by Anna Burke
Jessica created a spreadsheet to collect the burgeoning number of questions. She also began entering the names and positions held by each of the individuals the police had interviewed. She wanted to speak to all of them, to hear from each what they remembered about Kelly. Of course, that presumed she could locate them. What were the odds that any of the hotel, casino or restaurant staff would still be working in the same place more than a decade later? Turnover rates in hospitality and food service were notoriously high. Some of them might still be around, or might be found working at the newer “sister” casino opened just off I-10 in Rancho Mirage. Even if they had moved on, Jerry Reynolds, with his investigative skills might be able to track them down. Perhaps they could get a last known address from the police or someone in human resources.
By the time Jessica had finished, more than thirty names were on the list. The challenge now was figuring out where to start. The list of tasks was mounting. Mustering the courage to get back into the business of sleuthing, after the trouncing she had taken poking around into Roger Stone’s death, was no small matter. It felt a little like that upward climb on a roller coaster, with no hint about the twists or turns to come on the wild ride to follow.
CHAPTER 16
Jessica drove slowly and carefully to Frank’s house. Anticipation increased as she got closer. Most of that anticipation was tied to the things she had discovered in Kelly’s file that she had to share with Frank. Some of it was the idea of sharing anything with Frank. More disconcerting yet was doing it under the canny watchfulness of Don and Evelyn Fontana. They were sure to figure out that Jessica and Frank’s liaison was a ruse, or was it?
Driving from downtown Riverside to Frank’s neighborhood in Perris took just over twenty minutes, even with the commuter traffic at that time of day. Jessica pulled up at the curb in front of the home in which Frank and his family lived. It was one of the thousands of new homes built in the last decade throughout the inland empire. The California bungalow had a large porch supported by thick square columns, a sloping roof and light brown stucco siding, trimmed in white to match the columns.
As Jessica headed up the walkway, the front door swung open. Frank invited her into the foyer, with a den on the left and a dining room on the right. Taking the cupcakes and wine she held, he had Jessica follow him through the dining room into the kitchen where Evelyn was hard at work. Delicious aromas wafted toward her as Evelyn bustled around. She planted a welcoming kiss on Jessica’s cheek.
“It is so wonderful to see you, Jessica.” Jessica admired the vivacious woman, obviously in her element, as she moved around the roomy kitchen.
“It was kind of you to include me in your family celebration, Aunt Evelyn.”
“My goodness, Jessica, there’s no need to be so formal. You’ve been a member of our family for a long time. I’m just sorry we haven’t had a chance to invite you over sooner. That sad situation with Roger sort of caught us all off guard. None of us felt much like celebrating, or we would have had you over for a visit in the desert before now. We know what you did for Roger and Laura, Jessica. We’re so glad you’re okay after all you went through.” She gave Jessica a big hug, whispering, “And we’re sorry about that jackass you married. At least he’s out of your life, and making a public spectacle of himself, too.”
“Oh, ick, ick, ick! You saw that too, Aunt Evelyn?”
“According to little Frankie, it’s gone viral, Jessica, whatever that means. Those entertainment news shows run it over and over again. There’s a point where she elbows Jim pretty good while he’s trying to hold her back. The look on his face says it all.” She laughed impishly as she went back to preparing their feast. Frank had gone outside to the backyard where Uncle Don was busy with the barbeque grill, and the kids were swimming in the backyard pool.
“Jessica, why don’t you take this plate of cheese slices out to Don, to put on the burgers? I’m sure Frank wants to introduce you to the kids, although you already met them at our house at some point. If you brought a suit, you’re welcome to go for a swim yourself, although it will have to be a short one. Don will be growling about starving to death if he’s not stuffing his face in a half hour or so.”
“I have met Frank’s kids, but it was years ago. I’m sure they don’t remember me. A swim sounds wonderful, but I used the pool this morning at the hotel, so I’m probably already at my limit when it comes to sun and water for one day. Is there anything I can do in here to help you?”
