Avalanche (10 page)

“Pick either of the bedrooms upstairs,” Pamela told Kendra
as they unloaded her things from the car. “I’ll take the other one. Sorry, but
we’ll have to share a bathroom.”

“That’s no problem, but why are you moving upstairs?” Kendra
asked, taking in the small, but charming, house.

“Because the Sheriff is moving into my bedroom.” Pamela
didn’t even try to hide her irritation.

“What?” Kendra stopped her cursory inspection, and turned to
stare at Pamela. “The Sheriff will be our roommate? Why am I here?”

“He’ll only be here at night, his idea, not mine. And you’re
here to help me finalize my business dealings, in addition to deterring
whomever is stalking me. Don’t worry, like I told you on the phone, he won’t
try anything unless I’m alone. With the cop outside, the new alarm system, and
the cameras, we’ll probably have him in custody in a few days.”

“You know I’m happy to help, so I can stay for as long as it
takes,” Kendra told her, peeking through the window at the deputy, sitting in
his car. “You mentioned an alarm system, and cameras?”

“Yes. That’s another thing I need to tell you about. There
are cameras focused on the living room, the kitchen-dining area, and my
bedroom. There aren’t any upstairs, so don’t worry about changing, or anything
like that.” Pamela saw the quick frown cross Kendra’s face, as she looked up,
searching for the cameras. “I don’t like it, either, but it’s a necessary
evil.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. It’s just odd, you know? Being watched
all of the time?”

“Tell me about it!” Pamela nodded, thinking of the eyeball the
stalker had left her. Red sent it off to the lab, hoping to get prints, but she
knew that it was a waste of time and money. Chandler was smarter than that.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t think,” Kendra said, sympathetically.

“No worries, I really appreciate your being here. Let’s get
you settled, then I’ll move some of my things up.”

“I still can’t believe that you’re leaving LA,” Kendra
grabbed a bag and followed Pamela up the stairs. “I feel like we were just
getting started.”

“We are, in a way. Wouldn’t you know that I would finally
find the right assistant, just before I decide to close the business?”

“I still don’t understand that. Why not keep it running?
Once this whole thing is over, you can move back to LA, pick up where you left
off.”

“I could do that, but part of me is ready for a change. I
suppose I’m using this thing with Chandler as a catalyst to find a new passion.
Building the business took a lot out of me, and I’m sure that part of me will
miss it. Truthfully, the lifestyle was getting old. Always on, eating,
sleeping, and breathing my client’s every need was more than I bargained for.”
Pamela had never said the words aloud, but as she did, she realized how true
they really were. She was ready for a change.

“What will you do now?” Kendra asked, going into the first
bedroom they came to. “Do you plan to stay here?”

“No, but I’m not sure where I’ll end up. I’m not even sure
what I want to do. Thankfully, the business did well enough so that I can take
my time, figure it out.”

“That’s a nice luxury, not everyone can say that.”

“I know, I’m very grateful. And don’t worry, Kendra. I’ll
make sure that you’re set. I’ve made a lot of contacts, we’ll find you
something that you enjoy.”

“Thanks, Pamela. I appreciate that. For now, we’ll get you
organized, find your clients a good home. Then we can worry about me.”

“Thanks, Kendra. You’re a godsend.”

“That’s me, sent from above.” Kendra unzipped her bag,
started unpacking. “Tell me about our third roommate, the Sheriff,” she asked
casually.

Pamela sighed, hoping that she could avoid getting into the
gory details of her past with Red.

“His name is Red Starling. He’s a good guy, but he can be a
bit of an ass at times.”

“Can’t they all? I’m sure we’ll get along fine. We’ll only
have to deal with him what, a few hours in the evening?”

“Something like that.” Pamela walked into the Jack-and-Jill
bath she would be sharing with Kendra. “I’ll bring up some fresh towels and
sheets, these have been here for ages. Do you need anything else?”

“No, thanks, I’m set. Do you need help bringing your things
up?”

