“One humdinger of a reason,” Eleanor added. “However did you get your job as a showgirl if you have two left feet?”
“I don’t. It’s just this new routine that I’m having trouble with.”
“I see, but you lied about one thing, you’re not on any marquee outside.”
“I-I—”
“You didn’t think we’d really check out your alibi?”
“Well, I-I guess not. Why do you even care about Malcolm’s murder? You don’t even know him.”
“We’re investigators back in Michigan and once we’re on the case, we don’t stop until it reaches a conclusion.”
“Malcolm never gave you any money, did he?” Eleanor asked. “Even though you were sleeping with him.”
“Is that how you got into the Jubilee show, you slept with the director?”
Bambi sighed and the look in her eyes made me think about a cornered rabbit. “No, they needed a last minute replacement and I’ve been practicing the kick routine for years. I’ve always dreamed of being in that show.”
“And they gave you a spot on the show after that?”
“Yes, in a probationary way, but if I can’t learn the new routine, I’m out and I just don’t know what I’ll do.”
“And where did that money really come from?”
She paused. “Well, Malcolm didn’t give it to me. I stole it from his safe.”
“His safe, where?”
“It’s under the carpet in his room.”
“Thanks for the information, but it would have been much easier if you had come clean earlier.”
“Are you going to tell the police what I did?”
“Look, I can’t make any promises.”
“But I needed that money so my mother won’t get tossed out of the place she’s staying at.”
“We’re aware that the whole, ‘my mother is getting foreclosed on’ story is a total scam. You’re boyfriend Michael even told us as much.” Bambi’s eyes widened at that as I changed gears. “Oh, and about that money you turned into the administrator at Sherwood. It seems that she was scamming you. You only owed five thousand for your mother’s stay.”
Bambi’s lips formed into to a big O.
“Why didn’t you question the amount you owned? Fifty thousand is sure a lot of moolah,” Eleanor said.
“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think about questioning it since I did miss some payments.”
“I’m sure the administrator forgot to mention that you mother’s Social Security and pension was enough to pay for her stay.”
“Now, that I was never told. Is it really true?”
“I’m not sure, but I did tell the police that I suspected a scam was going on at Sherwood.”
“Will I be able to get back the money I gave her? That way I can return it and be off the hook for stealing it.”
“I hardly think it works that way,” I said. “If anything, that money is most likely Kayla’s.”
“Oh, of course it is, but I don’t know who would be able to take care of my mother if I’m sent to jail.”
“She looks like she’s quite happy where she is, but it’s not up to us if you go to jail or not. Perhaps if you went to Detective McCullum or Mader and told them what you did, it might go better for you.”
“Fine, tell them yourselves then, since I’m not about to do that. I’ll go to jail for sure when it comes out.”
I felt bad, but what could I say to that? She knew what she did was wrong, even if it was for a good reason. “Thanks for helping us, Bambi, but right now the most important thing to me is finding out who really killed Malcolm. The bodyguard Mark also had an alibi and charges were dropped. The murder weapon was most certainly planted in Mark’s room.”
“So, you won’t be telling the police about the money?”
“Not as of yet, but it will have to come out eventually.”
Bambi’s face dropped. “Well, it looks like no matter what I do, I’m living on borrowed time.”
We watched as she knocked on the director’s door and left as she disappeared inside. I almost wondered if she was at the end of the line. She might just be losing her job today and would be facing theft charges at some point.
I led the way out of the corridor and back into the casino. I just didn’t know where to go from here, but we could head over to the Mirage and at least try to find the president of the Foxworth Agency. I really wanted to know what he had to say about Malcolm when he was in LA.
Chapter Sixteen
I decided to call the Mirage instead of heading over there. I’d hate to waste our time if Max wasn’t there. It took over fifteen minutes to get to the right person that actually both knew who Max was and was able to confirm that he’d be there tonight playing poker, since the game last night had been cancelled.
“We’ll have to wait until tonight to find Max,” I said.
“What will we do until then?”
“See if Mark is back to the hotel. I’d sure like to find out if Yvonne’s husband is real or a figment of her imagination.”
“I’m guessing the latter,” Eleanor said. “It might be entertaining to hear her explain herself out of that one.”
We found our way back outside and it was so hot, I about went back inside hoping there’d be a cool down by evening, but since we hadn’t figured out who killed Malcolm as of yet, we found a free taxi and went back to Caesars Palace. I gave Andrew a quick call when we came back, but he told me that he was keeping an eye on Mr. Wilson, who was at the pool—under an umbrella, that was. Just for kicks, I told Eleanor, “Andrew is trying to get your Wilson out of the Mustang Ranch. You know, brothel,” I said.
Eleanor so wasn’t taking my bait. “Whatever you say, Agnes. I know my husband wouldn’t go near that place. I told him if he even thought about it that I’d push him in the swimming pool, buggy and all.”
That sounded like a murder plot, but since I knew Eleanor would do nothing of the sort, I ignored her comment. Instead, we went upstairs to Kayla’s floor. Before we made it to the door, though, I observed Detective McCullum and Mader stepping into the hall from Kayla’s room.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“We were here to question Kayla again about Malcolm, to see if her story changed, but she received another threatening phone call while we were there.”
