by Ronica Black
“But they severed down to the spine.”
“True, but that took more than one cut as well. I can show you the slides from under the scope.” She zipped the bag back up and slid Hale’s body back into the cooler. Maria stood looking at the closed drawer while Dr. Haddock powered up the large television screen.
“Detective?”
Maria shook herself out of her trance and crossed to her. Though her body had been still, her mind had been racing. She had to call Finley first thing in the morning. They had to go over everything again. She would start on most of it tonight.
She focused on the shots of the slides showing several cuts into the tissue and bone.
“You don’t understand,” Maria said. “This could change everything.”
Dr. Haddock nodded.
“I thought it might.”
Maria thanked her profusely, asked for copies of all the new information, and headed for the door to go change.
“Uh, Detective?”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Medley’s assistant called today. She said the family wants him cremated as soon as possible.”
“Is that so?” Maria tore off her gloves and disposed of them, wondering why the rush on burning the remains. Funny how Melanie Prague hadn’t mentioned it during their meeting. “She calls again, let me know.”
Dr. Haddock nodded and Maria pushed through the doors with all the new information pushing in on her mind.
* * *
Maria and Finley stared through the fence at two scantily clad women playing a heated game of tennis.
“This case can’t get any hotter,” Finley said, folding in a stick of gum on his tongue. Maria didn’t bother to answer; she just stared at the fast volley of the ball and the two women grunting each time it was their turn to hit. Both women were in incredible shape, but Maria’s eyes were on the redhead on the far side. Her legs were powerful, and she seemed to shimmer in the sun as if her pinkish skin were covered in tiny glitter particles. She was beautiful in an old-fashioned way, in a Ginger Rogers kind of way, and Maria could see why Avery was drawn to her physically.
“We both agree now more than ever that a woman killed Hale, right?” Finley asked clicking his gum.
“Yes.”
“Think this could be her?”
“I don’t see why not. We’ve now got new info that points right to her.”
“Then let’s go get her.”
They pushed through the gate and strolled parallel to the net flashing their badges.
“Lana Gold.”
The woman in the short tennis skirt stopped her advance and the ball whizzed by her. She grimaced.
“Yeah?” She placed her hand on her hip and gawked at them with obvious frustration. When she recognized Maria, she scoffed. “Christ, you again. What do you want?”
“Answers,” Finley said.
“I’m afraid we didn’t get to talk very long the other evening,” Maria said. She pointed to a nearby table with an umbrella. “Shall we?”
Lana waved off her partner who walked away eyeing them with disgust rather than curiosity. Lana crossed to a bench and placed her racket in a cover and grabbed a towel. Maria sat at the table carefully, afraid it would be hot to the touch. But thankfully, the umbrella had done its job. Finley joined her, and they watched as Lana dried her face and neck and then slid out of her tight polo to reveal a sweat-soaked torso and white sports bra. Then she paraded to them as if on a catwalk, a sly smirk on her face.
Finley laughed, amused, and Maria countered her previous thought and wondered why Ashland was so intrigued with her. Her body was tiptop, sure, but she was so…conceited and the way she flaunted herself was almost sickening. Did Avery consider that attractive?
“Are you done amusing yourself?” Maria asked as a bit of jealousy tried to spark inside her. She had no reason to be jealous over Lana Gold even if the woman did share Ashland’s bed. Maria had no business thinking of either woman as more than suspects. She bit her lower lip as punishment for the feeling and grounded herself.
Lana eased into a chair and wrapped the towel around her neck. “I’m just having a little fun.”
“Yeah, well, he’s married and I’m far from interested.”
“Not according to Avery. She says you’re more than a little interested in her and in women in general.”
Maria laughed out loud. “Did she? Well, she would, wouldn’t she?”
“Are you?” Lana asked, relaxing in her chair and crossing her thick, toned legs. “Interested in Avery?”
