Helena Goes to Hollywood: A Helena Morris Mystery (31 page)

B
ack at the mansion I entered through the back French doors and made my way upstairs. My flight to Chicago wasn’t until tomorrow night but I started packing the non-essential items first. Since I was going to visit the ex anyway, and I had the money from the tech consulting, I’d found decent flights to spare myself road trips. I’d ship whatever I needed from Vegas here.

I heard footsteps in the hall and then Sonia’s voice. “You could be a cat-burglar.”

I turned and saw her clutching a script. Her eyes were reddish and swollen.

“Just sorting through some stuff. Everything okay?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I guess. You’re leaving and Sam wants me to do this movie over the hiatus.”

“You said you were going to throw yourself into your work.” I reached for the script but she held tight.

“It’s not even the lead. It’s just not me.” She eased up a bit.

I pulled it free. “
Persuasion
. Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen. I know this story. It’s good.”

“You’re such a geek. I never had to read this in high school.” She flopped onto my bed.

“In college I read a lot of things. You’re not plain enough for the lead. She’s not supposed be too pretty. What part does Sam want you for?” I asked.

“The lead’s sister who is married with two kids. She’s whiny and snobby,” Sonia huffed.

“That’s not you at all.” I mimicked her whininess.

She threw a pillow at me. “Shut up, it’s a waste of time.”

I tossed the script on the bed. “I think you should do it.”

Sonia frowned. “Why?”

“You want to keep busy but not too stressed out. You went through a lot already, right?”

“Right.” She nodded hesitantly.

“And you also want to be taken more seriously as an actress by those like the evil Bernadette, right?”

She signed heavily. “Right.”

“Do I have to go on? Austen is classic, it’s British. You being in it and Bernadette’s not will drive her crazy. You’ll have to learn the accent but you’re not the lead. It’s not big pressure but it’s a challenge. It’ll keep you busy over the hiatus, plus you know Sam so you’ll be among friends. Pretty dresses and hair-dos—you’ll enjoy it.” I went through my purse to check for my ticket confirmation number.

“I’ll think about it.” She looked at my stuff packed. “You’re really going?”

I sat on the bed. “Actually I was thinking I might stay in L.A. for a while. Keep an eye on you.”

“I knew you’d love it.” She hugged me. “I know Sam wants to keep you on. You want a bigger bedroom? This really is for guests.”

“Hold on, Sonia.” I sat back. “I’m staying but not here. I need my own space and I’m not going to live off my little sister.”

“Well, not forever, but I’ve got tons and tons of room. Just until you get settled. A year or so.” Sonia grinned.

I shook my head. “I appreciate it, but I’m used to having my own place. My rules and my style. It’s nothing against you or your place but I need to support myself and feel independent.”

“You went through a lot too. Losing Danny, protecting me, and all the stress. You shouldn’t be alone. Neither of us should.” She started to tear up.

“Actually, we both need to. Not all the time, but we need to have space where we can grieve and think. Where we’re free to be sad or happy. You’d always be trying to cheer me up and I’d do the same for you. We’re different and we’ve got to deal with our stuff in our own way. I’m not trying to be mean but I’ll line up my own place.”

“Where? When?”

“I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” I chuckled.

“So you’re going to Vegas to clean things up?” she asked.

I nodded. “After I visit Todd, yes. I need to get out of my lease and get my business things in order. Then pack up my stuff and ship it out here.”

“It won’t be the same.”

“No, it won’t. Thankfully there is no murderer after you now. Hopefully no more stalkers. You’re safe and Fluffy is safe, but you both need to cut back on the alcohol intake. You’ve got the security system. Your life is as normal as it’s going to get so you’ve got to get on with it. I’m glad.”

“Glad I had a stalker?”

I chuckled. “No. Glad I came.”

“You still won’t wear designer.” She scowled.

“No, that’s true. Hollywood will have to take me as is,” I smiled.

“You should give it a try.” She shrugged.

