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

by Madison Johns

  “But it looked like he had been stabbed,” Eleanor said.

  “Look, there was a syringe, so he could have been given something and the police wouldn’t know what until much later. There was blood on his shirt, but if he was stabbed, there certainly wasn’t a murder weapon found.”

  “Looks like you have plenty more investigating to do, then,” Mark said. “I hope you figure out who killed Malcolm. I’d really not like to go back to prison.”

  Eleanor eased herself into a chair. “So, what do you know about Kayla being threatened, Mark?”

  “The calls have come in while she’s backstage.”

  “Kayla told us she hasn’t called the cops yet, is that true?” I asked.

  “Exactly, Malcolm wanted to keep it quiet.”

  “So, her room was ransacked and the cops weren’t called, and now you tell me threats were made to her via the phone, and calling the police still wasn’t an option?”

  “I was shocked myself, but Malcolm insisted it needed to be kept quiet. Kayla is a new artist and she can’t have a story like this get out.”

  “Who else besides you and Malcolm knew about the threats?”

  “Did the dancers know?” Eleanor asked.

  “Not that I’m aware of, but Kayla is a real trooper. She hits that stage and wows the audience every night like clockwork.”

  “Is there any truth that Malcolm and Kayla were in any way romantically involved?”

  “No. Kayla would never do that. She looked up to Malcolm, but only as a manager.”

  “Is Kayla involved with anyone?”

  “No, she’s really too busy for a relationship.”

  “That’s too bad,” Eleanor said. “She’s young and should be enjoying her life.”

  “I know, Eleanor, but with a career like a pop artist, it means more to her, I’m sure.” I smiled at Andrew. “Can we have dinner, or do you want to order room service?”

  “We can go out and Mark can order room service.”

  “Hopefully before we leave, so that way we can sign. We don’t want to make it look like anyone is here except us.”

  I went into the bedroom and changed into a black dress as Andrew slipped on black slacks, a white shirt, and black jacket. He was very striking with his gray hair, a silver-haired fox, even.

  “You look great, Agnes.”

  “Thanks, as do you. I hope tonight we can focus on enjoying ourselves, not investigating, although I had wanted to check out Kayla’s show, but I can do that another night, I suppose.”

  Andrew took my arm and we came out of the room just as there was a knock at the door. When he answered it, room service rolled in a cart, setting the covered containers on a nearby table in the main room. Mark was nowhere to be seen now and Andrew quickly signed for the meal, handing a tip to the man who left promptly afterward.

  Once he was gone, Mark came out of the bathroom about the same time Eleanor appeared from her room, dressed in a sparkly blue dress. Mr. Wilson was dressed very similar to Andrew. When the covered containers were opened by Mark, Andrew’s eyes widened. There was a huge T-bone steak with baked potato and carrots.

  “That makes me hungry,” Eleanor said. “Let’s head out.”

  We left without remarking about Mark’s meal until we were in the elevator. “I hope this is a short case,” Andrew said. “That Mark might just cost us a pretty penny trying to feed him.”

  “I appreciate you allowing him to stay,” I said. “It’s rather unbelievable, but I’m happy all the same that you’re going along with this.”

  “Perhaps you shouldn’t judge me so harshly. I’m all for helping out people, but I see the legal aspect of it, too. If the detectives find out, you’d better come up with a story that sounds good.”

  “Well, let’s hope that doesn’t happen, then.”

  This elevator didn’t bother me nearly as much as it would normally with my fear of heights. It moved smoothly and quickly. When it dinged at the bottom floor, we exited, mingling amongst the crowd that was congregated in this area. Most of the people were younger and they were lined up for where Kayla would be performing. I really wanted to go tonight, but I didn’t think it was wise. I also really did want to spend time with my Andrew.

  The four of us lined up for dinner and I didn’t even know that Andrew had made reservations as we followed a hostess into the room and over to a table covered in white linen. When I sat down, I noticed there was a stage in the front and that held my attention. “Look, Eleanor,” I said as I pointed out the stage.

