Sunset & Vine: Loose Lips (8 page)

Chapter Nineteen

Investigation continued

“So, Sam, let’s go over this one more time,” Rocco said during his interrogation of O’Brien.

“Dotty had started coming in twenty to thirty minutes early about two months ago. She knew Jacques and I would be on time so she didn’t seem to be too worried about being here alone for a short time,” Sam said.

“Why did she start coming in early?” asked Detective Goldman.

“We kinda had a falling out,” answered Sam.

“Why was that?”

“Dotty and I had been kinda friendly.”

“So, you were sleeping together?” Rocco asked.

“Yes, and I ended it because of my girlfriend. I didn’t like the way Dotty behaved around me,” he told Rocco.

“And Dotty didn’t like that you ended it?”

“No.”

“Was there a fight between the two of you?”

“What do you mean by ‘a fight’? If you are trying to say I would harm her, you’re crazy!”

“Calm down, Sam. I’m just trying to gather the facts, no matter where they lead. Did her husband find out?”

“No, not that I know of. She never mentioned it to me.”

“OK, if you think of anything else you wanna tell me, let me know, Sam. I intend to find whoever did this. Dotty was one of our own, the Schwab’s family.”

Rocco left Schwab’s with more questions than when he had arrived.

Sam thought about the questioning and talked to Vivien about it. They both thought it best for them to speak directly to Detective Goldman. After all, the fight between her and Vivien had been overheard by Jacques. Not mentioning it might appear suspicious, and they had nothing to hide. Or so it appeared.

* * *

“Jacques do you have any idea why anyone would harm Dotty? Have you seen anything out of the ordinary since you have been here pretty much the same time, everyday, as Dotty?” Rocco asks Jacques, who was pretty shaken up.

“Well, I just can’t imagine anyone doing this to Dotty. I don’t know if this is important, but I did witness a pretty nasty fight between Sam, his new girlfriend Vivien, and Dotty a while ago.”

“How nasty?”

“Nasty enough that Vivien threatened Dotty over Sam. I mean physically!” Jacques said, hoping it would be of some use.

Jacques was unaware that Sam had already told Rocco about the fight. Sam’s version anyway.

“Did you know that Sam and Dotty were carrying on an affair? It was none of my business of course, but I think several people knew,” Jacques continued.

“So, you are saying Vivien was jealous and got angry?”

“No no no. It was the other way around. From what I overheard—I was in the main dining room and they were arguing in the kitchen—Dotty was the one who had become jealous. Sam had ended it with her. I think Vivien showed up by accident that morning to give Sam his wallet.”

“How serious was the fight?”

I heard Vivien tell Dotty that she would kill her if she didn’t stay away from Sam.”

“You actually heard her say kill?”

“Well, something to that effect. It may not have been that exact word. But she made it clear that she would get violent with Dotty. I mean, she purposefully stepped on her toe as she walked out.”

“Stepping on someone’s toe is a helluva lot different than killing them, Jacques,” clarified Rocco.

“Maybe she didn’t mean kill, you know my English gets messed up sometimes.”

“Who was the first to find Dotty the morning of the murder?”

“Sam and I arrived at the same time. Normally, we’d meet up with Dotty in the kitchen for a cup of coffee together. She started coming in early after the fight. I think they were trying to avoid being alone together.”

Rocco thought it interesting that Jacques hadn’t revealed his involvement in the blackmail deal Dotty had cooked up with the pictures of Miss Steele and Mr. Salvaggio. The details of this were reviewed from Dotty’s email account. Thanks to Elsa.

He’d save that hammer for another day. First, he wanted to see where the investigation of his primary suspects led.

“Had you ever had any disagreements with Dotty, Jacques?”

“Moi! Mon dieu! We worked well together for many years!” Lying about his angry resentment after Dotty had cut him out of the Victoria Steele scam, at the last minute. At the time, he saw the deal as his opportunity to take his payoff and make his way back to France to buy a small winery. Dotty double crossed him and cut him out of the deal altogether and moved on to Michael Deeves, her unsuspecting pawn.

