Outrageous Vegas Vacation (An Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery Book 8)

by Madison Johns

  “Whoever stabbed him must have walked right up on him and he never expected it. My guess is that he knew his killer.”

  I walked over to the elevator and saw that the security camera near the controls had been ripped out, and the ones in the ceiling had been covered with black paint. “Do you see what I see, Eleanor?”

  “Yup, it looks like whoever did this covered their tracks.”

  We backed off when the cops showed up. They were Miami Vice-type detectives. One was dressed in a lavender shirt, while his partner was dressed in a vibrant blue shirt and both wore black pants. Both of them also had perfectly styled hair that didn’t move a bit as they checked over the victim. They slipped on rubber gloves before reaching under the body and slid out a syringe.

  “This is interesting. He must be an IV drug user,” one of them said.

  “What does that matter?” I asked. “As you can plainly see, the man has been stabbed and whoever did it covered their tracks.” I pointed out the camera that had been yanked out and the black paint covering the other one. “See, the cameras have been tampered with.”

  “It’s possible the victim was shooting up and that’s why he wasn’t aware he was in danger.”

  “If he was shooting up, his sleeve would be rolled up, wouldn’t it?” Eleanor asked.

  “He knew his assailant is my thought.”

  The men surrounded us. “Who are you and why are you on our crime scene?”

  “I’m Agnes Barton, private investigator, and this is my partner Eleanor.”

  “As an investigator, you should know that there’s no reason for you to be on a crime scene. If anyone hires you to investigate this suspicious death, you’ll have to wait until after we clear the scene.”

  I never had the chance to respond. A young woman wearing a white leather miniskirt with a matching halter top marched forward, looking into the elevator. She let out a cry, as she said, “Oh, no!”

  “Do you know the victim?” I asked.

  “I-It’s my ma-manager, Malcolm. I was looking for him everywhere, but I wasn’t able to locate him.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss, dear. I’m Agnes Barton, private investigator,” I told her, handing her my business card. “Just in case you’re interested in hiring us.”

  “I’m Eleanor Mason,” Eleanor said. “Aren’t you Kayla White?”

  Kayla slapped the back of her hand against her brow. “I just don’t know what I’ll do without Malcolm. He took care of everything for me.”

  “When was the last time you saw him?” one of the detectives asked.

  “I-I … we had breakfast at nine and Malcolm mentioned that he had a meeting to attend at eleven.”

  “Where did you have breakfast this morning?” a detective asked.

  “We had breakfast in my room like we always do. It’s not like I can just go anywhere. Fans can be aggressive at times.”

  I stared at my watch. “It’s only twelve now. So he left you at exactly when?”

  “I’m not sure, ten maybe. I didn’t notice what time exactly. I was late for an interview.”

  “Do you happen to know who he was meeting with?”

  “No, he never said.” She batted away the tears.

  “We found a syringe,” a detective said. “Is he a known drug abuser?”

  “Oh, no,” Kayla cried. “He was always so anti drugs. I just can’t believe he was using—and what does that have to do with his death? I can clearly see the blood on his shirt from here.”

  “He might have screwed over his drug dealer and he or she took him out. There’s no blood splatter.”

  The crowd was moving forward as a gurney was brought into the door by two men wearing blue. The emblem on their jackets identified them as working for the medical examiner. A sheet was then pulled up and held by two policemen to conceal the scene from the crowd.

  “Perhaps you should question Kayla privately. She doesn’t need any bad press,” I said.

  “Fine, we’ll let the forensic team take over from here. If you can direct us to your suite, Kayla.”

  “But the elevators have all been shut down,” I said.

  “We’ll make an exception. If you please, Miss White,” the detective said.

  “Only if those ladies can come with us. I’d feel more comfortable that way.”

  I smiled smugly as I followed Kayla into the elevator, but Eleanor sprinted ahead of me, taking a place next to her. When the detectives joined us, Kayla pushed the button for the twentieth floor. I gulped silently, focusing on the men who introduced themselves as Detectives Derek McCullum and Bradley Mader.

