Helena Goes to Hollywood: A Helena Morris Mystery (29 page)

“Were you and Danny getting back together?” a reporter called.

“We heard your sister was instrumental in the capture? Any comment?” another shouted.

Sonia looked at me.

I stepped up. “No comment. I’m sure the police will have a statement or information tomorrow morning, so let’s just wait and see.”

I turned and went back in the house, my arm around Sonia’s shoulders so she came with me.

She closed the door and locked it. “What?” Tears burst from her and her body trembled.

“I’m sorry, I wanted to tell you but it didn’t seem real. Norm did it and I caught him there trying to get rid of the evidence. He came at me with a wrench.” I guided Sonia back to the table and made her sit down.

Jordan patted me down. “You don’t seem hurt.”

“She had a gun,” Emmy smiled.

“Actually I didn’t use it. I beat him up, sort of.”

“Did you hurt him?” Sonia asked.

I couldn’t quite tell if she feared that I had killed Norm or hoped.

“I hit him in the face hard. That’s how I ruined the polish. Ricky came and Norm was arrested. They found the evidence,” I said.

“He confessed?” Jordan asked.

I nodded. “He did. Got all crazy and said it was my fault.”

“Tell me what he said because it makes no sense.” Emmy leaned back like the Filipino version of Angela Lansbury in
Murder, She Wrote
.

“Norm felt like Danny was using Myra. I got a text from someone that Myra was going to write a tell-all book about Sonia and Danny. Seemed like a money grab. Norm was pissed because Sonia left and Danny cheated. I guess it affected Myra’s business a lot and Norm took it personally.” I walked into the kitchen and dug out a pint of chocolate ice cream from the freezer and a spoon from the drawer.

When I walked back they all sat there expectantly. “That’s it—the police never really suspected them because Danny was still with Myra. No evidence of a problem. Norm went over there and they got in a fight.”

“I’m shocked. Norm.” Sonia shook her head.

“Right, but we can thank the Queen Bees. They had a picture of Danny’s house just before or right around the time of the murder and Norm’s car was out front.”

“Danny was worth more to them dead than alive?” Jordan shook his head.

I looked to Sonia. “Danny was leaving Faith for you. Even if you wouldn’t take him back he wanted to try. Norm didn’t approve.” I opened the container of ice cream and took a spoonful.

Sonia smiled. “He loved me.”

Jordan nodded. “Maybe he matured faster than you thought he would? Maybe he figured it out?”

“And Norm ruined it all.” Sonia blinked back the tears.

I had to put the good spin on it before depression took hold. Sonia could grieve fully now but she needed to feel the relief. “Yes, but at least he didn’t get away with it. You’re not the one in jail. The guilty person will pay.”

Sonia inhaled and exhaled deeply. “You’re right, I can’t change it now. I just don’t know what to do.”

I offered her a spoonful of ice cream and she took it. “I think first you need get that odd nail polish off your toes. All those reporters have pictures of you with black nail polish on your toes.”

Jordan smiled. “Brava! Since when did you get so image conscious?”

“Image? I don’t give a crap about her image. Mom’s going to see that and think she joined a snake cult or something. Watch, she’ll get a box full of saint statues for the house in a week.” I pointed at Sonia.

She sighed. “Damn, you’re both right. It’s not me anyway, not the right look.”

Emmy jumped in. “Give me those toes. We’ll put on the most innocent frosted white. Alpine snow or something with a little shimmer is just the thing. You’ll look so pure, and tomorrow you wear open-toed shoes to the next press conference. Maybe a little more under eye concealer.”

“Oh God!” Sonia grabbed a mirror. “How could you let me go out there like this?”

“I didn’t know what I’d find. How did the press get the info so fast?” I shot back.

“You should’ve told me immediately when you came in. I knew you were acting weird.” Sonia huffed.

“It was hard to believe. Within a couple of hours I was threatened with a wrench and I punched someone in the face. I was worried Norm would retract his confession or something. On the way here I checked with Ricky so I know they’ve got it recorded.” I took another spoonful of ice cream and let the sugar high hit.

Sonia smiled and then giggled. “A couple of hours ago I was going to jail. The show would be screwed and it’d be all my fault. My big break gone and I’d be paying for a crime I didn’t do.”

