A Pacific Breeze Hotel (7 page)

Junior winced. “What do you mean?”

“You took a shot at Felicia when she left the Lemur.”

Junior’s eyes widened in confusion. “Hey, I had nothing to do with any shooting. All I did was follow her to the restaurant and then I went home. The place is some sort of cop hang-out and I didn’t want to get caught loitering in the area.” O’Rourke’s grip tightened on Junior’s shoulder. Junior’s voice went up an octave. “Hey listen, I don’t even own a gun, don’t know how to use one. Knives are my thing. You know that!”

O’Rourke didn’t know what to believe. Either Junior was a good actor or he was telling the truth about leaving the Lemur before the shooting.

O’Rourke didn’t think Junior was a good actor. He was as easy to read as a cheap novel.

-54-

Pacific Breeze Hotel

O’Rourke released his grip on the other man’s shoulder. Junior sagged against his chair.

“Let me set your mind straight about one thing.” O’Rourke stared into Junior’s bloodshot eyes. “Felicia Avery didn’t kill your father.”

“What makes you so sure?” Junior ran his hands through his oily hair, preening himself as he regained his bravado.

“Because someone else has been following her since the afternoon of the murder. If it wasn’t you, then it’s probably your father’s murderer.”

A condescending smirk crossed Junior’s face. “Then stop wasting your time with me. Earn your chump change by finding the real killer.”

O’Rourke gripped Junior’s tie and pulled until the other man was out of his seat and gasping for air. “I’m going to turn you loose for now and forget about the breaking and entering charge. However, I’d like to offer you some advice. I think a change of scenery would do you good. I’m sure you’re not interested in seeing this room again, no matter how pleasant our interview has been.”

O’Rourke released his grip on the tie. Junior fell backwards, missed the chair and landed on the floor. His eyes were desperate as he grabbed for his throat and gulped in air. Gradually, the color returned to his face and he was able to speak.

“I think I agree with you.” Junior’s voice came out as a tortured whisper. “I’m thinking about taking a trip to Chicago to visit my grandfather.”

“Sounds like a sensible idea.”

ÇÇÇ

After O’Rourke left the apartment with an overnight bag for Lila, Felicia found herself wondering if she should go home to Arizona as soon as possible. Someone was stalking her, an unseen and dangerous enemy.

-55-

Josie A. Okuly

She yearned to be back in the midst of her family, longed to smell the sweet, desert air instead of the thick, clogged air of the city. Thinking of her family led to thoughts of Vance Morgan. Maybe he could give her a ride home when his business in Los Angeles was completed. O’Rourke had told her to stay in town because she was a material witness to a homicide, but Felicia decided if the LAPD wanted her badly enough, they could just drive to Arizona and find her.

Vance phoned to tell Felicia he would be busy all day, but would like to take her out to dinner later in the evening.

“How late?” she asked.

“Around ten.”

“That’s late.”

“Come on, Cinderella. You won’t turn into a pumpkin if you’re not back by midnight.”

Felicia laughed. A night on the town with an old friend might be just the thing she needed. It was better than pacing the apartment in frustration. “All right, I’ll see you at ten.”

Lila phoned a few minutes later. “I should get shot more often.” She sounded chipper and enthusiastic. “The nurses are acting like some kind of hero and Detective Nolan is treating me like a queen.”

“But technically, you didn’t get shot,” Felicia pointed out.

“Details, details. As far as everyone is concerned, I survived a mad assassin loose in the city. Reporters have been here all day. They asked me all sorts of questions about you.”

Felicia groaned. “More nails in my coffin. At this rate, the only acting jobs I’ll be able to book are traveling freak shows.”

“I know you don’t want to hear this but try to look on the bright side.

This thing will blow over eventually.”

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Pacific Breeze Hotel

“I’ll try.” Felicia’s voice brightened. “And you try to get some rest if you can tear yourself away from your adoring public.”

“Hey, I may never get this much free publicity again. I intend to take advantage of it.”

“Say goodnight Lila,” Felicia said.

“Goodnight Lila.”

Felicia began to have second thoughts about her date with Vance.

The day’s events had taken their toll, and her eyelids drooped with exhaustion. She longed for nothing more exciting than a good night’s sleep. But she’d promised to go out with Vance and didn’t want to disappoint him.

