Restoring Passion

by Sandra Kyle

  “Everything all right?” Langlon asked.

  “Yes, sorry.” She continued into the room.

  “Any seat is fine.” He closed the door behind him.

  She decided to sit far away from the rings on the tabletop that were used to secure handcuffs. “You called about Brian?”

  “Yes, Ms. Barnes.” Langlon sat across from her. He tapped his smartphone screen and typed. His gaze traveled from the screen to her. “Were you aware Mr. Lancaster was in Savannah when you called him yesterday?”

  Vanessa sighed. “No. I didn’t even know who it was I was calling when I dialed the number.”

  Lines on Langlon’s forehead multiplied. “How is that possible?” Tap, tap.

  “I found the number on the back of some photos sent to the store.”

  “Dan’s Details?” Tap, tap.

  She nodded.

  “What were the photos of?”

  Vanessa pursed her lips. “I’m not sure if I should say.”

  He took a few seconds to continue after more tapping. “But there was something about those photos that elicited the need to call the number?”

  “Yes.”

  “It would be helpful to know a little more about what the photos depicted.”

  “I’d rather not describe it.”

  “I see. How did you know it was Mr. Lancaster on the other end of the line?”

  “I know Brian’s voice quite well.” She ran a finger across the table. I guess I have to start saying I did know him.

  “What did you discuss?”

  Short. Simple. “He wanted to see me.”

  “Did he tell you where he was?”

  “Yes.”

  “And did you go?”

  “No.”

  “And how did the conversation end?”

  “I didn’t wait to hear what else he had to say. I hung up.” Threw the phone to end the call, if you want to be technical.

  “And what did you do after the phone call?”

  “I had some errands to run, so I left the store for the day.”

  “I see.” Tap, tap.

  The sound of Langlon hitting the screen keys at a rapid pace grated in Vanessa’s ears. “Was there anything else you needed from me?”

  The door flew open. A man with salt-and-pepper-topped hair entered the room. His pasty white complexion outlined his lamb-chop-shaped sideburns. “Ms. Barnes, I’m Detective Howard.” He shoved the door closed with the back of his shoe and leaned over the table to shake her hand. A toss landed his jacket on the table.

  “Hi.”

  “Detective Langlon and I are working the investigation of Mr. Lancaster’s homicide.” He seated himself on the edge of the table and stared down at Vanessa. “When we stopped by your house earlier today, your husband didn’t know your whereabouts. You said you ran some errands?”

  The absence of a two-way mirror on the wall didn’t account for this detective’s knowledge of the conversation she had with Langlon. There must be an intercom. He’s been listening the whole time. Mentally, she filed through her limited knowledge of rights in such a situation. “My husband was out of town yesterday. He didn’t get back until last night.”

  “But the errands that you had to run... They took all night and morning?”

  “Well, no…” Vanessa began.

  “So, where were you?”

  “I went to go and visit my mom.”

  “Your mom lives in Savannah, also?” Langlon interjected.

  “No.”

  The men sat in silence, waiting for clarification.

  “She lives in Florida.”

  “Was this a planned visit? Something already on your calendar?”

  Vanessa rubbed the pad of a finger along a hangnail of another. “No.”

  Howard scratched the back of his shaggy mane. “Kind of a long drive for a spur-of-the-moment visit, isn’t it?”

  “I guess it could be for some,” Vanessa countered.

  “Interesting,” he responded, wiping something off his trousers. “Your mom can vouch for you and your whereabouts?”

  I sure as hell hope so. “Yes.”

  “And these photos you talked about? It really would help if we saw them, even add them into evidence.”

  Say whatever you have to to get yourself out of here, Vanessa. “I-I don’t have them with me. I can try and get them to you.” Let me out of this horrible episode of Law and Order. .

  “Brian and your husband, Daniel, didn’t have the best relationship, did they?” Howard continued.

  “They didn’t have any type of relationship.”