“So, you think she possibly killed Malcolm?”
“We’ve exhausted every lead. I just don’t know where we can go from here now,” Mader said. “All I know is that I’ll be so glad when this case is behind us. I hope we can find Malcolm’s killer and the person responsible for making those phone calls.”
“Were you able to track the phone number that came in?”
Mader took out a pen and paper and jotted it down, handing it to me. “It doesn’t check out, so my guess is that it’s a throw-away phone, since the number can’t be traced to anyone specific.”
“That makes sense, but what a blow to the case.”
“Have you found out any useful tips?” McCullum asked.
I was thinking about how Bambi stole the money from Malcolm, but right now I only said, “We’ve come up empty, too.”
“Keep us informed if you do find something of use,” Mader said.
Eleanor and I walked into Kayla’s room, where she was being consoled by Mark and Yvonne. “Take it easy, Kayla,” Mark said. “You can’t quit this gig. Don’t think that another pop artist wouldn’t die to take your place.”
“I know that, but this is too much. Max Trogan will be here in an hour to tell me who will be taking over representation for me.”
“The president of the Foxworth Agency?” I asked.
Kayla’s head snapped up and she searched my face. “Yes, why? Do you know him?”
“No, but I was interested in speaking with him about Malcolm’s time in Los Angeles with the company.”
“Looks like you’ll get your chance, then,” Kayla said nervously. “I’m just not sure how I’ll handle ha
ving a total stranger take over for me.”
“Well,” Eleanor said, “you really don’t have a choice. The show must go on.”
“Eleanor is right, Kayla. Don’t let anyone rattle you.”
“I just don’t understand who would be threatening me or why. I don’t have any enemies that I know of.”
“I’m sure you do,” Eleanor said. “You’re beautiful and talented. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone wants you out of Caesars so they can be in.”
“Well, I can’t think of who.”
I looked over to Yvonne, who appeared to be doing all she could to not look in my direction. “So, Yvonne, it was nice of you to finally come forward. I almost thought you’d let an innocent man go to prison for the rest of his life.”
Only then did she look at me. “You have no idea how hard it was for me to admit that I lied to the police. I was sure I’d be arrested for obstruction of justice, but Detectives McCullum and Mader told me not to worry, even though they were very upset about my deception. Personally, I just think they were angry that they had it wrong with Mark.”
“They didn’t have any choice but to tell the prosecutor they had it wrong, especially since the fingerprint on the knife didn’t belong to Mark. Whoever planted it wasn’t the smartest,” I said.
The door to the room opened and Sue walked in with a cup of coffee in hand, sunglasses on, and dressed only in a pink bikini and flip-flops. “What’s going on, baby?” she said.
“Oh, Mom. I got another threatening phone call. If Ted finds out, he’ll cancel the show again and then I’m sure I’ll be out.”
This time she wasn’t that off, at least I don’t think so. He could very well do that since he had a paying audience to pacify. I stared over to where Malcolm’s room was and wanted to check it out, but by ourselves and not while anyone was present.
I frowned. “Don’t worry. I could talk to Ted for you.”
“No, I don’t want him to know. I need to get on that stage tonight, no matter what.”
Yvonne patted Kayla’s hand. “Don’t you worry. I’m sure it will all work out.”
“How about you, Yvonne? There’s no rap star husband, is there?”
Her eyes widened and then she bashfully shook her head. “I made the husband up so Mark wouldn’t push me into a relationship that I’m not ready for. I mean, I wasn’t ready for.” She then flashed a ring in front of her face. “See what Mark gave me. Isn’t it pretty?”
I stared at the huge rock on her finger. “It sure is, but I had no idea that bodyguards made so much money.”
“I’m not just a bodyguard. I’m a silent partner in a martial-arts business that has four locations in Vegas.”
I shook my head. “What? Why are you playing bodyguard, then?”
“I met Malcolm some years back, before he was a hot-shot manager. He was a roadie at the time and I worked security. We shared an apartment between rock tours. Back then, there wasn’t a Kayla White as of yet. We got along well and he told me about a martial arts master that was looking for investors to open a business. I saved enough for the business venture six months later, but enjoyed the bodyguard work, so kept at it.”
“Was Malcolm your partner, also?”
Mark didn’t have anything to say now and I just knew he had told me more than he had intended.
“Well?” Eleanor asked. “Spill your guts.”
“Unless Malcolm used stolen money for the business ventures,” I said.
Mark sighed. “Look, I don’t know where Malcolm received his money from, but I assure you that he was not involved in my business venture in any way.”
“So how profitable are these martial-arts businesses?”
“Do they give you a good return?” Eleanor asked with raised brow.
“Yes, but I haven’t been receiving any payments for about six months. The owner is updating the buildings and that takes money.”
“How could you afford that ring if you haven’t been paid for your part in the businesses for the last six months?”
Mark rubbed the back of his neck. Had I struck a nerve?
“I have savings, you know.”
“Sorry, but how would I know that? I didn’t mean to grill you like this, but I just wanted to assure myself that you haven’t profited from Kayla’s money, too.”