“Says you. Hollywood is completely different from Vegas. Might be the change I need for a while but I won’t cave to peer pressure.”

“But you’re not going to be a PI or a ninja or anything weird? No more chasing criminals. Promise?” She pointed a finger at me.

I held up my hands and gave my best innocent expression. “My only plans are tech consulting and maybe a new martial arts academy. Nowhere in there is anything to do with the criminals.”

“Good.” She gave me a look that said she didn’t quite believe me.

Honestly, I didn’t quite believe it. Emmy insisted she’d received tons of calls about me since all the website stuff. After catching the killer I’m sure there would be more. But I couldn’t tell the future. If any of my friends were in trouble, I’d help. Or their friends, of course.

I shook off my own odd compulsion to help people.

“So go call Sam and tell him you’ll take the hiatus job. But make him pay you well. All the perks,” I nodded.

She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and climbed off the bed. “No kidding. You’ve so gone Hollywood in some ways. If only you’d dress like it.”

Sonia headed down the hall to talk over the deal. At least with her doing Jane Austen Sonia wouldn’t need me around as much. Independence was a good thing and without Danny she’d get an even bigger dose of it.

“I have not gone Hollywood!” I shouted after her. Right now all I wanted was Todd in Chicago for a little brainless naked time.

W
alking into the hotel suite overlooking my first pool, or Lake Michigan as most people knew it, the quiet struck me. Todd’s surprise of great seats at the Santana concert left my ears ringing. It’d been a great night so far. He was off to get us dessert as I stretched out on the luxurious bed. After deep dish pizza we needed a sugar high before the sex high.

Norm was in prison, my sister was taping her show, and I had a plan for my life—sort of. Danny was gone. Hollywood would be different and my life would revolve around martial arts and fictional federal cases on my sister’s show. No more real life violence—hopefully. I still had suspicions about my sister’s tire slasher and the black Cadillac, but the leads were too flimsy to do anything.

My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced. Ten new calls? I hadn’t felt anything at the concert but music created a buzz of its own. I scrolled through the numbers as no one had left me a message. The new call was from the same number.

A number I didn’t recognize.

I pressed the button, expecting Norm to be threatening me from prison or maybe Myra.

“Hello,” I said.

“We miss you already,” said a familiar male voice.

“Brian? How did you get my number?” I demanded.

“My cousin is a cop. A rookie, as you called him. But he had access to the crime scene where you left your cell phone number shamelessly written on a pad in Danny’s kitchen. Or maybe it was in Danny’s phone? I can’t remember exactly where but he got it for me.” His voice was calm and planned. The guy had just a dash of Hannibal Lector in him, the exterior polish and control hid something I didn’t like.

“So you abused police access and invaded a citizen’s right to privacy? I could have him kicked off the police force.” I wasn’t powerless in this little game if Brian wanted to play.

“Oh, I think you pulled enough strings with the FBI and LAPD on your sister’s case. Ricky went to bat for you but you made them arrest the wrong woman,” he said.

“You’re the one who gave him the tip. You knew it was false and you wanted to get back at your ex. You’re not going to use me again.” I’d fallen for it.

My guard had been down and I’d been desperate to find the killer. Family did that, which was why family shouldn’t work each other’s cases. But in the end I’d found the right killer so how could I regret my involvement?

“Of course not, I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it up to Vicky. It’s so sad how she quit her job and won’t leave the house. I think you traumatized her.” There was glee in his voice.

I kicked off my shoes. “Guilt won’t work on me. What do you want, Brian?”

Family had special rules and I’d mow down anyone who hurt mine. But was Brian after me or Sonia?

“Guilt usually works but that’s right, you don’t care,” he said.

I felt bad Vicky was held in jail for a bit but he was giving me more power and credit. If she’s remembered and brought up her alibi more quickly, she’d have been out fast just like I’d been when I was questioned. “You don’t matter, Brian. Leave me and my sister alone. Go be momma’s boy.”

His breathing increased. “I don’t need to live with her. She needs me.”

