The Third Sin (20 page)

“I'm fine, maybe a little tired and shaky, and most of all, upset about Kirsten.” Sonya's cell phone rang; the display read P
RIVATE
C
ALLER
.

She picked up and was not surprised to find Donna on the other end. “Sonya, I'm really concerned about you. I want to get a bodyguard for you.” Sonya grimaced. She had to nip that in the bud right away.

“No, Donna, thank you, but no. I'm fine. I don't need a bodyguard. I just couldn't work with someone watching me all the time. Perry is here, and when I'm not with him, I'll be sure to stay where there are other people.” She paused for a moment. “All I can think about is Kirsten.”

“She's doing well,” Donna said in a reassuring voice. “Are you and Perry ready to talk to Blair? We are definitely going to run the diamond story and I've gotten her to agree to an interview. She's expecting you and Perry at her apartment at noon. I took her to the hospital this morning but she promised to be home in time.”

“Donna, I still wish you would do the interviews. I miss your famous touch.”

Donna ignored the compliment and hung up without another word. Sonya knew her well and realized that whatever had upset her was not fully resolved.

Sonya turned to Perry, who was patiently sitting beside her. “It's a go.” He smiled at her and put the van into gear.

When Sonya rang the bell at the Bruckheimer apartment, Blair opened the door immediately. Sonya was struck by the resemblance between mother and daughter; though Kirsten was much thinner than Blair, they looked remarkably alike.

Sonya held out her hand. “Though we've never met, Mrs. Bruckheimer, Kirsten has told me so much about you that I feel that I know you. And of course I've enjoyed watching your cooking programs.”

“Thank you, and please, call me Blair,” was the reply. “Kirsten adores you, Sonya.”

“I can't tell you how terrible I feel about the shooting.”

“I saw her, very briefly, this morning, before she was taken away for some tests. She seems to be resting comfortably. She's still a bit groggy, but I'm sure she'll be happy to see you if you have a chance to stop by.”

Sonya thanked her, then asked to see possible sites for the interview.

“Let me show you the kitchen. It's very much my workshop. We've filmed in there before, for some of my shows.”

The kitchen was perfect—large enough, with the table making a good focal point. “It's great, just what we need. I'll get Perry to set up the moment he arrives.” As usual, Perry was taking the staff elevator.

“Before we start,” Blair said pleasantly, “I want to let you know that I am doing this interview so that collectors know the importance of the Braganza. You control your story of course, but I know your reputation for digging into mysteries.” She paused, then continued with an air of confidentiality. “I know that Kirsten would appreciate it if I could count on you to keep our interview focused on the diamond. And that my old friend Donna would feel the same.”

Sonya was in no mood to be bullied. “Blair, I understand what your goals are, but I'll follow this story where it takes me. You can refuse to do the interview, but I would have the right to make that refusal part of the story.” She paused to give Blair time to think. She could practically see the wheels turning in the other woman's mind and was not surprised when Blair decided to go ahead.

Perry stepped into the room and Sonya wondered if he had overheard them talking and waited in the hall until Blair had made up her mind. “I need a couple of minutes to set up the lighting,” he said as he began to unpack his gear.

As Perry worked, Sonya and Blair took seats at the table. Blair said, “Thank you for the help you've given Kirsten. I know she can be a trial at times. But she is a good and hard worker.”

Sonya nodded in agreement. “She's very smart and I think she has a talent for television.… Like her mother.”

Blair smiled at the compliment and then became serious, in contrast to the false congeniality she had shown before. “I'm worried that Kirsten is on the verge of anorexia and I'm afraid that getting shot will be too much for her, physically. She's told me many times that she won't go to a therapist. She admires you. Perhaps you could convince her to get help?”

Sonya was struck by Blair's concern. From what Kirsten had said, Sonya had assumed that Blair was uninvolved and unaware. Clearly that wasn't true, and Sonya warmed to Blair. “Yes, of course. I've talked with her, but I'll do it again. I'm not sure it will help—you know she has her own ideas about what is good for her.” Blair nodded ruefully.

