by M. Z. Kelly
I saw that Florence had stayed back, watching them from a distance. I walked over and asked her how she was doing.
She brushed a tear. “I’m sure you know what you’re seeing is all staged for the cameras. Even though my father stole from us, the money isn’t really important. I…I’m just sorry about everything that happened. Despite all his faults, I know that he genuinely cared about all of us.”
As Florence broke down crying, it occurred to me that in many ways she was an outsider in her own family. She’d been adopted as a child, and, from what I’d been told, Lady and Bert had adored her, especially when she was a child. Maybe it was the fact that I grew up without a father, but I was genuinely touched by the emotions she was feeling
There was a lot more crying and posing for the cameras during the interment service that followed the funeral, but nothing unusual happened until the end. As Bert Prince’s casket was being lowered into the ground, a woman, dressed in black and wearing a veil, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, threw herself on the coffin, and began weeping.
After a couple minutes of histrionics, she was helped up by the pastor and another man, then ushered away. There was something familiar about the woman, but none of us could place her. Sylvester captured everything on camera as she was led away.
“You wanna make a bet she’s a two-bit actress that the TV show hired for dramatic effect?” Darby said as we walked away.
“Or maybe just someone like Marisha Dole who was still harboring feelings for our victim,” I said.
As the day was winding down, we arrived back at the station, where we all met with Lieutenant Edna, Selfie, and Molly. It was the first chance I had to update everyone on what Angie Montoya had told me. After telling them that Bert Prince’s companies were nothing but phony tax shelters, designed to launder money, I added, “Montoya thinks around a hundred million was washed through the companies and deposited in untraceable offshore accounts. She also said there’s no indication that Marisha Dole or Danika Kirkland were part of that process.”
“Wait a fucking minute,” Edna said, hanging his head and massaging his brow. “We know that Dole’s company was providing false accounting statements and was sending money from the TV show and other businesses directly to our victim. Even if we can’t show that Dole was part of the scheme to send money offshore, we know that she was involved in the embezzlement. And her fucking DNA was all over the victim right before he died.”
“Yes, but there are loose ends…”
“Every case has loose ends,” Darby said, interrupting me. “She’s dirty, and I’ll bet her real motive in killing Prince was so that the money in those offshore accounts could secretly come to her from some back door.”
“Her accountant says otherwise, that the bank statements and her ties to Prince’s businesses were all fabricated.”
“Geeze,” Darby said. “We’ve got her blowing him and practically holding the smoking gun. Let it go.”
My voice pitched higher. “I won’t let it go until we’re sure…”
Edna interrupted. “You will let it go because the brass wants us to put a bow on the case and wrap it up. Marisha Dole’s prosecution will go to the DA. They’ll put their investigators on it to tie up what you call ‘loose ends’.” He started stuffing paperwork in his briefcase. “Come Monday morning, we work our backlog of cases until something new comes our way. In the meantime, everybody should be fucking grateful Section One broke this case open. It saved our jobs.”
***
“Why don’t we try something new,” Robin said.
It was after work, and I was in Sinclair’s, my brother’s hair salon in the Melrose District. The last time I’d seen him, Robin had given me something called a Ruby Treatment. It had finally added some body to my limp hair, which was growing out again after I’d tried a shorter cut.
“I’m not taking a chance that I’ll look like I have seaweed on my head for the family reunion,” I said. “Let’s just go with some conditioner and a trim.”
My brother, who had short brown hair and blue eyes, shrugged. “Okay, but just so you know, the last time I talked to her, Amanda said she was going to Carita’s. It’s one of the most exclusive places in Paris.”
“Just so you know, I’m not in competition with our sister.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean…”
I cut him off. “I’m sorry. I’m just…” I took a breath, trying to find words to express what I was feeling. “I’m not having one of my better months and the thought of our family reunion isn’t helping.”
He began working on my hair. “What’s going on?”
“Noah and I aren’t exactly on the same page lately. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure where our relationship’s going.”
Robin was aware of my recent history with Noah. “Is he still having issues with you trying to solve dad’s murder?”
“That and my job. He worries about it being too dangerous.”
Robin met my eyes in the mirror for a moment. “I don’t want to sound like I’m taking sides, but I think I understand how he’s feeling.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve had a lot of big cases, sis. And you and Bernie have also been on that TV program that showed everyone how difficult the job can be. After what happened to Noah during the war…” He took a moment, going back to my hair. “All I’m saying is it must be difficult for him.”
I sighed, thinking about some of my past cases and the stint that Leo and I did on a TV show called Hollywood Detective. We’d solved a brutal crime, and everything had been covered by a cable outlet.
“I know what you mean,” I said. “There’s also the issue of Noah’s ex-fiancée breaking up with him after he was injured. I don’t think he ever got over it.” I felt empty and sad just thinking about everything. Out of frustration, I added, “Maybe our relationship just isn’t meant to be.”