Vance arrived promptly at ten o’clock. Felicia was surprised to see how fit and muscular his body had become since the last time they’d seen each other. Vance had gained at least twenty pounds, all of it muscle. He’d lost the last of his baby fat and his weak chin was nowhere to be found.

“Are you training for a bodybuilding competition or something?”

Felicia hadn’t expected him to resemble the beefy, bulked-up men who frequented Muscle Beach.

“I started lifting weights.” The fabric of Vance’s jacket strained taut across his broad chest.

“May I ask why?”

“The girls seem to like it.” He winked at her and then tickled her waist as he’d done since they were kids.

Felicia giggled and slapped his hands away. “I’m sure they do.”

“But you don’t care for the muscular type?”

Felicia had always been honest with him and wasn’t about to start lying. “Don’t go by me. I’m sure girls will be lining up around the block to catch your eye.” She paused. “Unless there’s already some special girl.”

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Josie A. Okuly

Vance blew out a sigh “There’s no one. Hasn’t been anyone since you.”

“I thought when you said you had something to tell me...”

“It wasn’t that.” Vance’s full lips pulled downward and a shadow crossed his face. For a second, he resembled a stranger, not the man she’d once loved. Or thought she’d loved. When she had dated Vance, she hadn’t known what true love was.

The truth hit Felicia like a thunderbolt from a clear, untroubled sky.

She was in love with O’Rourke. Never mind that she didn’t even know his first name. She was in love with him and wanted to shout it from the roof of her apartment building.

“I heard of a great restaurant,” Vance interrupted her thoughts. “It’s called the Brown Derby. Have you been there?”

ÇÇÇ

O’Rourke slumped down in the unmarked police car, his gaze scoping out Felicia’s apartment building. Someone had taken a shot at her in broad daylight in front of dozens of witnesses. It was the last thing he had expected. O’Rourke’s fear turned to fury as he pictured Felicia’s body bleeding on the sidewalk. Had he found this exceptional woman only to lose her to a determined murderer?

Felicia was a single, perfect rose amidst a valley of thorns and he would do everything in his power to protect her from harm The shooter would try again. O’Rourke was certain of it.

After leaving the police station, O’Rourke drove to Heart of Mercy Hospital. He found Nolan at Lila’s bedside.

O’Rourke stared down at the sleeping woman. Lila’s frazzled curls spilled across the pillow. “Is she going to be okay?”

“She’ll be fine,” said Nolan. “It was just a scratch.”

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Pacific Breeze Hotel

O’Rourke tilted his head. “She looks about twelve years old.”

Nolan nodded. “She wore herself out. She talked my ear off until she fell asleep.”

A smile creased O’Rourke’s stern features. “Must have been agony.”

“Yes, but what a way to go.”

Nolan turned off the bedside lamp and then followed O’Rourke out into the hallway.

“So what’s the plan?” Nolan yawned and rubbed his eyes.

“I’m still shadowing Felicia. The guy probably won’t try again tonight.

It’s too soon.”

Nolan nodded.

“But I’m going to be there anyway.”

“Such dedication to the job.”

“Speaking of dedication, how long are you gonna stay here?”

“Well, I figure Lila will need a ride home in the morning.” Nolan’s tired voice perked up.

“In case she asks, her precious car is back at the apartment.”

“I’ll tell her.”

“You’ve got your hands full with that one.” O’Rourke pictured his partner with Lila Lamont and decided they probably complimented each other. Opposites attracted, after all. Or so he’d heard.

Nolan narrowed his eyes. “Look who’s talking. I wouldn’t touch a redhead with a ten-foot pole. Nasty temper.”

“This redhead doesn’t follow that rule.”

“Uh-huh. Looks like you’ve been shot straight through the heart, if you’ll pardon the expression.”

O’Rourke grinned at his partner. “Isn’t that the truth?”

ÇÇÇ

-59-

Josie A. Okuly

The Brown Derby was blanketed with movie people. Directors, producers, agents, starlets on the way up, has-beens on the way down, tourists, gawkers, and the odd pariah. Tonight, Felicia was one of those pariahs. She caught the eye of a director she had worked with once. The director averted his gaze when he saw her. She spotted her own agent through the thick crowd and he made a point of looking the other direction when she passed his table.

