Approaching the group, he singled out Jazlyn to make eye contact. “Handsome,” Cate mumbled under breath.
“Yeah, for a man caught in a cheesy 1970s western film,” Buster added with sarcasm.
“Hello, beautiful,” he crooned as he placed a hand on Jazlyn’s shoulder and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “How’s my favorite girl?”
The chemistry between the two was both clear and electric. It was recognizable to all, in particular Buster, whose sudden jealousy was also present.
Leaning over to Hannah’s ear, Cate whispered, “She’s a walking pheromone, that one.” Hannah smiled but agreed. She had seen Jazlyn interact with many men this day, three in a forward manner: Buster, Asa, and now this man. Every one of the men had been responsive to Jazlyn. She had swayed three in particular by her charm and beauty. It made Hannah wonder what any one of them would do if she were to ask them to do something.
“Hey,”’ Jazlyn said to the man. “May I introduce you to a few new acquaintances, and an old friend of Julia’s?”
As the man looked the group over, he stopped on Louie. “Louie Wooldridge. I recognize you from Food Critic. Julia talked of you often.” He then extended a hand. “Jack Miller.”
Hannah looked over at Louie, who was not showing any emotions, thinking that, for him, that was a miracle.
After a second, Louie took Miller’s hand and shook it. “Pleasure. I recognize you, too. You were Julia’s manager.”
Hannah watched, catching the slight contraction in Jack’s eyes. She made another mental note as she continued to watch the two men’s interactions. After a second, Miller’s eyes readjusted. “Yes. I had that honor. She was … something else. Something unique. But I didn’t know you knew Jazlyn, as well.”
Sensing an interrogation on Miller’s part, Jazlyn interceded. “We’ve just met today. They also got to meet Uncle.” Hanna watched the interplay with curiosity. She’s observant, she noted, clicking off another trait in her mental profile of Jazlyn.
Judging by the reaction on his face, Jazlyn’s revelation shocked Miller. “Well, that’s something, now isn’t it? I wish we all three could have met at once.”
Hannah sensed the growing tension brewing. She watched as Jazlyn said goodbye with the promise of circling back to Miller later. Once he was gone, Jazlyn turned again back to the group. “Well, not to rush things along, but the trial run is tonight. I’ve got a lot of prep work ahead of me. So I guess this is where we part company.” Catching Buster’s eye, she added, “I’m so glad to have met you all. Feel free to wander about, just be mindful that things are being set up so don’t intrude on the workers or move anything, please.”
Before turning to leave, she handed Buster a card with her contact information on it. “I’m sure we will bump into each other soon,” she said with a smile before giving a small wave and exiting.
Cate leaned over to Buster. “And I’m sure you will.”
Buster nudged his cousin hard with his elbow. “Ow,” Cate exclaimed in mock pain. “I just agreed that you would bump into her again.” He looked into her eyes and frowned. “She’s nice. Don’t read too much into it.”
“Not like I had to.”
Looking toward where Jazlyn had exited, Cate frowned. “I find it odd she would just let us roam around, given her Uncle and all.”
Hannah again glanced around the area to look for security cameras, hidden or otherwise. “Me, too. There’s more to her than meets the eye.” She looked over to see Buster frowning hard. His brow furrowed, and the corners of his mouth pulled tight. “Come on. I know you like her, but you got to admit…”
“Yeah. Yeah. I get it. Still, I’m hoping she’s cut us loose for a reason. Maybe she wants answers, too. Maybe she thinks we can get them for her.”
Cate gave her cousin a questioning look. “That doesn’t make sense. Why would she want us to find answers?”
“Not us.” Buster then turned to look at Louie.
“You did know her, perhaps better than anyone. Even her husband. Maybe she thinks you can get some answers because you know how she would think.”
Under normal circumstances, Hannah would scoff at such an explanation. She would have chalked it up to Buster’s libido over-thinking his reason. Regardless, this time he could be right, she deliberated with herself. But if he is right, what is she looking for? Shaking off deeper considerations, she redirected her attention to the moment at hand. Asa was gone for the moment, with the key phrase being ‘for the moment.’