“The only interest I have in Ms. Ashland is whether or not she killed Hale Medley.”
Lana gave a wave. “Oh, that. How boring.”
“Boring?” Finley asked. He grinned at Maria in what she recognized as disbelief.
“I thought if you two came all this way then something of dire importance needed to be discussed.”
“And Hale’s murder is not important?” Maria asked.
“Not to me. Why should it be? I hardly knew the man.”
“I don’t believe you,” Finley said. “You see we’ve recently learned that you were a guest here at the Valle Sol Country Club the night of the fundraising ball. That just so happens to be the last night Hale was seen alive.”
“So? There were a lot of people here. Very important people.”
“Yes. But none fit the description of the woman Hale left with except you.”
“Oh, bullshit. There were plenty of redheads there, hanging off rich arms or looking to hang off a rich arm.”
“We have the surveillance tapes, Lana. Why you didn’t think to cover that little loose end speaks to your intelligence. We also have Hale’s day planner with your initials penciled in next to the country club event. Coincidence? We think not.”
She blinked and appeared deeply offended. “My intelligence? Pardon me, Detective, but fuck you.”
She pushed back her chair and stood.
“Where did you go with Hale that evening, Lana?”
“I’m sorry. You’ll have to refer to my attorney for any other questions.”
“Don’t jerk us around, Ms. Gold. Your neck is at stake here. Where did you go? Did Ashland pay you to kill him? Or did she help right alongside you?”
Maria stood as Lana turned to walk away from them. “Whose idea was the carving? Ashland’s? Was she finally fed up with his wandering eyes and perhaps his hands? Had he made advances toward you as well, Lana? Did you two finally shut him up for good?”
But Lana only grabbed her athletic bag and racket and walked away. Maria turned to find Finley still sitting with his fingers in a steeple at his mouth.
Maria kicked the chair Lana had been in. “We’ve got to get those surveillance tapes from her condo.”
“Mm.”
Maria sank into the chair and stared at the blue-black sky. An announcement came over the speakers closing the courts for the storm. People began hurrying inside.
They had been lucky to get the recordings from the country club early that morning. They’d about fallen out of their chairs as they’d seen Lana Gold lead Hale into a limousine. None of the other witnesses at the country club that night had been able to pinpoint which woman he’d left with. There had been a storm, and it had been a big distraction.
“This is a huge lead. It puts Lana as one of the last people to see Hale alive. If not the last person.”
“Melanie swears Hale didn’t bring her to his place,” Finley said.
“And his alarm company confirms it.”
The wind kicked up, and they sat in it for a while until lightning chased them off. As they exited the country club, they saw Lana Gold on the phone, pacing back and forth.
Maria wondered if she was dumb enough to have used her personal cell phone to talk to Ashland around the time of the murder. Hopefully, they’d find out soon enough.
Chapter Fourteen
“Who the fuck do they think they are?” Avery said, tossing the phone onto the couch. She ran a h
and through her hair and looked out the vast window. “My God, are they going to question everyone I know?” She burned with embarrassment at the thought, a feeling she wasn’t used to. It ate at her insides and she could hardly bear to think about it. She liked to pride herself on not caring what people thought, but in reality, she cared very much.
“Who’s bothering you, darling? Another rude idiot? Don’t tell me it’s another Hale. I should think one of him on this earth was quite enough.” Bryce Daniels uncrossed her stocking covered legs and leaned forward for a delicate taste of her scotch on ice. “Whatever higher power there is surely knows we couldn’t handle another one like him. Or at the very least not so soon.” She sipped her drink and closed her eyes as she sat back to relax.
The back doors to Avery’s penthouse were open, letting in the cool breeze brought on by an impending storm. Avery couldn’t let herself enjoy it though. She paced and held her phone pressed to her lower lip.
“It’s these goddamned detectives. They are adamant in ruining my reputation.”
Bryce let out a hearty laugh. “Which reputation would that be, love?”