“Why don’t you give it some time. Adam and I have been taking things slow.” He laughed. “Despite that, I’m inviting him to the reunion. It just might be the end of our relationship.”
He was talking about Amanda having taken issue in the past with Robin being gay. She’d even gone so far as to display her prejudices by saying he needed therapy.
“Between our mother and sister, it could be the ultimate test of your relationship,” I agreed.
“I don’t suppose you’re bringing Noah.”
“We’ve got enough problems. Natalie and Mo are coming.”
“Oh, God.” He laughed. “At least it should be memorable.”
As he finished trimming my hair, he mentioned what I’d previously told him about what Ozzie Powell had said before he passed away. He then asked if I’d talked to Pearl.
“I tried, but got called to the Prince murder. I’m going by in the morning.”
He stopped working for a moment and looked at me. “How do you think you’ll react if he says he is your father?”
“I’ve given that a lot of thought. I guess I’ll try to be calm and ask him to explain why he hasn’t been involved in my life.” I took a moment, then added, “I have a feeling it’s going to be very emotional if it turns out he is my dad.”
“I’m free in the morning. Do you want me to go with you? I think you could use some emotional support.”
I thought about his offer. Pearl and I had worked together on several cases when he’d come out of retirement a few months ago. We’d always had a close working relationship. Despite that, I knew my emotions would be on overload and it would probably help to have another person there with me.
“I’d appreciate you coming,” I said. “Bernie and I will come by for you around ten.”
After he finished the trim, Robin shampooed my hair, and we chatted about the Princes for a moment. He surprised me by saying, “I worked on Paris and Monaco’s hair a few months back. They were two of my most difficult customers.”
“I can only imagine. The whole family, except for Florence, has lots of drama an
d issues.”
“I never met her, but the girls did talk about her.” He was towel-drying my hair as he went on. “It was something about her being depressed.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. I’d be on Prozac if I lived with that family.” I thought about his comments for a moment. “Did they say anything else?”
“Just something about…” He went over and got his blow-dryer. When he came back, he said, “Now I remember. They said something about Florence seeing a doctor.”
TWENTY-ONE
What Robin had said about Florence being depressed and seeing a doctor came to mind as I left his salon and headed home. While I didn’t think it had any bearing on our case, I decided to keep it in mind. I also made the decision to keep looking into the case on my own time, despite what Edna had said about the brass wanting us to move on. I now had a degree of doubt about Marisha Dole’s involvement in Bert Prince’s murder, and, despite the evidence against her, I couldn’t let an innocent woman spend the rest of her life in prison.
As it turned out, when I got home and stopped by Natalie and Mo’s to pick up Bernie, there was someone who was intimately familiar with the Princes and what went on in their house. Nana was sitting at their kitchen table with Griselda Lugosi.
Natalie greeted me and lowered her voice. “You’re just in time. Nana’s having Griselda put a retribution curse on Claude’s crazy mother, Wilhelmina.”
Nana looked over and saw me. She said to Griselda, “Maybe when you’re finished with the curse, you can help that one out with her love life. She put the L in the word loser.”
I went over to them and started to defend myself, but then saw that Griselda had a large framed photograph in front of her, with several candles burning around it.
Mo explained what was happening. “Griselda’s using voodoo and guided karma to do an execration.”
“A what?”
“She’s putting the evil eye on Wilhelmina,” Nana explained. “If Claude’s mother sets one foot in court to contest the will, she’ll break out in warts and poop her pants.”
“Eet ees much vorse than vat,” Griselda said. She had one eye closed as she looked at me with the other. “Her private parts will also be ee-fec-teed.”
“You mean her vagina’s gonna fall off?” Natalie asked.
Nana rubbed her hands together and looked at Griselda. “That’s perfect. It would show her I mean business.”
“You all vill be need-ink to stand back,” Griselda said. “I not be vanting to get any karmic splash-over on you.”
Nana scurried away from the table. She got behind me, along with Natalie and Mo, all three of them using me as a human shield. Bernie looked at me and whined. I heard Nana’s voice behind me as she said to Griselda, “If there’s any spillover, make sure it lands on Kate. Her life’s like one big pool of karmic crap anyway.”
I started to defend myself when Griselda yelled, “Silence!” She then closed one eye again, leveled the other eye on Wilhelmina’s photograph, and began mumbling something that for a moment reminded me of an Indian war cry.
“What’d she say?” Natalie asked, poking her head around from behind me.
Mo’s big head then appeared behind her. “It sounded like yippee, yippee, kaka, or somethin’ like that.”
Nana poked her head around both of them. “Ssh. You can’t repeat it or we’ll all be cursed.”
I shook my head in annoyance, suddenly realizing where I’d heard what Griselda had said. “It’s a line from an old Bruce Willis movie. I think it was in the movie Die Hard. He said something like, ‘Yippee-Ki-Yay, Motherfucker!’”
“You just cursed yourself,” Nana screeched. “Does your vagina feel like it’s gonna fall out or catch on fire?” She looked at my friends. “Maybe you should get a bucket. She’s probably going to make a mess.”