“Let’s head back to the library. She spent a lot of time there. And I think I saw a journal of some kind on the shelf.”
For the first time in a while, Louie came to life. “She always kept a journal, at least when I was around.”
“Good. She spent a lot of time in her office and around that set. People tend to relax where they are most comfortable. Reveal themselves in areas we least expect them to. We need to be careful, though. I’m not so sure just how unsupervised we are.”
Glancing around as inconspicuously as possible, Cate shuffled her stance. “To tell you the truth, I’ve felt like someones watched us all day long. Targeted. There are security cameras everywhere. But I don’t think there are mics.”
“We’ll need to look as discreet as possible then,” Louie offered. “Follow my lead.” He then gathered the group around as though he were giving them directions. He explained that, given they were to be his assistants working for Food Critic, they should act as such. Journalist working to cover a story. Hannah, Cate, and Buster all agreed to the plan. They proceeded back down the halls, acting as if they were doing their official work so as not to raise the security’s curiosity.
Louie and Buster headed back to the new sets and took on the different technicians. Like Louie, Buster recorded notes on his cell phone He showed particular interest in the various equipment, and focused on how it all worked.. He chatted up camera persons, soundboard operators, and lighting crew, and the like about the work they were doing. All the while, he questioned them about the atmosphere on set during Julia’s time and now under its new direction. While many were new to the studio, some were from the time between Julia’s passing and Jazlyn’s emergence. For the most part, Louie took observational notes. Talking into his cell, he flittered between documenting the look of the new set and that of Julia’s world before the accident.
Meanwhile, Hannah and Cate headed toward Julia’s original studio. Examining the set, both took special care to look to be studying the ‘kitchen’ in detail. They looked over cabinets, opened drawers, and examined cooking utensils. All the while, they made casual comments back and forth. It surprised Cate to find that the kitchen set-up was not a mock up and not full of props, but functional. It could have been in someones home. Hannah noted the storage of items. Everything in its proper place, she noted. Detailed. As if the family was soon to arrive for dinner.
Opening a drawer with silverware placed in a holder, something struck her as odd. She stared at it a moment but could not make out what it was that bothered her. She pulled out her cell phone and took a picture. She then shut the drawer and walked over to Cate, who was talking into her cell phone as though she were recording notes. As Hannah approached, she could hear that her friend was, in fact, making a list of things to do when she returned back home. “Redo kitchen,” Cate said, adding, “And get organized.” Looking up at Hannah, she motioned toward the set. “Find anything?”
“Take a look at this.” Hannah handed her the phone. “What do you see?”
Cate studied the photos for a moment but shook her head. “What am I looking for?”
“Depth.”
Cate frowned hard as she studied the photos harder. “The drawer’s deeper than the flatware organizer.”
“Uh-huh. I need a moment to get at it. Watch the cameras. Text me with your cell when they turn my way.”
“Got it.”
As Hannah continued with the illusion of taking notes and walking about the set, Hannah p
retended to take photos. Once the cameras turned away, Cate sent Hannah a repeat text. The sound indicating it had come let Hannah know she had a few seconds to work. She opened the drawer, removed the flatware organizer, and set it on the floor behind the kitchen island. A second buzz from Cate let her know the camera was turning back her way. She re-positioned herself to appear as if she were examining the sink. Another text, another moment to move. Hannah saw a small, nail sized groove to the rear of the drawer bottom, pried it up, and lifted it out. Another text and another deceptive move later, Hannah glanced over the inside contents. After a few more repeat actions, she had returned everything to its proper order and once again walked over to Cate. “Time to go,” Hannah said, and the two exited the studio into the hall.
“What did you get?” Cate inquired.
“A small safe. It’s mounted to the base and has a particular lock type.”
Cate frowned. “That presents a problem. No time to pick it. No way to smuggle it out. No idea where to start looking for the key. What now?”