Perry signaled that he was ready and that the tape was rolling. Experienced with television production, Blair sat a tiny bit straighter as Sonya began the formal interview.

“Since Wade Bruckheimer died, there seems to be a question about who owns the Braganza. Can you shed some light on that?”

Blair bristled and spoke firmly. “There is no question. My husband is the executor of Wade's will and controls the diamond and its sale. The question of who gets the money from the sale is confidential.”

“Irina Bruckheimer, your mother-in-law, has worn the diamond for decades. You say she doesn't have a claim on the Braganza, but she's said in various press reports that the diamond belongs to her.” Sonya smiled. “Irina has also said that she doesn't want it sold.”

Blair narrowed her eyes. “You will have to ask her about that. I can only speak for my husband and myself.”

Sonya pressed on. “And Bella Bruckheimer, Wade's wife?”

“Yes, what about her?”

Sonya could tell that Blair was trying to stay calm but that her questions were not what Blair had expected. “She told me she expects to keep the diamond.”

“I've already explained the circumstances,” Blair said. She took a breath; Sonya saw a change in her eyes and was not surprised when Blair's next sentences felt a little scripted. “The diamond is fabulous, and I can understand why many people claim some interest in it. Have you seen it? Its color is magnificent.”

“I've only seen photos,” Sonya said quickly before returning to her planned questions. “Let's talk about the rest of the family for a moment. I understand the Diases also have some interest in returning the stone to Brazil.”

But Blair had steadied herself. Her reply was perfectly calm. “As I said, many people would like to possess the Braganza.”

Sonya realized she had gotten all she could on the family. “Changing the subject, your brother-in-law, Wade Bruckheimer, was murdered.” Blair tried to interrupt, but Sonya continued, “And you were here, in this apartment, the night of the murder. Can you tell me what happened?”

“I was here, but asleep. All I know is that Bella came screaming up the stairs; we woke up and she was practically hysterical, saying that Wade was dead.” Blair relaxed, obviously pleased by the shift in the conversation.

Sonya leaned forward. “Tell me about the special ice cream Wade ate each night.”

“It was custom-made just for him, a special kind of vanilla with a rich chocolate sauce running through it, and some of those Brazilian acai berries, handpicked in the rain forests. You could say he was addicted to it. His parrot was crazy about it too.

“Of course, that bird would eat anything. It was a foulmouthed, unfriendly creature that would scream at any stranger who went near it. I felt sorry for it. Poor bird belonged at home in a jungle, not in a New York apartment.”

“Do you have any idea who might have wanted Wade dead?”

Blair stiffened. “Of course not. And I really have nothing more to add.” She looked away.

Sonya had gotten everything she needed. She nodded to Perry to stop. “Thank you, Blair. It went well.”

“I hope so,” Blair responded with hesitation.

“If you do sell the diamond, what will that mean for your family?” Sonya asked, genuinely curious.

Blair's demeanor changed completely and she spoke heatedly. “That's a no-brainer for me. My food has never gotten the attention it deserves, and I'm sick and tired of being in the shadow of male chefs. I want to open a restaurant. This sale will give me the money to do it.”

Sonya was surprised by her passion. Given the right circumstances, would Blair kill to have the restaurant and the recognition she thought she deserved?

They left as soon as Perry had packed the gear. When Sonya got off the elevator, she found Bella waiting for it.

“Hi,” the young woman said, teetering forward in high heels and clutching Sonya's arm to steady herself. “I had a wonderful lunch with friends.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I hate this place. I don't want to go up to that apartment and those evil people. I'm going to leave here and never see them again. Poor Kirsten is stuck here. You heard they tried to kill her.”