Mark sighed. “I can’t say that I’d blame you, but I respect Kayla too much to ever take a dime from her.”
I asked for a glass of water and Kayla walked over and dropped ice into a glass, filling it with bottled water. “I just don’t drink tap water and I hope this is okay.”
“Thanks,” I said as I took the glass, taking a hearty sip. All this questioning was making my throat hurt. I then focused my attention on Sue. “Can I borrow your cell phone, Sue? I left mine in my room,” I said.
“No, you—” Eleanor began, before I gave her a look.
Sue searched her purse. “Looks like I must have forgotten it. I might have left it at the pool. I should go back down there and check.”
“I could call the phone for you, if you’d like,” I said. “That way when you go down there, you could hear it ring.”
“How could you call if you don’t have your cell phone?” Sue asked.
“I could use the phone in the room.”
“And your number is?” Eleanor asked.
Sue gave me a strange look and rattled off the number. I then frowned, since it wasn’t the number of the phone they had tracked on the last threatening phone call to Kayla.
“What is this all really about?” Sue asked.
“Well, I just happened to notice that you weren’t with Kayla that time backstage when she received a threatening phone call, the night the show was cancelled.”
“And you weren’t here today when yet another one came in,” Eleanor said.
Sue’s face reddened. “That’s ridiculous. Kayla’s been threatened way before I ever arrived back in Vegas.”
“Back? So you were here before?”
“I do visit my daughter. I have no reason to threaten Kayla, why would I want to ruin her career?”
“She has a point,” Eleanor said. “But Agnes has a point, as well.”
“My mother wasn’t the one who called threatening me. I know how her voice sounds on the phone.”
“So, male or female voice?”
“I told you before I wasn’t sure. It was a husky voice is all I could tell you.”
“Whoever called you might be disguising their voice,” Eleanor said.
“I can’t say, but I’d really appreciate if you’d quit blaming my mother for threatening me. She’s always been very supportive of me.”
There was a knock at the door and my attention was now diverted toward the door. I hoped that it was Max Trogan, because I certainly wanted answers.
Mark opened the door and in walked a casually dressed man. “Hello, Kayla,” he said, as he walked in. “I’m the president of the Foxworth Agency. I’m sorry I haven’t been here before to introduce myself, but I rarely get the opportunity to leave LA. I’m sorry about what happened to Malcolm. I know you were close. We’re all still shocked over the matter. My only hope is that the police find out who murdered him.”
“We’re looking into his death,” I said. I then told him who Eleanor and I were and mentioned our background in crime investigations.
“That’s great, but I’m confident that the police will find the killer.”
“I hired them,” Kayla informed him. “I’d rather the case be investigated by others rather than just the police.”
He nodded. “Of course, it’s your call.”
“What can you tell me about Malcolm?” I asked.
“Well, he clawed his way to the top, for one.” He smiled. “Worked rock tours as a road-crew member and made some good connections and he was eventually promoted. He came to our agency last year.”
“How did that go, was he a good manager?”
Max clammed up for a moment. “Look, I appr
eciate you looking into Malcolm’s death, but I really don’t feel comfortable speaking about this with you now. I’d be happy to meet you later at the Mirage. I have a high stake poker game there later tonight.”
“It can hold until then, I suppose.”
“Who will be representing me now?” Kayla asked.
“My sister Joann. She’ll be meeting you later at rehearsal.”
“You do know that Kayla’s been receiving threatening phone calls, right?” I asked.
“Malcolm said as much. Don’t worry, we’ll have extra security on hand.”
“That sure makes me feel more at ease.”
We stayed a little longer, but Max didn’t say anything of interest. He admitted that they’d deduct their fees before she’d receive money into her account.
“I hope you don’t plan on stealing any more of Kayla’s money. Malcolm certainly took his fair share,” I said.
Max’s brow shot up, his face deadly serious now. “What?”
“There was a rumor that Malcolm was skimming Kayla’s money and apparently it was true, since she has no account with her money in it. We had to open her an account for Caesars to pay her. Malcolm gave her an allowance like she’s a child and incapable of handing her own finances.”
“That’s how it usually is. Hand over a huge sum of cash to a brand new artist and they’ll be broke before you know it.”
“So, you condone this?”
“Of course not, but I can see where Malcolm was coming from, although I wasn’t aware of Malcolm stealing any money.”
I clenched and unclenched my hands. “Does Malcolm have a history of doing that, skimming money from the artists he handles?”
Max sank into a chair. “There had been unsubstantiated allegations back in LA, but they were never proven.”
“Is that why he was sent from LA to Vegas?”
“He discovered Kayla and put all his energy into her career and we allowed him to relocate to Vegas.”
“I don’t believe that for a moment,” Eleanor said. “If there were already allegations, why would you keep him on? It seems to me that if you allowed him to relocate, you were just trying to bury what he did.”
“Eleanor is right. How could you allow him to represent another artist? You not only put Kayla’s career at stake, but the reputation of your agency.”
Outrageous Vegas Vacation (An Agnes Barton Senior Sleuths Mystery Book 8) Page 14