Helena Goes to Hollywood: A Helena Morris Mystery (23 page)

I could relate. “Very true. So if she was off her meds she could’ve been convinced that Danny belonged with her and not Sonia?”

Brian nodded. “I don’t want to believe she’d do anything like that. Normally, on her meds, I’d say no way. But you should check on her. Make sure she wasn’t having another episode.”

Ricky made more notes and closed his notebook. “We’ll look into it. Thank you for your help and if you think of anything else, give me a call.”

“No problem, thanks.” Brian stood.

I smiled at Brian. He seemed charming and friendly.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he was just sheltered because of his mother. A little Norman Bates syndrome. His father’s illness changed his childhood. I’d been affected by my father’s behavior and the impact stayed with me.

Still, I wasn’t comfortable with him. There was no guilt dripping off him. If the lead he gave us panned out I’d be grateful. But the mother had issues and Brian still made me feel creepy.

R
icky drove and I kept the passenger seat warm on our second outing to find the killer. I pretended to take in the scenic trip out of L.A. but all I could think about was my sister. The randomness of potential suspects and the vast number overwhelmed me.

“What’s are the cops saying about this case?” I asked Ricky.

He shrugged. “Normal stuff.”

“Who is the money on?” I knew the answer but needed to hear it.

“Hel, you know as well as I do. Your sister had motive, means, and opportunity. Even if her hands are clean she could’ve hired someone. The chief had a stuntman from the show in yesterday for questioning. We’re looking at everyone.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” Suddenly I felt like the LAPD was working against me, not for me.

“No, because he cleared. He worked on some old teen movies with Sonia and had a crush on her. Nothing ever came of it.”

“But enough people were talking that it got to the cops but not me? They actually believed this guy would kill for Sonia? This is crazy!” I hunched down in the seat and fumed.

“Don’t be pissed at me. I only found out once the guy was in. They think I’m working for you.”

He had a point; I’d put Ricky in the middle. It wasn’t fair. “Sorry, it’s just...”

“Your sister. I know and I understand. But Sonia is suspect number one. So half the cops out there think she’s got no reason to be worried with you around. Your warpath isn’t helping, especially using the feds too.”

“They think I’m faking them out so she goes free? Please! My ex wouldn’t do that.”

“FBI and local police don’t usually see things the same anyway. You need to bring in the feds if you want to overrule us.”

I’d thought about it. “There’s no authority and it’s all been in California that I can tell. No reason the feds could come in.”

“Right, so you’re creating a smokescreen to cover up your sister’s crime or at least keep her out of jail until we find out who really did this.” Ricky pulled off the freeway onto a ramp.

“Of course I’m trying to keep her out of jail. She didn’t kill Danny. Hell, for all I know she might be safer in a cell. Maybe that’d be the best thing if it wouldn’t terrify her and ruin her career. Plus she’d completely freak out.” She wouldn’t last a night in jail and not because things weren’t designer.

Sonia and I certainly didn’t have a spoiled childhood and she’d fought her way into Hollywood to get good contracts and pay. She wasn’t a wimp but Sonia played fair and respected others. Her agent and manager did the dirty work. However, jail wasn’t about standing up for yourself or playing fair—it was about survival.

“We need a confession or a solid suspect soon,” Ricky said.

I read him loud and clear. If we didn’t get the guilty party, they’d go on a witch hunt and only my sister would satisfy the masses. It might be circumstantial, but it was enough to bring her in for more questioning, do another search, and see what they turned up.

“The rookies aren’t getting anything more on their search?” They’d been sifting through emails, letters, and websites for days.

“We ran everything they’ve flagged to ground but nothing of substance.” Ricky shrugged.

“So some things did turn up. Why didn’t you let me look at them?” I demanded.

He turned into the parking lot of the San Bernardino public library and parked. “Because the lead is better and looks a lot cleaner if you’re not involved. It carries more weight.”

“What if they missed something?” I unbuckled my seatbelt and exited the car.

“I reviewed it and they didn’t.” Ricky stopped. “Helena, Danny’s life insurance policy still had your sister as the beneficiary. No one else stood to gain anything from his death. So it’s either fan obsession or Sonia. You know the most likely suspects are usually the ones who did it.”