“Not right now, Jessica. When Don flips the burgers, you can come in and get the buns so he can toast them. Say, you should get something to drink. Grab a can of beer or pour yourself a glass of wine, if you want. Or we could open one of the bottles you brought. We have soft drinks in the fridge, too, if you’d rather have something without alcohol. That Frank! He should have offered you something before he ran out the back door. You know what, Jessica?”
“No. What?” Jessica asked, as she poured a glass of white wine from a bottle that was open on the table in the morning room just off the kitchen. Jessica took a sip. Not bad. The bottle contained a chardonnay from a winery nearby in Temecula. The area was trying to make a name for itself among the vastly competitive California wine-growing industry. It was cool and crisp, respectable as she rolled it around her mouth, bracing for whatever Evelyn had to say.
“You make him nervous. He acts sort of shy when he talks about you. He likes you...a lot.” Jessica felt her cheeks flush. Evelyn was wearing that devilish smile again as she went back to work, slicing a huge tomato for their burgers.
“She knows something’s up,” Jessica thought, as she picked up the plate of cheese slices. “I’ll take these to Uncle Don,” was all she said as she passed the table laden with good things to eat in the morning room of the kitchen. Californians loved to build their houses with lots of places to eat. Like Jessica’s house in the desert, this one had a large wrap-around bar in the kitchen with stools for informal meals as well as the family dining area in the morning room overlooking the backyard. The larger, more formal dining room was big enough to seat twelve for a dinner party. More than twelve if dinner guests were willing to squeeze in around the ample table in the dining room. In addition, there was a place for dining al fresco outside on the patio. That’s where a table was now decked out in red, white, and blue, all set up for their burger bash.
When Frank saw her step outside, he glanced at her and smiled, then quickly looked away. Shy was right. Maybe he was feeling as disconcerted as she was about the deception afoot. Then she flashed for a moment on that hug the night before and felt that flush creeping up over her again. She wondered who was fooling whom?
“Hey, Uncle Don. How’s it going? Are you about ready to put cheese on those burgers?”
“Jessica, wow, you look great. She looks great, doesn’t she, Frank? Go get the cheese slices, why don’t you?” He was grinning broadly as he gave Frank a nudge with his elbow. Frank took a step in her direction.
“Frank’s parents are really enjoying themselves,” Jessica thought. She wasn’t sure if she should feel amused, irritated, or embarrassed by their reaction to the charade she and Frank were playing. Surely, Frank hadn’t said anything to make them believe there was anything really going on? They couldn’t possibly believe she was a serious prospect as a partner for their son as a newly-minted divorcee? Maybe Frank had caved and already filled them in on what they were up to, and they were all pulling Jessica’s leg.
“You do look terrific, Jessica. Dad’s right about that.” That shy grin remained on his face as he took her in with an appreciative look. She was dressed simply, in ankle-length skinny black jeans and a silky knit tank top that highlighted the curves she was working so hard to tone. The coppery color made her green eyes pop. She had taken extra care to style her hair and apply her makeup just so, quite a bit of trouble for a non-date with a non-boyfriend.
“Thanks for the compliments, you two,” Jessica said, trying to sound nonchalant. “Uncle Don, you’re s
upposed to make sure I know when you flip the burgers, so I can go back inside and bring out the buns for you to toast.”
“I hear and I obey,” Uncle Don replied.
“And, Frank, Aunt Evelyn says you should introduce me to the kids.” Jessica was suddenly aware that their shrieking had subsided the moment she stepped from the house. Both Frankie and Evie were watching her intently as they bobbed up and down in the pool. Frank handed the plate of cheese slices to his dad, who placed them on the stainless steel counter built-in next to the grill where the burgers were sizzling away.
“Follow me,” Frank said, as he walked across the patio toward the pool. Jessica did as she was told. When they were within a foot or so of the pool, Evie and Frankie swam over to the side.
“Evie, Frankie, I’d like you to meet an old friend of mine. This is Jessica Huntington. We went to high school together.”
“Hi, Jessica,” the two said nearly in unison. “Did you really go high school with my dad?” Evie inquired, eyeing Jessica with curiosity.
