Carol Higgins Clark Boxed Set - Volume 1: This eBook collection contains Zapped, Cursed, and Wrecked. (36 page)

I
love a hen party,” Mugs said gleefully as she passed around a tray of melon balls with prosciutto. “To have you girls here in my home reminds me of the old days when Harry and I used to entertain.”

“Your apartment is lovely,” Regan said, then was sure Grandma Ethel shot her a dirty look.

Mugs beamed. “You think so?”

“Oh yes,” Regan gulped.

“I love being right by the pool, having a terrace, the feeling of a resort,” Mugs continued, sounding like a real estate agent.

“The kitchen floor needs to be replaced,” Ethel noted as she helped herself to a bowl of peanuts.

Hopefully they’ll spend days haggling about the price, Regan thought. It buys us time to find Cody.

Kaitlyn and Lois had arrived at the same time. They were both friendly, but Kaitlyn seemed subdued. She said she’d fought terrible traffic on her way up from Orange County and had had a tough day at work. Lois wasn’t nearly as bad as Regan expected, but true to form she had on a pair of long gloves. Tonight they were black, with glittery threads running through the material.

The group had already discussed the stalker in great detail. It was nearly 7:30 and they had an 8:00 reservation at a family-style restaurant on La Cienega Boulevard.

I can’t imagine how Abigail is feeling, Regan thought, glancing over at her. She was seated next to her grandmother on the couch. This is a lovely apartment that would be perfect for her. Now that she’s seen how charming it is, the whole situation must be eating her up inside. She must be frantic to get back out and look for Cody.

Regan’s cell phone rang. She glanced down. It was a Los Angeles number. “Excuse me,” she said, as she got up and walked out on the terrace.

It was Detective Nelson.

“Ms. Reilly, I’ve got good news.”

Regan’s pulse quickened. “What?” she asked quickly.

“We’ve located Cody Castle.”

The words sent an electrical charge through Regan’s body. “Where is he?”

“It’s a long story. Last night his writing partner lost a bag containing their script and a lot of paperwork. It was found by a cop outside the police station a little while ago. They went through the bag at the station and found the partner’s date book. My colleagues knew that Detective Vormbrock and I were interested in talking to these guys and got in touch with me immediately. I called Dean and said we had the bag, and told him that I glanced at the script and thought it was so interesting…”

Regan smiled. “He fell for the bait?”

“Hook, line, and sinker. But, Ms. Reilly, there’s something else. You and I are interested in finding Castle for different reasons. Mine just got more serious. A copy of their script was found in the laundry room at Nicky Tendril’s apartment.”

Regan’s eyes widened. “It was?”

“Yes. As we know, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything but…”

“Where is Castle?” Regan asked.

“I was getting to that. He and his partner will be having a business dinner with one of their investors at the Polo Lounge tonight.”

“The Polo Lounge! That’s less than a ten-minute drive from where we are now.”

“They have a 7:30 reservation. Dean told me they were hoping to make it a quick dinner. I volunteered to bring the bag to him. He asked if I could join them for a drink. He was so thrilled that I loved the script, and even asked if I could mention how much I enjoyed it to the investor.”

“Unbelievable,” Regan said, “So you’ll be there.”

“Yes. Right now my partner and I are following up another lead, then we’ll head over. We’ll be there by 8:00.”

“You wouldn’t mind if we decided to have Abigail’s birthday dinner at 8:00 at the Polo Lounge, now would you?”

“Not at all. I’d be delighted.”

“See you there.”

“Regan, what’s going on?” Abigail asked, stepping out onto the terrace.

Regan faced her. “You have to promise not to faint.”

“I promise.”

“That was Detective Nelson. A copy of Cody and Dean’s script was found in the laundry room at Nicky’s apartment building.”

Abigail grabbed the railing. “What?”

“You heard me. But wait, it gets better—Cody and Dean will be having a business dinner tonight at the Polo Lounge with an investor.”

Abigail took her hand off the railing and grabbed Regan’s
arm. “How do we do this?” she asked excitedly. “I don’t want to tell my grandmother in front of her friend that I don’t have the money anymore. But, gee, if we go to the Polo Lounge I just might get it back.” Abigail paused. “Regan, we can’t just leave Grandma and Mugs here on my birthday. We have that other reservation. And I think the Polo Lounge might be a little expensive for my grandmother…”

‘’I’ve got an idea,” Regan said.