  “There was some animosity between them, I would imagine. Especially after Brian had a private investigator follow Daniel around when he started dating you.”

  Vanessa narrowed her eyes. The urge to protect Daniel overwhelmed her. “I believe I’ve answered enough questions today, Detective.”

  Howard raised a hand. “Of course. We’ll connect with you and your husband again if we have anything further.”

  Langlon added, “Feel free to drop off those photos at your earliest convenience.”

  She rose and skirted past Howard’s lounging frame. She hastened out of the police precinct, her stride swift. The facts were stacking up that this was not simply a case of Daniel’s indiscretion.

  Could Daniel be telling the truth? If Brian weren’t dead, I’d kill him myself.

  Chapter Four

  Daniel busied himself in the alley of his studio. The morning had taken forever to creep in through the windows. He’d tossed and turned the entire night. The restlessness, punctuated by the want to drive over and see Vanessa, had been a self-inflicted torture.

  He cleared the cobblestones of random debris. A couple weeks of neglect on his part had led to forgotten clumps of leaves swept into place by a natural swirling breeze. He waxed poetic in his thoughts, feeling like one of those leaves at the moment. No choice where I am right now either. Tossed away by the whims and actions of everyone else but myself.

  Movie nights with Vanessa flashed into his mind. The soft contours of her body melding into his on their couch felt all too real right then. Baby, if I ever start to expound on the beauty of a plastic bag in the wind, put me out of my misery. He’d pressed his lips against her forehead. The warmth of her skin always made him ache for more contact. You won’t have to ask me twice. She’d giggled and snuggled closer.

  “Dan.” Daniel snapped out of his memory. Jack leaned on the wrought iron gate, staring at him with concern. “You look like hell.”

  He shrugged. “What a difference a day makes, huh?” He propped the broom against a wall. “Come in.”

  “Why so cryptic over the phone?”

  Daniel motioned with his hand and entered the screened-in porch first. Hi didn’t speak again until they both sat on the patio chairs. “I don’t know who might be listening to my phone conversations anymore.”

  Jack straightened up in his seat. “Richie has a tendency to scare people easily, but I don’t think you need to get so paranoid yet.”

  Daniel nodded. “Just wait until you hear what I have to tell you.”

  *

  Marly sipped at her coffee in Vanessa’s kitchen. “This is something out of a Twilight Zone episode. Or a Alfred Hitchcock movie.” She placed the mug on the table. “Tell me at least one of those references register.”

  A genuine laugh emerged from Vanessa. “You need to stop talking like you’re ancient.”

  “Both of those things were old when I was growing up, so it’s easy to date myself.” Marly smiled. “At least I got you laughing.” She placed a comforting hand atop Vanessa’s. “This is awful, Vanessa. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. I’m just glad you’re sharing how you feel with someone. I know I’m a substitute for Monica right now. But she would tell you the same thing.”

  “Monica would try to stay positive and find a silver lining.”

  “She’d have to pull a silver lining for this particular situation out of a unicorn’
s ass.” Marly shook her head. “I love my sister. But sometimes you’ve got to be real with what you are dealt.”

  Vanessa tapped her fingers on one knee. “But…”

  “What?”

  “Do you think, after everything I’ve told you…” Vanessa teared up again. It would be the third time this morning she would break down in front of Marly. She had hoped to avoid her duplex tenants for a day or two. When a quick trip in the backyard landed her face to face with Marly, her plan crumbled. Marly had to only offer a pleasant morning greeting and ask how she was. The floodgates lifted. Out poured every emotion Vanessa tried to withhold. Poor Jasmine heard the blubbering from inside the house and stood by the screen door to witness the one-woman disaster. Marly ushered the inquisitive teen back to whatever she’d been doing with strict orders not to ask a single question.

  Marly gripped Vanessa’s wrist. “Take your time. Breathe.”

  Vanessa inhaled and exhaled for a minute, producing sounds reminiscent of a freight train whistle. She calmed down enough to finally ask, “Do you think Daniel could be telling the truth?”