  “What kind of restaurant is this?” Eleanor asked.

  “One that has a show. I was told there’s a man who does a great Liberace impression, including the costume. It should be a great addition after dinner,” Andrew explained.

  “I don’t care about any show, but I do wonder if we’ll ever get any service, I’m starving,” Wilson grumbled.

  The waitress came over and we ordered a bottle of wine and rosemary chicken with garlic potatoes and julienne green beans. The buttered rolls that accompanied the dinner were freshly made and delicious. I gazed around the room and noticed that most of the people dining here were older. It helped me feel right at home.

  After dinner and dessert, we gazed up at the stage as a curtain was lifted and a man dressed flamboyantly in a white suit with a gold and white jacket was playing a white piano with a silver candelabra on the top. He also wore a wig, staying in full character. Each key was precise and before long, we swayed and weaved to the sound of the romantic music. Wilson’s only response was to give Eleanor a quick peck on her cheek. Tables had been cleared and Andrew and I got up to dance. When I was in his arms, I forgot for a time where we were or what we were here to do. All I could think about was how much I loved this man and how fortunate I was to be married to him. Then I heard a noise and looked over at Mr. Wilson in his mechanical chair, Eleanor was sitting in the driver’s seat, with him on her lap, since he was on the frail side. She was giggling so hard that the apples of her cheeks were bright pink. When the song was done, the crowd clapped, probably for Mr. Wilson’s and Eleanor’s antics. I was used to them by now. You really never knew what those two were up to, but I was happy that Eleanor had found Mr. Wilson and married him. I just couldn’t think about one without the other anymore.

  We followed the crowd out after the show and wandered into the casino, where the bells and whistles dinged and joyous sounds were heard from the players. Tables were crowded with gamblers playing poker, blackjack, roulette, and just about every other game you could think of.

  Eleanor popped a twenty into a Wheel of Fortune slot machine. It wasn’t long before Wilson was off and on the move, with Andrew on his tail. I waited hesitantly. I wanted to play a few slots myself, but I was afraid if I left Eleanor’s side, I wouldn’t be able to find her again. Unfortunately, I decided to play another machine and after losing my twenty, I went back to where I thought I had last seen Eleanor, only she wasn’t there any longer. So, here I was, completely lost. I wandered around for a while, but Eleanor was nowhere to be found.

  Oh, what’s the use? I decided that I might as well head back to the room, or perhaps I could check and see how Kayla’s show was going. I decided to check out the backstage area and had my pass firmly in hand. When I walked in that direction, the main door was closed and I assumed it was because the show was still going on. I wandered backstage and showed my pass to a bodyguard. The music was loud, even back here, and I passed dressing tables with powder scattered and hairspray cans covering the tables.

  I suddenly whirled at the feeling of someone running past me, but I didn’t see anyone. But I had felt a rush of air and I just knew I had surprised someone—but who? I searched the remainder of the backstage area and when I passed the door with a huge star on it, I pushed it open, knowing it was Kayla’s dressing room.

  When I turned, I couldn’t miss the mirror, which had the beginning of a word that was written in red lipstick, “W-H—”

  It didn’t
take a genius to know what the word might be. Someone had been back here, all right, and I might have even seen them if I had turned around sooner. I sat down right outside Kayla’s dressing room, waiting until the show was over.

  It took quite some time before a sweat-covered Kayla appeared with her dancers following her lead.

  She smiled as she approached. “Did you get a chance to see the show?”

  “No, but when I came back here, I found something in your dressing room that bothered me.”

  Kayla’s smile faded and I showed her what I had found written on the mirror. “I think there was someone back here when I came in. I might have startled them and they ran off.”

  Kayla flopped down in a chair. “I-I wish Malcolm was here,” she muttered. “I don’t know what to do now.”

  When she gazed at me, one lone tear appeared. “I think we should call the police,” I said. “I insist on it.”