Michael had been a sure bet, whereas Jacques carried with him too many negatives and a criminal edge, Dotty had decided. How one cleans up blackmail to make it acceptable was something only the ruthless mind of Dotty Henderson could equate.

Chapter Twenty

The Truth Comes Out

After being yelled at by the boss of one of the more notorious tabloids, “Yes, sir!” The less than enthused, dejected reporter replied. Not yet realizing that that story could make or break his career. He was just young enough to still believe in the old, grand, ethical ideas of journalism.

“You get a crack team together and dig up everything that woman has ever sold us! And then you make sure you have a team shadowing every move of her husband, ex-boyfriend, aunt, uncle, or shoeshine boy! Now hit the bricks!” the overweight, cigar chomping editor barked.

Not to be outdone; Psst magazine simply splashed “Naughty Dotty Gets Knifed: live with a swagger, die by the dagger!”

“Long time Schwab’s waitress swished and fished around the famous hangout for dirt on it’s famous clientele. So, for all you famous folks out there that used to frequent good ol’ Schwab’s, be on notice that your waitress has been whipping up more than just your breakfast. How about a nice fresh dish of Movie Star DIRT! Fresh off the press!”

The National Radar, one of Dotty’s former cash cow tabloids, was the first to link Dotty’s murder to the stars. It blew the lid off of her undercover side job as a snoop who stole information from her famous customers. It was merciless in its blaring, train horn-like headline, “Snuffed out waitress was a ruthless snitch on the Stars!” Subparagraph with, “Was this a revenge murder?” So much for protecting your former sources.

MOUTH, another weekly rag, headlined like a five alarm fire: “Schwab’s’ Secret Snoop sells her last Scoop!”

“Twisted, Trusted waitress snitched on famous customers to the tabloids for millions over the years!”

Both tabloids followed with a recent list of major scoops that had been provided by Dotty. Each published a special daily edition running a different article sold to them by Dotty everyday.

Circulation soared!

The revelation of Dotty as a primary source smashed the murder investigation wide open. It was now clear that Rocco and Elsa were going to be handling a rare and unusual case even for Hollywood, and its citizens suddenly became quite nervous.

“But, sir, we are stirring a witch’s brew with this story. People’s lives will be damaged,” pleaded a reporter to her boss.

“Yeah, a few careers will be damaged...including yours if you don’t get the hell out of here and get this story out on time...on a daily basis! This is the newspaper business, my dear girl. It’s about circulation and that equals money! Got that! This is a golden egg that has befallen us. Now scram!” the hard driving editor let loose.

The world wide web was set aflame with each new famous name published on a daily basis. It was as if it were a fresh log thrown on a burning fire for fuel.

Coverage further exploded when the number of abortions had by music superstar Venice Adriatica was revealed, causing her to have a public meltdown, culminating with the shaving of her head in the middle of a performance along with public disorientation.

This frothed into a downward spiral of Hollywood. Little did the world know, they hadn’t seen “nuttin” yet!

Movie proposals were flying between Hollywood studios like a time/space-bending flying saucer. Warp speed was considered too slow to capture the frenzy of this story on film.

All the nut jobs and fame whores in Hollywood came of the woodwork claiming responsibility for the murder and demanding an “exclusive” televised confession. Paid of course.

The hot, steamy, personal photos of American International Film CEO, Victoria Steele, and her Italian lover, Cino Salvaggio, were discovered in Dotty’s safety deposit box, along with a copy of the film contract between her, Michael Deeves, and American International Films. Rocco would handle interviewing Ms. Steele and Cino while Elsa moved in on Michael Deeves.

Meanwhile, the Tripartite were singing like canaries, 80% of which was their version of the hypothetical, mixed with a high dose of revenge.

“I was the first to suspect her devious behavior. I just sensed it,” Maria-Angela proudly told Rocco.

