you the website. It's gorgeous. Ten bedrooms all individually styled. Queen-sized beds. Freestanding bathtubs. Views either above the lake, or the gardens. Couples massages. Do I need to say more? I've been trying to get a free weekend with Solomon to go there over the last few months."
"Definitely not taking his mom," said Lily. "Did you ask who he is taking?"
"No! I put the papers back on the shelf and pretended I didn't see them."
"What happened then?" Lily gasped.
"He gave me my ice cream and we hugged and kissed..."
"Say what?!"
"On the cheek, Lily! And then I left and came home and found four missed calls from Solomon."
"Did you call him back and tell him you couldn't answer because you were having an intimate dinner for two with your ex on the table where you once did it?" Lily asked breathlessly.
"No, I said my phone was in my purse and I didn't hear it."
"Oh. So, what are you going to do now?"
"Nothing."
"That's not much fun. I thought we could stake out Maddox and find out who his new girlfriend is. What if it's that detective? The one he may or may not have done the nasty with?"
"He swears he didn't and I believe him and... I don't know. What if it is her?" I asked, thinking of Detective Rebecca Blake. I hadn't heard her name in a while and didn't know what happened to her after Maddox joined the FBI.
"We need to find out."
"We don't. I don't. This is his personal business."
Lily snorted. "Sure it is. That's why we're analyzing it at seven thirty. Let's face it, I'm dying to know and so are you."
"I'm not stalking my ex."
"It's not stalking if he doesn't know about it.
We all know that. I think it's the law."
"I'm pretty sure it's not."
"But are you positive?"
I thought about it. "Yes, I'm positive stalking Maddox is not okay."
"So you're going to ask him instead?"
"No!"
"Good thing. You can never show casual interest in your ex's new smooch-partner. That is the law. I'm positive about that one."
"I agree. Do I tell him I saw his booking? Or pretend I know nothing and wait for him to say something? What do I do? "
"Beats me. You didn't agree to any of the fun stuff that would allow us to find out without asking."
"I'm going to pretend to know nothing."
"Kind of sounds like your case."
I stuck my tongue out at the phone.
"Saw that," said Lily. "Don't pretend you didn't do that."
I laughed. "I need to tell you more about the case. Crazy stuff happened yesterday, and now Maddox wants to work together."
"What can be so crazy about America's new sweethearts?" Lily asked. Just as I was about to tell her exactly what, she said, "Oh, gotta go. Got a delivery at nine and I need to get ready."
"Let's get togeth... Lily? Lily?" I asked, but it was no use. She had already hung up.
I tossed my cell phone onto the nightstand and reached for my coffee, wondering if the uncomfortable feeling I had that Lily was avoiding me was just that: a feeling. So what if she were hanging out with my mom and going to the mall alone? I did those things too. After a long sip, I decided I was just being paranoid. Lily had been my best friend for more years than I had fingers to count. She was busy running the bar, I decided, and enjoying her married life with the man of her dreams. I could hardly point the finger at her without looking inwardly. There were times when I'd blown Lily off in favor of a night with Solomon, or because I was working a case. That was grownup life, I decided. It might assist in the purchase of fabulous heels, but it played havoc with our social engagements.
After finishing my coffee, I showered, washed my hair, blew it dry, and dressed in my favorite blue skinny jeans and pink shirt. I finished off the outfit with cream flats and a cream leather purse that I hoped said effortlessly stylish. After a quick breakfast of yogurt and fruit, I made my way slowly to the agency office.
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