by C. J. Thomas
Giselle’s hands went to her head as she pulled her hair back in frustration.
Dropping my gaze back to the file in my hand, I muttered, “I still haven’t been able to track down Parker.”
“We’ll find him, Kelly.” Her hand came to touch my elbow. “We won’t rest until we do.”
Nodding, I said, “And it all starts with Angelina Davis.”
Giselle took a step back, lowering her tailbone to rest on the edge of her desk.
Arching a brow, I asked, “That’s the reason you called isn’t it? She’s here?”
“Yes,” Giselle glanced down the hall. “But she’s a little confused as to why you called her in.”
Dropping the files to my side, I said, “You didn’t explain?”
She lowered her chin and shrugged. “I got sidetracked.”
Turning my attention down the hall myself, Angel stepped into sight, pacing back and forth in the conference room behind closed doors with her arms crossed. “Probably best that you didn’t.” I turned back to Giselle. “That way we can surprise her with our questioning.”
Giselle’s head bobbed. “What’s the game plan for going in?”
I glanced back to the conference room, taking a minute to get my thoughts straight. Until Giselle called this morning, I hadn’t spent a whole lot of time thinking about work. Kendra had consumed my thoughts, and suddenly my mind was back on her, hoping she would obey my instructions to stay put.
“It’s important she doesn’t leave here,” I turned and fixed my gaze back on Giselle, “without first giving us a believable reason why she was wearing Sylvia’s name tag the night Maria was murdered.”
“You take the lead—” Giselle pushed off her desk.
“—and step in when Angel needs to hear it from another woman.” Taking a deep breath in, I turned my head back to the conference room and Angel found me staring. “How long has she been here?”
“Ten minutes.”
“Did she say anything?”
“Just curious to know what you wanted to discuss.”
Thinking Angel might know more about Maria’s death than anybody besides the killer, it was important not to forget the first time Angel and I met. She was out with Oscar Buchanan shortly after I stole Kendra away from him.
“Let’s get this over with,” I said, getting Giselle to follow. We entered the conference room to a pair of cautious eyes. Taking a seat on the opposite side of where Angel stood, I thanked her for coming in today.
Pulling out the empty chair nearest to her, she fell into it. “I assume you asked me here to discuss Tonya.”
Time slowed to a stop. The faint sounds of a ticking clock grew louder, and somewhere in my highly alert state I kept hearing soft whispers swirling in my ears. Look what you made me do.
But before I let my mind lose track of what she’d just admitted, I said, “Then you’ve heard?”
She nodded and dabbed her nose with a tissue. “Tonya was a friend.”
Reaching across the table, Giselle took one of Angel’s hands and squeezed. “Kelly and I are both sorry for what happened to Tonya.”
Angel’s eyes darted between us. Then she landed her cold gaze directly on me. “Are you?”
“We want to know who did this as much as you do.”
“That’s funny.” Her lips pinched shut.
I gave her a questioning look.
“Because I’ve been thinking a lot about this.” Her nostrils flared. “And I’m convinced that if you hadn’t assaulted Timothy Parker, Tonya would still be alive today.”
As much as her comment stung, I refused to go down that road. Her friend was dead. She was grieving. I wasn’t about to fault her for that. “I’d like to ask you some questions about the night of Blake Stone’s movie premiere.”
Jerking her head back, the crease between her brows deepened. “Yeah. Okay. Sure.”
Placing the point of my pen to the legal pad, I asked, “Were you there?”
“I was.” Her voice was light, no louder than a soft whisper.
Giselle slid over the file we had on Maria. I took my time when opening it. Peeling the photo of Maria at the corner, I lifted it and turned it to face Angel. “Did you happen to see her there that night?”
Angel’s eyes looked intently at the photograph. “I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think so.”
Giselle slid over the file on Sylvia Neil. Pulling out an image we had of her, I did the same as I had with Maria—making certain Angel could clearly see the face presented. “What about her?”
Angel didn’t need to study this one as closely as Maria’s. It was clear she recognized Sylvia’s face right away. Laughing, she said, “Yes, she was there. Her and the rest of Hollywood’s gossip column reporters.”
Laying Sylvia’s image next to Maria’s in the center of the table facing Angel, Giselle already had my next set of images ready to go. “What about her? Do you recognize her?”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “That’s me.”
“Funny.” I turned the photo back around to face me. “Because I could swear that the name tag says you’re Sylvia Neil.”
Angel leaned back in her chair, bringing her arms off the table. Folding them over her belly she said, “I can explain.”
Smiling, I responded, “Brilliant. Because, with me believing Sylvia Neil killed Maria, a jury could get confused and think that maybe it was you who did it.”
“Sylvia placed the name tag on me on her way out of the party.”
“Why would she do that?”
“She seemed in a hurry. I didn’t ask, didn’t care. People thought it was funny since only the media were instructed to wear them.”
“What time was that?” Giselle asked.
Angel shrugged. “I don’t know. After nine, maybe. It was several hours before the party was over.”
“You don’t sound so sure of yourself,” I pressed.