“Dotty all of a sudden became extra attentive towards us after we realized parts of our personal conversations amongst ourselves started showing up in those horrible rags. We knew for sure it wasn’t one of us sharing information,” Irene joined in with a tone of utter disdain.

“We set a trap for her. We made a few things up and waited to see if she took the bait,” Natasha quickly added.

“Yep, and whatcha know! Low and behold, there it was! In the rags the following week!” interjected Irene.

“That’s when we knew. It was Dotty.” Natasha ending Irene’s sentence like a twin sister.

“We were planning on confronting her, but thought we should tell Sam first. Then we discovered they were hanging out between the sheets together! I was the one to figure that out! I mean, GOOD GOD! This woman was VERY busy!” Maria-Angela said while throwing her arms up in the air in a gesture of unbelievability.

“We couldn’t make this up, it’s that unreal,” Irene stated in a lowered voice with a sense of incredulity.

“I guess everyone in showbiz is nervous about their employees’ ears and mouths after that snake Dotty,” Maria-Angela said.

“Can you blame them!! That witch has given us all bad names. If she wasn’t dead, I’d kill her myself!” she continued.

“My employer is afraid to say anything around me except for good morning, and that comes with a side glance of suspicion. This, after eight goddamn years!” fumed Irene.

“Wow, so you at least get a hello! I get a ‘Hmmm?’” Natasha answered.

“I have to admit, girls, I’m anticipating every new revelation, I just can’t help it! Is that so bad?” Irene admitted.

“Girl, you know we all do!” said Natasha. They laughed in chorus.

In this day of instant global communications, nothing and no one was safe. Gone were the days of privacy outside of glamour events.

The constant hunger of the voyeur driven, reality TV, overweight couch potato elite was what drove it all.

The public demanded intrusion into the lives of the famous and the rags paid handsomely for it. Dotty tapped into the reporting of the private lives of the famous. Her murder was a visual feast for the tabloid piglets fighting for a turn at the teat of sleazy details about her. The more the public read the bigger their appetite grew. Not even the best scriptwriters in Hollywood could have outdone this unfolding drama.

Chapter Twenty-One

Follow up Cino/VIC

Cino and Victoria phoned Rocco prior to him contacting them.

“She was blackmailing us with personal photos that I had accidentally left after a breakfast with Cino.” Victoria started off.

“Why didn’t you notify the police?”

“And risk it going public? You and I both know that the integrity of the police, when it comes to celebrities, is as porous as a tea strainer,” she said dryly to Rocco.

“So, you were very angry with her, knowing that she could damage your career?” Rocco proposed.

“I was beyond upset. I was furious, and wanted to wring her neck. But I was not motivated to murder someone over a few risque photos. They were not X-rated, but they could have definitely negatively impacted my career as head of a major motion picture studio,” she stated honestly.

“So you gave in?” asked the detective.

“Instead of returning the photos, she used them, along with Michael Deeves, as a shake down to force a movie deal from me in lieu of selling the pictures to a tabloid,” she continued.

Cino sat quietly while clearly trying to contain his fury as Victoria gave their explanation.

“The film is in production. I told Mr. Deeves that I would have optioned it had it come to me through legit channels. He seemed a bit surprised by that. I proceeded with the project because I made a business decision that I believed would be in the best interest of the studio as a money making venture,” she informed him.

“And you didn’t mind being strong armed?” the detective asked.

“What kind of stupid question is that, Mr. Detective? Of course we did! We are still outraged!” Cino interrupted.

“Excuse me, sir! If I need any information from you I will ask you directly.” Rocco managed to contain his flash of anger.

“We were going to present everything to the police at a time when we thought it would have the least amount of risk,” Victoria further explained.

>$<

Michael Deeves told private detective Elsa Wagoner the truth when interviewed.

“I know Victoria Steele, the head of American International Films, very well. Well enough that she would accept a script from me knowing that she has the power to green light a film to be made. And she would not mind at all if I presented this to her. Those were her exact words to me, Ms. Wagoner,” he stated.

