Lawful Deception

by Pamela Samuels Young

  Bliss had been murdered. Dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

  A jumble of thoughts floated around in his head, then landed with a gentle thud. He glanced over at Mia, who looked like she might faint. Fletcher wanted to faint too—over his good fortune.

  Now, he wouldn’t have to pay her a dime and, on top of that, he had his beautiful daughter all to himself.

  CHAPTER 61

  Jessica Winthrop willingly accompanied the detectives downtown to police headquarters. By the time she’d finished answering all of their questions about Bliss Fenton, Mankowski found himself speechless. He’d thought Girlie Cortez was a piece of work, but this chick had her beat by a country mile.

  Thomas just kept blinking his eyes and repeating everything Jessica said.

  “Let me get this straight. She was already getting twelve grand a month from one guy, who knows what from the other kid’s father and she still wanted eighty-three grand a month from this record company guy?”

  Jessica pursed her lips. “Bliss wasn’t a bad person,” she said, trying to soften the picture she’d painted of her best friend. “She’d been hurt a lot and when a man rejected her, going after his money was how she struck back.”

  Thomas reeled back in his chair. “Eighty-three grand a month was a lot of striking back.”

  Mankowski almost wished he could’ve met the woman. She must’ve been one hell of a lay. “I can’t believe the woman just gave the kid to him.” He couldn’t help but laugh. “I bet that surprised the hell out of him.”

  “I begged Bliss not to do it. That’s why we argued and I kicked her out of my car.” Jessica played with her cuticle and seemed to be on the verge of tears. “I was just so angry that she was using Harmony as a pawn like that. Bliss expected Fletcher to bring her back the next day. I don’t know if he did or not, because we haven’t spoken. And now, we won’t get a chance to.”

  Jessica wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  Mankowski didn’t want the woman to start wailing again, so he kept the questions coming.

  “Let’s talk about the fathers of the two boys. What about—” he paused to look down at his notes, “Aiden’s father?”

  “He’s an orthopedic surgeon. A few weeks ago, Bliss got his child support payments increased by two grand a month. Dr. Franco was pretty upset about that.”

  “How upset?” Thomas asked. “Did he ever threaten to harm her?”

  Jessica started fidgeting with her purse and suddenly seemed reluctant to continue spilling the beans. “Well…”

  “You need to be straight with us,” Thomas said gently.

  “They had some pretty angry arguments. And yes, he did threaten her, but I don’t think he meant it.”

  “And what about Jonas’ father?”

  “Like I said before, Bliss refused to talk about him. But I always assumed she was getting money from him too.”

  “Any idea how much?”

  “Nope.”

  “I bet he was another high roller,” Mankowski scoffed.

  “Probably,” Jessica said. “Bliss only dated wealthy men. She referred to Dr. Franco as slumming.”

  This time, Mankowski shook his head. “Was she dating anyone now?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t know who. She bought a new outfit for a date a few weeks ago, but wouldn’t tell me who the guy was. I think he may have been married.”

  “Anybody else, who might’ve had a motive to kill her?” Mankowski asked, even though the two suspects they had were more than enough for the moment.

  Again, Jessica seemed uneasy about proceeding. “Well, I mean, maybe...”

  “C’mon, Ms. Winthrop. If there’s someone else Ms. Fenton had a problem with, we need to know.”

  “I guess I should also tell you about Fletcher McClain’s fiancée, Mia Richardson. They used to be yoga buddies. Bliss was dating Fletcher when he dumped her and started seeing Mia. Bliss waited until after Harmony was born to tell Fletcher he was her father. And Bliss didn’t exactly get pregnant by traditional means.”

  Mankowski’s forehead crinkled. “Traditional means? What are you saying?”

  Jessica recounted the allegation in Fletcher’s complaint that Bliss had stolen his sperm from a used condom. When she was done, both men were dumbfounded.

  “Bliss never told me one way or the other if the allegation was true,” she continued, “but since she didn’t deny it, I assumed it was.”

  Mankowski had been thinking about a vasectomy. The final decision had just been made. He was doing it.

  Thomas scribbled Mia Richardson’s name on his pad. “Sounds like you were right to warn Bliss about the way she treated people.”

  “If only she had listened,” Jessica said, her tone somber.

  Mankowski gazed over at his partner with a half smile. Solving this whodunit was going to be big fun.

  Jessica averted her eyes again. “There’s something else.”

  “Okay,” Mankowski said. “We’re listening.”

  Jessica hesitated. “I have some important evidence to give you.”

  “Evidence? What kind of evidence?”

  Jessica opened her purse. “Evidence that might help prove who killed Bliss.”

  CHAPTER 62

  “I still can’t believe Darius’ lying ass had the nerve to be cheating on me.” Special stabs her soda with a straw.

  It’s rare that we make time for lunch these days, but Special had insisted. The only reason I relented was because I was addicted to the spinach artichoke dip at the California Pizza Kitchen.

  “Being in a wheelchair doesn’t make him incapable of cheating. He’s still a man. Just make sure you don’t go back to his house again. I can’t believe what you did.”

  “If I’d been in my right mind, I would’ve keyed his car.”

