by CC Dragon
Mrs. Conners came back with a tray. Brian stood and helped her to set the tray on the large round coffee table. But he sat back down and let his mother pour.
“Cream and sugar?” she asked.
“Neither, thanks.” I took the cup of black coffee in a very lovely old china cup and saucer. I felt like I needed to be on my best behavior so they’d cooperate. I hoped it was worth it.
“Both please.” Ricky didn’t look natural holding the delicate porcelain.
Brian took his coffee and shrugged. “I’m not really sure what I can give you. There are some extremely obsessed fans. Obviously I don’t believe for a second that Sonia did it.”
“Oh no, she’s such a sweet girl.” Mrs. Conners sat down in a cozy recliner and stirred her coffee. “She was an instant favorite of mine on the soap. She and Danny made such a cute couple because you could tell they weren’t typical Hollywood types sleeping around with everyone and partying. They were truly in love with each other.”
Ricky gave me a look and I agreed with what he was thinking. The mom was just as creepy as Brian.
“Thanks, I’m sure my sister would appreciate it.” I looked at Brian. “How long did you know Danny?”
Brian shrugged. “A few years. I met him and your sister at a soap fan conference—I take mother to one every year. Danny spoke about being considered a hero and sex symbol. I caught him after and asked him to speak to my class.”
“Soap operas are on par with Shakespeare?” I tried to keep the sarcasm level down.
“Why not? It’s dramatic and romantic. It’s not smut that makes money off nudity and drugs. It gets deep into the characters, not just the fun and over.” Mrs. Conners adjusted her sweater tighter around her shoulders.
Ricky jumped in. “It just seems like an unusual interest for a thirty something man. Most of the fans are female and older. I checked the statistics. We’re working the case very hard.”
Brian smiled. “I know it’s odd, but I was raised watching soaps. Mother always had them on instead of the talk shows. I learned to appreciate how something small can cause immense drama or pain. That’s real life.”
“Talk shows are nothing but garbage. Pure trash where people want attention for being bad. Confess their sins to the world instead of God. Shameless,” she frowned.
Brian continued on as though he knew how she‘d react from every comment. “My father was ill a lot when I was young so I didn’t do sports or after school clubs. I came home and helped my mom. During the summer I stayed in and gave her a break. That’s what got me addicted to the soaps. It’s unusual, maybe a bit of a turn off to some but it’s not a crime.”
“Of course not. We just need to check out everyone who knew and had access to Danny.” Ricky set his cup down. “Let’s get this out of the way so we can talk. Do you have an alibi for the day of Danny’s murder at ten in the morning?”
“Dear God, my son isn’t a murderer. Why would you ask him such a thing?” Mrs. Conners smacked the arm of her chair and glared at me rather than Ricky.
It was my turn to jump in and console. “It’s a formality, Mrs. Conners. He has to ask. It’s his job. We really need the help and I’m worried for my sister’s safety. The more people we eliminate the faster it’ll be over and we can find the killer. And Brian might have other info that leads us to the right person.”
Brian patted her arm to console her. “Relax, Mother. It was a Tuesday and I have a nine a.m. class that lasts three hours. No way could I’ve done it. The college has plenty of security cameras in the parking lot at every entrance and exit. They’ll have me coming and going. My students can attest to my teaching.”
Ricky made a note. “Good to know. Now you’ve commented on the gossip websites about this so you’re aware that Sonia is being stalked. Do you know anything about that?”
Brian sat back. “Only what’s out there. I stay in touch with other fans but I’d never want to scare Sonia.”
“If you’re going to accuse my son of stalking as well, you can leave this house now,” Mrs. Conners warned.
“We’re not accusing anyone. We just want to know if he’s heard or read anything suspicious. The amount of information online is taking the police a long time to wade through. We need someone who knows the chatter and the eager fans from the serious troublemakers. Your son is out there a lot and he could be a tremendous help.” If Brian’s alibi was true, all I could hope for was that he’d give us a lead.