“Did you ever speak to Ms. Steele directly regarding the project? And was Dotty present?” inquired Elsa.

“Yes, and no. I did meet with Ms. Steele regarding the project, and no, Dotty did not attend. I will tell you this, the meeting felt a bit strange towards the end.”

“What do you mean?” Elsa asked.

“I mentioned to her how odd it was to be sitting there with her via Dotty. That I was blown away to have this opportunity presented to me through Dotty, who I’ve known for a long time. I just never expected her to pull something like this out of a waitress pocket,” he said while appearing perplexed.

“I assumed Dotty was just trying to help me out as a friend, and profit from it of course, which is to be expected if she was to act as a go between,” he continued.

“You didn’t think it odd that the head of a major film studio would trust the judgment of a waitress over that of professional writers’ agents for million dollar film projects?” Elsa pushed for more information on his involvement.

“Not in this town or business. Dotty had access to a lot of different people at Schwab’s. You know for yourself what the clientele is like there,” Michael said with a tone of incredulity.

“And the studio liked the project?” asked Elsa.

“Not only did they like it, Ms. Steele told me personally that had it come to her through normal channels she would have jumped on it,” he said proudly.

It began to appear that even clever Michael Deeves had been expertly manipulated. There was no doubt, Dotty was a pro.

Michael was dumbfounded to learn that he had been unknowingly used like a pawn.

But had he? Had he allowed himself to be played by Dotty, fully aware of his benefit regardless of how she got the deal done? He’d thought he was far too observant for the tricks of this town to get past him.

“It was refreshing, in a way,” he thought.

He was somewhat pleased to discover that he hadn’t become completely jaded to it all at this young age. Yet, as a writer, there was still plenty for him to learn in life. Suddenly realizing that his mere innocent involvement in this murder was a once in a lifetime opportunity for a writer.

“I’ve been given a front row seat to potentially one of the greatest Hollywood dramas in decades.” Thinking to himself as he pulled out his beat up old laptop and notepad and went to work.

“There may be other writers in this town working this story, but none of them have the kind of the inside seat like I do.” He smiled to himself.

He called Elsa and Detective Goldman to offer his help.

“I know these people inside out, better than anyone. I’ve sat watching them for the last six years. That’s my job as a writer. To observe.” Extending his expertise to what almost sounded like a plea.

“I know, Michael. Remember, I’ve known you for five of those six years. Besides, we haven’t exactly cleared you up of your involvement.”

“At least let me be a source of information. Like with that stranger that started coming around and acting weird around Dotty a few weeks ago. I think he was after her fingerprints or DNA. I know how that works. For Christ’s sake, I researched and wrote about it!” Attempting to make his point of reliability.

“What guy? And exactly when did this happen?” Rocco decided then and there that maybe Michael could add something to the investigation.

“Alright, but understand I cannot let you in on anything about how the investigation is proceeding.” The hesitant detective relented.

“One more thing, I’m pretty sure I saw this guy snapping a picture of Dotty with his cell phone. He thought he was being discreet, but I picked up on it. I saw him point it in her direction several times and you could hear the clicking sound. He didn’t have the sound turned off. Dotty must have heard him as well because she suddenly turned to face him when it clicked and he quickly put it away. I tell you, this man knows something. I think you need to find him.” Michael was pleased with the assistance he’d just given.

Michael was no different that the rest of the city in snapping up every word being printed in the daily special editions of the tabloids, newspapers, and industry trades. He began to compare notes with what he read and what he remembered from his front row seat at Schwab’s.

“Oh, she was good. She was damn good. Had everybody who knew her fooled, including me!” he ran over and over in his head.

“Not everything is meshing as I remember it though. The way Dotty came to me out of the blue with carte blanche access to Victoria. Something is wrong with that whole picture,” he kept thinking to himself.

“My god, we must all look like potential murderers with motives. She’d worked us all over in one way or another.” Suspicious, yet perplexed at the same time.

