Beauty In Death

by D E Dennis

  It was newer and modern. Michael’s first thought was that it looked like a bunch of white, rectangular blocks stacked haphazardly on top of each other, but whatever it looked like, it still screamed money.

  The guard let them in as soon as Samira told him who she was and why she was here. Michael hurried up the drive and parked.

  Samira jumped out and took off without a backward glance. “Thanks for the ride, Grimm. You can go.”

  Michael stopped halfway out of the car. He didn’t know what to do or say, but he knew something shifted between them and if he just got in the car and drove away, he might not get another chance to fix it.

  “No, that’s okay.” He pulled himself all the way out and firmly slammed the door. “I’ll stay and give you a ride home when you’re done. I also promised you dinner, so we can grab something on the way back.”

  She pressed the doorbell and shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

  The door opened to reveal Spencer Gutierrez on the other side. Spencer was a detective on the force and Samira’s partner. He was also—

  “What are you doing here, Ghoul? I didn’t call for a useless flatfoot.”

  —a complete jerk.

  Michael and Spencer did not have a good history together. It was hard to believe, but Spencer had been even more unpleasant as a young boy and he made little Michael’s life hell.

  Michael lifted his brow. “Useless flatfoot? I didn’t know you had such a low opinion of private detectives, but I’ll be sure to pass it on to my sister.”

  Michael wasn’t actually going to rat Spencer out to Monica, he just wanted the pleasure of seeing that sneer chased away by panic. Spencer wasn’t too fond of Michael. His sister on the other hand...

  Spencer’s eyes went wide. “Wait, no. I was just kidding!”

  Eyes rolling, Samira brushed past her partner. “Don’t we have work to do, Spence? Fill me in.”

  Michael and Spencer hurried to catch up with her.

  “It’s the daughter,” Spencer said. “Beauty Cadal. Apparently, today is her twenty-first birthday and her parents threw her a big blowout. Masquerade, big exaggerated costumes, wicked high heels. Beauty stepped out of the party for some fresh air, came down the stairs, and slipped on her heel.”

  Samira frowned. “If this is an accident, what are we doing here?”

  “I just got here myself, but from what I’ve been able to glean from the first responders are the parents refuse to believe it’s an accident. The paramedics have already rushed Beauty to the hospital, but the Cadals won’t let anyone leave until they have all been questioned. No joke, they have guards blocking the doors to the ballroom. The chief ordered us down here to try to defuse the situation, before it gets out of hand.”

  Michael kept both ears on the conversation as he scanned his surroundings. The modern theme had been kept up through the house as well, although, there was a bit more personality in here. Small sculptures and ceramics took up almost every available surface. The stark white walls were covered with paintings and photographs that upon closer inspection, all seemed to be of one person.

  A stunning, mind-blowingly, beautiful woman stared, winked, or blew kisses at him as they scurried down the halls, heading toward the sounds of raised voices.

  “—unacceptable man! You can’t just keep us here. I’m sorry for what happened, but I’m going home now!”

  “No one leaves!”

  “I say! Get your hands off me!”

  Spencer, Samira, and Michael picked up the pace, rushing around the corner to see two men struggling in the doorway. Well, one was struggling. The other, a burly man the size of a pick-up truck, held him under the crook of his arm as effortlessly as a child held a teddy bear.

  “Police! That’s enough!” Samira cried.

  The behemoth made no move to release his captive until another man stepped out of the room and into the hall. “There you are. Thank God.” He snapped his fingers. “Marcus, let him go. The police will take over from here.”

  Marcus immediately did as he was told, and the man scurried back into the room, far away from the guard.

  Michael studied the newcomer.

  Eyes red-rimmed. Hair disheveled. Six-hundred-dollar tie askew. This must be—

  “I’m Charles Cadal. Beauty’s father. Thank you for coming so quickly. You have to find out who hurt my little girl.”