  I point a stern index finger in her direction. “You’re lucky he didn’t call the police on your crazy behind. I’m telling you right now, if you get arrested, I’m not coming to your rescue.”

  Special laughs for the first time. “Girl, please. There’s no way you’d leave me hanging. You’d be at the jail demanding my release before I could say I’m calling my lawyer.”

  I roll my eyes and laugh along with her because she’s absolutely right. “I’m tired of hearing you whine about Darius. Let’s talk about something else.”

  “I need another case to help me forget about being punked by that fool. I was having big fun following Bliss Fenton around. You got another juicy case like that one?”

  “I can put you in contact with Fletcher’s family law attorney. Turns out she’s just as conniving as Girlie Cortez.”

  I tell Special about Fletcher’s custody petition and how Bliss landed a preemptive strike by dumping Harmony on his doorstep.

  “That girl is her own brand of scandalous. How’s Fletcher doing with the kid?”

  “He freaked out at first. Called me in the middle of the night like it was my problem to solve. But he hired a full-time nanny to take care of her. I think he might have a good case for full custody thanks to the information you dug up about Bliss and Martin Zinzer. Maybe Fletcher’s family law attorney can hire you to dig up some more dirt on her.”

  “Hell, I might do some more digging around on my own dime. I’m dying to find out who the father of her oldest kid is? I bet you it’s somebody really, really famous. Like a politician.”

  My phone rings. I check the screen, grunt, then place it back on the table.

  Special raises a brow. “Whoever that was, you sure don’t look too happy to hear from ’em.”

  “It’s Fletcher. I don’t have time for his madness right now. Whatever he wants can wait.”

  “I can’t believe you really cut him loose.”

  “The case is over and it isn’t worth appealing. I’m still angry that he lied to
me.”

  “Like you said, men will be men.” Special stirs her strawberry lemonade. “I can’t believe Darius—”

  “Special, I’m tired of you harping about Darius. I do not want to hear that man’s name again. He’s not the first guy who cheated on you, and sad to say, he may not be the last. Get over it.”

  “I can’t. I ignored the fact that he’s in a wheelchair and he had the nerve to step out on me.”

  “That’s the problem. You acted like you were doing him a favor by dating him. The man is smart, attractive, he’s got a few bucks and he’s great in bed. Men like that have lots of options.”

  “The women in L.A. are so desperate.”

  “So what does that say about you?”

  She put a hand on her hip. “Nothing. I was being nice and he took advantage of me.”

  “You two didn’t even have a committed relationship.”

  “So. That doesn’t mean he can lie to me. He should’ve been kissing the ground I walked on. He’s been ringing my phone off the hook, leaving me messages claiming he’s sorry and wants to explain.”

  “You should hear him out. He could be a good contact for you regarding your investigative work.”

  “I don’t need his help, but I do want my red-bottom shoe back. He’s holding it hostage until I agree to see him. I can’t believe I threw my expensive-ass shoe through his window.”

  “I can’t believe every single thing you did that night,” I say with a laugh.

  My phone chirps, signaling a text message. “Fletcher again,” I say. As I read his text, my eyes expand in alarm.

  Special notices my angst. “What’s the matter now?”

  I read the message two more times, just to make sure my eyes aren’t failing me.

  “Bliss Fenton’s been murdered,” I tell Special. “The police are at Fletcher’s office trying to question him.”

  “O-M-G! That boy would definitely be suspect number one. You think he did it?”

  I refuse to answer Special’s question because I don’t want to even consider that possibility. My hands shake as I call him back.

  Fletcher had threatened that he would kill Bliss before paying her a dime. Had he done just that?

  “Don’t say a word to the police,” I direct him, without even saying hello. “Tell them you need to consult with your lawyer, then escort them out of your office.”

  I’m feeling more than conflicted. If Fletcher ends up charged with murder, I don’t have the energy right now for another high-profile murder case. But I feel obligated to come to his aid, at least until he can retain another attorney.

  His voice is low and muffled, like he’s covering the phone with his hand. “They might think I’m guilty if I don’t talk to ’em,” he whispers.

  Are you?

  “Let ’em think what they want.” I say, as I down the rest of my Diet Coke and grab my purse. “Just get rid of them, then meet me at my office.”

  CHAPTER 63

  After leaving the police station, Jessica drove straight to Seal Beach to see Dr. Franco. She’d learned from Bliss’ nanny that both boys had spent the past few days with him. She was surprised that Dr. Franco hadn’t called her. Maybe he wasn’t aware yet that Bliss was dead. That meant she would have to deliver the sad news. But that wasn’t the main reason for her visit.

  Bliss had named Jessica the guardian for all three of her children. She knew there was no way Dr. Franco would hand over Aiden, but Jonas was now hers.

  When Jessica told him that Bliss had been murdered, Dr. Franco just sat there, immobile, staring at the floor.

  “I can’t believe it,” he mumbled. “After everything she took me through, I actually feel sorry for her. She was a very troubled woman.”

  Jessica nodded in agreement. She needed to get to the point of this visit and decided to just blurt it out. “The reason I’m here is that Bliss named me the legal guardian for all three of her children.”

