Nocturnal (21 page)

24. “She only befriended you to get to me”

It took less than a minute to pack my overnight bag, but I spent much longer pacing my hotel room, trying to connect to Chloe’s mobile. On the sixth failed attempt, I left a message.

“Chloe, it’s Sam. This is going to sound crazy, but please hear me out. Maxine is not who you think she is. Her real name’s Kendall Piper, and she’s responsible for Bruno’s death. Look, I don’t expect you to believe me, but for your own safety, stay away from her until I can explain. You’ve got to trust me on this. I’m heading back to the city now, but in the meantime, don’t talk to Maxine or let her know I’ve been in contact. I’m serious, Chloe. She is fucking dangerous, so don’t even think about confronting her. Call me when you get this.”    

Right away, I worried that my message might do more harm than good. Chloe was a ballsy woman, and telling her to stay away from her boyfriend’s killer might have the opposite effect. But what else could I do? She needed to be warned.

If only she’d turn on her damn phone. 

It was hard not to be reminded of the countless calls I’d put through to Bruno a few days earlier, when he’d been lying dead at the bottom of a cliff. I tried to convince myself that this time was different. Bruno had been staking out my office, threatening to catch Kendall in the act. She’d murdered him for practical reasons – not for pleasure. By that rationale, there was no reason for Chloe to be next on her list. She wasn’t a sworn enemy, or a threat to her grisly revenge plot.

Despite the likelihood that Chloe was in perfect health, I wasn’t taking any chances. I had to assume she was in danger. I left the hotel without stopping at the front desk, tipping the valet a twenty to hasten his return. After throwing my bag in the back-seat, I drove aggressively through Sacramento’s downtown traffic, running red lights and making use of both sides of the road. I put my foot down as soon as I hit the highway, knowing that every passing minute could be the difference between life and death.

I was making good time, but I was also painfully aware that Kendall had been one step ahead of me since the trouble began. If she’d already guessed I was flooring it back to Chloe’s place, she’d have made plans to get there before me, regardless of how fast I drove. To balance the odds, I needed a spy on the ground.

With my list of options down to one, I dialed up CC.

“Why haven’t you returned my calls?” she complained right off the bat.

I suddenly remembered the messages she’d left the previous two nights. “Sorry, I’ve had a lot on my plate.”

“Not good enough, Sam. I know I’m a tough bitch, but I was worried when you didn’t get back to me.”

“I’m sorry CC, alright?
Really
sorry. I owe you the mother of all explanations.”

She sighed heavily into the phone. “You want another favor, right?”

“I hate to ask….”

“–Then save your breath. The answer’s no. This relationship has to get back on a professional basis.”

“CC, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t an emergency. Someone’s life is at stake.”

“Jesus, Sam,” she groaned. “Why is everything such a drama with you?”

“I’ll pay you a grand for two hours work.”

She paused. “Five hundred an hour isn’t so great.”

“Fuck,
two grand
if that’s what it takes.”

“Is this danger money?”

“
No
. It’s the easiest two grand you’ll ever make. I’m heading to a friend’s place in SoMa, but I won’t get there for at least an hour. I just need you to ring her buzzer to see if she’s there. If she is, tell her you have an urgent message from Sam, and then call me right away. I’ll talk to her through the intercom if I have to.”

“Is your office psycho after her?”

“I hope not, but I need to warn her just the same.”

Another long pause. “I’m already at work. I took an early shift”

“
Fuck
work. It’s two grand, CC.”

“What if she’s not home?”

“Then call me anyway. I’ll work it out from there.”

“Mmmm,” she dithered. “So where are you at the moment?”

“On the highway, driving as fast as I fucking can. CC, if you’re going to help me out, I need you to move
now
.”

“Calm down Mister Grumpy Pants. Where does your friend live?”

I gave out Chloe’s address and urged CC to order an Uber. I could tell she thought I was overreacting, and that my dramas were all in my head, so I warned her if she didn’t call me within twenty minutes, the deal was off. She wasn’t happy about being rushed, but the proviso worked. Fifteen minutes later, when I was driving past the last of the Dixon exits, she called me back.

“That was quick,” I said,

“I got my boss’s car. But your friend isn’t answering.”

“Damn it.”

“And there’s a nosy old bag glaring down at me from the top floor. I better move.” I heard her high heels crunching on the footpath, the drone of traffic in the background. “So, what now?” she asked.

“Okay. I’m still at least an hour away so you have to keep an eye on the place till I get there.”

“I
knew
this wouldn’t be easy.”

“I said two hours, CC.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered. “What am I supposed to be looking for?”

She’d stopped walking, and I imagined her standing under a streetlight with a hand on her hip, pulling her best
‘whatever’
face. In my calmest voice, I told her to look out for either a curvy twenty-three year old brunette, or a slender twenty-nine year old blonde with bad roots. If she saw the brunette, she needed to keep her distance and give me a call. If she saw the blonde, it was probably Chloe, and she should try and get her attention.

“What if they’re together?” she said.

I took a deep breath, mulling it over. “Call the cops.”

“And say what?”

“Anything, just make sure they get round to the apartment. Be creative. I’ve got faith in you.”

She laughed at my weak attempt at flattery. “Okay, I better go. My battery’s running low.”

“
Christ, CC!
How are you going to call me?”

“It’s not dead yet. Don’t worry, I’m just being cautious.”