“I’m sure she does. No one will ever love you the way Mommy does,” I baited him. The more flustered he got the more control I had.

“Leave my mother out of this!” His foot stomp echoed.

“Miss me bad? You called ten times. Are you stalking
me
now?”

“Don’t be insane—you’re no Hollywood star. Are you forgetting the college students, pretty and young that I could have any time I wanted?” he asked.

“And you’d probably get fired for doing that,” I reminded with a lilt in my voice that told him just how much I’d enjoy that end.

“Which is why I never would. My taste runs to cultured women who know who they are.”

“The more mature ladies, I see. Cougars, I think they’re called. I believe that. You and your mom looked close. Dating any of her church lady friends?” I grinned.

“I’m not dating my mother’s friends. You’re trying to turn me into a joke. I’m trying to help you.”

“Help me? I don’t need any help. The bad guy is in jail. My sister is safe. I’m a happy camper enjoying my life.”

“Help your sister’s image. Your sister told me she couldn’t speak to my class. They were so looking forward to it and it’s good PR.”

“You think I had something to do with her saying no?” I sounded so innocent. “My sister is a grown woman. She can make her own decisions about what she feels is good press. She also has a manager and an agent. I’m so far down on the PR advice list it’s a joke you called me. Go bug someone else.”

“Don’t lie, you told her to stay away from me,” he accused.

“Why would she ever be near you? My sister is in mourning for her dead husband. She’s busy with a new show. She’s been at the center of a murder investigation. I told her to lay low and avoid public appearances until it has blown over.”

Truthfully I’d told her to stay away from creepy Brian and those psycho sisters. Same overall message; she needed to keep a zone of safety around her.

“This isn’t publicity. It’s education,” he replied.

“My sister never went to college. She didn’t know what iambic pentameter was. She’s sweet but not quite fit for the college lecture circuit. You want proximity to celebrity but you won’t get it from her.”

I dug through my carryon bag and found the slinky teddy I was going to change into. First I had to get rid of creepy Brian. He’d hit the boring stage. This guy wanted attention.

“I heard you’re coming back to L.A. and opening up a business. Afraid your sister will fall into something you don’t approve of?” he taunted.

“It’s a free country. I can go where I like.” How did he know?

“Seems quite a part of your character, but then doing my research revealed some items of interest. Your father left, so without a masculine presence you had to assert yourself, didn’t you? Protecting your sister.”

This had gone from weird to intrusive. “Are you trying to bond on daddy issues? Your father died while you were young. Is that why you’re such a wimp?”

“You have no idea. I know he loved me and my mother. You don’t have that.”

“Brian, I’m not playing games. Stay away from my sister. We’re not your ticket to celebrity. Try out for a reality show.” I hung up.

Before I forgot I programmed his number so it came up with his name and had a special ring tone. Staying in Hollywood felt even more right with that creep still buzzing around my sister.

When I heard Todd’s keycard in the door I grabbed the teddy and headed for the bathroom to change. I hadn’t seen the last of Brian but no way was I letting him ruin my weekend.

Soon I would be back in L.A. and starting a new chapter in my life. Things would never be the same for Sonia, but she was safe and life would go on.

Hopefully it’d be a fresh start. Unfortunately history, crime, and creeps never really disappeared so sticking near my sister was smart. Hooking up with my ex might not be but there were worse men to fall into bed with. He didn’t need to know I had a couple dates with other men lined up when I was back on the West Coast.

Glancing around the edge of the bathroom door, I watched Todd’s fingers start to undo the buttons of his crisp white shirt. Oh yes—things were definitely beginning to look up.

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A
loyal Chicago girl who loves deep dish pizza, the Cubs, and the Lake, CC Dragon is fascinated by mysteries, sleuthing, as well as the metaphysical and paranormal. She loves creating characters, especially amateur sleuths who solve crimes in their spare time. A coffee and chocolate addict who loves fast cars, she’s still looking for a hero who likes to cook and clean...so she can write more!

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