  “Of course he can be. He loves you, Vanessa. So much.”

  She sniveled into her other hand. “I just… I don’t want to be that woman, the one that can’t see the writing on the wall, even when it’s right in front of me. I did that with Brian and…”

  Marly shook her head. “I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t beat yourself up in the present for past mistakes. That hurts you and, in the process, bruises the ones hanging around that actually give a shit. Besides, what was the mistake you made? Trusting someone?”

  “Well, when you put it like that…”

  “Do you want me to talk to him?”

  Vanessa shook her head.

  “Jack is heading over to see him. He called this morning.”

  She looked up to study Marly’s face. “Do you know what he said?”

  “Not much. He sounded weird, according to Jack. That he was at his studio set off alarm bells for me. But I didn’t say anything.” Marly sipped at her coffee again.

  “It’s one thing on top of another. I can’t wrap my head around Brian continuing this obsessive need to sabotage my and Daniel’s life. And now Brian’s gone, dead. I should feel something about that, shouldn’t I? I was with him for such a long time.”

  Marly frowned. “Everything he’s done… the more you find out, I can understand how that would wipe away any feelings of grief or sadness.”

  Vanessa’s eyes widened. “Oh God. You all start filming on Wednesday. What is this going to do?”

  “That’s what Jack is here for. He’ll assess and compartmentalize and figure that out for Daniel and the rest of us.”

  “But you’re producing this season too, now. It’s going to mess everything up. You all tried so hard to get over that shitshow with Jessica.”

  “We’ll handle it, Vanessa. You have more important things to worry about.” Marly cleared her throat. “I think you should talk to a lawyer about your visit to the police. And the pictures.”

  “You’re right. But I shouldn’t do any of that without talking to Daniel.”

  Marly nodded. “Exactly.”

  “No. I can’t.” Vanessa’s ponytail swatted from one cheek to the other with the violent shake of her head.

  “I know it’s going to be difficult. But it has to happen together. The last thing you want is lawyers pitting you against each other.”

  Her teeth sank into the soft flesh of her bottom lip.

  “Let me talk to Daniel, set something up where you two can at least work out what’s best for your immediate well-being.”

  She sighed. “All right.”

  Marly smiled, somewhat warily. “Good.” She tapped the counter. “It’s obvious you haven’t slept well in days. Come over for breakfast. I’ll stuff you with enough pancakes and bacon to induce some heavy napping.” Marly rose and slid her chair in. “Or you can lie on the couch and watch Jasmine play her video game. I know that always puts me to sleep.”

  One thing Vanessa was certain of—she didn’t want to be alone. “Thanks.”

  *

  “Yeah, Richie. I know.” Jack ran fingers through his hair while on the phone with his cousin. He paced the length of Daniel’s open studio from the living room, sleeping area, and kitchen. Daniel tracked his movements while seated on the sofa.

  “There’s no way I can get back to Chicago for this. Not with everything going on. I’ll fly you here on my dime myself if you find something.” Jack nodded, listening. “Yeah. I’ll lean on her for info. Her gig in Vegas may be at risk if she doesn’t have anything to give us a lead.”

  Daniel knew Jack was discussing Jessica.

  “I’m worried about Ned, though. If this involves our friends back home…” Jack pulled the phone away from his ear. “Shit, Rich. Calm down. Get back to me when you can. Yeah, the fax number I gave you is working.” He hung up. “Paranoia is definitely a virus, contagious as hell.”

  Daniel scooted to the edge of the sofa cushion and rubbed the denim covering his knees. “What’d he say?”

  “This ain’t good.” Jack laced the statement with the thickest Chicago accent. “What the hell you gettin’ me into, Jackie?” He dropped into the armchair. “He can’t officially do much regardless. But he’ll toss out some questions to friends in different states and see what he can find out—off the record. But with all of the mystery surrounding Brian’s death and the suspicion of foul play he said it could be turned over to the feds.”

  “The FBI?”