I started to respond when Griselda stood up and brushed her hands together. “I am done here.” She looked at Nana. “Results, you vill be see-ink soon.”
After she was gone, Nana came over to me. “I think you’re a goner.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said.
She went over and got her sweater. She then told Natalie and Mo, “I’m leaving, just in case there’s still some spillover on Kate. If I were you two, I’d leave for the night. It’s not safe here.”
When she was gone, I said to my friends, “Nana is being completely ridiculous.”
Natalie had a solemn expression on her face as she looked at Mo. “Maybe we should go spend the night with your sister.”
Mo regarded me with one eye, maybe imitating Griselda. “How you feelin’?”
I laughed, maybe a little too loudly. “I’m fine. You’re both overreacting.”
Mo looked at Natalie and yawned. “I don’t know ‘bout you, baby sis, but I’m tuckered out. I think I’ll turn in early.”
“Good idea,” Natalie said, practically pushing me out the door. “We’ll see you later.”
I started to protest, but then thought better of it. I was also exhausted and the idea of spending a quiet night at home appealed to me.
I was walking to my mobile home with Bernie when I saw Griselda getting into her car. She had started the car and I went over and tapped on her window, saying, “Can I speak to you for a moment?”
The window came down and she leveled what I hoped wasn’t her evil eye on me. “Vhat are you vant-ink?”
“I need to ask you about the Princes. I know there’s been a lot going on in their house and I need you to tell me who you think killed Bert.”
She took a long moment before answering. “Death has placed its mark upon that house.”
I nodded. “I know that. What about Marisha Dole? Do you think she’s guilty?”
The evil eye remained fixed on me. “She is not.”
“Then who killed him?” When she didn’t respond, I said, “Please, I need your help, or an innocent woman is going to prison.”
After another long hesitation, Griselda Lugosi lowered her voice and said, “You must be look-ink for vhat vhich vas stolen and cannot be returned.”
She then raised her window, put the car into gear, and sped away.
TWENTY-TWO
“Something stolen that can’t be returned,” I said to Bernie as we drove to Robin’s condo the next morning. “What the hell does that mean?”
I got a whine and an air lick before I saw him in my rearview mirror going over to the window and lapping up air.
I had no idea what Griselda Lugosi had meant, but I was more convinced than ever there were things going on with the Princes that we had no idea about. I decided that, no matter what it took, I would need to try and find a way to talk to Lady Prince’s attendant again.
After picking up Robin, I tried to put both our murder case and Griselda’s curse out of my mind—thankfully, I hadn’t grown warts or lost my vagina—and concentrate on how to ask the man I’d once worked with if he was my father.
“To tell you the truth,” I said to Robin after I picked him up, “I don’t know how to even begin talking to Pearl about what Oz said.”
He took a moment, brushing a hand through his short hair. “I can’t tell you how to begin the discussion, but I think you’ve eventually got to be up front and tell him what Oz said.”
“I know, it’s just…” I took a breath. “If he is my father, I don’t know how to deal with the emotions I’m feeling.”
He reached over and touched my hand. “Anyone in your shoes would feel the same way. I’ll be there to help you through everything.”
I felt my eyes misting over. “I appreciate that.”
As we drove, the conversation eventually drifted to Lindsay. I told him about Joe Dawson’s call. “He’s still hoping that she’s gone underground to try and stop the Swarm.”
“What do you think?”
I glanced at him. “I just don’t know. If she is going to help us, I think we’ll know soon. They’ve got a confidential informant who’s infiltrated the group.”
“It sounds dangerous.”
I nodded, but didn’t respond, thinking that danger, in one form or another, seemed to be my constant companion. The road turned and I said, “Pearl’s house is up ahead, just around the corner.”
We stopped in front of the iron gates and I punched in Pearl’s number. After several tries, it was apparent that no one was going to answer.
“Maybe he isn’t home,” Robin said.
“Maybe…” I punched in the number for the main residence. “Let me see what I can find out.”
After waiting for almost a minute, I got a man on the line who said he was an employee of the Dentons, the owners of the property. “We’re here to see Mr. Kramer, but he isn’t answering,” I explained.
“Mr. Kramer left a couple of nights ago. I don’t know where he is.”
I glanced at Robin, then turned back to the intercom. “Did he say when he would be returning?”
“Actually, no. His departure was rather sudden and unannounced.”
My anxiety level spiked. I took a moment, explaining that I was a police officer and had worked with Pearl. “Is there any chance we could come in and maybe check his cottage, just to make sure everything’s okay?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You said he left unexpectedly and you have no idea where he is. I just want to make sure his property is secure and there’s no signs of…of any kind of disturbance. In the meantime, I’ll try to call him.”
After a long hesitation, he came back on the line. “Since you’re a police officer, I think it would be alright. I’ll buzz you in and meet you at his cottage.”
I tried Pearl’s number a couple of times as we made the short drive to his bungalow. There was no answer and no voice mail message.