Donna looked up at me and grinned. "Maybe we will get a look at Marika's fancy pictures."
I put down the vac hose and went to the workbench. "Pictures under the workbench?"
Donna was on her hands and knees tugging at a photo that was stuck. "Well at least a couple. "How they got under here…" She gasped then sat back on her heels. “Sweet Jesus.”
I ducked under the bench. "What is it?"
She shuddered. "Something I can't un-see."
I crawled under the workbench and grabbed the two photos. When I looked at them, it was my turn to gasp. "Good God." It was Marika's photography all right, but I wouldn't call it fancy. More like straight-on porn starring Drew Fuller and Carl Beidemeyer. Gently I lay the photos on the floor and backed out. I pulled out my phone. "Daniels? You missed something."
<<>>
Daniels, Davis, and crew arrived thirty minutes later. I stood in the drive with Donna as forensics personnel shuffled in and out, collecting evidence, taking photos, and dusting for prints. They found a few more photos as well other items that Daniels didn't specify. I saw the forensics guys carrying out the equipment and supplies from the Marika's darkroom. I wondered if a roll of undeveloped film was among the unspecified items.
Daniels stepped out of the garage and approached us. "Ma'am, I need a word with Ms. Fitzgerald for a few minutes." He led me by the elbow out to the front porch. We sat in opposing chairs and he scowled at me. "Your fingerprints keep showing up on this case."
I threw up my hands. "I tried not to touch anything, but how was I supposed to know there was evidence in there?"
Daniels snorted and flapped a hand. "No, smart ass. I mean you're everywhere on this case. Every time I turn around there you are. You need to step away."
I held up my hands. "Whoa. You think I was looking for this disgusting garbage? I just came by to help Donna clean up the mess your guys left. The place was demolished."
Daniels frowned and squinted. "What do you mean? It was a clean search. All we took was her phone, computer and a couple of photo albums." He frowned. "Though somehow we missed the important photo albums."
I rubbed my face with both hands. "Either you're bullshitting me or you didn't look at the house after they were done. When I got here it was a disaster — broken dishes, food everywhere, drawers pulled out, clothes on the floor, print powder on ledges, surfaces, walls. If you didn't do it, then who did?" I jerked my thumb toward the house. "Go inside and look."
Daniels little blue eyes went gray and flinty. "It's still like that? Didn't you just say you cleaned up?"
I groaned. "Yes! That's why I'm here. Donna asked me to help clean up your mess!" I tugged on my hair. "We finally got tired of it and had most of the stuff hauled away. But the place is still a filthy mess."
Daniels sucked in his cheeks. "You take any pictures?"
I shook my head. "Why would I take pictures? You don’t believe me? Ask Donna, she'll tell you what I'm telling you." I pointed to the trash bags lined on the parkway. "Forensics can take all that crap and have a field day if they want."
He scowled at me. "But the thrift store hauled everything else away?"
I frowned and handed him the card the driver gave me. "Just the furniture. But you can probably get it back if you need it."
He threw up his hands. "This is exactly what I mean. Even when you don't mean to screw shit up, you screw shit up."
I flailed my arms at him. "You're the one who released the premises back to Donna. You can't lay this on me." I jabbed a finger at him. "If you guys had done your job, you would've found those charming pictures and whatever else you’ve got. Then put a uniform on this place like you should've. Because if your guys didn't make this mess then somebody else did. You're damn lucky we found anything at all. But do you thank me? No, you ream me out and accuse me of screwing things up. And speaking of screw ups, arresting Ted wasn't your finest moment either."
Daniels leaned in and wagged a finger at me. "You're dancing on the edge there, Scotti. I'm going to cut you a break because I know you've been through a shit storm. And I'm sorry for that. But watch it."
I crossed my legs and pouted. "I was just trying to help." I glanced at him. "Did you get my text?" He scratched the stubble on his jaw and nodded. "So? Did you bring him in and question him?"
Daniels shook his head. "Negative."
I jerked back my head. “Why the hell not? He has to be involved. You know that.”
“Pipe down, we’ll find him.”
I jumped out of my chair and scanned the street. "Find him? He's still out there?" I turned back to Daniels. "Please tell me he doesn't know I'm involved."
Daniels stared at his shoes. "I didn't tell him."
I knew then how Beidemeyer had tracked me. How he knew all about me. Fuller. I glared at Daniels. "I trusted you to keep this to yourself."
Daniels' big face flushed. "I did!" He sucked in a deep breath. "He must've seen my notes or overheard a call…"
Davis rounded the front of the house and came up the porch steps to us. "We got everything." She nodded at me briefly as a hello. "Nothing on Fuller though. He's in the wind."
Daniels and Davis moved off the porch and had a sidebar on the front lawn —occasionally looking up at me. After they broke the huddle, Davis returned to the backyard, and Daniels came back to the porch.
"What now?"
Daniels paused on the steps. "We can put you in protective custody."