“You were the top suspect.” I grabbed a cotton ball and soaked it in nail polish remover. “Tomorrow you can clear your name and it’ll be over. I have to go give my statement to the cops but that’s it. Done.”

Jordan wagged his finger at Sonia. “You should wear that Marilyn Monroe style dress you have. The one that looks like it’s from
The Seven Year Itch
—white and innocent.”

“Cut down to her navel looks innocent?” I rolled my eyes.

“In Hollywood, yes. We can put a wrap around her shoulders so it looks more demure.” Jordan stood. “I’m going to find the right white open-toed shoes for this.” On a mission, he sprinted up the stairs.

“You should call Sam. I’m sure he’ll be relieved,” I said.

After removing the polish from my fingers I tossed the used cotton in the trash and went back to the ice cream.

Sonia looked at the clock. “It’s too late now. I’ll bug him tomorrow if it’s real.”

“Feels like a dream.” Emmy grabbed my hand and started retouching the ruined manicure.

“It’s real and I was there. Hard to believe but it’ll sink in tomorrow.” I sat back and stretched.

“You’re relaxing.” Sonia smiled. “We must be safe.”

An hour later I ate reheated orange chicken on a bed of brown rice with a diet cola. The party hadn’t ended but I needed to refuel. Sonia and Jordan were trying her in different innocent yet victorious outfits. I never knew clothes could say so much. Emmy was the final judge while I was moral support.

Pounding on the door made us all jump. The reality of safety had yet to completely sink in yet.

“I’ll get it.” I checked my watch. Who’d come over after midnight?

I checked the peephole this time and found Ricky with a present.

“Sonia. It’s good news this time.” I opened the door.

Ricky let go of Fluffy’s leash and the dog bounded in and headed straight for Sonia’s glass of wine. The dog lapped up the liquid and whined when Sonia scooped him up and hugged him tightly. Finally Fluffy licked her face.

“I thought you wouldn’t mind the hour. This little darling was homesick.” Ricky smiled.

I looked behind him to the street. “You evicted the stalkarazzi?”

He nodded. “Press conference at the precinct, tomorrow at noon. Okay with you?”

“Sounds good.” I closed the door behind him. “Fluffy was at Myra’s home?”

“No. Norm was keeping her at one of the rental properties. But there was food, water, and no signs of abuse. Animal control cleared him and released him. We’ve got the pictures for evidence. I don’t think we need to hold him.”

“Thank you.” Sonia hugged Ricky hard and went back to the dog. “I knew you weren’t dead, Fluffy. I never believed it.”

“Want some coffee or something?” I offered.

“No thanks, I have to get back. Tons of paperwork to go through before the conference. You’re coming in tomorrow at eight?” he asked.

“Fine with me, get it all over with.” I yawned.

“See you then. I’m glad it worked out.” He gave Sonia a little wink and left.

Emmy and Jordan began to pack up.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“You and Sonia need your beauty sleep. Eight isn’t that far away and you’re both already exhausted,” Emmy explained.

Jordan held up a hand. “It’s not a judgment— I know how good you can look. The situation is draining. I’ll come over and work my magic but there are limits. Sleep well. In the morning maybe put some teabags on those eyes.”

“Thanks, I’m not really worried about that.” Then I thought of something. “Hang on.”

I ran upstairs and loaded the clothes Jordan had lent me, all freshly laundered by Lupe, into a bag. I carried them back down and handed them to Jordan.

“Thanks for the help and the loaners but I’m done with the labels game. The big push to fit in is finally over,” I said.

Jordan took them. “Not even tomorrow?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Being myself works much better. But I’m keeping your boots.”

I’d brought down Norm in my clothes and a cheap pair of flip flops.

“Okay, you got the power.” He kissed my cheek.

“See you tomorrow,” I yawned. “Or later today.”

Everyone said their goodbyes until later and Sonia locked up the house. She even set the alarm. It was a good habit to get into with her fame and the valuable stuff in her house. Her life was safe from Norm, and that’s all I needed to declare victory!

A
few days later life was back to some sense of normal. But I had a date to keep. I found the restaurant, complete with valet parking and dog sitting service. That wasn’t the weirdest part. Crowds of paparazzi stood in front and suddenly swarmed my car. Cameras snapped and questions came at me.
What the hell
?