“That’s right. I graduated from St. Theresa’s in Palm Springs, just like your dad.”
“What was he like in high school? Were you a girlfriend, or what? Did you know my mom? Were you rivals, or was she your friend, too?” Evie had let go of the side of the pool and was treading water as she peppered Jessica with questions. Frankie was rolling his eyes, but he didn’t swim off. He was clearly waiting to hear what Jessica had to say.
“Well, your dad was a couple years ahead of me in school. He was kind of a big shot.” Jessica pulled up a sling-back patio chair and sat down, a couple feet from the pool. She slid the sunglasses that were on top of her head down over her eyes so she could talk to Evie and Frankie without being blinded by the glare from the sun bouncing around on the moving water. Glancing sideways at Frank, she could tell he was uncomfortable, waiting for someone to say something inappropriate. Jessica smiled as she continued.
“I had this huge crush on him, but so did a lot of girls.” That got a reaction from Frank, as if he had been hit with a bolt of electricity. Evie let out a giggle.
“For real?” she asked.
“For real,” Jessica answered. “Let’s see, what else can I tell you? Your dad was in student government and ended up being elected president of his class in his senior year. He was a good student, too, and quite an athlete, always winning games and tournaments, golf, tennis and swimming. Because he was older than me, we didn’t hang out that much. So, I guess I’d have to say we were friends, but not close friends. That goes for your mom, too. You know what I mean Evie, friends but not bffs?” She nodded her head, weighing what Jessica was saying very carefully as Jessica added, “I used to hang out a lot at your grandparents’ house, but by the time that happened, your mom and dad were already a couple. Your mom didn’t have any rivals, Evie.”
“Yeah, I know my mom and dad fell in love in high school. Then they got married when Dad was in college. And then they had us. They’re not in love anymore, Jessica. They’re divorced.” Frankie rolled his eyes again. He looked like he had heard about all he cared to hear, and was about to swim off when Evie went on. “But if you weren’t close friends to Mom or Dad, how come you were at Grandpa and Grandma’s house?”
“Well, your dad’s cousin was my best friend. Your grandparents and her parents, your Uncle Sammy and Aunt Monica, used to get together for all sorts of things. Like today, you know? Not just holidays, but birthdays and celebrations, graduations, things like that. We always had the best time with pool parties and barbeques and games like volleyball, music and dancing sometimes.”
“Oh no, you mean Cousin Kelly, don’t you? She’s dead. Your best friend was killed in a car accident. That must have been hard to take!”
That was it! Frankie dove like a seal under the water. He was almost at the other end of the pool before he came up again for air. Not beyond ear shot, however. As she spoke, she could tell that the older Frank was about to bolt, too.
“It was. Still is, Evie. I miss her. She was beautiful, and so much fun to be around. I wish she was here with us today.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have brought it up. I understand what it feels like to lose someone you care about. It makes you sad and angry and mixed up all at once.” She had rolled onto her back, then flipped over abruptly and came up to Jessica at poolside. “At least that’s how I felt when Mom left. Like this horrible accident had happened, and she was just gone. But she wasn’t gone, really. And now I might have two moms, if she gets married again. Are you married? Do you have a new best friend now?”
That was the limit to what Frank senior could take. He was about to speak, but Jessica looked up and shook her head slightly, hoping to reassure him while waving him off. Then she bent over a little closer to Evie, as close as she could get without dumping her wine or tipping her chair over.
“Evie, that’s a very good question. I did have, his name was Jim. I thought he was my bff, and I married him. Now I’m divorced too, so I’m sort of without a best friend at the moment again. I’m lucky, though. I don’t have one best friend but I do have several really good ones. Like Tommy, you know, Kelly’s brother?”
“Of course, he’s loads of fun.” She had folded her arms on the edge of the pool, resting her chin on her arms, as her legs, stretched out behind her, pumped the water.