  “But you can’t. Malcolm told me I’d be ruined if people found out.”

  “Just because someone is threatening you? Did you receive any phone calls today?”

  “No, I didn’t. I had hoped that whoever was threatening me would stop when Malcolm died. I just can’t see why anyone would want to hurt me.”

  “So, no irate family or someone else that would want to frighten you?”

  “Not that I can think of. My mom will be here tomorrow, a day earlier than planned. She might know what to do.”

  “I’m calling the police even if you’re not. This has to be reported, Kayla. You can’t keep something like this a secret forever.”

  Kayla took a tissue and quickly wiped off the mirror. “It doesn’t look like there is anything to call the police for now.”

  “Why would you do that? Don’t you want to know who is behind your threats?”

  “Yes, but not at the expense of my career. Malcolm being gone won’t change that.”

  I frowned, but I couldn’t blame her, really. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what her life was like. Her going on stage like she had tonight showed that.

  “So, how important are your fans to you?”

  “Very. I wasn’t sure how I’d do or if I’d be able to do this at all tonight. Going on stage in front of all these people tonight proved what is really important to me. I just won’t let my fans down.”

  “How did the Vegas audience receive you when you came here?”

  “It was very intimidating at first, but the audiences seemed to be receptive and after a week, my shows all sold out.”

  “You did have a best-selling album, though, right?”

  “I’m doing much better in Vegas than I was doing touring clubs.” She frowned then. “If it wasn’t for Malcolm, I wouldn’t even be here. I just don’t know who would kill him.”

  “What was he like, really?”

  “He was fun loving and the life of the party. Everyone loved him.”

  “How about his past? Is there anything you know about him that might have led to his death?”

  “No, he’s from the Las Vegas area. His father works maintenance at the Mirage. Since Malcolm became an entertainment agent, his father’s life has been easier. Malcolm was close with his father.”

  “I’d love to ask him a few questions,” I said. “Where would I be able to find him?”

  Kayla wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to me. “This is his address, but be careful out there. It gets hot in the desert where he lives. Malcolm was close with his father, so be gentle with your questioning. I had planned to go out there myself, but I didn’t get the chance to yet and I can’t see that happening soon with my schedule.”

  I sighed. “I thought you were close with Malcolm?”

  “I am, I mean, I was.”

  “And yet you can’t take the time to see his father?”

  Kayla sat down on her chair, exhaling heavily. “I wish I could, but my mother will be here tomorrow. I’ll see Malcolm’s family soon.”

  “Fine. I guess I’ll be on my way now. I didn’t mean to get involved in your business, but I caution you to call the police the next time you’re threatened in any way.”

  When I left, I had mixed feelings, Why wouldn’t Kayla go out to see Malcolm’s family if she was as close to him as she claimed? That was a question for another day, though, since I was intent on finding Andrew. I couldn’t understand why he or Eleanor hadn’t at least called me on my cell.

  Chapter Six

  I made my way back to the casino and although Eleanor was still nowhere to be found, when I rounded a blackjack table, I found Andrew playing blackjack. There was a young blonde standing rather close to him. As I came up to the table, I kindly moved her hand from the back of Andrew’s chair and pushed her aside gently.

  Andrew grinned, not responding as he glanced down at his cards. I waited quietly as a ten and ace was turned over, giving him a blackjack. Chips were slid his way and that’s when Blondie gave me a hard push.

  “Move it, grandma,” she hissed.

  I smirked at the woman. “I think you had better find yourself a swing set,” I said.

  “You need to haul it back to the nursing home, grandma. This one is mine.”

  “This what is yours?”

  “That high roller.”

  I glanced over to where Andrew was trying to remain in player mode, but he couldn’t help grinning widely at my discussion with the ‘bimbo’ as I now labeled her in my head. “That’s where you’re wrong. For one thing, he’s no high roller and for another thing, he’s my husband.”

  “I don’t care who you are, push off, grandma.”