“Not sure yet. Let’s get the boys and make our way out. I’ve got some things to think about.”
Cate agreed. The women made their way to the studio. Then they located Louie and Buster.
“Y’all ready to hit the road?” Hannah asked through a false smile.
“I’ve been ready…” Louie countered. He pointed in the direction from which they came. “This way, I think.”
As they walked toward the front, Cate took Louie’s arm in hers. She then put her head on his shoulder. “I know this hasn’t been an easy day for you,” she said in a quiet tone. Buster then clapped a hand on Louie’s other shoulder. “Yeah, man. We sort of ran over your feelings today. Forgive me?”
Louie smiled through a hint of sadness. He pulled his arm free of Cate and then draped them across the shoulders of his friends. “It’s all good,” he assured them.
As the group opened the door to enter the front area before they exited, Vera appeared before them, her head tipped down, her brow drawn in and her lips pursed. Through her oversized, black-framed glasses, she stared. “Why are you here?”
Chapter 6
The group turned to look at Vera. Hannah was already evaluating her body language.
Composed, but not as antagonistic as before. Observing. Contemplating. Assessing, Hanna clicked off in her head before filing it in her mental storage.
Cate was the first to recover. She made an immediate attempt to deflect suspicion. “What do you mean?”
Vera stared ahead, unflinching. Her eyes darted between each member of the group before coming full circle back to Cate. “I’ve been watching you. This place has cameras, which you are no doubt aware of.” Looking to Louie, she said, “You, I recognize. Food Critic magazine. Julia’s old friend.” She then looked at Hannah.
“But the rest of you, you’re not journalists. Why are you here?”
“Of course we are. We’re his assistants. Interns,” Buster said, turning on his full charm, and answering in his most convincing voice.
“Interns? How old are you? Thirty?” She turned her eyes toward Hannah. “And with that hat? I do not think so.”
Buster’s face displayed sudden shock. Vera’s guess had hit hard. His vanity and pride hurt, he stammered, “Twenty-seven.” He pointed to Cate and Hannah. “They’re over thirty.”
Cate frowned. Turning to Buster, she put her hands on her hips and answered in an irritated voice. “Thirty-one, thank you!”
Vera stiffened and peered harder toward all. “How many thirtyish something interns do you know?” She then darted her eyes toward Louie. “You. Why do you keep staring at me? Do I know you?”
Drawn out of his daze, Louie shook his head. “No, Ms. ... Bessinger, was it?” He then offered her his hand.
Vera tilted her head to one side and studied the man before her. Hannah watched as the woman sized Louie up. Cautious, she ticked off once again.
After a moment, Vera took the offer and returned the gesture. Eased by her action, Louie provided a pleasant smile. “Pleasure to meet you.” Vera nodded, but said nothing. It was clear to all that she was waiting for an explanation, which Louie proceeded to give.
“I am here on an assignment,” Louie explained as Vera looked at him in skepticism. He then looked to the others before turning back to her. “But you are right. We are also here for another reason.”
Vera remained silent and unmoving. She watched as Louie furrowed his brow and drew in a breath before continuing. When he did speak, he laced his words with feelings of pain issued between pauses. “The truth is … I’ve always wondered about Julia’s death. It doesn’t feel right. Nothing about it makes sense. Where they found her by the water. She would not have been there. She was--”
Vera cut Louie off mid-sentence, her voice echoing with equal parts excitement, shock, and camaraderie. “Afraid of the water.”
Louie agreed. “Terrified.”
“Yes. She wouldn’t go near it without someone with her. Never.”
Louie smiled, intrigued by the sudden bond he shared with the young woman before him. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about!” he exclaimed, shaking and pointing his finger into the air for emphasis. Locking eyes with Vera, he nodded. “That’s why I’m … we’re here. It’s an opportunity.”