“Well, he’s a really, really good friend. And there’s Laura Stone. She was friends with me and Kelly. She used to go to those parties with us at your grandparents’ house too. Your grandparents, we called them Uncle Don and Aunt Evelyn, like Kelly and Tommy did—they’re friends, too. Then there’s my friend Bernadette. My mom and dad are divorced, but they’re both my really good friends, too. Of course, there’s your dad. We’re good friends now, too.”
“So, does that mean you’re his girlfriend now, are you like, lovers or something?” Frankie dove under water again, and Frank, who was now at Jessica’s elbow, sucked in a big gulp of air. That went down the wrong way and he started to cough. Even Jessica was caught off guard and burst out laughing.
“Oh my God, Evie, you ask the best questions! I’m not your dad’s lover, but I am a girl and a friend, just not a girlfriend in the way some people mean. Right now, I’m still working through a lot of things that have to do with my divorce. Your dad is helping me, since he’s faced a lot of the same problems.”
“Well, so have I, Jessica. If you ever need to talk about anything, let me know, okay?”
“Okay. Your dad assures me that after a year or so it gets easier. Is that true?” Evie thought about that for a moment. Suddenly, Frankie, from out of nowhere, popped up alongside her and answered for her.
“That’s about right, Jessica.” He was sober as a judge. Then he was gone again. Evie nodded in agreement before taking off at break-neck speed, closing the distance on her brother in no time. Frank had stopped coughing but was just standing there with his mouth half open.
She wasn’t sure how much Uncle Don had heard from where he was hovering over the grill, but he called out, “Jessica, I flipped the burgers. You want to go get those buns from Evelyn?”
“Sure thing, Uncle Don.” Jessica stood up and grabbed Frank’s arm as she stepped past him. “They’re terrific, Frank. Thanks for the introduction.” She gave the still stunned man a little yank, pulling him along after her. “Let’s go see what sort of help your mom needs, okay?” He didn’t say anything, but trailed after her. One look at Uncle Don told Jessica he had heard plenty, and enjoyed every minute of the episode.
“Uncle Don’s ready for those buns now. What else can we do to help?” Jessica asked, as they stepped into the house.
“Not much, really. Frank, you should get those kids out of the pool and let them dry off. You don’t want them to drip water all over the gorgeous new wood floors you just installed when they come into the house to fix their plates. It’s nice enough to eat outdoors, but so much easier if we just leave the food in here. That way, we don’t have t
o haul in the leftovers later.” Frank hadn’t said a word, still trying to recover from the poolside question-and-answer session. His mother looked at him quizzically.
“Here, Frank, I’ll give you some bait to use to lure them out of the water.” She came around from behind the kitchen island and handed Frank a small bowl of chips and a little shove toward the door. “If you crunch those loud enough, they’ll probably climb out of that pool on their own.” Frank wandered in the direction of the kids, eating chips and making crunching sounds as he was told.
Jessica trailed after Frank to the patio, and took the platter of burger buns to Uncle Don where he stood at the grill. Leaning in, he spoke to Jessica in a low, confidential tone.
“Just friends, huh? I see the way Frank looks at you. I’m glad to hear you’re not rushing into anything. I don’t want anybody to get hurt. He’s been through a lot and so have those kids.” He carefully laid buns on one side of the huge grill.
“I get it, Uncle Don. I told Evie the truth. Right now, I’m just hanging on, hoping to God things get easier. I need a year. At least a year, depending on what that slime bucket I divorced, and his screwball media darling, are planning as a sequel to their latest melee on Rodeo Drive.”
“I didn’t see it, myself. Evelyn told me Jim was splashed all over the television, along with some out of control actress I’ve never even heard of before. I don’t like the entertainment news. In my line of work, who needs to watch TV to see mug shots of some idiot getting arrested for doing something stupid on the street or behind the wheel of a car? I have to deal with that kind of stupid every day. It doesn’t matter if they’re celebrities or not, when you’re cleaning up the road after them.” Don Fontana stabbed the burgers he was tending a couple times, for no apparent reason. Then he lifted the edge of one of the buns, which was turning a golden brown very quickly. Reaching for the platter that had contained the buns, he began to stack burger patties, piling a slice of cheese on each one, as he continued to speak in hushed tones.