“No, I’ve got it. I’m not bringing much. I don’t plan on Red
being here for all that long.”

~~~

Red looked over the report of Chandler Chase’s whereabouts
in the past twenty-four hours for the third time. The buddy he’d pressed to
follow the man around LA had been thorough. Photos of Chase jogging early
yesterday morning, having lunch with one woman, dinner with another, and even a
shot of him going into his home at around eleven last night painted the picture
of someone who did not leave the city.

There was no way that Chandler Chase was the person who came
into Pam’s house and dropped off the ridiculous eyeball.

Pamela was so sure the stalker was Chase, how could he
convince her otherwise?

Even showing her the proof, currently laid out in front of
him, may not be enough to change her mind. He could hear her now, telling him the
pictures were doctored, or that Chase hired someone else to do his dirty work.

Which was a possibility, but it didn’t fit the profile of
any of the stalkers he’d read about. Stalkers, by definition, needed to be up
close and personal with their victims. They did not hire the job out.

He had to make her believe him, because until she did, she
wouldn’t seriously consider any other options. Whoever was stalking Pamela knew
about her home town, knew her well enough to know that’s where she would run.

This wasn’t some random dude she’d crossed paths with in the
supermarket, or on the street. This person had resources, and enough smarts to
use them well.

Gathering the evidence, Red quickly left his office, determined
to talk some sense into Pam.

~~~

“Let’s call it a day.” Pamela pushed the computer away from
her and looked at Kendra.

“You don’t have to tell me twice. That last actor gave
snooty a new meaning, asking me where you were, and who was I to deliver this
news. Whew, these people are a handful!”

“Now you have an inkling of why I don’t mind getting out of
the business,” Pamela laughed. “When I started out, I didn’t mind the constant
hand-holding, it was the path to success in this business. But honestly, after
years of being berated for not getting them this job, or for failing to send
them to that job, I’m really ready to move on.”

“People have a right to complain if their manager is not
working for them.” Kendra’s sharp retort surprised Pamela.

“Of course they do, but I’m a manager, not a miracle worker.
Would you believe that one woman blamed me for her missing out on a job on a
soap that was already heading down the toilet? Never mind that the director
wanted someone twenty years younger,
and
African-American, it was my
fault that she didn’t get the role.” Pamela shook her head. “No, Ma’am, I will
not miss this job.”

Kendra was silent, almost brooding, for a time. Finally, she
perked up and changed the subject.

“How about I cook for us tonight? When the Sheriff arrives,
I can zip to the store, pick up a few things. I make a mean chicken parm, what
do you say?”

“I never turn down Italian food, so I say yes, if you’re
sure you don’t mind. I’ll call Red, ask him to pick up whatever you need.”

“No, really, I’d rather shop myself,” Kendra jumped up,
heading for the pantry. “It won’t take long, and it will give me a chance to
see some of the town.”

“Sure, that’s fine,” Pamela agreed. “I promise not to keep
you cooped up here all week. We’ll get out tomorrow, go to the diner, do a
little shopping. Friends of mine run a beautiful B&B and restaurant on top
of a local mountain. I’ll try and get reservations for lunch or dinner this
week, but it could be difficult. Apparently they’re booked solid.”

“Good for them, I’d love to check it out, while I’m here.
This area is so picturesque, I’m surprised that you ever left.”

“It
is
beautiful, but it takes more than beauty to
sustain a life. Growing up here, I didn’t realize what I had. I couldn’t wait
to get out. Now that I’m back, I can see myself staying.” Pamela surprised
herself with the admission.

“Oh? I thought you said that this was only temporary.”

“I did, and it is. I only meant that I could see the appeal
now, but I didn’t back then.” Pamela covered her confession adeptly. The last
thing she wanted was for Kendra to tell Red, or anyone, that Pamela wanted to
stay in Starsdale. She knew she had to move on, it would be more difficult if
other people tried to convince her to stay.

Not that Red would waste his breath, but Sharon, or Jade
might.

“Looks like we’ll need a few things for dinner,” Kendra
said, making a list as she stood in the pantry. “Is there anything else I can
pick up for you, while I’m there?”

“Get some fruit to go with our bagels for breakfast. And
anything else that you’d like. We can do a big shop tomorrow afternoon. Oh,
would you pick up a gallon of milk? Red always drinks milk in the morning.”
Pamela didn’t realize what she’d said, or that she’d given away how well she
knew Red.