  When the elevator reached our destination, I left with rubber legs. I felt a rush to my head, my fear of heights running overboard at the moment even though the elevator had moved smoothly.

  We followed Kayla into her room and I was amazed at the size of the suite. Kayla went over to a table, grabbing a box of tissues, then went behind the bar to pour herself a whiskey on the rocks with a shaky hand.

  “Would anyone else like one?” she asked.

  “We’re on duty,” Detective McCullum said.

  “And it’s too early for us, or I should say, we don’t drink whiskey,” I said.

  “Speak for yourself, Agnes, but it’s too early in the day for me, too.” Eleanor added.

  Kayla led the way over to a cream-colored curved couch and asked us to join her, so Eleanor and I both sat down. Detective Mader pulled out a notebook and asked her for her address, then requested her identification for the report that they would need to file.

  She handed over what they requested .

  Mader took it from her and jotted down the information. “So, we’ve already established a timeline of sorts. What can you tell us about Malcolm, like, what kind of person was he?”

  “He was a great manager,” she sniveled. “Is that what you meant?”

  “Besides that?”

  “He was a workaholic. He was always doing business on his phone or on his computer.”

  “Do you happen to know where either of them those items would be?”

  “No. He never left anywhere without his phone and laptop. He kept it in a leather bag, carrying it everywhere with him.”

  “How did you get along with him?” McCullum asked.

  “Great. I’d never have gotten this Vegas gig without him. He wasn’t just my manager, but also my friend.” She covered her face with her hands, crying.

  “Let’s stay focused here. The sooner we get the questioning done, the sooner we’ll leave,” Mader said.

  She blew her nose. “I’m so sorry. I just can’t believe that he’s gone. I can’t imagine anyone wanted him dead.”

  “So, he had nobody who would wish to harm him?”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “What about the ladies?” I asked. “Did he have a girlfriend?”

  “He had a few hanging around, but I don’t think either of them was seriously involved with him. Since he’s been my manager, plenty of women follow him around, hoping to meet me.”

  “How did you feel about that?” Eleanor asked.

  “I don’t mind it sometimes, but it can get annoying when Malcolm didn’t warn me beforehand. He’s even brought girls up here before.”

  “That must have been scary,” Eleanor said. “I mean, this is your personal space.”

  “Yes, and I’ve come back to my room to find it in total disarray.”

  “Like how?” Detective McCullum asked.

  “Someone went through my drawers and well, everything. It was quite the mess.”

  “Did you report that to the police?” I asked, concerned.

  “No, I spoke to Malcolm about that and he told me it would give me bad press. I certainly don’t need that. I don’t want the casino to let me go.”

  “I highly doubt that a crime being committed against you would do that. I imagine crimes happen all the time with a place as big as Caesars Palace.”

  “I suppose, but I trusted him to advise me
on everything.”

  “And was anything taken from your room that day?” McCullum asked.

  “That was the strange thing. Whoever did it went through my belongings, even my jewelry box, but the only thing taken was my bird necklace. It had a ruby in place of an eye. Malcolm gave it to me after I recorded my first single.”

  “Was the theft reported to the hotel, at least?” I asked.

  “Yes, and the door lock was recoded so that not even a maid can come in unless I let them in. Security is important to me.”

  “I imagine so,” I said. “And when did this happen?”

  “A few days ago.”

  “A few days ago, then,” Eleanor said. “Are you thinking what I am, Agnes?”

  “Yes, Kayla’s room was ransacked and then a few days later, her manager winds up dead. Where did Malcolm stay, did he have his own room?”

  “Actually, he has his own bedroom in this suite,” she admitted.

  “I’d like to see that,” Detective Mader said. “We’ll have to call forensics in case they want to take a look, too.”

  “Is that necessary? I’d hate to have a whole team of strangers up here.”