I threw up my arms. "Stick me in some dive motel room with a couple of uniforms? Forget it. I'm better off fending for myself."
Daniels frowned. "I figured you'd say that."
I scrubbed my face with my hands. "What about Ted and Zelda?" I looked up at him. "What am I supposed to do here, Daniels?"
He held up a finger. "Hang on." He hurried down the steps and headed for the backyard.
I scrolled my cell for Mike's number then dialed. I got the voicemail again. "Mike, this is Scotti, the pie lady. If you're out there, I need to know if Jody is still watching. Call me. Please."
I texted Ted to stay at the office, then texted Zelda to stay home with the gate and doors locked. Daniels caught me as I stepped off the porch steps. "Where do you think you're going?"
I shook off his arm. "Where do you think?" I moved quickly toward my car. "I need to take care of my own."
He followed me to my car. "We’ve got uni’s on the way to Ted's shop and another to your house. They'll call when things are secure."
I scoffed. "And if things aren't secure? What then, Daniels?" I got in my car, slammed the door, and switched on the engine.
Daniels dashed to his car parked in the drive. He fired up his engine and pulled up behind me.
I glared at him in the rearview mirror. Apparently, I was getting a police escort home. For all the good it would do me.
Chapter Forty-Five
When I pulled up to house, a patrol car was parked right outside the gate. The uniform spotted me and Daniels. He nodded at me, then waved to Daniels. The gate slid open, and I watched the rear view mirror, expecting Daniels to follow me through. Instead, he hit his lights and siren and sped away. I idled in the driveway watching his departure — wondering if there’d been a break in the case.
When I pulled in, I frowned — apparently, the whole gang was there because Ted's, Matt's and Zelda's vehicles were lined up in a row. I pulled the Toyota next to the jeep and parked. Before I turned off the engine, Ted came out the front door and hurried to the car.
I got out and held up my hands. "Okay, before you freak out…"
"I'm not freaking out." Ted took my hand and pulled me inside where Matt, Zelda and Eric huddled on the sofa watching the TV.
"What's going…"
"Sh!" Zelda said.
The local news was broadcasting a live feed of an arrest in West L.A. The house was a ranch style, surrounded by shrubbery and trees, so the aerial shot didn't show much. Two patrol cars and an unmarked were parked on the street in front of
the house. The uniforms stood outside. The front door opened, and a female detective walked out a cuffed male suspect, then led him down the walk to the unmarked vehicle.
The feed switched to an attractive blonde reporter in front of the house. She smiled into the camera and said, "Detective Drew Fuller has been arrested for the slayings of Carl Beidemeyer and Marika Jansen. The LAPD hasn't released any details, but Detective Fuller appears to be the prime suspect in the murder investigation which many believed to be closed. Sources close to the LAPD tell us that this afternoon new evidence in the case was discovered that implicated Fuller in the deaths of Jansen and Beidemeyer. So apparently, the believed murder-suicide is now a straight murder case.
Fuller has made no statements to the police or the press as yet. And there is no word as to who the detective's attorney may be. The LAPD is expected to make a statement later this evening and we'll update you as more details become known. This is Condi Spearmen reporting live from West L.A. Over to you Deb and Paul."
Ted pointed the remote at the set and muted the sound. I leaned against him. "They got him?"
Ted nodded. "Looks like it."
I squeezed in next to Eric on the sofa and frowned. "Eric? What are you doing here?"
"He came to see me," Zelda said quickly.
"Obviously, but…" Zelda zipped a finger across her neck and glared. I switched gears and looked aimlessly around the room. "So, everybody staying for dinner?"
Ted picked up what looked like my overnight bag and curled a finger at me.
"Is that my overnight bag?"
Ted pulled me to my feet. "We're having a slumber party." He nudged me toward the door. “A private slumber party.”
I turned to the others. "But we have company."
Matt got up and pulled his keys from his pocket. "No dude, I'm off. I only stayed because we were on lock down." He glanced at Zelda. "So you, me and Eric tomorrow?"
Zelda nodded. "Yup, seven o'clock."
I shook off Ted's hand. "The three of you are working on the truck tomorrow? What about me?"
Zelda smiled at Ted and winked. "You're on vacation for the next week roomie."
I shook my head. "I don't want a vacation. What am I going to do for a week?"
They giggled like little kids with a secret.
Ted put his arm around my shoulders and nudged me again. "You're going to spend some quality time with your boyfriend. And in case there are any doubts that would be me."
Matt, Zelda, and Eric kept giggling. "What's so damn funny?"
Zelda catapulted off the sofa and opened the front door and said to Ted, "Would you get her out of here?"
I dug my heels in and refused to budge. "You can’t make me take a vacation from my own business."
Zelda stared me down. "Look roomie, no offense but we can't take your whining anymore." She waved an arm at Eric and Matt. "The boys and I can handle the truck for a few more days." She smiled at Eric. "And Eric is dying to check out the desert biz." She slung one of Ted’s arms around my shoulder. "This guy here. He's in charge of chilling you out. It's a tall order, but we know he can handle it."