She hung up, and straight away I pounded the dash with my fist. I only hoped CC was telling the truth about just being cautious. Caution wasn’t a word I would’ve normally associated with CC, but there had to be a first time for everything.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. I was particularly worried about the prospect of Kendall and Chloe showing up together. Not only would Chloe be in immediate danger, but CC was now under instructions to call 911, something I’d been hoping to avoid. My priority had to be Chloe’s safety, but I didn’t relish the thought of talking to the cops again.

Even if the facts supported my version of events, clearing me of any direct involvement in the Piper shootings, I’d probably still wind up in prison. Assault, blackmail, conspiracy to commit murder, perverting the course of justice – there were at least a half-dozen crimes the cops could throw at me. And I was guilty on all counts. The nocturnal routine that had become my security blanket would be whipped away. I’d be at the mercy of the system.

It didn’t bear thinking about.

Chloe had to be my sole focus. Not stuffy interview rooms and shared cells and enforced daylight.
Chloe.

I was cursing a bottleneck near the Benicia exit when my mobile rang again. CC sounded agitated. “Your friend’s a stuck-up bitch.”

“You saw Chloe?”

“Yeah, the bottle blonde with the poky little face. I did what you said – I got her attention, but she fucking snubbed me. Like I was after her handbag or something.”

“Shit. Did you mention my name?”

“Of course. But I’m not sure she heard. She was too busy fumbling with her keys, trying to get the door open.”

I thought for a moment. It wasn’t like Chloe to get flustered. “Are you sure it was her?”

“
Yes.
She turned round when I called her name.”

I gritted my teeth. “Did you use your quiet voice?”

“Hey, fuck you Sam! It’s not my fault your stupid…..”

Her rant cut off in my ear. 

“
No!
” I yelled into the silent line. I waited a minute and then tried calling back. It went straight to CC’s voice-mail.

I blasted my horn in anger, drawing a rear-view glare from the driver in front of me. I shot him a middle finger in return. I felt utterly powerless. Traffic had ground to a complete halt, and I was still forty minutes away from San Francisco.

The news wasn’t all bad, I reassured myself. I might’ve lost my eyes and ears on the ground, but at least Chloe was inside her apartment – safe for the time being. And maybe she would finally check her messages.

But my optimism was short-lived. The bottleneck turned out to be an accident blocking an eastbound lane, and traffic was backed up for a mile. My forty minute journey turned into an hour-and-a-half. By the time I pulled up outside Chloe’s building, my head was close to exploding. I ran up the steps to the intercom.

To my surprise, she answered on the second buzz.

“Chloe, thank Christ! It’s Sam. I’ve been trying to call you.”

“I lost my phone yesterday,” came the muffled reply. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s a long story. Can I come up?”

She hit the door release, and I took my time climbing the stairs to the second floor, shaking off the tension from the drive. I paused in the corridor until my heart rate returned to normal. The truth about Bruno’s death needed to be delivered in a calm voice.

Chloe wasn’t in a good way when she answered the door. Bronze make-up was smeared around her eyes, and her skin had the appearance of wet cement. Her hair was pulled into a clumpy pony-tail and shoved carelessly to the side. “Sammy, Sammy, Sammy,” she greeted in a thick voice.

“Jesus. Are you okay?”

“Nope,” she said simply, padding back into the living room. She was barefoot, wearing dorm-room sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt. It was a far cry from the short skirt and heels look she usually favored.

I followed her into the living room, my shoulders hunching as I felt the low ceilings bearing down on my neck. Chloe picked up a half-empty bottle of gin from the coffee table, waving it in front of me. “You wanna drink?” she said. “It’ll have to be straight, I ran out of tonic a while ago.”

“That’s fine,” I said, taking the bottle from her and moving to the kitchen. “You sit down, I’ll get it.” I took a clean glass from the dish rack and poured myself a triple shot, downing half of it immediately. I felt the alcohol burn at the back of my throat. It was wincingly bad gin. “You been working tonight?” I asked, topping up my glass.

“No, I’ve been
drinking
tonight.”

“With friends?”

“With myself. I’m not the best company at the moment.”

I left the bottle by the sink and carried my drink into the living room. Chloe was slumped on the sofa, head lolling against her chest, eyes clouded over. I perched himself on the armrest. “Have you seen Maxine today?” I asked.

She looked up, smiling suggestively. “Ah, Maxine
.
So
that’s
why you’re here.”

“Yeah, but it’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Sure, sure,” she said, reaching over to clumsily pat my thigh. “I believe you.”

I stood up, annoyed. “Chloe, I’ve got something important to tell you. Can you concentrate for a second, or are you too drunk?”

Her head drew back indignantly. “I’m not
drunk
, thank you very much. God, talk about the pot and the kettle.”

“Sorry, that didn’t come out right. I just want to make sure you understand me. This is going to be hard to swallow.” 

Chloe’s face turned serious. “I’m listening, Sam. Say what you have to say.”

Satisfied that at least a few of her brain cells were still functioning, I proceeded to give Chloe a full account of recent events, complete with the back-story from Sacramento. She listened quietly, giving nothing away. Even when I reached the part about Bruno’s car crash, Chloe remained expressionless, prompting me to ask if she was still with me. She insisted that she was.

“But I’m saying Bruno death wasn’t an accident. He was killed by the same person who murdered Ralph Emerson.”

“Yeah, I heard you the first time.”

I searched her face for a flicker of emotion. “Sorry, I thought you’d be shocked.”

She sighed. “To be honest Sam, this sounds like one of your scripts. But keep going, I’m dying to see how it ends.”

“You think I’m making this up?”

“I’m reserving judgment.”

I sat down next to her, suddenly feeling exhausted. She had a right to be skeptical. It was a lot to take in. I reached for my gin and took another sip.