Avery aimed a sinister glance at her. “Funny.”
Bryce threw an arm across the back of the couch and tapped the cushion. “Come sit, love. Let’s chat.”
Avery sighed and pocketed her phone. She crossed the room to join her old friend and former lover. It had been years since they were lovers, but Avery still held a strong affection for her, and Bryce flirted with her no end.
Avery snuggled up next to her and rested her head on her shoulder. “I hate Hale,” she said. “Even in death he’s mocking me, causing me hell.”
Bryce laughed. “Did you expect anything less?”
“Yes, I had actually hoped with him being gone that I could have some peace. But, damn it, no.”
“Darling, what have I always told you? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Hale being dead…well, he’s not close any more is he? He’s out of your control completely now.”
“Yes, but he’s dead. He can’t do anything, yet it feels like he is somehow.”
“Because he is. You have no idea what he did before he passed, what he said or what he left behind for these detectives to find. None whatsoever.”
Avery turned to look her in her magnificent blue eyes. “It’s funny you say that. Hale…he…kept that damn photo I gave him months back. The one I’d found in my old things of Hale and me in school together? I’d drawn a target on his face and written to him in Latin, knowing he’d understand, and I’d given it to him at a benefit when he let his hand slip to rest on my ass. He’s really lucky I didn’t knock him out.” She stared off in thought. “He was always pushing it. Always.”
“Well, he obviously pushed it a little too far.”
“Yes, but more than that, he had that photo in his wallet when he was found dead. He’d kept it. As if it were a memento.”
“It probably was. He probably jerked off to it nightly.”
Avery elbowed her. “Bitch.”
“You know I’m probably right.”
“The cops think otherwise. They think it was him letting them know who killed him.”
“Oh, hogwash. They’re just trying to get your goat. Don’t let them. Be the Avery Ashland I know and love. The ‘Fuck you all, I’ll do as I please,’ Avery Ashland.”
“I am. I mean, I will.” But inside, she had deflated a little. She could feel it. Her dragon fire wasn’t as strong. She was less likely to strike out. Now she was actually thinking before she breathed fire. It unnerved her. Had she lost her edge? Were the cops quelling her somehow?
“You’re frightened,” Bryce said as she tilted her chin to look at her once again.
Avery pulled away and stood. “Don’t be ridiculous.” She strode to the window and allowed the wind to blow through her hair. She searched nervously for a cigarette, and when she placed it between her lips and lit up, Bryce protested as usual.
“You know how I feel about the smoking,” she said. “You’re much too beautiful to ruin yourself.”
Avery narrowed her eyes and exhaled long and slow, blowing smoke into the cool air. “I’ll take my chances.” Bryce shook her head, and Avery studied her light brown hair, perfectly made up and set, her exquisite creamy skin accented with smoky eye shadow and deep red lips. She could still model, even in her early seventies. Her classic features were ageless and her friendship was priceless. Even so, her vocal opinions of late seemed to rub Avery the wrong way.
“How about a little massage then? To ease the pain?” Bryce stood and crossed to her. She downed the rest of her scotch and set the glass aside. She held her shoulders. “Remember my famous massages?”
Avery looked away. “How could I forget? You seduced me with one.”
“Mm-hmm, so I did. Not that long ago I might add.”
Avery hugged herself with one arm and continued to smoke. “We’re long past dalliances, Bryce. Besides, you have more than one lover to choose from if I recall.”
“What can I say? I want the best.” She touched her face, but Avery felt nothing other than cool fingertips.
“The best isn’t good enough for you. At least it didn’t used to be.”
Bryce laughed. “Are you still hurt from all that? I always thought you couldn’t be hurt. That my secret goings on couldn’t possibly bother you.”
“You were wrong.”
“So I was.”
Bryce stared deeply into her eyes and placed a delicate kiss upon her lips.