Angel cocked her head. “It was a party. A very important party with contacts that allow me to make a living. You know how events like those go. It’s easy to lose track of time. One drink leads to the next, and soon every conversation you’ve had that night begins to sound the same.”
Letting my eyes fall back to the photo, I chose my next words carefully. “So, either it is how you say it is, or—” I paused to glance up at Angel from beneath my brow, “—you’re in on it, too.”
“In on what?” she huffed.
“Maria Greer’s murder.”
Her eyes widened as her posture slumped. “That’s ridiculous.” Looking to Giselle, she asked, “Why would I want to kill someone I never met? I have nothing against this woman.”
“Revenge. Jealousy. Maybe just to help a friend out?” I listed off several possible reasons why she might want to have Maria killed. “It doesn’t take much to come up with a believable story as to why you would do it. Juries love a good murder story and, like you said, stories and names soon begin sounding the same.”
Bringing her elbows to the table, Angel propped herself up and stared at Sylvia’s photo for a long while before saying, “You’re wrong about me, but not far off on her.” Her finger jabbed Sylvia’s face.
Tilting my head, Giselle glanced at me as she leaned forward.
“She was crazy about Nash Brooks.” She nodded. “And when he refused another night with her, something changed inside her.”
Angel didn’t tell us anything new. We had learned that about Sylvia and, if anything, it only reconfirmed my suspicions that Sylvia had reason to target Maria as a way of getting back at Nash for refusing her.
“Look, Kelly,” Angel continued, “I’ve seen how jealousy can consume a woman. Especially when they can’t have the man they want. And I understand why you brought me here today. But I’m not the person you need to be talking to.”
“Who is it you think I should be talking to instead?” I asked.
Angel began laughing. “It must be so frustrating to know that you’re as guilty as the rest of us.”
Frowning, I glanced to Giselle. She shook her head, as confused as I was.
“Tonya’s blood is on your hands, Kelly.” Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you get it? Madam is using you. Just as she is using your girlfriend.”
My chest tightened as I continued to stare at Angel. “Stay away from Kendra.”
Giselle shifted in her seat and I knew she was growing uncomfortable with how the conversation had shifted. Grief stripped away Angel’s reasoning as she found someone to blame for her friend’s death.
Standing, Angel threaded her arm through the straps of her purse. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have a funeral to arrange.”
Reacting defensively, I said, “Strange how you say Tonya was your friend, yet you don’t seem as devastated as I would have thought her best friend to be?”
“Don’t let my shell fool you.” Her eyes moved to Giselle. “Perhaps us women are just stronger when it comes to hiding what is actually going on inside of us.” She paused to stare. “After all, you should have seen Timothy Parker when he learned that his new girlfriend had been murdered.”
My ears perked up. “Parker approached you?”
She nodded. “The man is heartbroken.”
“When? Why?”
She raised one brow. “Who do you think introduced him to Tonya?”
“You?”
She raised her brows before turning her head away.
“Can you tell me where to find him?”
She turned back to me with fire in her eye. “So you can bring him down here, treat him like a criminal, and interrogate him just like you did to me?”
“That wasn’t our intention,” Giselle said somberly. “We only want what is best for Tonya. It’s something we should all want. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Angel ran her tongue over her top front teeth as if deciding whether or not we could be trusted. Then she reached across the table and stole my pen and paper. Jotting down an address, she said, “You can find him here.”
Reading the address, I knew the area. “One more question before you go.” My eyes flickered up to hers. “Seeing as you knew Tonya best, any ideas who may have wanted her dead?”
“There was only one person she couldn’t escape.”
“Who would that be?” Giselle asked.
“Who else?” Her eyes glimmered. “Madam.”
24
Kendra
I had to leave.
I couldn’t stay.
And I certainly couldn’t tell Kelly where I was heading without him sniffing out the anxiety making my nerves jitter.
I glanced at the time. My knee bounced beneath the table. Looking to the front door for the millionth time, I was anxious to know who Madam was sending and how the hell they were going to find me here—the no-name diner I requested Alex meet me at.
If only Alex would get here soon, then at least I wouldn’t have to worry about being alone when the time came for me to face the music.
The waitress came by to take my order. I told her I wasn’t ready but I would start with a glass of water. It was the least I could do to calm my nerves and sober up a bit in an attempt to get my head on straight.
A minute later Alex walked into the small diner. I let out a sigh of relief that was drowned out by the cutlery clinking on tables and scratching against plates. We locked eyes and the pressure that squeezed my lungs as I was waiting impatiently for her to come released a little bit more, allowing me to breathe easier.
Scooting my butt out from behind the booth, I spread my arms wide and welcomed her with a big bear hug. “God, I’ve missed you.”
Alex laughed. “Set me down. It hasn’t been that long.”
“A minute away from you feels like eternity.”
“That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?”
“If I’m not dramatic then you’ll think something’s wrong.”
“I know something is wrong.” She eyed me.
I gave her a questioning look.
“Your head.”
I leaped forward and squeezed her with all my might until she begged me to let her go. I laughed, loving everything about her. Her honesty, the way she held me accountable, teased me, and held me. Then, without warning, the hairs on the back of my neck rose.