  “I’ve had enough of your backtalk, missy. I’m not about to leave my husband here with you.”

  Attention was now paid to us as we continued to banter back and forth. It was almost like we were the main attraction. I decided right then and there that I’d try to remain calm. I didn’t need to have security show up and toss me out of the casino. I’d never be able to solve this case then.

  “Would you two take it somewhere else?” the dealer said.

  I nodded and went over to the bar until I saw Blondie take her place next to Andrew again. I was fed up and although I didn’t want to be thrown out, I still had to do something. That’s when I spotted an empty mechanical wheelchair. I slowly crept over to it and slipped onto the seat. The person who was actually using it was obviously elsewhere, hopefully out of sight, I thought. The blonde woman was now leaning over my Andrew, her little red dress hiked up more than it was when I had been speaking to her. I located the knob of the wheelchair and I pressed the forward lever. No, I squeezed it like it was a lemon that I needed to juice for lemonade. The chair moved faster than I had anticipated and it zoomed straight for Blondie. Her eyes widened and I hit her with a thump. She was now lying across my chair, squealing like her leg was caught in a bicycle chain. Blondie was also half on the chair and half on the handlebars of the wheelchair and I braked hard, causing the woman to go tumbling off and into the chairs full of gamblers at a poker table. I didn’t stick around to see if she was all right. I couldn’t. If I was caught by security, I knew all would be lost. I exited the mechanical chair and raced for the elevator that thankfully had opened when I got there. When I finally looked up at the surprised occupants, Eleanor was flashing her baby blues at me. Wilson was in the rear of the elevator, grinning.

  “What’s gotten into you, old girl?” he asked.

  “It’s just that I have to get upstairs in a hurry. Close that door, would you,” I shrieked.

  “So, what gives?” Eleanor asked.

  “Oh, you know, nothing much.”

  Eleanor held the doors open and stared at me. “When you tell me, we’ll go up to our room. Otherwise, I have nowhere else to go.”

  I sighed. “Really, Eleanor?” When she blinked at me with her false eyelashes, I said, “Fine, so I might have mowed down some bimbo that was hanging all over Andrew while he was playing blackjack. I tried to tell the girl to move off, but she insisted on doing wh
at she was. I didn’t mean to run her down or knock her into chairs full of gamblers. It was all an accident. We need to get moving. If security finds me, I’ll be thrown out of Caesars Palace for sure. Then, how will we be able to solve this case?”

  Eleanor seemed satisfied as she moved to pull out the stop button, but paused, asking, “Run down, how?”

  “I borrowed an unattended mechanical wheelchair.”

  “So, do you think the woman got hurt?” Eleanor asked with concern.

  “I hope not, but you should have seen her fly. I never knew those mechanical wheelchairs could move that fast.”

  Wilson snickered. “They sure can. The ones here are the best! But where had you been before you ran down that hooker?”

  “Hooker?”

  “Of course. I saw that woman watching Andrew for quite some time. I think she had her sights on him. Before that, she was trying to drum up business at the bar,” Wilson said.

  The thought of hookers never entered my mind. There sure weren’t any in Tawas, or none that I knew of, anyway, but I doubt any of them would choose a place located that far north to flock to.

  “I can’t see Andrew allowing a woman like that to be around him. He never even said a word when that woman was arguing with me.”

  “Was he winning?” Wilson asked.

  “With the amount of chips in front of him, I think so.”

  “Well, there you go. I’m sure Andrew has eyes only for you.”

  I knew what he said was true. I trusted my husband, but I sure didn’t care for how that woman spoke to me. I think after tonight, I might just have to wear a disguise for the rest of my time in Vegas. This stunt might just have me being watched for the remainder of our stay. And as if on cue, two burly men made way for me and I begged Eleanor to get us out of there. She let go of the doors she was holding open and pushed the button our floor was on just as Wilson whizzed out of the elevator, just making it in time before the doors moved closed and we began our ascent. I assumed he was planning to go back to the casino to watch over my Andrew.