  A diminutive woman dressed in a red Victorian gown raced out into the hall as if summoned. Her eyes landed on them and she hurried over, bypassing Marcus without any problem. “Finally, you’re here. You need to get started right away. Everyone is still here, including the staff, and if you need a private room for questioning we can—”

  “Whoa.” Samira held up her hands. “Please, slow down. First, tell me who you are and explain the situation.”

  “I’m Claudia Cadal,” she said tremulously. “Beauty’s mother.”

  The Cadals were an attractive couple. Jet-black hair with a handful of grays between them, light brown eyes, and a slim build that showed they both tried to keep in shape. Claudia had a bow-shaped mouth that was now pursed. The strain she was under evident by her sallow cheeks and the wrinkling of her brow and around her eyes.

  Charles had a few inches on his wife but was about a head shorter than Michael. All the same, the both of them drew themselves up to their full height as they faced the two officers.

  “We tried to explain to the paramedics that something isn’t right,” Claudia said. “Beauty wouldn’t have just fallen down the stairs.”

  “Why don’t you start from the beginning?” Samira asked.

  Claudia nodded. “Beauty was born on this day twenty-one years ago at 9:04 p.m. This time we planned a light show and a video of her life to start at exactly the time she was born, but when it reached nine and she still hadn’t come back to the ballroom, Marcus and James went looking for her. They were almost to the living room when they heard her scream. They rushed to the staircase and found her lying at the bottom. They called for help right away.”

  “I see.” Samira beckoned Marcus forward. “Did you see someone at the top of the staircase? Or did you hear footsteps?”

  He shook his head. “No, ma’am. Didn’t see or hear anyone.”

  “Alright, did anyone go with Beauty when she left the ballroom?”

  “No, ma’am. She was alone.”

  “What about the guests? Who was out wandering the halls at the time?”

  “No one, ma’am. James, Elliot, and I were posted at the doors. We were to keep the party in the ballroom and prevent any wandering around. We did not move from our post until James and I went looking for Miss Cadal. We’ve also got someone checking the outside security cameras, but so far nothing. No one was outside.”

  Samira blinked at him. “So you’re saying all the guests were in the ballroom when Beauty Cadal fell?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Samira slowly turned back to the Cadals. “I’m afraid I must be missing something. Everything I’ve just heard confirms this was a tragic accident.”

  “No,” Charles said, slashing his hand through the air. “I’m telling you it can’t be. Her phone is missing!”

  “Her phone?” questioned Spencer.

  Claudia nodded vigorously. “Yes, Beauty’s cellphone is missing. She never goes anywhere without it, but we didn’t find it on her, the stairs, or the platform. It’s just gone. We don’t know why but whoever pushed her must have taken it.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Please listen to us. I know this wasn’t an accident. I just know it. You have to search the guests. When you find the phone, you’ll know we’re telling the truth.”

  “Mrs. Claudia, we can’t detain and search people without actual proof of foul play,” Spencer said. “She might have left the phone in her room, the bathroom, or anywhere in the house. That she didn’t have it on her doesn’t follow that someone tried to kill her.”

  Charles balled his fists. “I’m telling you, Beauty had it with her and now it’s go
ne. What more proof do you need?!”

  Spencer scowled. “Maybe a house full of suspects that don’t have alibis for a start? How is someone supposed to have pushed her if no one left the room?”

  “It’s your job to find out!” Charles roared.

  “Sir, please calm down,” Samira said warningly.

  “I will not calm down! My daughter has been attacked and you fools are wasting time arguing with me when you should be finding who—”

  “I’ll take the case.”

  Four heads swiveled around to face him.

  Michael smiled disarmingly and said again, “Mr. and Mrs. Cadal, I’ll take your case.”

  “Who the heck are you?” Charles sputtered.

  Michael stepped forward, his hand extended. “My name is Michael Grimm of Grimm Investigations. I’ll find the person who attacked your daughter.”

  “Michael Grimm?” Claudia closed the distance between them. “You’re... you’re Glenmore’s son.”

  “If the D.N.A tests are to be believed,” he said under his breath.

