“I assume the notes about you made sense to you, just as the ones about my cousin and me were pretty easy for me to decipher.”
He nodded.
“Any insight on the others?” I figured having lived in the community for much longer than I had, he probably had more background on some of the people mentioned.
“Not so much. Gossipy, tabloid-like stuff that.”
“I agree. But do you think there might be anything in Kevin’s notes that could’ve been worth killing to keep secret?”
“Dunno. That’s why I thought you should have it.”
“Thanks for your trust, but I’ve given it to the police. Maybe it will get them to look for the real killer. I hope it will.”
“Your call, luv.” He didn’t seem at all worried about the idea the notes on him would become police evidence.
“One more thing.” I had to ask. “There was a page missing.’
He stilled. “Right.’”
“Any idea whose name was on the missing page?”
“No idea.” He looked me straight in the eye.
“Right.” I got the message. Leave it alone. But I couldn’t leave it alone. “Whose page was it, Ollie?”
He looked at the floor, rubbed his neck and raised his gaze to mine.
All at once, I realized who’d been missing from the Ruby Point residents listed it in the book. “It was Diana, wasn’t it?”
He nodded.
Oh, man. If I’d figured out Diana’s entry was missing, I was pretty darn sure Malone had figured it out, too.
The big galoot had tried to help and only made things worse for Diana.
When I left, I promised to come by again and bring some more of the dog cookies. I’d leave Detective Malone another message, then I would pay Ms. Beenerman a visit.
I might lose a client out of the deal but I didn’t give a rip. Truth was, I did the pet therapy gig not because I cared about the business, but because I cared about the animals. And I cared about Diana. I couldn’t let her be accused of a crime I knew she hadn’t committed.
Chapter Seventeen
I didn’t know who killed Kevin, but I did know too many people were keeping secrets, and those secrets could be preventing the police from finding the real killer. Those secrets were keeping Diana in jail.
I checked my phone. Still no message from Detective Malone. I wished he’d call me back, and I debated running down to the Police Department to talk to him. But I figured I had time before my next appointment to see Mandy or try to find Malone. I opted for Mandy.
Mandy’s Place was in what passes for downtown in Laguna Beach. The two-story structure had shops on the bottom floor and then the bright airy yoga studio on the top level.
Whether you were a male or female, the first thing you noticed about Mandy Beenerman was her boo—ah . . . body. Probably you noticed for different reasons depending on your gender, but you’d have to say the woman had maximized her assets.
Her blonde-streaked hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her hot-pink workout spandex hugged curves perfected by her signature Mandy’s Hot Yoga Burn. And her plastic surgeon.
I was happy to note she and I were alone in the studio.
“Hi, Caro,” Mandy chirped. She had on her business face and her tone was neutral. But, like a dog who isn’t sure what you’re doing on her turf, I could sense the wariness in her stance.
“Hey, Mandy.” Though considered slim and fit in most circles, I suddenly felt awkward and huge. Mandy had that effect on most of us. It was a Barbie doll ideal, impossible to achieve, but that was what kept customers coming back.
“I stopped by because I have a few questions about your relationship with Kevin Blackstone.”
“Relationship?” she squeaked. “Kevin and I didn’t have a relationship.”
“That’s not what I hear.”
“Well, then, you have a hearing problem.”
Interesting. We’d gone from cheerful business tenor to I’m-going-to-yank-your-hair-out-mean-girl pitch in a matter of seconds.
“You know I’m not the enemy, sugar.” I kept my voice even and my stance open. I should have had this conversation in a more relaxed setting, but I hadn’t realized she’d nip at me right away. “I don’t believe you killed Kevin. I think you cared for him a lot but I’m afraid the police wouldn’t see it that way if they knew you were at Kevin’s right before he died.”
“How would they know?”
Bingo. She hadn’t said she wasn’t there.
“Well, for instance, if someone saw you go into Kevin’s house.” I watched her closely for a reaction. She hadn’t moved but she looked ready to bolt.
