Helena Goes to Hollywood: A Helena Morris Mystery (19 page)

“That’s good.” I set the food aside. “Have you seen Sonia?”

“Barely. She was talking with that Faith woman so I did a wave-by.” Emmy looked beyond me and spotted my mother. “I haven’t seen you in six months! Oh Mrs. O’Malley, I’m so sorry.” Emmy moved on to the rest of the mourners.

I wandered over with my plate to catch a glimpse of my sister and took up residence next to Ricky. Eating, I watched her hug Faith and chat. “What’s come over my sister?”

“Death does strange things to people. Friends become enemies and the other way around.” Ricky nudged my arm. “Doing okay?”

“I’d be doing a lot better if I knew who was behind it. You brought the girlfriend in, right?”

Ricky nodded. “We interviewed her. Nothing odd in Danny’s behavior and no enemies she knew of. She didn’t even know about the gambling debts. Traumatized—it seems real to me.”

I frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s the gambling thing but I have to cover all the bases. Can I see the interview tape?”

The fact that Faith showed up and Carmen didn’t made me suspect Carmen more now. I wanted to look at every angle. Any of them could be after Sonia next.

R
icky’s eyebrow arched. “She said she and Danny were happy. We checked the house—no signs of a fight or that either was leaving. No airline tickets bought and nothing that would say problem.”

“Who is the woman he cheated with?” I demanded.

Ricky checked his notebook. “Carmen. Your sister said they used to be friends.”

“Why didn’t Sonia tell me? Nice work, Danny. And his parents?” I chewed on a roll but felt like a dog with a bone.

“They knew nothing about Faith. Nothing on anyone beyond the gambling debts.”

“Dead men can’t pay but we should find out who he owed. Maybe it is an angry soap fan.”

“Look Hel, Faith has an alibi. Plenty of people saw her at the gym and she’s on the check in like every day. That means your sister is still suspect number one.” He looked down at me. “Did Danny say anything to you?”

I shrugged. “He said he’d tried to get back with Sonia before and it failed. When he was drunk one time he said he still wanted her. But he never gave any indication that he was going to leave Faith or thought Sonia would take him back.” I grasped openly at the closest straw.

“I asked her about it and Sonia said she’d put her foot down. She wouldn’t take him back and it was over so he’d have no reason to think she’d give him another shot.” Ricky grabbed a couple of diet colas from a passing waiter and handed me one.

“Thanks.” I sipped the drink. “What if Faith is nuts? Wants to make sure she’s the only one who can have him? Worried they’d reconcile down the line?”

“Worried makes her a stalker suspect for Sonia, I’ll give you that. But this is Hollywood. Everyone is working with someone who has slept with someone they’ve slept with or worked with. It’s one screwed up town.” He took a long drink from his own cola. “Besides, I checked—no history of mental illness. No criminal record and nothing to hint that Faith is unstable or obsessive. I interviewed some people from the soap and everyone liked her.”

“Damn.” I stabbed a piece of roast beef and chewed thoughtfully. “I want to go after Carmen now.”

“I love an open and shut case as much as you do but this isn’t it. I’m going to get some food and chat with Faith, just to keep her on her toes.” He gave me a wink.

“Thanks.” I guessed it was more to keep me away from Faith. Setting the plate down on a clearing tray, I finished off the roll and decided I should pay some attention to the mourners. If a fan got in, hopefully their behavior would tip me off. Or maybe Danny had another girlfriend or a jealous co-star or something I didn’t know about.

As I finished my drink I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“Lo siento, Helena,” he said.

I turned and found John the rock star dressed like he was ready for Wall Street. Dark gray suit and a black and gray striped tie. His rock star hair was pulled back into a ponytail knotted at the back of his head so it couldn’t be seen. “Thanks. You really didn’t have to come.”

“Of course I did. I offered my help and this is the least I can do.” John stood a little taller.

I looked over my shoulder and there was Mom and Lou in close orbit. “Hello, I’m Hel’s mother. You are?”

“John Martinez. Pleased to meet you.” He shook their hands.

“And how do you know my daughter?” Mom asked.

I had that uneasy feeling—like when you brought home a guy for the first time and the family was judging him. But I hadn’t brought John anywhere.