“What?”

“You say I saved your life today?”

“Yes.”

“That means I’m responsible for you.”

“It does?”

“Yes. It’s some old proverb. Anyway, I’ll go inside and announce that tonight I want to take everyone to dinner. Since I saved your life, I’m responsible for you, and I really want to host your celebration tonight, and I think the perfect place would be the Polo Lounge. Do you think your grandmother would go for it?”

“If it means she wouldn’t have to pay, of course she would.”

Regan laughed.

“You can tell them whatever you want, Regan, but obviously I will pay you back.”

“Don’t worry about that now. If we find Cody, it will all be worth it. But we have to be careful.”

“Regan,” Abigail said softly. “I can’t believe that after three months I’m actually going to see him.”

“You’re not softening, are you?” Regan asked.

“No. I still want to tear him limb from limb. I won’t be able to do that, but I can’t wait to show his investor the IOU.”

“Good. You have the IOU handy?”

“Of course. It’s in my purse.”

Regan squeezed Abigail’s good hand. “We’re in this together, kid.”

They went back inside and Regan made her announcement.

“The Polo Lounge!” Mugs cried. “Harry and I used to love to go there for a drink.”

“But I was going to treat everyone tonight,” Ethel said half-heartedly.

“Like your granddaughter, I’m a little superstitious,” Regan said. “I really think I need to buy her dinner tonight.”

“Fine.”

Lois adjusted her gloves. “I love the Polo Lounge. It’s so elegant and truly reminds me of old-world Hollywood.”

“The Polo Lounge sounds great to me,” Kaitlyn said with a smile. She lifted her glass. “It’s just so wonderful for all of us to be together for your birthday, Abigail.”

“Hopefully you’ll be together again on Abigail’s birthday next year,” Mugs said, nodding her head. “Sitting right here in Abigail’s home.”

“We’ll see,” Ethel answered. “I noticed the bathroom faucet has a little leak…”

C
ody had ordered
Gone with the Wind
from pay-per-view and only started watching it with Stella at 6:30. He knew it was her favorite movie, but what really interested him was that it was four hours long.

“When are we going to go out?” Stella asked before the movie began.

“As soon as it’s over,” he said breezily.

Stella giggled. “That won’t be until 10:30.”

“No problem. The clubs don’t get going until then.”

At 7:25, Cody got up from the couch.

“What are you doing?” Stella asked.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have a little surprise planned for you.”

“You do?”

He laughed. “Yes, I do.”

“I love surprises. You promise you’ll be right back?”

“I promise. Now shhhh. Watch the movie,” he said as he disappeared out the door.

G
reat work,” Detective Nelson said to Gloria. They were in a back room at Dr. Cleary’s office. Computer records showed that only five patients had purchased the extra-strength cream in the past year. “We’ll start checking out these ladies right away.” He looked at Vormbrock. “Ready to go?”

“What about me?” Gloria asked. “Are you forgetting I rode over here with you?”

“No,” Nelson said. “I’m not. Sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.” He looked at his watch. “We’re running tight on time. We have to pick something up at the station, and drop it off at the Polo Lounge, and then—”

“You can drop me off at the Polo Lounge, too,” Gloria interrupted. “If anyone could use a stiff drink, it’s yours truly.”

A
bigail’s heart was beating wildly as she drove her grandmother, Regan, and Mugs over to the Polo Lounge. Kaitlyn and Lois were following in their own cars. Thank God Regan had been able to get a last-minute reservation.

This is surreal, Abigail thought. Grandma Ethel is in the backseat, blissfully unaware that she is about to be in the same room with a man who absconded with her money. I never thought the search for Cody would come to this.

It was 7:55.

“Here we are,” Abigail croaked as she turned off Sunset Boulevard and pulled up the driveway of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Mugs inhaled. “Ohhh,” she breathed. “It’s all so beautiful. Ethel, look at the palm trees.”

“I see them.”

“We’ll have to come back during the day. The flowers are just exquisite. And the gardens in the back are lush and beautiful.” Mugs laughed. “This hotel is what they call The Pink Palace. It’s the place to see and be seen.”

Never more true than tonight, Regan thought. She turned and winked at Abigail.

“I read somewhere that Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned with
six of her eight husbands in the bungalows out back,” Mugs informed them.