“No one saw me.”
“Really? You’re sure about that?”
“I wasn’t there.” She said it with a great deal of firmness, but she’d developed a tick in her right eye.
“You were there right after I left.”
“Hypothetically, if I had been at Kevin’s that wouldn’t prove anything.”
“Drop the act, Mandy. There’s nothing hypothetical about Kevin’s murder. He’s really and truly dead.”
“Oh, my God.” Her face suddenly crumbled. “I know he is.”
I abruptly felt bad for making her freak out, but then wondered at my own sanity if it was misplaced sympathy for a murderer.
“So, why’d you do it, Mandy?”
“I didn’t, Caro, you’ve got to believe me.” Now huge tears streamed down Mandy’s perfectly tanned face. “I liked Kevin. I really, really liked the guy.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard.”
Her turquoise orbs widened, she blinked and the tears suddenly stopped. “What’ve you heard?”
“Just that you and Kevin were a lot friendlier than most people thought.”
“You think Kevin and I were having an affair?” she asked.
“That’s what I’ve been told.”
“You can’t tell anyone that, Caro. If you do, I’ll be ruined.”
I didn’t really think she would. I’m sure it would come as no surprise to y’all, but infidelity is not unheard of in southern California. And if being faithful to one’s spouse was a criteria for doing business there were going to be several empty storefronts.
“Here’s the deal. I was at Kevin’s right after you were there, but he was fine when I left him. Perfectly fine.”
“Mandy, I’m going to have to tell the homicide detective.”
“Can you at least give me some time? I need to talk to Andy.”
I hesitated. It seemed fair enough that she should have the opportunity to tell her husband if she was owning up to being at Kevin’s and to the affair. I sure wished my unfaithful spouse had had the cajones to tell me to my face.
Instead I’d had to learn the truth from a process server who’d slapped a paper in my hand, a paper notifying me of charges being filed against the therapy practice because the client Geoffrey had been sleeping with had decided take legal action when her pro-quarterback husband had discovered the two of them together.
I refocused on Mandy. She stood staring at me. My trip down marital memory lane must have been longer than I thought.
“You’ve got one day. One day, and then I’m talking to the homicide detective in charge of the case.”
I hoped I was doing the right thing. Phrases like “withholding evidence” and “obstruction of justice” kept flitting through my mind.
“Thanks, Caro.”
I turned on my heel and walked out of the studio. I hoped Mandy held up her part of the bargain. I didn’t look forward to having to play the tattle-tale role, but I would if she didn’t come clean.
Chapter Eighteen
I stopped by to check in on Diana, and then went by her house to assist Bella with the pet menagerie. Bella could take care of the feeding and watering, but getting them all the necessary exercise was more than one woman could handle. Especially one very nice lady who was also keeping the household in order and fielding calls from re
porters.
“Hola, Caro.” She appeared a bit harried when she answered the door.
“Hi, Bella.” I gave her a hug. “How are you holding up?”
“No so bad.” She picked up Mr. Wiggles who had followed her to the door and motioned for me to come in. “I wish Missus Diana would come home. It’s no good for her to be in that place.”
“I know. I’ve done my best. We’ve all done our best to try to get her out. But she’s having none of it. She’s staying put.” I stepped inside.
“I know you have tried.” She sighed.
“How are the kids doing?” I indicated the collection of pets who had followed Mr. Wiggles.
“They are well, but a little agitado, um, stir crazy, you know.”
“I think I can help with the stir crazy problem.” I could tell she was overwhelmed.
The dogs were used to frequent walks and romps at the dog park. I believed it was part of what kept Diana so fit. Her animals were never neglected in the exercise department.
“If you wouldn’t mind getting me their leashes, I’ll take Barbary and Mr. Wiggles for a walk. I refuse to walk the goat, but I think he’s probably okay.”