Vance’s hand on her elbow guided her to one of the less prestigious tables located in the back of the restaurant. These tables were not for people who wished to be seen. These tables were for tourists. From now on, Felicia would never be more than that in Hollywood. But it didn’t matter to her anymore. All she could think about was O’Rourke and her newly discovered love for him. She thought about the lines that crinkled at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. She pictured his thick hair and sensitive eyes, at odds with his stern policeman’s face.

Vance studied the menu. “I hear the cobb salad is first rate.”

“I’ll have the same.” Felicia closed the menu and handed it to the waiter. “Now, what was it you wanted to tell me? You know I love surprises.”

Vance shook his head. “Not yet. Later.”

Felicia looked around the crowded restaurant. Was it her imagination or had one of the waiters pointed at her? Were people beginning to stare in her direction?

“Excuse me, aren’t you Felicia Avery?” a stranger called out from behind the glare of an exploding flashbulb.

Felicia flung out her hands, knocking her water glass to the floor.

Flashbulbs went off and reporters circled their table like a pack of hungry jackals.

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Pacific Breeze Hotel

“We got a tip you were here,” said one of the men. “Do you have anything to say about DeWarner’s murder?”

“Was the bullet meant for you or Lila Lamont?” yelled another.

Suddenly, questions came at her from all sides, rapid and relentless.

Vance threw a few bills on the table and pulled her up from her chair.

“Get away from us, you ghouls!” he yelled as he pushed his way through the crowd, dragging Felicia behind him.

Vance’s car screeched on asphalt as they sped out of the parking lot.

“Where to, Cinderella?” he asked.

“Can we just drive?” Felicia leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. “I want to smell fresh air.”

ÇÇÇ

O’Rourke pulled out of the Brown Derby behind Felicia and the man she was with, undoubtedly the old boyfriend, Vance Morgan. Reporters dogged Vance’s car for a few moments but the car sped away so quickly, they gave up the chase. O’Rourke was not so easily discouraged.

ÇÇÇ

Felicia and Vance sat in his car outside the darkened Griffith Observatory building. Felicia inhaled deep, refreshing breaths of the cool night air. There were no other cars in the parking lot. Even though she loved Griffith Park in the daytime, she didn’t feel safe in this lonely spot late at night. All she wanted to do was go home and go to bed, but good manners prevailed. Felicia stopped herself from ruining Vance’s evening.

Vance massaged the knotted muscles of Felicia’s shoulders.

Felicia groaned. “That feels so good.”

Vance pulled his hands away from her shoulders.

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Josie A. Okuly

“Don’t stop.” Felicia turned to face him.

“Did you ever love me?” Vance’s question came out of left field and Felicia was silent as she wondered why he had asked it now, of all times.

His eyes were bright, but his voice sounded quiet and wistful.

“We were so young.” Felicia tried to find the words to help him understand her feelings. “I was in love with love, I think. But I always loved you as a friend. I still do.”

“But never the way I wanted.”

“It’s getting chilly.” Felicia rubbed her arms. “Do you mind if we go now?”

“Your career always came first. I thought I was enough for you.”

“Vance, did you hear me? I’m getting cold.”

“And Felicia always gets what Felicia wants,” said Vance with a sneer.

“Is that the way it works?”

Suddenly, Felicia felt trapped in the tight confines of the car. She reached for the door handle, but Vance grabbed her hand and held it in a powerful grip.

“Let me go.” She clenched her teeth and tried to pull her hand away.

“Don’t go,” he said. “Don’t you want to hear what I have to tell you?”

“I…”

Vance released her hand and she looked at him expectantly.

Why was he behaving this way? A frisson of fear shot through Felicia.

She was paralyzed, incapable of movement, caught like a mouse in a cobra’s sights.

“Now, I can tell you what I’ve wanted to say since I arrived in Los Angeles.” His eyes held a feverish glint. “I’m taking you home with me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re coming back to Arizona. We’re going to get married. We’re going to start a family.”

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Pacific Breeze Hotel

Felicia knew her mouth must be hanging open as she stared at him.

This is the perfect end to a perfect day,
she thought.
Can things get any
worse?