I nodded because everything he said was true. If it weren’t for Ricky and my stubborn investigations Sonia would already be in custody.

“Thanks for the help. I know my sister didn’t do this. I’m still not sure about Carmen or Faith,” I admitted.

“I ran them both and talked to them. We just have to play by the rules or they’ll yank me off the case and your sister will be questioned again, her house searched again, and she’ll probably get arrested.”

I turned to the library. “Vicky works here?”

“The sister in question, yes. The other sister works at the local hospital as a nurse.”

I followed Ricky in. He flashed his badge and asked for Vicky. We were led to the office. After a few minutes a skinny and jittery looking woman with black hair and dark brown eyes entered.

“They said you wanted to see me?” She sat down behind the desk.

“Yes Ms. Reynolds. I’m Detective Evans, LAPD, and this is Helena Morris.”

Vicky’s eyes went wide. “I know you, I’ve read all about you. Can I get a picture?” she asked.

I looked to Ricky and cleared my throat. “If you’d be willing to answer some questions for us, sure.”

“No problem. Call me Vicky, Hel.” Vicky giggled softly.

The weirdness continued. “Okay, Vicky. I’m sure you know that I’m Sonia Flynn’s sister.”

She nodded vigorously. “She’s my favorite. I‘ve seen everything she‘s been in. I‘ve got it all recorded.”

I remembered my good cop manners. “Thanks. I know she loves her fans and from your blog I gather you’re a big fan.”

“Oh absolutely! Sonia and Danny were the best soap couple ever. You could tell they really loved each other. True love doesn’t happen like that every day.”

Ricky decided to chime in. “What do you think of Sonia moving to another show?”

Vicky frowned. “I haven’t seen the show yet. It sucks that the best actors leave soaps to go to other projects. They could’ve just replaced her with another actress and kept Danny on. He even suggested that.”

“How do you know?” I asked.

“He and I did an interview but my sister refused to load it on the site. Said it was too personal or something. I think the soap made her paranoid since we sort of got in trouble one time. The soap sent a letter to delete a blog posting. Since then she was always afraid we’d get in big trouble.”

“You had contact with Danny?” Ricky asked.

“Sure, we met him at a soap fan conference once. And my sister used to date this professor who had Danny come and speak to his class.” She pulled out her cell phone. “See, here’s a picture of me, my sister, and Danny. He’s so sweet. But Danny and I did the interview on the phone.”

I leaned in. “Vicky, can I ask you something sort of personal that would help me?”

“Of course,” she whispered like it was a deep dark secret we’d share. The adoration of fame or even my relation to someone famous amazed me. People spilled their guts.

“What do you think of Danny cheating on my sister?” I scrunched my face a little to let her know it was okay to disapprove.

Those little cues were used on interrogation subjects all the time. Letting them think you’re on their side. People wanted validation, to feel a part of something, and in agreement with others. Human nature was so predictable.

Her face went sad. “I was so disappointed in him. Really, you think there are heroes left in this world and then they betray your trust. Sonia never would’ve cheated.”

“You don’t think he was justified since Sonia left the soap and basically hurt his career in the process?” Ricky played the bad cop role without too much aggression. He was good.

Vicky glared at him. “Men, they’ll take any excuse to cheat. They’re so hurt by women. If it were the other way around no one would take that excuse. Women still make less than men do for the same work. They still get stuck with the housework and taking care of the kids. But men are the big victims when women don’t do what
they
want.”

“I hear you.” I nodded. “Danny betrayed my sister. He could’ve been supportive of her big break like she’d have supported him.”

“Exactly.” Vicky slapped the desk. “Danny let one little ding to his ego ruin his marriage. Just like Brian.”

“What about Brian?” Ricky asked.

“My sister’s ex. At first he was nice. The professor who had Danny in to talk—Brian—he encouraged me to stay on my meds. I got this job but it was all a lie. He cheated on my sister with some tramp so she dumped him. She cried for days and days. I called and told him if he ever came near us again I’d stab him in the heart.” Her face went hard and her fists clenched.

“Danny
and
Brian. What is wrong with men?” I asked, playing along.