“My word,” Ethel replied. “It’s very nice of you to bring us here, Regan.”

“An absolute treat!” Mugs agreed. ‘’I’m so excited.”

“My pleasure,” Regan said, feeling slightly guilty. If they only knew.

Abigail stopped the car at the entrance. Valets quickly opened all the doors and welcomed them to the hotel.

Lois and Kaitlyn pulled up behind them.

The six women walked into the hotel lobby together.

“Isn’t this lovely, Ethel?” Mugs asked, pointing to the elegant, colorful décor. “I adore the pinks and the greens…It feels so tropical…and so peaceful.”

A
s much as Stella loved
Gone with the Wind
, tonight she was losing interest. The first hour was wonderful, while Cody was cuddled beside her. But now she was furious. He’d been gone for half an hour. Where did he go?

She tried his cell phone but he didn’t pick up.

What is going on? she wondered. What surprise could take so long? This is getting ridiculous. First he keeps me waiting last night at the airport, then he doesn’t care that I was scared to death after the earthquake, today he’s gone for most of the day, and now he’s disappeared.

She punched the cushion on the couch and frowned.

What would Scarlett O’Hara do?

R
ight this way, ladies,” the maître d’ instructed.

Across the plush, softly lit room, Abigail spotted Cody, Dean, and an older couple sitting in a booth, deep in conversation.

“There he is,” Lois whispered to Abigail and Regan.

“I know,” Abigail said tersely. “Let’s get my grandmother seated before we do anything.”

“Is this satisfactory?” the maître d’ asked, stopping at a semi-circular booth directly across the room from Cody’s.

“It’s perfect,” Abigail answered.

“Regan, do you mind if Mugs and I slide in first?” Ethel asked. “I think we’d both love a view of the action.”

“Of course not,” Regan answered. I only hope it’s not too much action, she thought.

The waiter came and took their drink orders.

“Grandma, Mugs, would you excuse us for a minute?” Abigail asked. “Regan and I want to talk to someone at the table over there.” She pointed across the room.

“I want to say hello, too,” Lois said, her tone slightly annoyed.

“Come on then.”

Kaitlyn tried to pretend that nothing was happening. “So, Mrs. Feeney, are you enjoying yourself so far?”

“It’s wonderful. Mugs and I are so glad to see each other, right, Mugs?”

“Right!”

As Abigail was approaching Cody’s table, flanked by her two friends, the woman at the table looked up and smiled expectantly. The three men turned their heads toward her at the same time. Predictably, Cody and Dean looked as if they’d just come unglued.

“Hello there,” Abigail began. “How to nice to see you, Cody. Dean…and…?”

Introductions were made all around.

Thomas Pristavec was smiling broadly. “You know these two guys? I’m so excited about their movie.”

“Really?” Abigail answered.

“Yes. I think the script is wonderful.” Pristavec laughed. “They talked me into investing. I couldn’t be more excited.”

Abigail pulled the IOU out of her pocket. “I have something you might be interested in seeing before you give them any of your money.”

“Abigail!” Cody growled.

“Cody owes me one hundred thousand dollars. I lent it to him last October and then he disappeared. The loan is due today.” She smiled. “My birthday.”

Thomas looked at the IOU and then at Cody. “Is this true?” he asked, appalled.

Cody’s mouth twitched. “I was planning to pay it back. I…I…”

“How about right now?” Abigail asked, opening her hand and extending her palm.

“Cody—there you are! I’ve been looking all over for you,” a woman cried accusingly.

They all turned as a young, beautiful blonde charged toward the group. “Cody, what is going on here?” she demanded in a voice that would carry to the back of any theater.

The maître d’ hurried over to shush her.

“Don’t shush me!”

Oh my God, Regan thought, she’s the actress I saw at the airport last night.

“Cody, what’s going on here? You disappeared on me!” she spat.

“He has a habit of doing that,” Abigail announced. “Just be sure you don’t lend him any money.”

“Lend him money?” Stella squeaked.

“I was his girlfriend until he disappeared in October, right after I lent him one hundred thousand dollars.”

“He’s horrible!” Lois added enthusiastically. “A real creep. If I were you, I’d run for your life.”

“I can explain everything, Stella!” Cody insisted. “Please.”

Pristavec pounded the table. “I thought you told us Stella was in New York.”

“Who are you?” Stella demanded.