Bella shook her head and walked off. I knew the head shake didn’t mean she was opposed to my walking the pair; it was a comment on the craziness of the Diana Knight household ruled by pets.
She returned with the leashes, and I hooked up the two pooches.
“Come on, Barbary.” The basset hound’s temperament had improved in his time with Diana, but he still eyed the little puggle as if he hadn’t made a final decision on whether Mr. Wiggles was friend or foe.
Once I had them ready to go, I grabbed some “mutt mitts” from the container Diana kept in the entryway. Ruby Point, as well as the rest of the community, was pretty serious about doggie clean-up.
We walked the length of the driveway with a few stops to sniff and mark. The territory must have seemed familiar because Barbary and Mr. Wiggles were soon ready to move on. Turning right onto the sidewalk, we headed west toward Ollie’s and Kevin’s end of the street.
Just past Kevin’s I could see a guy working on the planter where Kevin and I had talked to the gardener on the day he was killed. My heart stopped in its tracks, and I must have also stopped because the two dogs were looking at me like, “what are we doing?”
Could it be the same guy? He was the right height and build.
I slowly walked toward him, a little afraid that he would bolt if he recognized me. He had to know that he also was one of the last people to see Kevin Blackstone alive, and though I’d told Detective Malone about him, he had never come forward.
“Sir?” The dogs and I were closer now, and I could see he was replacing the flowering plants in the planter. He didn’t look up.
“Hello.” I tried again louder and this time got his attention.
“Miss?” He jerked his head up in surprise. Apparently he’d been deep in thought.
It wasn’t the same guy.
Darn.
Same size, same build, even the same approximate age, but with a pleasant face, friendly and open, unlike the surly character Kevin and I had encountered.
Still, maybe he could help me find the mystery gardener.
“Hi, I’m Caro Lamont.” I held out my hand wishing I had a business card with me. “I’m a pet therapist, and I had an incident here about a week ago with dogs belonging to one of my clients.”
“Okay.” He nodded but I got the what-does-this-have-to-do-with-me point.
“One of the dogs actually nipped a horticulturist who was working right here.” I indicated the planter.
“Not these dogs?” He reached down to pet Barbary, and the temperamental basset hound who tolerated few people actually inched closer.
This guy, unlike the surly one, clearly was a dog person.
“No, not these guys. It was a German Shepherd dog. He’s usually pretty friendly, but this man swung a shovel at the dogs and Tommy Boy just reacted.”
“Idiot. The guy, I mean.”
My sentiments exactly.
“What’s your name?”
“Jake.”
Jake and I were of the same mind about the other man’s lack of sense.
“Jake, are you employed by Ruby Point or another company who provides the horticulture services?”
“Oh, we work for Green House. They handle quite a bit of the landscaping in the gated communities around here.”
“Do you know the other workers pretty well? If I described the guy do you think you might be able to help me identify him?”
“Sorry, no, I just started three weeks ago. I’ve been in training for two weeks, and then this is my first week on the job. I know hardly anybody.”
Man. I knew it had been a long shot, but I’d hoped there was a chance he could put me in contact with the man who Kevin and I had talked to. That man had to have seen something. He’d been working within view of Kevin’s house.
“Sorry,” Jake said again.
I must have looked as crestfallen as I felt. “It’s okay.”
“You could talk to our supervisor, Leland. He’s been on the job for years, and he’s the one that gives us assignments. He might remember who was assigned to this area. You know, if you can give him a date and time.”
I could for sure give him a date and time. “That would be wonderful. How do I get in touch with him?”
He gave me the contact information, and I headed back down the walkway with the dogs. I had two suspects to present to Malone. If he’d listen. One was Mandy, a very strong yoga instructor who didn’t want her affair with Kevin exposed. And the other was a landscaper who may have been upset with Kevin over a dog bite.
Both were a little weak, but I thought each one had potential. Either made more sense than thinking a silver-haired, former Hollywood starlet had tased Kevin.