  “You’re going to keep your head as clear as you can, you hear me?” Jack reached over and slapped Daniel on the back. “We’ve got a show to start on Wednesday. Leave it to me. I’m going to reach out to some entertainment lawyers I know. The one that helped Jessica with her… situation… was great. They were able to find the source of the naked photos she was getting texted and blackmailed with. Leaned on them hard with the threat of a major lawsuit if they got out. I just wish that had led us to more answers instead of a dead end.” Jack nodded mostly to himself. “I know a few criminal lawyers. We’ll get this shit resolved.” He leaned in to stare at Daniel. “Just tell me the truth, right here, right now.”

  “What?”

  “Did you have anything to do with Brian’s death?”

  Daniel sighed. “No.”

  “’Cause, honestly, I wouldn’t think any less of you if you did. He sounds like an actual piece of human garbage. And coming from me, that’s saying something. The shit he did to mess with what you have… I wouldn’t find fault in anything you might have done, buddy. Hell, I’ll buy you a plane ticket out of the country. I know a guy in Mexico that can set you up pretty nicely in Acapulco.”

  A chuckle rose from Daniel’s throat.

  Jack shook his head. “You think I’m kidding.”

  “Nah, I’m glad you’re the kind of friend that doesn’t ask why I killed someone. You’ll grab a shovel and help me hide the body.”

  “Do me a favor? Lay low for a day or so and let me do my job.”

  “Whatever you say, boss.”

  *

  Vanessa’s heavy lids blinked open. The roaring of a crowd had stirred her awake. She shifted and took in the surroundings. Signs of habitation by a burgeoning teen littered Marly’s living room. A corner by the front door contained a backpack and stacks of school books. Sneakers in shades of pinks, purples, and blues lined a shoe shelf. A pitcher’s glove—with a baseball snug in its phantom grip—stuffed between the rails on a stair tread, lay in patient wait for the next practice session.

  Jasmine sat cross-legged on the floor beside where Vanessa rested on the couch. Her back jolted into the edge of Vanessa’s temporary sleeping spot. “Bases loaded!” Jasmine squealed under her breath, gaze glued to the video game she was in the midst of conquering.

  A swooning feeling overtook Vanessa for a moment. Marly must have added sedatives to the pancakes along with those blueberries. That t
hought made her jump to the photos of Daniel and, consequently, his belief he’d been drugged. The knot in her stomach had not gone away while she slept. It only tightened more at the unease building up in her mind. Why can’t I turn my brain off for even one second? The barrage of depressing thoughts made her want to stuff her head into the couch pillow and cry.

  A conversation drifted in from the kitchen, along with the lingering odor of fried bacon. Vanessa couldn’t overhear anything specific. She recognized the voices. Marly and Jack. She glanced at her smartwatch. The time was approaching eleven a.m.

  “Jas?”

  She tapped away at the video game controller. “Yeah?”

  “Why aren’t you at school?”

  “Memorial Day,” she responded, never taking her eyes off the screen.

  Vanessa’s internal scheduler kicked in and pulled her out of the chasm of emotions she had tumbled into over the past few days. Shit. Daniel and I were supposed to go and see Dad in Maryland. He’ll be expecting us soon.

  She sat up and tried not to disturb Jasmine. Her feet slid into her sandals left on the floor.

  “They’ve been talking about you and Danny.” Jasmine offered the information without missing her swing at the baseball. A crack from the television speakers registered contact had been made with the bat and ball. “Grand slam, baby!” She couldn’t contain her giddiness and yelled the commentary at the top of her lungs.

  Marly appeared in the kitchen doorway. A stern expression meant for Jasmine disappeared in an instant when she noticed Vanessa awake. She approached them both with timid steps, arms folded. “How’d you sleep?”

  “Like a rock.”

  “Rocks don’t sleep.” Jasmine hit the pause button and popped up from her seated position. She skipped along the hardwood floor in bare feet toward the kitchen.

  “Where are you going?” Marly asked.