“I was planning to invest in their film. I was about to hand over a check for fifty thousand dollars, but thanks to this lady here,” he said, pointing to Abigail, “I realize there are better ways to spend my money!”

Slight moans were escaping from Dean’s lips.

“I want my money, Cody!” Abigail said angrily. She pointed across the room. “Grandma Ethel is sitting right over there. You know she gave me that money to buy a home! She worked hard for every penny!”

“I worked hard for my money, too,” Pristavec cried out. “And to think I almost handed it over to these two nitwits.”

“Hey!” Dean shouted. “Don’t put me in the same category as this guy!”

“Then what are you doing working with him?” Thomas asked. “If you have a partner who you know is a cheat, then you’re a cheat, too.”

“We’d already written the script when he was—”

“When he was what?” Stella and Abigail asked at once.

“When he was thrown in jail,” a male voice answered from behind them.

They turned. It was Detective Nelson, followed by Detective Vormbrock. Nelson was carrying a black nylon bag.

“Thrown in jail for what?” Stella screeched.

“Moving violations. Lots of traffic tickets. Expired license. A missed court date. He spent sixty days in the slammer in Texas. He got sprung just in time for Christmas.”

So that explains it, Regan thought.

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Detective Nelson from the LAPD and this is my partner, Detective Vormbrock. Which one of you is Dean?”

“Over here,” Dean said meekly, raising his hand.

“Here’s the bag you lost with all your important papers. I’m glad one of our officers found it on the street.”

Dean slowly shook his head in disbelief. “It was stolen out of my car.”

“Whatever. I’d love to have a chat with you and Cody when you finish dessert.” Nelson tapped Cody’s arm. “You must be Cody, huh?”

Cody barely nodded.

“Why do you want to talk to them?” Thomas demanded.

Nelson shrugged. “A man whom they solicited to invest in their film was murdered.”

“Murdered?” Kicky shrieked.

“Murdered?” Stella sobbed.

“Murdered!” Abigail repeated vehemently.

“Murdered!” Lois spat.

“I did not murder that man!” Cody shouted. His face was turning beet red. “I might owe Abigail money, and I might act like a jerk sometimes, but I am not a murderer!”

Gloria had seated herself at the bar not far from Dean and Cody’s booth. I’m glad I didn’t miss this, she thought. She slid off the stool and moved closer to the action. Like everyone in the room she was focused on the showdown. She couldn’t believe the actress who had come to the office today was in the middle of this uproar. Dr. Cleary certainly gets some interesting patients.

“That night we met you, I knew you were capable of anything!” Lois seethed, glaring at Cody. “I told Abigail she should never have given you the time of day!”

Gloria turned her head and stared at the woman who had just vented her negative feelings. That voice and that negativity was so familiar. It was the woman with the gloves speaking.

“Oh, be quiet!” Dean shouted at Lois. “You were insufferable from the moment we met you. Look at you, still wearing gloves.” He turned to Kicky. “You’re normal. This woman is insane.”

“How dare you?” Thomas cried. “Why are you bringing Kicky into this display of human treachery?”

Dean waved his hand. “They’re both hand models.”

Kicky turned her head and looked at Lois. “You’re a hand model?”

“Yes, I am,” Lois answered.

“Who’s your agent?”

“Kicky, I don’t think this is the time for that,” Thomas reprimanded.

“I’m sorry, Thomas.”

Dean glared at Lois. “You haven’t answered the question.”

“It’s none of your business,” Lois snapped.

“Kicky was asking, not me. Why don’t you tell her who your agent is?”

I can’t believe it, Gloria thought. I know who that woman with the gloves is! I’d recognize that complaining voice anywhere. Her hair color is different, but I know it’s her. Gloria tugged on Nelson’s arm and whispered in his ear.

Nelson stared straight ahead as he listened.

“If you have such beautiful hands then why don’t you show them to us?” Dean demanded. “I bet your hands aren’t as beautiful as Kicky’s!”

“You make me sick,” Lois said with disgust.

“Come on,” Nelson encouraged Lois. “Take off the gloves and show him how beautiful your hands are. If you have gorgeous hands, you should show them off. No sense waiting until you’re ready for the Pearly Gates…”

As Lois’s head swiveled in Nelson’s direction, her eyes met the stare of the woman standing next to him. She turned and ran.

But she didn’t get very far.