For the first time since they encountered each other, Vera smiled. She was bobbing her head as she took in Louie’s confession. Hannah watched as the woman’s body relaxed and the tension fell from around her. She also could tell by Vera’s reactions that she, too, had many unanswered questions. Now, she had someone to share them with. Her instant agreement also hinted that those questions been somewhat of a burden for her to carry over the past year. As such, she was ready to accept even the broadest of agreement, so long as it pointed to the common goal of finding out what happened to Julia. This even to strangers.
Vera moved forward and hugged Louie tight as tears welled in her eyes. “I was beginning to think I was alone in my suspicions.” Once she released him, she looked at him through the watery glaze. “I know something happened. Nothing about it adds up. It’s like it was all rushed and swept under the rug. Julia deserves better than that.”
Louie was beaming. Hannah could tell that it came from a mixed bag of feelings. Vera looked much like Julia. Perhaps she had been a surrogate child since she had none of her own. Maybe Louie was seeing Vera now as Julia and his offspring in the fantasy life he created but had never realized. Beyond this, she had been close to Julia. For him, maybe Vera was a stand-in for himself. Working beside her. Being there when she needed her. Creating. Seeing her every day. Now, more than anything, Vera was a compatriot in arms. She had reaffirmed his own suspicions. Julia’s end came, not by some natural means, but by something foul. But all this would have to wait. Hannah had questions herself and this case, the one she had been so eager to dismiss before, now just got interesting. She felt a tingle all over her body that she always got when a case was proving itself to be more than superficial. “Hannah Starvling,” she said, offering her hand to Vera. “We need to talk. But not here.” She then darted her eyes upward to point out the security camera. “Smile for the camera.”
Understanding her meaning, Vera smiled and shook Hannah’s hand. “Where?’
“My place, “Louie stated. “Text me when you can. I’ll send you the address.”
Louie reached into his pocket, produced a business card, and slipped it into her hand. Vera looked it over, nodded and smiled for the camera. She gestured toward the exit and walked the group to the door. As they filed past, Hannah and Louie were the last to exit. Vera whispered to both, “Give me an hour. Then send it. I should be able to make it sometime later. I’ll let you know when.” She placed her hand on Louie’s arm as he moved by. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” He squeezed her hand. “No. Thank you.” He then walked out the door as Vera stood watching.
***
Later at Louie’s, Cate watched as he paced the floor.
He then checked his watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. Speaking in a fast, worried voice, he glanced toward the window where Cate stood looking out and said, “She should have been here fifteen minutes ago. You don’t think they were checking her texts, do you?”
Cate shook her head. “I doubt it. It’s clear she hadn’t told anybody what she thought. She’s just running a little behind.”
“How do you know? I mean, we are talking about Asa. You saw him. He’s a control freak. What if Julia was planning on leaving him? What about this supposed affair? What if she found out and he killed her? Or what if he had her killed? Then he would be all paranoid and stuff. Checking emails. Everything. Maybe that is why he kept her around. She was close to Julia. Maybe he thinks she knows something and is trying to find out. She could be in danger. She could be--”
“Pulling into the driveway as we speak,” Cate said, pointing out the window.
“You can relax now.” Hannah gave her new friend an assuring smile. She walked over and put her arm on his shoulder. “Listen, I realize you are hoping for some definitive answers. But let’s just take this slow, okay? She reached out, which is good. But once that feeling of not being alone wears off, who knows? It might overwhelm her. She might want to backtrack. As much love as you two share for Julia, she just might not be ready yet. She doesn’t know us, just that we are looking into the death of someone she cared for.” She then looked him square in the eyes. “It might not be just her that is in over their heads, you understand? So maybe I should do the talking.”
Louie looked at Hannah with great pain in his eyes. “I understand,” he agreed. “I am too close, I guess.”
Showing a smile of true affection, Buster interjected. “Tell you what, big guy. How about I make us dinner while you guys talk?”
“No thanks, dude. I still remember the last time.”
“Okay, well, by make, I mean I’ll have Chinese delivered. Good enough?”
The Chef at the Water's Edge Page 5