Avery stared back, unaffected. Bryce had been her first all those years ago. First to seduce her, first to love her, first…and last to betray her. Avery swore she’d never let it happen again. Instead she’d turned into what had torn her apart. A lover who had no bounds, no rules, and no cares. She’d turned into Bryce, only stronger, fiercer, and more passionate than anyone could’ve imagined. Including Bryce herself, who had turned around and begged to bed her once again. But Avery would never give in, even if it was just for spite.
Bryce dropped her hands. “It’s all just as well. I’m seeing someone new anyhow.”
“Oh?” Avery knew she was trying to make her jealous. But jealousy, where Bryce was concerned, had long ago faded.
“Yes. She’s very…special. And the sex…my God.”
“That’s nice. I’m happy for you.”
Bryce was silent for a long moment, and when Avery said nothing else, she said, “Very well. I can show myself out.”
Avery kept smoking, kept looking out the window. She forced back the pain of the present, of the cops and their questions, of Maria and her unattainability. She pushed it all away and watched as the woman she’d once called the woman of her life walked out the door.
She approached the door, ready to dead bolt it when she heard mumbled voices. She pulled it open to find Bryce and Lana conversing. Lana jolted a little at being caught. Bryce merely smiled and walked toward the elevator.
“What’s going on?”
Lana took her by the hands and led her back inside. “Just being polite,” Lana said. “She’s very attractive. Who is she?”
Avery closed the door and locked it. “Someone I used to care about.”
Lana seemed surprised. “Really? I must hear this.”
Avery extinguished her cigarette, not much wanting it anymore. She collapsed into her chaise lounge and stared out the windows. “Nothing to hear. It was years ago. Back when I was…young.”
“Don’t tell me she’s your first?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t. I don’t want to talk about it.” She never shared her private feelings or past with her lovers. Rarely did she do so with Bryce. But she’d been feeling a little vulnerable as of late, and she knew she needed to toughen up and steel herself once more. Even Bryce could use her vulnerability against her. She had before.
Avery changed the subject as Lana scooted in to cuddle with her. “Tell me what the cops wanted.” Lana had called her not long ago complai
ning about them ruining her tennis match. Not to mention embarrassing her at the country club.
Lana snuggled into her, and Avery could smell her mint shampoo and body wash. It used to stir her, but now it did nothing.
“They know Hale left with me the night of the murder.”
Avery stiffened. “What do you mean by ‘know?’”
Lana held her tighter. “They have surveillance.”
Avery pushed her away. “Lana, how could you’ve been so stupid?”
She groaned like a playful child. “It doesn’t matter. Doesn’t prove anything.”
Avery used to think her childish games were somewhat fun, especially when it came to teasing and foreplay, but lately she’d grown tired of her blatant irresponsibility.
“It doesn’t matter to you how devastating this could be?” She wondered what the police thought and of how the knowledge must’ve led them to think of her too. She thought of Maria and what she must think. She couldn’t take it.
She pushed away from Lana and stood.
“Baby, come on. It’s nothing.”
“I don’t understand you,” Avery said. “I don’t understand you at all.”
“What’s to understand? I had a lot to drink and so did Hale. I got in his limo. So what?”
“So what?” She tapped her finger to her head. “Think about it, Lana. The cops must know how you felt about him. How all women feel about him. It’s called motive. And now they can place you with him? Jesus, Lana. Jesus.”
She lit a cigarette, sucked on it, and then smashed it out in an ashtray. “Not to mention how this makes me look.”
Lana rolled her eyes. “Right, because it’s all about you.”
“It’s about you too, but you don’t seem to be concerned.”
“I told them to talk to my lawyer. In the meantime, I’m not going to worry. You shouldn’t either.” She began unbuttoning her blouse and licking her lips. “Come here,” she whispered.
Avery stood with her arms crossed.
“Avery. Come here.” She held out her hand with her dark purple bra exposed against the milky white flesh of her abdomen.