Chapter Nineteen
I called Green House first thing the next morning and left a message for Leland. They said he was out in the field and they would have him call me back.
Next I picked up Kevin’s dogs at the ARL for our dog park outing. Zeus and Tommy Boy were happy to spend some outside time, and I was happy to see they were doing so well.
It looked to be a blue-sky morning so I’d packed on the sunscreen and plopped a hat on my head. There’s a little shade at the Laguna Beach Dog Park, but not much, and I liked to play with the dogs anyway. Sitting under a tree wasn’t the idea.
Zeus and Tommy Boy knew where we were, but were too well-behaved to attempt a bolt. We went down the walkway and across the bridge, and through the first gate. I carefully closed it before opening the second gate. Once through, I grabbed a couple of doggie doo bags, entered the big dog area and then turned the guys loose to run. They took off toward the furthest corner of the park and then circled back.
I stood waiting for them to return, already glad for the hat. They raced like two human brothers in a foot race on the playground, first one in the lead and then the other.
The hills rose in front of me creating a barrier on the one side. The other sides were blocked by high chain link fences. It was the perfect spot for a dog park, outside the main part of the city, with a big grassy area and lots of room to run. The place closed once a week for maintenance, and it showed.
“Hello, Caro, isn’t it?”
It was the guy I’d run into on the beach. Well, I guess technically he (or rather his dog) had run into me.
What was his name? Mac.
No, wait, that’d been the dog’s name.
Sam. That was it.
Sam . . . something Greek or Italian sounding. Gallanos. My brain finally retrieved his last name. Probably Greek, I guessed. Today he was in jeans and a white cotton piqué Ralph Lauren polo. The white showed to advantage against his dark skin. He looked good.
Mac raced to join Zeus and Tommy Boy’s playground fun. He looked good too.
“Yours?” Sam indicated the two Shepherds. “Where’s your other
guy?”
“He’s at home.”
“Ah, stepping out on him are you?”
“These are Kevin Blackstone’s dogs. They’re being kept at the shelter, and I brought them to give them some exercise.”
“Oh, Kevin Blackstone. That’s the guy who was killed, right?”
“Yes, they’re holding his dogs until they hear from his family.”
“Strange business that.”
We talked a little bit more, and then he called to the Collie. Mac was well-behaved at the dog park. It was apparently just the beach where he got over-excited.
I knelt to scratch Mac’s handsome head, and gave him a hug. I was definitely smitten. With the Collie, of course. His intelligent brown eyes met mine in understanding, and in a moment all was right with the world. He leaned into me and nuzzled my arm for another hug. We were buds. I complied, and he lifted his head to thank me. I gave him a final squeeze, and reluctantly got to my feet.
Zeus and Tommy Boy joined us. They were two happy dogs, their tongues hanging out, and their tails wagging. I took them to the dog fountain for a quick drink of water before we headed out of the park.
“Nice to see you again,” I called to Mac and Sam.
As I got the dogs settled back in the car, my cell phone rang and I pushed the button to answer.
“Ms. Lamont?”
The voice was vaguely familiar. “Yes?”
“It’s J.T., Kevin’s brother. I wondered if you’d consider having lunch with me. I’d like to talk about Kevin.”
Heck, it wasn’t like I was booked, and I could certainly spare an hour or two for a grieving family member. It had to be difficult no matter the circumstances. If anything, it was even worse when it was so sudden and senseless.
Besides, J.T. must know things about Kevin the rest of us didn’t. Maybe there were insights he could give that would help me figure out who had killed Kevin. So I accepted and we agreed to meet in about an hour. He asked me to pick a restaurant and I suggested Mozambique, one of my favorites.
I dropped Zeus and Tommy Boy off at the ARL and had a quick chat with Don about the dogs. On my way home, I tried Detective Malone again. I still hadn’t heard back from him, and I not only wanted to try out my two theories on him, now I also wanted to see if I could find out what he knew about Kevin’s brother. I left another message.
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