Through the window I caught sight of a man wearing a dark leather jacket and torn jeans staring directly at me. “Do you know him?”
Alex furrowed her brow as she followed my gaze across the room. Shaking her head she said, “No idea who he is.”
“Fucking paparazzi,” I barked as he raised a camera and began snapping photos.
Flipping him the bird, Alex quickly pulled my arm down and scolded me. “Kendra!”
“What?” My eyes shifted over to hers. She gaped. Like she should have expected anything less from me. “Fucking assholes have no right following you around like that.”
“C’mon. Let’s sit down.” When Alex’s bottom hit the bench, she winced.
“Sore from Mike’s workout?” I asked, unable to stop myself from glancing toward the window. The man had vanished, and knowing that he was gone only made me feel a little better about being so exposed to people who deliberately set out to violate our privacy.
Alex nodded. “I felt like I’d been tortured.”
“Yeah, me too.” I snickered. “Not to mention the good pounding Kelly gave me after.”
Alex smirked.
“Though something strange is happening to me.”
Alex’s brows knitted as she reached for my water glass.
“I’m having trouble getting off if the sex isn’t rough.” I angled my head to the side. “Do you have that problem?”
“Not even.” She swallowed down her large gulp of water. “I can’t stand the pain.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “I’m mostly into the role-playing.”
We both laughed.
“That’s cute.” My face scrunched as I thought about it some more. “I think.”
Alex snickered.
“See, I told you there was something wrong with me. I need it vicious. Primal. Like jungle lovers.”
“Jungle lovers?” Alex’s cheeks reddened.
I wiggled my eyebrows. But I didn’t dare mention how I had Kelly fucking me with his pistol last night. I’d never hear the end of it and Alex would certainly push me to seek psychiatric help. More so than she already was for choosing to ignore what my uncle did to me.
As if reading my thoughts, Alex said, “I guess you’re managing your triggers better now.”
Dropping my gaze to my hands splayed out in front of me, I nodded.
“I still think you should seek professional counseling.”
“I’m fine.”
“You say that, and I believe it.” She leaned forward, smiling. “I can see it in your eyes when you talk about Kelly. I’m happy for you Kendra. I know what it’s like to fall in love, but those emotions aren’t just going to go away.”
Everything she said was true. I knew it better than anybody. But I didn’t need help. I’d been dealing with this on my own for most of my life, and would for the rest of it as well.
“How’s Nash doing?” I asked.
Her shoulder shrugged as she leaned back. “He’s stressed out. There is always some deadline he’s up against.”
Touching my throat, I felt guilty for the way Kelly went after Nash. Kelly was obsessed, convinced Nash was the one to murder Maria.
“Hey.” Alex pointed at me. “You aren’t still feeling bad about what happened, are you?”
Nodding, I began laughing.
“Don’t worry, babe. Things have settled down with Nash. And we’re still friends.” Her face twisted sideways. “Even though I have to wonder why sometimes.”
“Not funny!” I swatted the air out in front of her.
“Seriously though, Kendra. Nash is worried about the timing of Tonya’s death and wants to know if Kelly sees any similarities between hers and Maria’s murders.”
/> “Why doesn’t he just ask Kelly himself?”
She barked out a sarcastic laugh. “You know he can’t do that. At least not yet. There is still tension between them. You know that.”
My voice lowered to a whisper. “I confronted Madam about it.”
Alex’s eyes popped wide open. “What did she say?”
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I said, “She didn’t seem too concerned.”
Alex frowned. “Have you talked about it with Kelly?”
Reaching for my glass, I wrapped my fingers around the bottom. “Kelly is worried. But he can’t fully admit that I’m no different than Tonya.”
“Like he knows you’re in some kind of danger?” Her words were laced with the same concern I’d been feeling.
I glanced up into her beautiful, caring eyes and said, “I want out of my contract, but I don’t know how.”
Alex bent her elbow and propped her head up inside her hand. Biting her lip, she asked, “You don’t think Madam was behind Tonya’s death, do you?”
Turning my head away, I was afraid to admit it. But in the end I did.
“Shit.”
Nodding, I told Alex everything, beginning with how Madam set Kelly up to blackmail Parker. And how, immediately after that, Tonya was found dead. “It was like she set this whole thing up. Knew exactly how we would all react to get her what she was after without having to lift a finger.”
Alex gnawed on her cheek, thinking. Shaking her head, she said, “It doesn’t make sense. Tonya was her own girl—”
“I know.” I picked at my nails. “That’s what makes this so fucked up.”
“Why would she do that?”
I had my theories as to why, but before I could share them with my best friend a man walked into the diner, quickly eyeing me.
Frozen stiff, my stomach did somersaults thinking that he was here for the delivery. I had the package with me, tucked away, hidden deep inside my tote. Alex wouldn’t even know I had it except for the fact that she could see the concern I was feeling deepen the lines on my forehead.
Reaching across the table, Alex clamped her fingers around my wrist.
I hardly noticed, unable to take my gaze away from the man who kept his eye on me the entire walk to his table.