Brian smiled at me. “I like you, no nonsense. No ego like so many of the Hollywood types.”
“I’m not Hollywood. I’m heading back home as soon as we solve the murder and my sister is safe.” I wanted to edge away. The creepy factor was in his eyes and he stared at me as though I wasn’t a person but an object he wanted to touch.
Mrs. Conners nodded. “Get away from L.A. if you can—so much sin and temptation here. We lived in Kansas until my husband was diagnosed. His career was bad and we got into a clinical trial out here. That’s the only reason we moved and we stayed because the weather was easier on his health. Then my son was in college and he got a good job. God has a plan.”
“A PhD is quite an accomplishment. I’m sure you’re very proud.” I turned back to Brian. “Dr. Conners, we really need you to tell us if you know of anyone who’d want to hurt Danny or Sonia.”
“It’s Brian, please. I feel like I know you. You’ve been on the websites so much with your sister. I’m sorry but I don’t know of anyone who’d want to hurt either of them. Their divorce was the big shock. Some were angry with Danny for cheating but no one was going to kill him over that. We’ve known about it for months so it’s not a recent revelation.” He sipped his coffee.
He wasn’t telling us the whole story and I gave Ricky a look. “You don’t think it could be a fan out to get them? Wanting to punish Danny? Or someone obsessed with Sonia who wanted to get rid of Danny?”
Mrs. Conners huffed. “Danny ruined the marriage. There should be people judging him. Adultery isn’t a joke.”
Brian nodded. “It’s totally possible that there are obsessed fans but I don’t know of any you should be investigating. I‘d love to help but I don’t associate with those types of fans.”
“You think he’s behind it.” Mrs. Conners got to her feet. “I hate liars. Pretending to be our friends and using him.”
“Mother, don’t be like that,” Brian said.
“I liked her and I thought she was a good sister, protecting Sonia. Now she’s just looking for a scapegoat. Not my son.” She stalked off toward the kitchen.
“I’m sorry about her, she’s overprotective. I’m all she has left.” Brian put his coffee cup down.
“Obviously we’ll check out your alibi and that will eliminate you as a suspect so she has nothing to worry about.” Ricky leaned forward. “A lot of times people know things but don’t realize how useful it can be to us. It might be nothing to you but anything that stands out as unusual could help.”
Brian nodded. “I understand. Mother wouldn’t want to think anyone I know could be associated with murder. The police were already here but it was brief and generic.”
“So you do know something.” I crossed my legs and leaned in. “Please tell us.”
“I don’t know anything for sure and I feel bad throwing around accusations. But if you’re checking on things that could possibly be something—” He looked toward the kitchen door. “I have a thought.”
“Dr. Conners, I assure you I’m not going to arrest anyone based on what you say here. If you point me in a direction I’ll check it out. That’s all.” Ricky had his notebook open and ready.
“Okay, there are the San Bernardino sisters. They run a blog devoted to the soap operas. Big fans of Danny and Sonia—they run daily contests and trivia questions about them. They had an online funeral chat where people could come and share. Since then it’s been a favorite Danny episode featured. The blog is all black and in mourning.”
Ricky scribbled. “You think
one of them had a reason to want Danny dead?”
“Not ordinarily.” Brian looked back toward the kitchen again. “I used to date one of the sisters. We had a lot in common. Not as beautiful as you, Ms. Morris, but a nice girl.”
I forced myself not to inch back. “What happened?”
“Her sister. You can’t come between twins and I’m an only child so I learned slowly.”
Ricky jumped in. “You think your ex might have something to do with it?”
Brian shook his head. “No, not Angie. Her sister. Vicky is nice most of the time but if she’s off her meds—”
“Meds? She’s got a medical problem or a mental one?” I asked.
“Mental. At first they thought it was adult ADD, then maybe bipolar. Finally they got a doctor who did it right. Schizophrenia. On her medications she’s nice, normal, and very functional. Off her drugs she can be obsessive and hear voices, see things. She’s very hard to reason with of course.”