  “Yes, a man was just murdered and we have to investigate every avenue.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “Was Malcolm’s room also gone through?”

  “Yes, but he wasn’t robbed. He had gold necklaces and diamond earrings he always wore that weren’t taken.” The detectives entered Malcolm’s room and it was quite the mess. His mattress was pulled halfway off the bed.

  “Well,” I said. “It looks like someone came back looking for something.”

  “Or he was murdered here,” Mader said. “We’ll check for blood in the room.”

  “Was Malcolm acting normal?” McCullum asked.

  “Yes. I mean, he was a little distracted, but that’s normal for him. He’s constantly working, as I’ve said before.”

  “I think you ladies can leave now,” Mader said, turning to Agnes and me. “This is an active crime scene now.”

  “C-Can you stay with me?” Kayla asked. “It would make me feel more comfortable.”

  I made way back over to the couch and sat down. “I sure would. You poor dear, you’ve been though enough today.”

  “We would be happy to investigate your manager’s death,” Eleanor said. “And we won’t charge you. We have investigated many crimes in the past back home in Michigan and elsewhere. You could say that crime finds us.”

  I laughed. “Eleanor is right about that. Eleanor won an all expense paid vacation to Vegas when we were on our Honeymoon cruise, so it’s a good thing we’re here. We’ll find out who killed Malcolm.”

  Kayla clapped her hands. “That’s so great. I’ve never met lesbians your age and it’s so nice that you got married.”

  We laughed for a moment and then I became serious. “Not exactly. I married my Andrew and Eleanor married her Mr. Wilson.”

  “We’re not lesbians, but plenty of people have made that mistake before,” Eleanor added with a chuckle.

  “I’m sorry. I guess that’s what I did, jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

  “When was the last time this room was cleaned?” I asked.

  “Yesterday afternoon. We were here when the maids came up.”

  “Oh, so you didn’t actually clean your own room?” I asked, realizing too late that why would she, when this was a hotel.

  She laughed. “I wouldn’t even know how. My mother spoiled me and when my first album was such a success, I met Malcolm and he took care of everything for me.”

  “Wow, that’s quite the life,” Eleanor said.

  “And you said the hotel supposedly changed the code in your door lock?”

  “Yes, that’s what they said.”

  “I’d be happy to check that out and demand it be done again, if you like,” I said. “It’s the least I can do.”

  “I hope you have someone to call and stay with you, dear,” Eleanor said.

  “I can call my mother, I suppose, but it will take her a few days to get here from Ohio. She’d have to get someone to look after her dogs.”

  Kayla began to get very emotional as the forensics team knocked on the door and the detectives let them in. “Th-This is so unbelievable. I-I should call my bodyguard.”

  Kayla picked up her phone and said, “Mark, I need you to come to my room. It’s really important, M-Malcolm is d-dead.” She hung up the phone and started to cry. “He didn’t pick up, so I had to leave a message.”

  The detectives poked their heads out of Malcolm’s room. “When was the last time you saw your bodyguard?”

  Kayla frowned. “At breakfast. He asked for the morning off.”

  Mader came over and asked for his full name and description.

  “His name is Mark Klein and he’s about six foot and muscular.”

  I interrupted the detective, who went back into Malcolm’s room. “And you were wandering around by yourself since breakfast?” I asked Kayla.

  “Yes, but I was wearing sunglasses and a hat.”

  “You weren’t wearing that when we first saw you downstairs.”

  “I know. I lost it in that crowd. Fans can be aggressive like that sometimes.”

  I wasn’t all that sure about what she said, but why would she lie about wearing sunglasses and a hat and then having someone take them off, or rip them off her?

  “Are you sure that you didn’t just drop your hat and sunglasses somewhere before you came onto Malcolm’s body?” I asked.

  “Oh, I can’t remember,” Kayla said, throwing a hand over her eyes. “Do you have to keep asking me all these questions? All I want to do is take a bath and forget this even happened.” She faced me and said, “I’d love you to look into Malcolm’s death. Finding the killer is very important to me. That man was my best friend.”