  “We are not affiliated with him,” Spencer spat. “Mrs. Cadal, don’t let him play on your grief and swindle you out of your money. If it turns out someone was involved in your daughter’s fall, we’ll handle the investigating.”

  Even Samira was looking at Michael disapprovingly.

  Charles lifted a brow at Spencer, his composure returning. “Do you believe that she was attacked?”

  “We don’t yet have proof—”

  Charles promptly turned his back on him. “Grimm, you’re hired.”

  Chapter Two

  Michael stood on the porch, rocking back and forth on his heels, and waiting patiently while Spencer hissed at him.

  “What do you think you’re playing at, Ghoul?”

  Michael sighed. “Are you ever going to tire of that nickname? It’s been twenty years.”

  Spencer’s scowl deepened. “There is no case here. What are you trying to prove?”

  “I’m trying to prove their daughter was attacked. Wasn’t that clear?”

  “She wasn’t attacked!”

  Michael shook his head. “Look, I don’t know Beauty Cadal, but Charles and Claudia do. If they say the missing phone is suspicious then I believe them.”

  “And when it turns out the blasted thing just fell between the couch cushions and has nothing to do with anything?”

  “Well, then the worst thing to happen is everyone goes to bed late tonight. But if they’re right and she was pushed, then we have the chance to start investigating before witnesses forget what they saw, evidence is gotten rid of, and the suspect gets their story straight. If Beauty was attacked then the attacker is in that ballroom right now. For all your bluster, you’re a good cop, Spencer. You’d never forgive yourself if you let your need to show me up get in the way of finding an attempted murderer.”

  Many emotions warred on Spencer’s face as he tried to argue past Michael’s logic. In the end, he folded his arms, grumbling to himself.

  “Anyway,” Michael continued. “I can’t start the questioning until Monica gets here, which is why I’m standing on this porch. Why are you here with me when you should be inside helping Samira with crowd control?”

  Spencer suddenly got all shifty-eyed. “No reason.”

  Michael laughed. “What? Do you want to be here when Monica arrives?”

  “Shut up, Grimm!”

  Michael laughed louder and was still laughing when his sister finally pulled up. She climbed out of the car, and Michael actually saw Spencer’s jaw drop.

  He shook his head.

  His sister tended to have that effect on people, especially when she wasn’t in her usual work attire of black slacks and a simple blouse. That night she wore a blue tea-length gown with her curly hair bound and put up in a bun. She wasn’t usually one for makeup, but she sported reddish-brown lipstick and smoky eyeshadow adorning her almond-shaped eyes.

  Michael took a step forward to meet her, but Spencer was faster. He shot past him and skidded to a stop in front of his sister. “Hey, Monica. You look amazing.”

  Monica favored him with a smile. “Thanks, Froggy. I was at the grand opening of my friend’s restaurant when Michael called me away, and he better have a good reason.” Her voice went up on the last few words.

  “I do have a good—”

  Spencer beat him to the punch again. “Beauty Cadal fell down the stairs, but her parents suspect she was pushed. All the signs point to this being an accident, but a good cop never rushes to judgment. I hope you and I can work closely on this case to make sure this poor young woman receives justice.”

  A slow smile spread across Monica’s face, while a grimace spread across Michael’s. “I’m sure we’ll work very closely, Frogster.” Monica leaned in. “But only if you’re on your best behavior.” She patted him lightly on the cheek and strode away, leaving Spencer standing there in a sort of daze.

  Michael shook his head as he led his sister inside. “Must you?”

  Chuckling, his sister bumped his shoulder. “Must I what? If we are really taking on an attempted murder, then there’s no doubt we’ll be running into the only other detectives in town. Which brings me to the point. Are we investigating an attempted murder?”

  “I’m not sure yet. It’s like Spencer said. Beauty fell down the stairs, but if she was helped there’s no actual proof of it. The guards were looking for her when they heard her scream, but not only do they say they didn’t see or hear anyone else. They also admit all the guests were in the ballroom at the time she fell. All we have to go on is Beauty’s missing phone.”