“Is she why you broke up with Angie?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Angie had to take care of her sister and I had my mother to look after. Neither likes to be alone. If Angie didn’t have Vicky it might’ve worked, but we had to go our separate ways.”
“Was Vicky particularly interested in Danny and Sonia?” Ricky asked.
“Danny, definitely—she had posters of him up. She came to my class when he’d talk. She got her picture taken with him and got a kiss on the cheek. She knew he was married but she had a crush. Danny was sweet about it.”
I finished my coffee and put the cup and saucer on the tray. “Is she generally good about taking her medications or is she erratic?”
“At first it took a while to get her on the right med combo so they changed the routine on her all the time. Angie would be up with her all night convincing her no one was after her. Then she’d be overmedicated and almost catatonic. Now they have the right mix but sometimes she’ll forget because she feels fine or gets depressed that she has to take so many pills and refuse. Life is cruel.” Brian chewed his lower lip.
I could relate. “Very true. So if she was off her meds she could’ve been convinced that Danny belonged with her and not Sonia?”
Brian nodded. “I don’t want to believe she’d do anything like that. Normally, on her meds, I’d say no way. But you should check on her. Make sure she wasn’t having another episode.”
Ricky made more notes and closed his notebook. “We’ll look into it. Thank you for your help and if you think of anything else, give me a call.”
“No problem, thanks.” Brian stood.
I smiled at Brian. He seemed charming and friendly.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he was just sheltered because of his mother. A little Norman Bates syndrome. His father’s illness changed his childhood. I’d been affected by my father’s behavior and the impact stayed with me.
Still, I wasn’t comfortable with him. There was no guilt dripping off him. If the lead he gave us panned out I’d be grateful. But the mother had issues and Brian still made me feel creepy.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ricky drove and I kept the passenger seat warm on our second outing to find the killer. I pretended to take in the scenic trip out of L.A. but all I could think about was my sister. The randomness of potential suspects and the vast number overwhelmed me.
“What’s are the cops saying about this case?” I asked Ricky.
He shrugged. “Normal stuff.”
“Who is the money on?” I knew the answer but needed to hear it.
“Hel, you know as well as I do. Your sister had motive, means, and opportunity. Even if her hands are clean she could’ve hired someone. The chief had a stuntman from the show in yesterday for questioning. We’re looking at everyone.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” Suddenly I felt like the LAPD was working against me, not for me.
“No, because he cleared. He worked on some old teen movies with Sonia and had a crush on her. Nothing ever came of it.”
“But enough people were talking that it got to the cops but not me? They actually believed this guy would kill for Sonia? This is crazy!” I hunched down in the seat and fumed.
“Don’t be pissed at me. I only found out once the guy was in. They think I’m working for you.”
He had a point; I’d put Ricky in the middle. It wasn’t fair. “Sorry, it’s just...”
“Your sister. I know and I understand. But Sonia is suspect number one. So half the cops out there think she’s got no reason to be worried with you around. Your warpath isn’t helping, especially using the feds too.”
“They think I’m faking them out so she goes free? Please! My ex wouldn’t do that.”
“FBI and local police don’t usually see things the same anyway. You need to bring in the feds if you want to overrule us.”
I’d thought about it. “There’s no authority and it’s all been in California that I can tell. No reason the feds could come in.”
“Right, so you’re creating a smokescreen to cover up your sister’s crime or at least keep her out of jail until we find out who really did this.” Ricky pulled off the freeway onto a ramp.
“Of course I’m trying to keep her out of jail. She didn’t kill Danny. Hell, for all I know she might be safer in a cell. Maybe that’d be the best thing if it wouldn’t terrify her and ruin her career. Plus she’d completely freak out.” She wouldn’t last a night in jail and not because things weren’t designer.