I put a few pieces together but there were two ways it could go. I had no idea which until the truth came out. Brian had either sent us on a wild goose chase to get back at his ex and her sister or Vicky transferred her hate for Brian to Danny when she went off her medication.

“Exactly,” Vicky agreed.

The sympathy angle felt natural. “I’m sure you’d do anything to protect your sister, wouldn’t you, Vicky? Just like I’d do anything to protect Sonia.”

“Of course, we have to protect each other. Men don’t care about anything but themselves. You see it all over Hollywood. Leading men trading in their wives of twenty years or more for barely legal bimbos. It’s disgusting. Sports figures too—it‘s terrible. Why even get married?”

“You wouldn’t let a man get away with that, would you, Vicky?” I asked.

“Never, they need to be taught a lesson.” She stabbed the desk with her index finger and pressed until her skin turned deathly pale.

I teetered closer to the edge of believing she’d done something violent. “Are you going to teach Brian a lesson?”

“If he comes near my sister I will. He’s been too smart and never comes around anymore.” She relaxed and moved her hands so the blood flowed to her fingers again. “He believed my warning.”

“What about Danny? Do you think he deserved what he got?” I asked.

Vicky’s face went red with rage. “He played with fire. A woman scorned can‘t be blamed. I bet you don’t lose any sleep over it.”

She’d lose that bet but I couldn’t give it away now.

“When’s the last time you saw Danny?” Ricky cut in.

Vicky sat back and looked a little stunned, like she‘d forgotten Ricky was in the room. “I don’t remember.”

“Come on, you’re a big fan. Did you see him so often you don’t remember?” He pushed the questioning.

“No, I don’t always remember everything well. I think it was recently.” She shrugged. “Why?”

I put my hand on her arm, keeping the connection so she’d keep talking. “I want to find out who killed Danny so I know Sonia is safe. I don’t know if it’s someone out to get Sonia or just after Danny. You understand, it’s the sister thing.”

“Oh sure, of course. Danny deserved it but your sister never did anything to hurt anyone. I can’t believe he was living with that other woman before the divorce was even final. What a jerk!”

“Where were you the day Danny died?” I asked.

“Me?” She frowned. “I don’t know. That was a week ago or something.”

“It’s not that hard to remember last week. Were you at work? Did you have a vacation?” That would be the easiest way to pin her alibi down or not.

“Yeah, I work six days a week, eight until close usually. I‘m good with routine but I forget sometimes.” Vicky crossed over to a flustered state and tried to stand up.

“I’ll go check with the branch manager.” Ricky left the room.

“I don’t remember killing anyone. I’d never—I couldn’t do that. He’s too big and strong.” Her speech and breathing became rapid. “Right?”

“Ricky will go and check the schedule. The cops have to check out anyone who had contact with Danny. You understand, it’s their procedure.”

It was hard to play on her side but if she ran I couldn’t stop her. Assaulting her could make the whole thing blow up worse.

She nodded and began to rock in the chair. “I want to talk to my sister.”

“She’s at work, let’s wait for Ricky,” I said.

As long as Vicky didn’t ask for a lawyer I didn’t care if she wanted to call the tooth fairy. Vicky was over eighteen, not a minor, so all she could request was a lawyer to stop the inquiry. If the police took her she’d get one phone call.

Ricky returned but didn’t sit. “They say you didn’t show up to work that day or the two following. You called in sick. Can you account for your whereabouts?”

“No, I don’t know. Sometimes I forget. I don’t take the right medication when I get confused and that makes it worse.”

“Did you go see Danny? Get another interview? Did you get mad at him?” I asked in as friendly a tone as I could.

She nodded. “I remember now. I asked him about the cheating and he got annoyed. He didn’t want to answer certain things and didn’t want to talk about the new girlfriend.”

She chewed the skin around her thumb until it bled. Definitely not totally normal.

“Did he get angry?” I prompted.

She nodded shakily and kept rocking in her chair.

Ricky leaned over. “If it’s self-defense you need to tell us. Were you in Danny’s house?”

“I don’t remember where. But he was mad.” She began to cry. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, I‘m sorry.”

“Vicky Reynolds, you’re under arrest on suspicion of murder.” Ricky read her the Miranda rights and cuffed her. He called in a squad from the local police department and it turned a quiet public library to madhouse.