“He did the theme song for Sonia’s new show, Mom. I met him at a party with Sonia to celebrate the series.” I made it sound casual but Mom wasn’t paying attention to me. Her eyes were fixed on John’s. “Good, he’s too young for you anyway. Todd should be here. At the very least, Ricky is more appropriate.”

“I told Todd not to come. It’d only be a distraction.”

“Good thing I don’t listen.”

A chill ran down my back as I looked over my shoulder. Todd. All six feet and two inches of him. As good-looking as ever with dark hair, green eyes, and a slightly crooked smile.

“Sorry about Danny,” he said.

No one else in the world existed just then. It’d been a while since we’d been face-to-face. “I asked you not to come.”

“I’m just here for the funeral. Sorry I was late. My plane was delayed.” He kissed my cheek.

I frowned when I wanted to smile and hug him. I wasn’t a women who needed rescuing but even highly trained federal agents had backup.

“You’re mad,” he said.

“No, you’re right. This is a family funeral and you were part of the family. Sonia will be glad you’re here. I just didn’t want to look like I was calling in the feds.” I loved him in his charcoal suit. I’d picked it out and it still fit.

“Todd, thank goodness.” My mother rushed over and hugged him.

John grinned at the family fiasco. “I haven’t even asked you out yet.”

“This is a bit awkward.” Lou shook Todd’s hand.

“Not awkward. It’s right he should attend the funeral.” Mother nodded and glared at John.

I ignored the men. “Mom, do you really think I’m looking for a date with all of Sonia’s drama going on?”

My last nerve had been frayed and Mom had to dance an Irish jig all over it? John was probably relieved to know about all this crap before he asked me out. Assuming he’d ever even thought of it! I had over a decade on him and he had plenty of women hanging all over him.

“I’m just saying you need to be very careful the sort of men you meet here. You’re not used to them. This fad of younger men dating older women will end and you’d be older and all alone again.” She gave a little head shake to the whole matter and turned to walk away.

“You’re the expert in men now? Because Dad was a great catch. Excuse me.” I stormed off toward the kitchen.

Todd followed me as I found Ricky grabbing something to eat. In the corner, Jordan and Harriet were hitting it off over shots. I grabbed a shot of whatever and downed it—the Irish knew how to wake and mourn.

John entered. “Mothers are all that way, don’t worry,” he said.

I grabbed another shot, not wanting to explain my dad reference. “She’s just crazy.”

Jordan stopped me from a third. “Girl, these are potent so pace yourself.”

“I ate already.” I downed a third and felt the relaxation kick in.

“Stop there, please. They had three each.” Jordan pointed to the garden behind the house. Sonia and Faith were arm in arm. The door was opened and through the screen I could heard them singing a butchered rendition of
Danny Boy
.

“Lightweights.” Still, I stepped away from the shots and grabbed a piece of cake.

Ricky and Todd were getting reacquainted. They gave me a look that said I needed to take a step back and get a grip. John strolled off into the garden. He was the sort of easygoing guy that I should spend some time with. I looked out toward the garden.

“Faith is making friends with Sonia? What the hell?” Ricky asked.

“Go find out. I want to talk to Danny’s agent and her hubby. Todd, want to join me? Or you can mingle and go see Sonia.” I finished off my cake and searched for the coffee.

Ricky took the hint and followed the two crooning ladies who’d loved Danny and now lost him. I couldn’t do this alone, but the urge to find the killer boiled in me.

I held my liquor much better than my sister and was only slightly buzzed when I sought out Myra. Walking up, I had no idea what sort of reception I’d get. Todd opted to see Sonia first which meant I was alone approaching the agent.

“Hi, I’m Helena, Sonia’s sister. I just wanted to say Danny spoke very nicely of you, Mrs. Andrews.” Using that funeral tone, anything sounded pleasant and consoling.

“Thank you,” Myra nodded but eyed me warily. “He said you thought I had something to do with the stalking and threats.”

Things zoomed straight past awkward, but it was true. “Sorry about that but I had to be sure it wasn’t a publicity stunt.”

“I don’t use those sorts of tactics when it comes to my clients. Or former clients. I’m a professional. I did everything I could to help Danny,” she said.