Sonia and I certainly didn’t have a spoiled childhood and she’d fought her way into Hollywood to get good contracts and pay. She wasn’t a wimp but Sonia played fair and respected others. Her agent and manager did the dirty work. However, jail wasn’t about standing up for yourself or playing fair—it was about survival.
“We need a confession or a solid suspect soon,” Ricky said.
I read him loud and clear. If we didn’t get the guilty party, they’d go on a witch hunt and only my sister would satisfy the masses. It might be circumstantial, but it was enough to bring her in for more questioning, do another search, and see what they turned up.
“The rookies aren’t getting anything more on their search?” They’d been sifting through emails, letters, and websites for days.
“We ran everything they’ve flagged to ground but nothing of substance.” Ricky shrugged.
“So some things did turn up. Why didn’t you let me look at them?” I demanded.
He turned into the parking lot of the San Bernardino public library and parked. “Because the lead is better and looks a lot cleaner if you’re not involved. It carries more weight.”
“What if they missed something?” I unbuckled my seatbelt and exited the car.
“I reviewed it and they didn’t.” Ricky stopped. “Helena, Danny’s life insurance policy still had your sister as the beneficiary. No one else stood to gain anything from his death. So it’s either fan obsession or Sonia. You know the most likely suspects are usually the ones who did it.”
I nodded because everything he said was true. If it weren’t for Ricky and my stubborn investigations Sonia would already be in custody.
“Thanks for the help. I know my sister didn’t do this. I’m still not sure about Carmen or Faith,” I admitted.
“I ran them both and talked to them. We just have to play by the rules or they’ll yank me off the case and your sister will be questioned again, her house searched again, and she’ll probably get arrested.”
I turned to the library. “Vicky works here?”
“The sister in question, yes. The other sister works at the local hospital as a nurse.”
I followed Ricky in. He flashed his badge and asked for Vicky. We were led to the office. After a few minutes a skinny and jittery looking woman with black hair and dark brown eyes entered.
“They said you wanted to see me?” She sat down behind the desk.
“Yes Ms. Reynolds. I’m Detective Evans, LAPD, and this is Helena Morris.”
Vicky’s eyes w
ent wide. “I know you, I’ve read all about you. Can I get a picture?” she asked.
I looked to Ricky and cleared my throat. “If you’d be willing to answer some questions for us, sure.”
“No problem. Call me Vicky, Hel.” Vicky giggled softly.
The weirdness continued. “Okay, Vicky. I’m sure you know that I’m Sonia Flynn’s sister.”
She nodded vigorously. “She’s my favorite. I‘ve seen everything she‘s been in. I‘ve got it all recorded.”
I remembered my good cop manners. “Thanks. I know she loves her fans and from your blog I gather you’re a big fan.”
“Oh absolutely! Sonia and Danny were the best soap couple ever. You could tell they really loved each other. True love doesn’t happen like that every day.”
Ricky decided to chime in. “What do you think of Sonia moving to another show?”
Vicky frowned. “I haven’t seen the show yet. It sucks that the best actors leave soaps to go to other projects. They could’ve just replaced her with another actress and kept Danny on. He even suggested that.”
“How do you know?” I asked.
“He and I did an interview but my sister refused to load it on the site. Said it was too personal or something. I think the soap made her paranoid since we sort of got in trouble one time. The soap sent a letter to delete a blog posting. Since then she was always afraid we’d get in big trouble.”
“You had contact with Danny?” Ricky asked.
“Sure, we met him at a soap fan conference once. And my sister used to date this professor who had Danny come and speak to his class.” She pulled out her cell phone. “See, here’s a picture of me, my sister, and Danny. He’s so sweet. But Danny and I did the interview on the phone.”
I leaned in. “Vicky, can I ask you something sort of personal that would help me?”
“Of course,” she whispered like it was a deep dark secret we’d share. The adoration of fame or even my relation to someone famous amazed me. People spilled their guts.
“What do you think of Danny cheating on my sister?” I scrunched my face a little to let her know it was okay to disapprove.