I looked up at Ted with pleading eyes. "I don't have to take a whole week off. Maybe just a couple of days."
Ted tweaked my nose. "Sorry babe, doctor's orders. One week."
The muted image on the TV caught my eye. "What about Daniels? He's going to want to talk to me." I pointed to the TV. "This is a big case. The press is already all over it. I'm the star witness."
Ted nudged me another couple of inches. "Daniels is a big boy; he can manage a few days without you."
Zelda chortled. "A few days? Try forever."
I glanced backward while Ted pulled me through the front door. "Zee?"
"Have a good time," Zelda smiled and closed the door.
Ted led me toward the Escalade, but I pointed to the Toyota. "My car is over there."
He kept walking me toward his car. "I know."
"I'll follow you over."
"Oh no you won't."
"What am I going to do without a car?"
He dropped the bag at his feet and put my arms around his neck. "We'll think of something." He bent to kiss me, but I turned away. "Don't you want to spend time with me?"
"I feel like I'm being kidnapped."
Ted backed away and raised his arms. "Fine. You don't want to be with me — stay home."
I followed him. "I didn't say that." He held up his hands and continued backing up to the SUV. "Don't get all pissy on me, Ted. I rushed home because Fuller was on the loose. And I thought you were in danger. And when I get here, I discover you've packed my bag and filled out my dance card without even asking."
Ted leaned against his car, shook his head, and laughed. "Interesting. How does that make you feel?"
I put my hands on my hips and squinted at him. "I don't do that to you."
He threw back his head and laughed harder. "That’s a good one, babe. You’re the queen of filling out my dance card. And I either have to go along for the ride or step aside." He held up his hands. "I'm not complaining. You’re my crazy little mustang and I love you. But once in a while, I’d like to steer the horse."
I shook my fists and huffed, but Ted was unmoved by my tantrum. "Fine." I picked up my bag and tossed it at him. Then I climbed into the SUV.
Ted got into the car and fired up the engine. He leaned over the console and kissed me. "I love you too honey."
I swatted him away. "Just steer the damn horse."
Chapter Forty-Six
I sulked for about ten minutes but as I thought about it, letting someone else take the reins had its appeal. Trying to help everybody and fix everything just made me the bad guy. And I was damned tired. Sleeping in and tuning out the world for a few days would do me good. I curled up in my seat and lay my face against the window. Ted was worn out too. A just-us undisturbed week was probably what we both needed.
"We're here."
I looked up from my thoughts. It wasn't Cabo, but Ted's place was as good as anywhere else we might go and more comfortable too. Ted opened my door and held out his hand, "Your castle awaits milady."
We walked inside, and he handed me my overnight bag. "You go freshen up, and I'll get dinner on the table." He pointed to the stairs. "I even stocked some bubble bath."
I put my foot on the bottom step. "But no pizza, all right?"
Smiling he said, "No pizza." He stood at the foot of the stairs and watched me then whistled and said, "Nice ass."
“Damn skippy,” I said and went into his bedroom. The room was different, but the change was subtle. The curtains and comforter were changed out, from black to sapphire blue. A bouquet of lavender roses stood in a crystal vase on the table next to my side of the bed. But they weren't flower shop roses — they possessed the imperfect perfection of garden roses. Melinda playing cupid?
I opened my overnight bag and frowned. Clearly Ted had supervised the packing because I was long on lingerie and short on clothes. I laughed. "Well that’s not obvious or anything honey."
In the bathroom, the curtains, towels and shower curtain had also been replaced with the same rich blue as the bedroom. I wondered if Ted was trying to make his house more girl friendly. And what that meant.
A crystal jar of bath salts sat on the ledge of the tub. The little girl in me giggled. Once I stepped into the steamy, fragrant water it pulled me down into its embrace. I lay my head back, closed my eyes and fell asleep. A soft rap sounded at the bathroom door. I opened my eyes. "Ted?"
"Dinner's ready." Then quiet steps walked away.
When I came downstairs the only light came from the dining room. Barefoot, I padded across the oak floors and stepped to the doorway.
Candlelight flickered and danced shadows on the walls. The table was set with real china, silverware and glasses. A beautiful platter of paella took center stage, next to it a salad of baby greens and a basket of fresh bread whose aroma made my mouth water.
Ted wore the
candlelight well. He stared out to the quiet evening through the open French doors.
I just stood there and watched him for a minute — astounded by how lucky I was to have him. Finally, I said, "That looks like real food."
He turned to me and smiled. He pulled out the chair next to him and patted the seat. "Come eat."
I sat next to him. Ted eyed my outfit — one of his dress shirts with the sleeves rolled up. "Interesting take on dinner attire."
M.urder R.eady to E.at (A Scotti Fitzgerald Murder Mystery Book 2) Page 29