  “Is that all he was?”

  “Yes, I know what the press says, but Malcolm and I have never been more than friendly with one another, I assure you.”

  We waited while the detectives and forensics left, toting plastic bags filled with items. “We’ll be in touch,” Detective McCullum said with a nod.

  Kayla had gone off to take a bath after they left and when she finally wandered out wearing a robe, she had very red and puffy eyes. “I need some time alone,” she said. “I’ll speak with you later.” She handed us passes. “You can go backstage or anywhere I am with this pass. We can meet up later. I have a show tonight that I can’t postpone. I’d hate to disappoint my fans.”

  I’d have preferred to wait around until Mark showed up, but since he hadn’t arrived as of yet, I couldn’t help but wonder where he might have been and if he was the one responsible for Malcolm’s death. When it came to murder, you had to look at everyone in the victim’s inner circle.

  “If Mark ever shows up, give me a call. My number is on the card I gave you. I’d really like to talk to him before the cops do. It won’t help if the police drag him off to the police station.”

  “Do you think that they’d do that?”

  “It’s hard to say, since he might just be a person of interest until he’s eliminated as a suspect. I imagine that everyone Malcolm knew will be on that list, including you, but don’t worry. We’ll figure out who killed Malcolm. Are you sure you don’t have the names of any women he might be more steady with?” Kayla just stared at me and sighed. I just knew she was holding back. “Who, Kayla?”

  “Bambi Baboom. She’s a showgirl, but whatever you do, speak to her alone. If the casino gets wind of her being involved with Malcolm, they might let her go. I imagine they’ll be going into damage control with a dead body winding up in one of their elevators.”

  I nodded and we thanked her for her help, then we left.

  Chapter Three

  “Do you think the bodyguard is a good suspect?” Eleanor asked.

  “He is until we can clear him. I hope that Kayla calls us when he shows up, or that we find him before the police do. Ot
herwise, we’ll never be able to get much out of him.”

  “So, where are we headed now?”

  “Back to our room. I’m sure by now the men are wondering where we might have gone.”

  Luckily the elevators were up when we left and we found our way back to the tenth floor and our room. I barely had the card key inserted when Andrew opened the door. “Where were you?”

  I walked inside with Eleanor hot on my tail. “Hello, sweetheart, were you worried about me, too?” Eleanor said to Wilson.

  His face was drawn down until he put his teeth back in. “Oh, no. You know that man of Agnes’ is the only one who gets uptight about your extracurricular activities.”

  “That’s not fair and I wouldn’t change Andrew for the world. I don’t blame him for worrying, actually. Eleanor and I do wind up in trouble at times.”

  Andrew cocked a brow. “So, what are you two involved in, now?”

  “We have an actual case,” Eleanor said, positively beaming.

  Andrew plopped on a chair. “Go ahead, lay it on me.”

  I walked over and plopped ice cubes into a glass, filling it with water, then sitting opposite Andrew. “Well, Eleanor and I were minding our own business and going down in the elevator when we were ordered off it. We were told the elevators would be down until further notice.”

  “So, we walked down to the first floor to see what the hoopla was all about,” Eleanor added.

  “And there was a man found in the elevator.”

  “He was a quite dead man,” Eleanor informed them. “He’s the manager of the pop star Kayla White. She’s doing a residency at Caesars.”

  “We merely asked a few questions and the detectives allowed us along to question her,” I said.

  “And why were you allowed to go along, exactly?” Andrew asked with a notable frown.

  “Well, Kayla was very upset and needed a little moral support. Her manager took care of everything for her.”

  “She’s hired us to look into his death for her,” Eleanor said.

  Andrew slapped his palm to his head. “The less I hear about this, the better I’ll feel. How about you do your little investigation while Wilson and I have some actual fun?”

  I nursed my water for a moment. “I want to have fun here, too. It won’t take that much of our time investigating, I promise.”