“I understand I’m not your favorite person but all I wanted to do was protect my sister. I never wanted anything to happen to Danny. Whoever did this to him might be after my sister next. If you have any ideas about who might have a grudge or a problem with him, please tell me.” I didn’t get anything sinister off this woman. She was indignant at being accused of anything dirty.

No wonder she wasn’t an ace agent in Hollywood. She was too nice.

“Danny said you rented him the house. That was nice. Obviously it’s still a crime scene but once the police release it, we’ll try to clean out Danny’s things as soon as possible so you can rent it out again. I don’t want to cost you income.” I went with the practical approach.

She nodded. “The police need what they need. I understand the floor will need replacing. The plumbing was a problem as well. Norm was always over there fixing something so that house needs work. Danny needed a place and we let him stay there before the remodel was done.”

The husband walked up and stared at me like I was an annoying speck. Some men lived to intimidate. They could be friendly and calm when they chose. When they were in charge.

“I don’t need my wife upset,” Norm said.

“I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I just wondered if you knew of anyone who had a problem with Danny.”

“Other than Sonia, you mean?” he shot back.

Biting my lip, I scanned the room for Todd. No luck. “Sonia couldn’t kill Danny any more than Myra could. Whoever was stalking Sonia is probably who killed Danny. I want to catch this guy as much as anyone.”

Norm shrugged. “I don’t know of anyone. I only knew the guy from the house rental and the television. Myra loved him as a client.”

“I did. He was a sweet guy. Hollywood could’ve eaten him alive. He learned to survive here without turning totally self-absorbed.” Myra put a soothing hand on her husband’s arm.

Todd strolled up and introduced himself to the couple. The tension diffused and it felt like old times. Todd and I were a good team. He softened my direct approach and I added a little dash of humor to his by-the-book FBI style.

A
s soon as my mother and Lou headed back to Arizona Sonia flipped moods. No longer on meds, she started drinking and eating again. It was eleven in the morning on a Sunday and I was already hard at work on my laptop, searching on Danny and anything I could think of that might produce a lead.

Sonia padded out of the kitchen in her fuzzy pink robe and slippers cradling a plate of cinnamon rolls. “Did I tell you that Myra asked me to come back to her at the funeral? She said I’d always have a home with her no matter what happened.”

“No. That doesn’t sound like the woman I met.” I’d tried to get Sonia to talk more. To give me details about Danny’s life but she was very random about what popped out of her mouth.

“It isn’t like Myra. Maybe Norm put her up to it. Like my new agent is at fault.” Sonia took a bite of a roll.

“Harriet has a lot of high profile clients. She wouldn’t have motive to hurt Danny. His crap didn’t really hurt you. Kept your names out there.” I didn’t buy Harriet at all. She was too smart and successful. Unless she and Danny had a personal thing but there was no evidence they’d ever met. I scribbled a note to self to check that out later.

“I know. Dumb. Why would Harriet care? I think Myra was just so upset. She always liked Danny better than me. He was a hot guy on a soap. They do better.” Sonia finished off another roll.

“Carb loading?” I asked, trying to change the subject. Myra might’ve had a crush on Danny or a lot of hopes wrapped up in him. Still, why kill him? His career would rebound. A little time and he’d reinvent himself. That wasn’t a motive to kill Danny. Harass Sonia, maybe.

She set the plate on the table and glared. “You don’t get any cinnamon rolls.”

“You? Share? I know better. You might want to shower at some point today and eat something that has actual nutritional value. You have to go back to work on Monday.” People tried to talk her into more time off but she refused. The show must go on...

I’d give her this weekend to be down in the dumps. Overeating was a crutch but still better that than not eating at all or drugs.

“Okay, fine. Tell me everything wrong with me and my life, Hel.” She threw up her hands in disgust.

“Don’t start this because it won’t help.” I needed to solve the case, not fight with her.

“No, go on—you’re the new hot thing. All over the web and your picture on every Smartphone connected with Hollywood. You had a Queen Bee fawning over you at my husband’s funeral! Jordan and Emmy just love you and you have a new boyfriend here and probably another one in Vegas. Sam’s all horny for you, and that rock star—he’s all of twenty-five and he was drooling after you hit him! He came to a funeral to see you. Cougars are so over, it’s gross. You have options but you need to show men you’re interested or they stop trying.”