The Chilling Spree

by LS Sygnet

  Crevan was waiting for me at the amphitheater when I arrived with the backstage passes that Devlin and I had used the night before. Instead of getting up close and personal on the stage for the concert, we hung out in the wings. Security remembered me from the night before and didn’t question why we would be backstage before the official “after party” started.

  I declined the alcohol that was offered. Crevan followed suit. He hovered close, putting a damper on anyone who might’ve otherwise approached me.

  “Are these Orion’s orders, or did Darnell call and convey his and Devlin’s warnings about Mr. Underwood?” I finally asked.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Nobody is gonna talk to me or open up or give me any insight into who might’ve been involved in the murder last night if you’re clinging to me like a sock with too much static electricity, Crevan. The whole point coming back here tonight was to catch people with loose lips in the party atmosphere who might otherwise be too paranoid to let something slip about the band or crew.”

  “I know.”

  “So why don’t you mingle a bit and see if anybody is willing to talk to me without the shadow treatment?”

  “Johnny –”

  “Told me his concerns. I don’t need jealousy by proxy tonight. I’m not gonna swoon like a crazed groupie over a little attention from someone with a modicum of fame and fortune.” My voice dipped low, “Besides, I’d lay odds that I’ve got more cash squirreled away than these guys. They probably burn through it as fast as they make it.”

  Crevan shook his head. “I don’t know about that, Helen. This Madden character has a reputation for being a hard core partier back in the day, but he’s been clean and sober for a few years now. Apparently, he had some kind of religious awakening.”

  “Fantastic,” I muttered. “A Jesus freak rock star. Isn’t that almost as cliché as going to rehab a million times?”

  “He’s a Buddhist now,” Crevan chuckled. “Rein in your anti-religious claws, my dear.”

  I tapped one foot impatiently. “So why don’t you run along? I’d like to see if Underwood will approach me again tonight. He seemed pretty intent on beating Madden to the seduction last night. If you don’t give him an opportunity to try –”

  “I won’t be far,” Crevan said, fair warning in his tone. “Don’t do anything stupid. Or do I have to remind you that you’re still not cleared for active duty yet?”

  I snorted softly. “Like that’s ever stopped me. The paperwork is a mere formality at this point and you know it. And Crevan, you be careful too. Whoever committed this crime may have done so with bias, and God help us if he’s got some sort of advanced gaydar.”

  “Hush,” he chided softly. “You only made a lucky guess, probably based on the fact that I’m the only man you’ve met in this city who hasn’t hit on you.”

  He was no more than ten steps away from me when Underwood made his move.

  He smiled, a sort of flirtatious curl of the lips. “Where is the ever protective detective tonight, Dr. Eriksson?”

  Had I introduced myself that way last night? Between the Crown and the Guinness, I couldn’t recall. “He couldn’t be here tonight,” I said. “So I brought a different friend.”

  Fulk nodded. “Now that one is just a friend,” he said. “He doesn’t put out the same vibe as the guys hovering around you last night. Who was the blond hulk?”

  “Commander Orion?”

  “That’s the one,” Fulk smiled engagingly. “I’m surprised he isn’t here keeping you on a tight leash tonight. That one looked like he’d be willing to shed blood for your honor.”

  I laughed. “Maybe once, but not anymore. Johnny just takes business very seriously.”

  “And you don’t?”

  “I think we established quite clearly last night that this case cannot be mine,” I said. “Too much booze in the first place, and well, then there’s the fact that my partner really has a little too much bias where you’re concerned.”

  “I suppose he gave you quite the earful about our days together in the corps.”

  I nodded and accepted the beer offered again by one of the security personnel, perhaps the same guy that served me and Dev at the concert 24 hours ago. “He’s not a fan, that’s for sure.”

  “Yet you’re still speaking to me,” Underwood said. “I find that a bit curious, detective.”