“Oh really?” Kendra turned, a smile playing on her lips. “Do
tell.”

“What?” Pamela replayed her words and nearly groaned. Crap!
“Umm, he used to like milk in the mornings. I’ve known Red a long time.”

“I think you’re leaving out a lot of the story,” Kendra
encouraged, coming to stand beside Pamela.

“Not really. You grow up with someone, you get to know what
they like, and what they don’t. Besides, I could be wrong. He could have moved
on to OJ by now.” Pamela shut down the conversation with her tone.

“I’ll get both, just in case,” Kendra made a notation on the
pad she held.

Before she could finish, the front door flew open.

“Pamela?” Red called, stopping at the newly installed alarm
panel. “How do you shut this thing off?”

“I’ll do it,” Pamela jumped up, moving to the keypad. “Nice
of you to knock!”

“I wanted to see if the door was unlocked, and it was. Are
you crazy?” Red asked, watching as she entered the code. “You don’t stay in a
house with the doors unlocked when someone is stalking you! Or ever, for that
matter.”

“We were unloading the car, I didn’t think. Besides, your
deputy is right outside, and the alarm clearly sounds when an
unwanted
person comes inside!” Pamela shot back, matching his angry tone.

Kendra watched the exchange with interest. There was
obviously something between the two.

“Hi, I’m Kendra,” she said, walking to meet Red. “I hear
that we’re going to be roommates.”

“Uh, yeah, hi. I’m Red Starling.”  Red took her outstretched
hand, momentarily surprised by the interruption. Pamela’s barb had hit its
mark. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise, I’m sure,” Kendra practically purred. “Pamela,
you didn’t tell me the Sheriff was so handsome.”

 “What? I didn’t….geez. Weren’t you going to the store?”
Pamela asked, flustered. Kendra was looking at Red like he was the last man
standing. It never occurred to her that her assistant would make a play for her
ex.

Technically, she wasn’t breaking any rules, because Pamela
had not divulged their past. Even if she had, Red was fair game, right? He
certainly wasn’t hers anymore.

“Yes, I am. Sheriff, can I get you anything while I’m out?”
Kendra smiled up at him in obvious admiration.

“No, thanks.” Red looked at the young woman for a moment,
then refocused on Pamela. “We need to talk.”

Kendra didn’t appreciate the disinterest, she wasn’t used to
that from the opposite sex. Normally, she had men eating out of her palm within
seconds. Red Starling could prove to be a slight challenge.

“I’ll just leave you two to it, then.” Kendra grabbed her
phone and her purse. “We passed the supermarket on the way here, right? So I
just go back the way we came, and I’ll find it?”

“Yes, that’s right,” Pamela walked to her purse, took out a
few bills. “Here, this should be plenty for tonight. Thanks, Kendra.”

“Sure thing. I won’t be long.”

“Take your time,” Red told her, opening the folder he
carried and placing the images on the table. He missed the dagger Kendra shot
at him, before quickly covering it.

Pamela missed it, too. She was more interested in Red’s
presentation.

“Why do you have pictures of Chandler?” she asked, as soon
as the door closed behind Kendra.

“These were taken yesterday, sunup to midnight. I asked
Charley to follow him around, see if we could get anything on him.”

“And did you?”

“See for yourself. Every photo is time-stamped. Jogging in
the park, seven-thirty a.m.,” Red said, pointing to the picture. “Lunch with
the redhead, one p.m., then a trip to the museum that took up two hours.” Red
tapped several interior shots of Chandler walking arm-in-arm with the woman.
“But the most interesting images, for our purposes, are these. Pay attention to
the times, Pam. He left the museum at four, and drove home. See, here he is
driving through his gate at four-thirty-five. Then he drove out at six-thirty,
where he met this blond for dinner at seven. They were in the restaurant until
nine-fifteen, see here they are leaving. He drives her home, stays for slightly
more than an hour, and goes home. Here he is leaving her apartment, and here he
is driving through his gate.”

“So you’re saying he couldn’t possibly have been in my house
last night,” Pamela said quietly, stunned.

“That’s right, Pam. He wasn’t here. Before you even ask,
Charley did not fudge the pictures, he was careful. And no, I don’t think that
Chandler hired anyone to drop off his little gift.”