  Jessica figured she might as well test the waters. If she had a shot at also getting custody of Aiden too, she’d know within the next few seconds.

  Dr. Franco’s eyes registered astonishment. “Nobody’s raising my son but me.”

  Jessica nodded. “Of course. But I’d like to take custody of Jonas. I’m assuming you don’t have a problem with that.”

  Lena returned to the room, carrying three cups of coffee. She’d left earlier, Jessica assumed, to give them some time alone.

  Dr. Franco glanced up at Lena. “Bliss appointed Jessica as Jonas’ legal guardian. She wants to take him.”

  Lena looked hesitantly back at him, which worried Jessica. Did they intend to keep both boys?

  Jessica was the only one to reach for one of the steaming mugs Lena had placed on the coffee table. Lena remained standing, Dr. Franco remained stunned.

  “Honey,” Lena placed her hand on his shoulder, “can I speak to you in private for a moment?”

  The two of them left the room, but returned almost as quickly.

  Lena was the first to speak, her voice tight as if she were straining to be civil. “Losing a mother at such a young age is a very tragic loss. It doesn’t make sense for the boys to now lose each other. We’ve talked about it and we think it’s best if we raise both of them.”

  Jessica felt the room tilt. She took her time, mentally rehearsing her words before speaking them. She would dismiss their ridiculous idea without directly responding to it.

  “I agree that the boys are going to need each other more than ever before. That’s why we’re going to have to work together to make sure they remain close.”

  Dr. Franco looked over at Lena. It was clear that she was calling the shots. “Look, Lena can’t have kids. We want to raise both boys.”

  “I’m his legal guardian,” Jessica repeated, as if no further response was necessary.

  Lena locked her arms across her chest, her face awash in anger. “They’re brothers and they should be raised together.”

  Jessica stood firm. “That’s not going to happen.”

  Lena seemed to want to challenge her further, but instead, just let out a long breath. “We need to break the news to the boys. And we should do it when they’re together.”

  “That’s fine. Let’s do it now,” Jessica said.

  Lena’s lips twisted like two taut wires. “Now really isn’t a good time.”

  Jessica glanced at her watch. It was just after 3 p.m. She could still hear the ping of some video game the boys were playing.

  “Okay, then. I’ll take Jonas home now and bring him back tomorrow and we’ll do it together.”

  Jessica needed to get Jonas out of their clutches as soon as possible. From the looks on their faces, they intended to fight her on this. But she wasn’t leaving without him.

  Dr. Franco finally spoke. “Look, Jessica. We shouldn’t make this decision right now. Bliss hasn’t even been gone for a day. Why don’t you go home and—”

  “I’m his legal guardian and I’m not leaving here without him.” She almost felt sorry for them. They apparently loved Jonas as much as she did.

  Lena stomped down the hallway as a look of resignation spread across the doctor’s face.

  He stood. “I’ll go get him.”

  Seconds later, the boys stampeded into the room.

  “Auntie Jessica!” they both yelled, jumping into her lap.

  Fighting back tears, she pulled them close enough to smother.

  “Jonas is coming home with me tonight,” she told them.

  “I wanna come too,” Aiden said with a pout.

  Dr. Franco ruffled his son’s hair. “Next time.”

  It was so telling that neither boy had asked about their mother.

  Taking Jonas’ hand, Jessica led him out of the house. When they reached the porch, Dr. Franco stepped outside, closing the
door behind him.

  Once Jonas was anchored into his car seat, Jessica closed the door and was about to walk around to the driver’s side. Dr. Franco stopped her.

  “Uh ... I ... well ...” The doctor seemed to be at a loss for words.

  She was confused about what else he had to say and why he seemed so tongue-tied.

  “Is something wrong?” Jessica asked.

  “The police are going to want to talk to me. You know better than anyone else, there was no love lost between me and Bliss. I’m probably going to be high on their suspects’ list.”

  “I can guarantee you,” Jessica said, “that list is going to be pretty long. Bliss wronged a lot of people. You shouldn’t be too concerned.”

  From the worry lines still etched across his forehead, her comment didn’t seem to offer much comfort.

  “Jessica, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell the police about my verbal sparring matches with Bliss. I said a lot of things I really didn’t mean.”

  “The police already interviewed me.”

  Dr. Franco rubbed the back of his neck. “So what did you tell them? You didn’t say I threatened her, did you?”

  “I’m sorry,” was all Jessica could say. “I didn’t want to lie to the police.”

  As a wave of worry cast a shadow across the doctor’s face, Jessica decided to throw him a bone. “If it helps, when the police asked me who I thought killed Bliss, I told them I thought Fletcher McClain may have done it.”

  That comment did seem to appease him a bit. “You think so?”

  Jessica nodded. “As much as you hated Bliss, Fletcher despised her ten times more.”

  CHAPTER 64

  “This might turn out to be an easy one to wrap up,” Mankowski announced. “All we have to do is figure out which baby daddy hated her the most.”

  Thomas stroked his angular chin. “That might be easier said than done.”

  They were standing outside Fletcher McClain’s fancy highfalutin’ office at Karma Entertainment, taking in the view of the Hollywood Hills.