  I smiled brightly. “Helen, since this isn’t a business thing tonight. I insist. As for who I talk to and what I think, I’ve always been somewhat the rogue in that department, Mr. Underwood. Or do you prefer Woody?”

  The grin was forced, but he replied pleasantly enough. “I’m surprised you remembered that, Helen. I was certain that Mackenzie would’ve brainwashed you into calling me that horrid little nickname he tried to make stick when we were kids.”

  “Underpants?”

  His eyes suddenly darkened. “That’s the one.”

  “Like I said, nobody forms my opinions for me. In a lot of ways, it keeps me from being an insider in Darkwater Bay. Are you familiar with this area, Woody?”

  “I’m from Montgomery, well, born and raised there at least. I haven’t lived there since I joined the Marines.”

  “I understand that Madden hails from Darkwater originally.”

  “Yep, a real son of a bitch too. From what I’ve seen, that’s what this city is second most famous for.”

  “Oh?”

  “First claim of course, being that they breed a higher class of criminal. Although from what I’ve read, you’ve been pretty high profile in putting an end to some of that.”

  “Eh,” I sipped more beer. “Nobody works alone. The way I see it, they link my name to a bunch of cases they’re not sure can fly through the courts, and if they tank, they can blame it on the newcomer.”

  Underwood chuckled. “Gorgeous and modest. Although I’m not picking up a vibe that you’re very open minded about sex, Helen.”

  “I could lie and tell you that you’re exactly my type, Woody, but that wouldn’t be true. You told me last night that you’re a smart man. You’d know I was lying, and the way I see it, life is too short to play such games. Agreed?”

  “I guess.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “So you’re here to ask me questions about this poor dead girl, right?”

  “No,” I smiled pleasantly. “I am curious about Scott Madden though. One of my friends told me that he’s turned over a new leaf in his old age. No more drugs and boozing, specifically.”

  “That’s the official party line,” Underwood said. “I’m sure you couldn’t help notice that he’s pretty enthusiastic about the fans using.”

  “He did mention that last night.”

  “Do you wonder why this guy who claims to be one with the universe suddenly has no problems being around people who drink heavily and use drugs?”

  “I suppose you’re suggesting that if I got him to pee in a cup that we’d find a veritable cornucopia of substances in his system.”

  “Nothing that I imagine law enforcement would look for. Scott prefers smoking legal herbs these days. They tell me the high is just as good, but the normal run of the mill toxicology screen isn’t going to pick any of them up.”

  “Interesting.”

  “He’s enlightened all right.”

  “I find it fascinating that you’d work for someone you really can’t stand, Woody. Believe me, I’ve worked with and for a number of people in my career that I could barely stand the sight of. I don’t know how you do this year in and year out.”

  He grinned. “You think I can’t best a guy like Madden with women?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” I sipped and watched surreptitiously. “But I’d imagine with his level of fame and fortune, he could be a complete troll and still get more than his fair share of attention.”

  “Exactly!” Underwood’s demeanor shifted like sands beneath the tide. “Everybody thinks he’s such a hot guy, and let me tell y
ou, he’s got his dirty little secrets that he’s desperate to keep quiet. I can’t divulge any of that shit for fear of getting sued, but he’s got more than a skeleton or two in his closet.”

  “Oh, c’mon. You can’t tease me like that without telling me something.”

  Underwood grinned. “You get it. When I say he surrounds himself with sycophants, you gotta know why.”

  “Because only the bobble-heads wouldn’t have the balls to call him on whatever his bad traits are,” I said. “Of course I get it, Woody. But are we talking embarrassing shit that would hurt album sales or are we talking about something that could result in criminal charges?”

  “In Madden’s world, there’s no difference.”

  “No difference between being embarrassed and breaking the law?”

  Underwood rolled his eyes. “Nothing embarrasses this guy. The only thing he would ever feel remotely compelled to hide would be something that could ruin his precious career. In case you haven’t noticed, the guy has nothing else but this band. His family won’t have anything to do with him. The only friends he has are bought and paid for. He’d slash his mother’s throat if he thought it would get him ahead in life somehow.”

