He dug back into the computer, checking the Web sites of each man. He looked for the basic information on their lives. Both of them were the same age, Matt just a few months older than Lance. And both could well have been born that missing year in Dana Sumter’s life.
He put through a call to the West Coast. Getting through to the jail wasn’t easy; it was late out there now. Luckily, he knew people with the right pull. And soon enough, he was talking to Dana Sumter’s ex-husband, Harvey. The fellow had been sleeping and seemed very confused.
“Do you know if your wife had an illegitimate child before you were married?”
“What?”
“Did your wife have an illegitimate child before you were married?” Doug repeated.
At first, only silence came over the lines. Then, “What makes you ask that?” Harvey said, sounding confused. “She never said anything before we were married, but somewhere along the line, in the middle of an argument, she implied that she might have given up a child. She was trying to make me see just how important a career was to her. I don’t know it for a fact, but, yes, I believe she might have had a child out there. I didn’t ever bring up the subject again. After all,” he said with bitterness, “it had been in her past.”
“There’s a year missing from her life when she was quite young,” Dough said. “Do you know where she might have had this child?”
“Hell, no.”
“Was it in California, do you know?”
“Look, I don’t even know for sure if there is a child. Does it mean something?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”
Doug woke early and anxiously slipped from bed, careful not to wake Kelly. She was the one with the early call, but there was still time for her to sleep. Downstairs he put a call through to Liam Murphy. It was the middle of the night in L.A., but he couldn’t be sorry. Serena, sounding entirely confused and disoriented, was the one to answer. When she heard his voice, she was alarmed. He apologized quickly, assuring her that everything was all right, and asked to speak to Liam. Again, he apologized. Liam, sounding half dead, tried to be polite.
“Phone records? You need a subpoena—”
“Not when you know the right people.”
Liam groaned. “Not even Detective Olsen can just—”
“You’ve got to know someone.”
“I’ll try. What are you trying to prove?”
“I don’t know, exactly,” Doug said. “I’ve checked out a lot of past histories, and it seems that everyone professionally involved with Kelly has an ex-wife. I can’t imagine that a marriage gone bad years ago would suddenly set someone off now, unless it’s some kind of a repeat thing. That’s why I want to hunt down any recent associations. A bad breakup. Something. Anything that would indicate a recent relationship that went bad.”
“You talked to the husband last night?”
“Yes, and I was right. He said that she’d had a child before their marriage.”
“Where?” Liam demanded.
“He had no idea and she wouldn’t tell him.”
“We wouldn’t even know where to start looking for those records.”
“We start with the people we know—Lance Morton, Matt Avery.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Liam murmured.
“I’ve got friends I’m going to ask at this end, too,” Doug told him.
“Good. It’s actually morning for them,” Liam told him dryly.
“Look, I’m really sorry about the time.”
“Wait until you have twins,” Liam said.
“Sorry, really.”
“Since it’s for Kelly’s sake, it’s all right,” he said gruffly.
“One more favor,” Doug said.
“Yeah?”
“Matt Avery.”
“Yeah, yeah, you gave me his name.”
“I have one more question about him.”
“The guy is an ass. You want more than that?”
“He got his money from somewhere. I want to know where. Also, I’d like to find out about his whereabouts over the last several months.”
“I’ll do my best,” Liam told him, and hung up.
Doug quickly put a call through to his brother. He woke Quinn as well, but knew that his brother would deal with it. After he rang off, he started coffee in the little kitchenette and went to wake Kelly.
Kelly absolutely couldn’t believe that Lance Morton could be a killer, especially not the apparently very organized man who had killed Dana Sumter. Lance simply wasn’t bright enough. He knew music, and he had one hell of a voice. But other than that…
The song spoke of a man’s love for a tango dancer, and how he would rather see her dead than in the arms of the partner she preferred. Therefore, there were “dream” moments in which he held her in his arms. Lance didn’t have to dance, he just had to pretend to sing while holding her.
Jerry Tritan, apparently, didn’t find Lance the brightest penny in the mint, either. He’d wanted a fair amount of rehearsal, and he was filming it, just so he could see where Lance was going and what needed to be said to him to improve the scene.
There wasn’t anything particularly repulsive about Lance, but something about the way he held her made Kelly long to recoil. His fingers moved a little too suggestively on her skin. When Jerry called, “Cut!” Lance held on a little too long, pulling her a shade closer before releasing her.
Told to wait while some tape was being rerun, he slipped an arm around her shoulders. “You know, I really believe I’m going to be the hottest thing out there once this hits.”
She smiled. “There was a lead singer of a hot band who once said he was better than any of the Beatles. No one’s seen anything from him in years. Modesty can be a good thing, you know.”
“I am modest. I’m just saying that I’m going places and you, Kelly, could be with me.”
“Wow,” she couldn’t help but murmur dryly.
“Really, I think you’re the most beautiful thing in the world.”
“That’s very sweet.”
“Ready on set!” one of the P.A.s called.
“Think about it!” Lance told her, pulling her into his arms with a lascivious smile. “You can ditch that dance teacher and come with me to Marathon today—I’m going to pick out a new phone. You can help me. I’d cherish your advice.”