They shouted my name and blocked my path.

Now I got why my sister hated them so much. I kept an eye out for the black Cadillac but didn’t spot it.

I opened the door and was given barely enough room. Closing the door, I hopped up on the driver’s seat and walked over onto the passenger seat. I opened the door and stepped out. Cameras flashed but they gave me room since the valet stand was there.

Handing my keys to the valet I headed in. Keith wanted a lunch and I’d promised him one if he didn’t exploit Danny’s death or my sister’s grief. Plus he’d helped me catch the killer. Definitely not like the tabloids I’d seen. I wanted to know his full story. That didn’t mean I wanted to eat at a place so exclusive I’d never get in without him.

Keith waved to me and the staff just nodded me in. More people than I’d realized knew who I was. My press conference antics probably didn’t help. Jordan swore up and down I’d been all over the gossip and other news sites. I’d avoided watching it all, as had Sonia. She wanted to put the ugliness behind her and my getting press wouldn’t help either of us.

“So how does it feel to be a real life Hollywood heroine?” he asked.

Keith fawned over me at one of the best tables. It felt like everyone in the place could see us yet we were a bit back in an alcove area.

I was pretty sure I couldn’t afford this place but that was okay. His treat! I needed to focus on something other than the pap swarm.

“I’m not a heroine. Those photographers are crazy. I did what I came here to do. Went a little off track from stalking but desperate criminals tend to do that.” I surveyed the menu for something edible and recognizable.

“You’re right there. Jealousy and greed are dangerous things. Hollywood eats them up with a spoon. That couple will have two TV movies about them out before sweeps. What if your sister actually portrayed herself?” Keith smiled and nodded to people at other tables.

“Not going to happen. We’ll put an injunction to stop Myra and Norm from making any money off the story.” Todd and Sonia’s lawyers were all over that.

“Party pooper, you really don’t get Hollywood. Sonia is a hot ticket now. She’s got the sympathy and the hot new show.”

“And she wants it to be about the new show, not her husband’s cheating and death. It’s my sister’s reputation I care about,” I insisted.

I took a long drink of the Mojito Keith ordered for me and wasn’t sure I liked it better than a nice rum and Diet Coke.

“She could always do her own version. Or you. You’re the next Lara Croft.”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s fiction.”

“I know, you’re even better because you’re real. The kicks, the rack, and all of it.”

Sometimes I wondered if he really was gay since he liked me so much.

“Not my area. My sister wants to act. She’s got talent so she doesn’t need the real life drama factor to capitalize on.”

“And you?” Keith leaned in, his elbow on the table with his chin on his hand. “What do you want?’

I shrugged. “A normal life, Norm confessed so I really don’t need to come back and testify or anything.”

“Back to Vegas? It’s so normal and drab. You’re here, why not stay? It’s so pretty here and everyone just loves you.”

I studied his eyes. Why did my eyeliner never look that good?

“Yeah, well normal is what most of us have,” I added.

“But you don’t have to settle for it. This is your break.” He reached into a shopping bag and handed me a box. “Here.”

I sat back slightly. “What’s this?”

“A present—you got me some big ratings. You’re the biggest thing on my site. Thank God that reporter heard it on the police radio and was there for when they dragged that lunatic out of Danny‘s house.”

I groaned. “I haven’t seen the latest. Please don’t compromise the police’s case. Public opinion matters. Seems like it factors even more around here.”

“Money and fame can get you out of a lot of things. Lucky for us Norm has neither. Plus, he looked like a maniac. No one will dispute them using two hunky uniformed officers to cuff him. Not like they had to Taser him or anything. You were just defending yourself. Open the box,” Keith nudged.

I did and found a nice leather bag looking thing. “A new purse?”

“It’s next season’s Hermes.”

Picking it up, the leather felt lush. I pulled the zipper along the outside and it opened. “Lovely. Thank you.”

My ancient world history class from high school clicked in. “Hermes. The messenger of the Greek gods?”

“The name of the designer. Dear God, you need my help! You’re like Ugly Betty with good hair and straight teeth.” Keith buried his face in his hands.

“My clothes match,” I shot back.

I sympathized with the old TV character, not being a size two and not able to afford the fancy designers. Clashing patterns, however, was unacceptable at
any
budget level.