  “Can you think of any reason that he’d physically harm someone, Woody?”

  He stepped close and lowered his voice. “Look, I’d love to tell you everything I know about this guy, Helen, but he’d seriously ruin me. It’s one thing for me to quietly realize that Madden is getting my sloppy seconds, but another matter altogether for me to open my mouth and tell you everything I’ve seen over the years. What I will say is that there are a handful of people in the world that he hasn’t been able to pay off or intimidate into abject silence. Those are the ones you need to find and talk to.”

  “Give me a nudge in the right direction,” I murmured.

  “One of ‘em is right here in Darkwater Bay. Though Madden would never admit it, he’s got family in town that would sooner see him dead than acknowledge that he’s kin. Talk to them. They’d be happy to defy his precious gag order.”

  My eyes widened. “Seriously? He got an order preventing them from talking about him?”

  “Show’s over, Helen. Time for me to join the other grunts and start packing up the gear. Keep your eyes open with Madden. I don’t say this about a lot of dudes, but you cannot trust him in any way shape or form.”

  I watched him hurry off to perform his nightly duties. Before I could process what Underwood told me, or convey any of it to Crevan, the sweaty band thundered into the area where we, along with several other VIP guests, were waiting to mingle.

  Madden saw me, grinned wickedly and headed straight toward me.

  Chapter 13

  The slow eye-rape was certainly nothing I hadn’t experienced before, as recently as last night when I first met the debauched band members. Underwood’s warnings shrouded me like the Darkwater fog and left me feeling equally unsettled. This is not a sense I’m accustomed to feeling. Frankly, I’m the one who leaves others feeling uneasy.

  Madden invaded my space, stood about an eighth of an inch from my body, clasped my hands in his, made creepy eye contact, and brushed a kiss against the corner of my mouth. I felt Crevan’s cringe simultaneous with the seethe on behalf of Johnny Orion from across the vast space separating us.

  It took all my willpower not to respond with a resounding body slam that would put him in his place and make it clear that permission was required, forgiveness not granted on request. Instead, I pasted a smile on my face and fluttered my eyelashes demurely. I’m sure I looked like a fool. I don’t do subservient well, nor am I impressed by the hubris of rock and roll legends.

  “Detective Eriksson, I’m so glad you made it back to the show tonight. I saw the news this afternoon and heard about Detective Mackenzie’s accident today. We thought you’d probably be at his side tonight.”

  “He insisted that I come back. I suppose he plans to pump me for all the details and live vicariously through my experience.”

  Madden tossed his head back and laughed raucously. “I certainly hope not. It would completely ruin the night for me if I thought some dude was jealous of the time I spent with a beautiful woman. Unless of course, he likes hearing about your exploits with other guys.”

  Exactly as presumptuous as Underwood predicted he’d be. Honestly, I started to second guess my initial impression of old Fulk, particularly when he appeared more candid and less of the predator when we had our first private conversation without anybody around to influence his behavior.

  “May I call you Scott?”

  Madden pressed one of my hands over his sweaty bare chest. “I’d be devastated if you didn’t, Helen.”

  The urge to yank my hand away and squirt a whole lot of alcohol wash onto it was almost overwhelming. Almost. No doubt, I’d be scrubbing my skin raw the second I got home. Instead I smiled.

  “Was tonight’s show less eventful than last night’s?”

  “Certainly far less inspiring without you front and center. Did you enjoy it tonight from backstage?”

  “Yes,” I nodded and sipped at warm beer.

  “Can I get you something else to drink?”

  “I’m good, thanks.”

  “How is Detective Mackenzie?”

  “Groggy and sore. The doctor’s anticipate that he’ll make a full recovery.”

  “I was truly sorry to hear about his partner dying. Although I must confess, I was relieved that you weren’t with him when that accident happened. Are they filing charges against the man who hit them?”