She stared at him, incredulous.
“Yes, I’d let you choose for me,” he said, his voice silky.
“Gee, Lance. Sorry, but I’m going to have to pass on that one.”
“If you wait too long, I may be snapped up. I mean, you are the ticket, Kelly, but a man has needs, you know.”
“I’m sure.”
“Quiet on set!” Jerry snapped.
They fell silent, listening to his new direction. “Lance, no, no, no!” Jerry said. He started to come toward them, apparently forgetting that he was on the edge of the concrete fountain. Jerry fell like a ton of bricks. As he crashed down, he howled in pain. The place broke into chaos.
Kelly heard Marc Logan cursing above it all. “Dammit, Tritan!” So much for empathy.
She backed away, knowing that Jerry was hurt but not wanting to add to the rush going on around him. She saw that O’Casey had stepped forward, and she was certain he’d probably had some medical training in the police academy.
Kelly hung back, concerned and feeling helpless. Jane came to stand by her side. “I think he’s really hurt!” she said worriedly.
“I’m afraid so,” Kelly murmured.
In the next moments, a straight gurney was rigged. Harry, O’Casey and a number of the others carefully lifted a still-moaning Jerry, hurrying to get him to the dock, where an emergency medical assistance boat would get him to the mainland. From there, he would be rushed to the nearest hospital, in Homestead.
Eventually Marc Logan returned to the throng. “All right, folks, everyone has the day off. But if you go sightseeing, it’s on your own! We’re going to be seriously over b
udget already!”
“A day off!” Lance said cheerfully, reaching Kelly and Jane. “We could really make an afternoon of it,” he told Kelly.
“Thanks, but…no thanks, Lance.”
He turned to Jane. “How about you, hot stuff?”
Jane looked at him as if he were crazy. Kelly slipped an arm around her, pulling her close. “Jane is dating a professional hockey player. A really big fellow, you know? The guy’s been in so many major fights on the ice, he doesn’t even have any of his own teeth left.”
“Gotta go,” Lance said. “Ladies, your loss.”
They both nodded. When he had walked off, Jane burst into laughter. “Kelly! Mike has all his own teeth.”
“Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”
“You got rid of him, that’s what counts. But, Kelly, what will happen now? Do you think that Jerry is seriously hurt? And what about the video?”
“He may have a broken bone…or maybe several,” Kelly said sadly. “But don’t worry. A lot of film has already been shot. Marc Logan isn’t going to let it go to waste, I’m certain.”
“I hope you’re right.”
People were milling around in groups, worrying on the one hand, determining how to spend their day of freedom on the other.
“People, people!” Harry Sullivan announced, raising his hands as he entered the center of the group. “I’ll have the launch ready for a trip to the main islands in thirty minutes. Jump on board, anyone who wants to explore the Keys today. You can rent a car if you want, there are a few places. And you can get a decent meal at Vinnie’s—that’s where I pick up and drop off. I’ll come in and out a couple of times during the day. Last trip back here will be at ten. After that, you’ll need private transportation or a room somewhere else.”
One of the girls on the light crew called out to them. “We’re heading down to Key West. Want to come?”
“Wait, wait, wait!” one of the lighting guys interrupted. “My group is going diving. Anyone want to join us?”
“Thanks,” Kelly returned. “To both of you. I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do with the day. But thanks for the invitations.”
“Yep, thanks!” Jane said as well, then turned to Kelly. “What are you going to do?”
Kelly shrugged, then told her dryly, “Nothing until I hear from the almighty commander, your partner.”
Jane giggled. “He sure can get a bone in his craw, huh?”
As she spoke, they could see O’Casey returning from the dock area. “How does Jerry look?” Kelly asked him.
“He smashed up his face, but I don’t think he broke his nose or his jaw. Luckily he didn’t break his neck. Nothing on him appeared to be too swollen, so he may just be sore. The launch will take him straight up to Key Largo, and he’ll be in a hospital soon. We saw to it that he wasn’t moved, though he will be jostled a bit in the boat.” He offered them both a smile, then looked around. “So, the mice have scattered already.”
“In a flash,” Jane said.
“Do you know where people are off to?” he queried.
“Diving, driving to Key West, and I’m not sure where else,” Jane said.
“I’m going to go let Sam out,” Kelly announced.
“Can I tag along with you?” Jane asked. “Oh, sorry! Unless you want to be alone.”
“Please, do come along. You can see my little retreat,” Kelly told her.
O’Casey was looking around. “Hey? Are you coming?” Kelly asked him.
“Wow, I love it!” Jane said, marveling at the size and scope of the suite. “And I do mean wow!”
O’Casey walked on through, heading to the back to let Sam out. He stood on the back porch, letting the dog run around crazily out on the sand. He watched Sam for a minute, then made a turnaround so sharp it had military precision.
“I think we should go into Marathon, just take in some tourist stuff for the day.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly three, but we can take in a late lunch. What do you think?”
“Tourist stuff?” Kelly echoed. “I’d want to take Sam.”