“I need to speak to Victoria. If something is wrong because of Dotty, I need to make this right.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Woodwork

Michael was no different than the rest of the city in snapping up every word being printed in the daily special editions of the tabloids, newspapers, and industry trades. He began to compare notes with what he read and what he remembered from his front row seat at Schwab’s.

“Oh, she was good. She was damn good. Had everybody who knew her fooled, including me!” he ran over and over in his head.

“Not everything is meshing as I remember it though. The way Dotty came to me out of the blue with carte blanche access to Victoria. Something was wrong with that whole picture,” he kept thinking to himself.

“My god, we must all look like potential murderers with motives. She’d worked us all over in one way or another.” He was suspicious yet perplexed at the same time.

“I need to speak to Victoria. If something is wrong because of Dotty, I need to make this right.”

He rang Victoria’s office immediately. He had to clear his suspicions about Dotty’s involvement with the movie deal.

“Good morning, American International Films, may I help you?” The receptionist picked up on the first ring.

“Would you please let Miss Steele know that Michael Deeves in on the line and that it is urgent that I speak with her? She will know who I am. She is producing one of my screen plays,” he sputtered out nervously.

“Hold the line, sir.”

He used to get a thrill out of being able to call “Victoria Steele” directly and expect a quick response as a result of his movie being made. Now it was with gremlins growling in his stomach.

He wasn’t sure exactly how Dotty had presented this deal or how she truly finagled it. He only knew that his gut was telling him “something wasn’t right.”

“Hello, Michael … how can I help you?” Victoria was curt and strictly business.

“Ms. Steele, I wanted to speak to you about Dotty’s involvement in this movie deal.”

“You mean Dotty’s and your involvement? I’m not sure I should be discussing this with you without the police involved.”

“If you would be more comfortable with them present, I don’t object to that at all, I just wanted you to know that I only recently figured out that I was mislead by Dotty as well.”

“Go on. I’m listening.”

“I really don’t know how she swung this deal with you, but I wanted you to know exactly how I was brought into it. Dotty had simply approached me one morning, since, as you know from seeing me there, I was a regular at Schwab’s. Anyway, she approached me one morning in a excited mood and asked ‘how would you like to have your best project green lighted for a movie deal?’ I thought she was joking at first, but she assured me she was dead serious. She told me she could take my project directly to you and have it reviewed. I didn’t ask too many questions. I only assumed that because you were a regular of hers at Schwab’s, there was perhaps some kind of friendship that allowed her to offer this to you.” He exhaled with nervousness.

“There used to be, until she took advantage of it. Please continue.”

“Well, I gave her the project that I felt was my best work. She said she wanted to work out a deal as the middle person if the project went forward. She seemed pretty certain that she could get you to green light it.”

“I’m sure she did!” Victoria interjected.

“Long story short, I agreed to work out an agreement with her. I had nothing to lose if in fact she was that certain of her connection to you. Next thing I know, boom! I was getting a call from you about proceeding with the project! Needless to say I was ecstatic and incredibly thankful to her!”

“And you knew nothing else about the deal?”

“That’s it. I was just thankful that you liked the project and gave me this huge opportunity.”

“Michael, if this is as you say, I thank you for calling me and clarifying your involvement with Dotty. As we all now know, Dotty was anything but the innocent, kind person we thought she was. I can only tell you that there was much more going on than just a submission to me from a friend. You will no doubt learn of it through the investigation.”

“I want you to know, Ms. Steele, up front, if there was anything underhanded involved with Dotty, I swear to you that I knew nothing about it and was as much of a pawn as anyone.”

“Thank you for approaching me with this conversation, Michael. It sheds a lot of light on many things. I like you, and I like your project. I’ve told you before, it’s good and we will make a lot of money on it. Feel free to stay in touch with me.”

“You mean you are going forward with the project?” Breathing heavy.

“Yes.”

“You will never regret it, Victoria … that I promise. Thank you for believing in me. I won’t ever forget it.” Michael cupped his face in his hands and was on the verge of tears. Tears of joy and relief. He was innocent and thrilled with life and this wonderful moment.