  “I have no idea,” I said. “You seem awfully concerned about virtual strangers, Scott.”

  “I grew up here, which I doubt you knew. I’ve been in Los Angeles for so many years, people tend to think I’m a native there. Darkwater Bay was my home though. It’s hard to hear about bad shit happening here. I have heard that things are getting better since you came to town.”

  “Oh?”

  He nodded. “I’ve got a brother in town. I talked to him this morning, mentioned that I met a very attractive detective at the show last night and he asked if it was you.”

  “Wow.”

  Madden smiled. “You’ve got quite the following it would seem from what I hear, Helen. A lot of people think you’re the answer to Darkwater Bay’s problems. He said you arrested Danny Datello for murder last week.”

  “Surely you’ve got more important things to talk to your family about than what the police are doing.”

  “I went to school with Datello,” Madden said. “He looks a hell of a lot older than me, but we’re actually the same age. Did you know that?”

  “Then you probably remember Johnny Orion from school. He knew Datello too.”

  “The name rings a bell, but I think he was quite a bit younger than us. Grade school when Danny and I were in high school. He was the big dude glaring at you last night, wasn’t he?”

  “Hmm. Probably.”

  “I recognized Detective Mackenzie from past concerts, though I wouldn’t say I can recall ever having a conversation with him. He’s been a fan of Pan Demon for a long time.”

  “They tell me that your lawyers descended en masse last night and wouldn’t let you answer any more questions.”

  Madden dropped my hands and covered his heart in mock pain. “Don’t tell me you’re here tonight to pick up where they left off. I’m not sure my fragile ego could handle it.”

  I chuckled. “Somehow, I think you’d survive. I am curious though, because of some inconsistencies with Mr. Underwood’s claim of when he did your sound check yesterday and when the murder victim died.”

  Madden sobered. “Seriously?”

  “Mm-hmm. Something doesn’t add up in a dire way. You seemed pretty upset with Underwood last night. Have you had problems with him saying he performed his duties when he hadn’t in the past?”

  “I should’ve fired him years ago,” Madden said, “but the guy is a good tech when he does his job.”

  �
��Yet he’s inconsistent and you keep him because when he is conscientious –”

  “It’s a little more complicated than that, Helen,” he cupped my elbow and steered me away from his adoring fans who waited for a little attention from Pan Demon’s main attraction. “Underwood… well, let’s just say that our management took pity on the guy after the Marines kicked him out and he couldn’t keep any other job for a few years after that basically ruined his career. I needed a tech who wouldn’t show up stoned, and Underwood is the poster child for sober living. I can overlook the occasional sloppy job. Hell, half the people who show up at our concerts are so chemically impaired, they wouldn’t notice if we went on stage and lip-synced the entire show.”

  “Certainly your dissatisfaction would override any sympathy your management company feels toward him. Now you’ve got a real mess on your hands, Scott. Darkwater, specifically OSI, could detain all of you indefinitely while they investigate what happened to that murder victim last night. I can only assume that it would have a negative impact on you financially.”

  “It would be less than ideal.” He paused.

  “What?”

  “Is that what they plan to do?”

  “I honestly don’t know,” I said. “It’s not my case anymore. Johnny Orion isn’t about to share the details of the investigation with me. OSI officially took the case under its jurisdiction. Nobody in Darkwater has a clue what happens next.”

  “These inconsistencies you mentioned, can you tell me what they were?”

  “Not really. It’s an open case, not my case, and I’m not supposed to know anything about it anyway. The medical examiner is a close friend. She mentioned a couple of things that made me realize that Fulk lied about the sound check yesterday afternoon. Plus he never really answered any of my questions last night. I’m curious if he’s been habitually dishonest with you.”

  “About not really doing the sound check? Yeah, he’s been pretty dishonest about it. I can count of Fulk getting the job done if there are groupies hanging out for him to impress.”