“No!” Jane said. “I mean…” She flushed. “Why don’t you two go in and I’ll baby-sit. Dog-sit, that is. I’d love to stay here with him. I’ve never seen a suite like this in my whole life.”
“It’s fine with me,” Kelly said, “if that’s what you really want.”
“Oh, I would love to live this fantasy! Watch a movie, do my nails, soak…pretend I’m incredibly wealthy,” Jane said.
“Keep the doors locked,” O’Casey said.
“Why?”
“Jane, I’m serious. If you plan to stay, you need to keep the doors locked.”
“But Sam may need—”
“Let Sam water something in here, Jane. Keep the doors locked. Promise.”
She looked at Kelly, warning her that O’Casey definitely had his oddities. Kelly already knew that.
Doug’s cell phone rang as he awaited Jane’s assurance. He answered it, then snapped it shut and called Sam back in.
“We’re out of here, Jane. Keep those doors locked!” And with that he put his arm around Kelly and led her out the front door.
CHAPTER 24
A number of the cast and crew, including Lance Morton, were headed to Vinnie’s for lunch. To Kelly’s surprise, O’Casey was eager to join them.
“All right, what’s going on?” she asked, leaning toward him as they slid into one of the wooden benches at a picnic-style, rustic table. “Wait! I know. You’re going to tell me that Jerry’s fall was all part of the conspiracy.”
“No, I have to admit, he looked as if he just fell,” O’Casey replied.
“Then…?”
“Quinn is driving down.”
She didn’t have a chance to ask him why because Mel came over and slid next to Kelly. “Well, if this doesn’t just kind of beat all,” he said.
“Any word yet?”
“Broken arm, and that’s it. Jerry will be back to work the day after tomorrow.”
“So, we’re off for two days then?” Kelly asked.
“No. Herb Essen is going to take over working with the dancers tomorrow.”
“But Jerry is the director,” Kelly said.
“Doesn’t matter. Logan says his budget is too high already. He wants people working, not running around enjoying the Keys.” He pulled out the menu. “So, Doug. This is your neck of the woods. What’s good down here?”
“Fish. It will be fresh,” Doug told him.
Across the room, Kelly could see Lance flirting with the waitress and one of the camera girls.
Mel turned to Kelly. “You’re doing well, here, right? You’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him.
“I’m going to head on back. To L.A.”
“That’s fine, Mel. You’ve been around way more than I could expect,” Kelly told him.
He studied her, a rueful smile on his lips. “Well, you’ve had me worried.” He looked at Doug. “Your newscast showed, you know.”
O’Casey shook his head. “Actually, we didn’t watch.”
“It was good. You were charming,” he told Kelly. “And Sam at your feet was a nice little extra, too.” He looked across the table at O’Casey. “It’s being picked up by all the entertainment shows, just as you suggested. So…”
“Go home and make money on your other clients. I’m fine,” Kelly assured him.
Their waitress came by and they all ordered the fish. She swore it would be fresh, just as Doug had suggested. The girl looked a little harried, but then again, they had more or less bombarded the place. Most of the cast and crew were here, along with Marc Logan, who sat with a few of the production assistants scribbling notes as he spoke. The place was busy; lots of confusion.
O’Casey’s phone rang. “Excuse me,” he said, rising. “Can’t hear in here.”
“Interesting fellow. Very intense,” Mel said as they watched Doug weave his way through the tables.
“So are you dri
ving back up to Miami to head out?” she asked.
“I’ve got all my things with me. I thought I’d hang around until night then drive up and see what they have in the way of a red-eye. But as it is, I can take an afternoon flight that will get me in by the evening. Kelly, listen, if you feel unsafe in any way, unhappy in any way, call. I can hop right back on a flight out here.”
She set her hand over his, squeezing. “It’s all right. I’m fine. I’m sorry about Jerry, yet I’m relieved that it doesn’t appear to be any kind of a conspiracy.” Kelly heard her own phone go off. And when she answered it, she realized that, for once, O’Casey wasn’t being secretive—it really was impossible to hear.
“Excuse me,” she told Mel, and slipped out to the dockside area of the restaurant. She could see their launch listing in the waves, and Harry Sullivan reading his newspaper as he sat at the helm, an arm draped over the wheel.
“Hello? Hello?” she said. There was silence for a second and she felt a chill seeping into her. “Hello?”
“Kelly!”
“Yes?”
“It’s Jane.”
“Oh!” Relief filled her.
“Kelly, you need to come back.”
“What’s the matter?”
Jane hesitated on the other end, then said, “I’m really worried about Sam.”
“Sam?”
“Kelly, he must have gotten hold of something bad. He’s frothing at the mouth, and he growls at me when I try to get near him. He’s sick, Kelly, really sick, and I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m coming. Now. Right now.” She hung up and rushed back into the restaurant, looking for O’Casey, but he hadn’t returned. And to her amazement, Mel had left the table as well. She hurried over to where Lance was sitting with his crew. “Have you seen Mel or Doug O’Casey?” she asked him.
“No, but I’m here!” he told her.
“Listen, if you see either one of them, tell them that I headed back to the island—there’s something wrong with Sam.”
“I’ll come with you—” Lance said, rising.
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