  “Since when does a missing phone equate to attempted murder?”

  “The parents are thinking the attacker took the phone.”

  “Why would they want her phone, and how would they even get into it? Those things are locked up tighter than government secrets nowadays with fingerprint and face scanners, and if they did get into the phone, what would they find? Did she have something of value on it?”

  “All excellent questions, dear sister, and I expect you’ll be asking them and many more to all two hundred of our suspects.”

  Her eyes bugged out. “Two hundred?”

  “Yep.” Michael led Monica down the final hallway, their footsteps soundless as they approached the ballroom. “Tonight was Beauty’s birthday party, and the family spared no expense.”

  Michael threw open the double doors. Monica’s jaw dropped. “Spared no expense was putting it cheaply,” she whispered.

  Michael had to agree. The magnificence of the ballroom was a sight to behold in and of itself but the elegant drapery, massive ice sculptures, multicolored strobe lights, and fine people dressed in even finer clothes made it look like something out of a fairy tale.

  Samira walked up to the siblings as they stepped inside. “The Cadals aren’t pleased, but I’m going to start collecting names and numbers and letting people go home. If they consent to being searched, we’ll check for the phone, but that’s the best I can do.”

  Michael nodded. “I understand. I know legally your hands are tied. Thanks for helping us out.”

  Samira frowned. “I’m not doing it for you, Michael. This is my job. If she was pushed it’s my responsibility to find out by whom.”

  She walked off and Monica whistled. “Dang, bro, what did you do to piss her off? Wasn’t it your big dinner tonight?”

  Michael’s scowl was his answer. “Let’s just get started before the room empties out.”

  “Who do you want to start with?”

  “Parents, then staff.”

  “Why staff?”

  “Because the guards wouldn’t have stopped them from going in and out of the room. Probably barely noticed when they did.”

  Monica tapped the side of her nose. “I knew I kept you around for a reason. Let’s do it.”

  It wasn’t difficult to spot Charles and Claudia in the crowd. They just had to look for the mass of people surrounding them and of
fering their sympathies.

  “I’m sure Beauty is going to be okay, Claudia.”

  “Don’t worry about work. I’ll take care of things at the studio, you just focus on your daughter right now.”

  A slightly accented voice rang out as the siblings approached the group. “Everyone, please, some room. Dear friends, why don’t you go and be with her now?”

  Michael and Monica broke through the crowd to find Beauty’s parents leaning against the platform and being fussed over by a woman dressed all in black. Black lace gown, black satin gloves, black leather headwrap, and when she turned to face them, black lipstick as well.

  Monica gasped. Michael nudged her, surprised at her rudeness, but she ignored him. “I can’t believe it,” she gushed. “You’re... you’re Malia Diragoni!”

  The woman in black, Malia, looked Monica up and down, before breaking into a smile. “That’s me, and who are you, besides lovely.”

  Monica giggled and practically ran to shake her hand. “I’m Monica Grimm. I’m the private detective on this case as well as a singer in the band the Happily Ever Afters.”

  Michael blinked. Why was Monica telling her that?

  Malia hummed. “Talented and smart. A lady who can do it all.”

  Monica giggled some more and Michael figured it was time to get them back on track. “Monica.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “That’s Charles and Claudia Cadal,” he said pointedly. Subtext: let’s talk to them now.

  “Just a second, Michael. This is Malia Diragoni, owner of Year of the Dragon. She is one of the most famous party planners on this coast, and she’s probably the one who hired the staff who worked the party.”

  Michael’s interest was piqued by the end of her sentence.

  “Ms. Diragoni—”

  “Please, call me Malia.”

  “Malia,” Monica corrected. “Can we speak to you after we’ve interviewed Beauty’s parents?”

  “Of course, darling, but I don’t know if I’ll be of much help.”

  Monica let herself be dragged away and they approached the Cadals. Michael went through the introductions, then he took a step back, letting his sister take over.