Sonya didn't have to smell the alcohol on Bella's breath to know that the woman was drunk. She wasn't sure Bella knew who she was, but she said, “Yes. Whoever shot Kirsten mistook her for me.”

“You? I thought they wanted to kill Kirsten.” Bella punched the up button and got into the elevator.

“Why would someone want to kill Kirsten?” Sonya asked.

But the door closed, leaving Sonya without an answer.

 

Chapter
26

S
ATURDAY, 1:30 P.M.

Kirsten's bedside

Perry gave a hoot of surprise when Sonya asked him to make a detour and drop her off at Cornell Medical Center. Kirsten had texted her as she was getting into the van, asking Sonya to come visit.

“You mean Kirsten has recovered that fast? It's not twenty-four hours since she was shot.” Perry turned the van onto Second Avenue.

Sonya snapped her phone shut. “I'm as surprised as you are. Her message is a bit cryptic, though. She said that she needs to see me as soon as possible. She wants to ask me something, she said, and whatever it is, she doesn't want her mother to know about it. She says I have to come see her before Blair gets back.

“She's so ambitious! I can't believe she's in any condition to talk about work. I wish she would realize how lucky she is to be alive and just forget about the Braganza for a while.”

Without taking his hands off the wheel, Perry shrugged, a gesture of mock disbelief accented by his raised eyebrows. “Well, how is she? Did she say?”

“According to Keith and Blair, she lost quite a bit of blood,” Sonya said. “Kirsten's text said that when she passed out from being shot, she hit her head on the concrete step as she fell. She has a concussion.”

Perry swore and blasted the horn as two jaywalkers ran across the street in front of the van. “She's lucky—the gunman must have seen her collapse and thought he had killed her.”

The traffic was at a standstill near the hospital.

“It must be the Saturday visitors,” Perry said. He straightened his arms against the steering wheel and stretched his back. “You know that bullet was meant for you, not Kirsten.”

Sonya nodded. “Yes. Keith thinks so too. But who would want to shoot me? And for what reason?”

“It's got to be connected to the diamond story. I wouldn't put anything past those Brazilians.”

“There's nothing I know that they could be scared of. I've racked my brains, but I can't think of a thing. Maybe Kirsten will give me a clue when I see her.”

“How much time do you think you'll have with her? Was Blair heading straight back after your interview?”

“I don't think so. She looked exhausted, even though she got a few hours' sleep at Donna's. And Bella was on the way up when I came down. I suspect Bella and Irina will keep Blair busy for a while. Kirsten and I should have plenty of time to chat,” Sonya said through gritted teeth.

The van was cut off by an ambulance that swerved in front of it. Perry swore as he jammed on the brakes. Sonya could feel his growing irritation and didn't want to cope with it.

“I'll get out here; it'll be quicker for me to walk the rest of the way. You can turn and go up York Avenue; the traffic should be lighter there.”

She grabbed her bag, opened the door, and climbed out.

“Watch yourself,” Perry shouted out the window at her. Sonya turned and waved, giving him as big a smile as she could manage. The street was full of people; she felt in no danger.

She stopped at the fruit vendor outside the hospital and bought a basket of seedless grapes. They would be easy for Kirsten to pick at and would meet her stringent food requirements.

The hospital's lobby and hallways were crowded; it took a good ten minutes to get up to Kirsten's room. Sonya paused in the doorway to look at the young woman in the high hospital bed. Kirsten seemed to be asleep; her body looked small and frail under the stiff-looking sheet and blanket. Her left shoulder was heavily bandaged and each arm was tethered to an IV drip. Sonya realized that Kirsten was being given blood as well as a clear fluid of some kind.

Perhaps Sonya had made a noise; Kirsten turned her head and looked toward the door. She smiled when she saw Sonya. As Sonya stepped into the room, she saw that Kirsten was holding back tears.

“Oh, Sonya, I am so pleased to see you,” Kirsten said. “I can't talk to anyone about what happened—no one understands!”

This was a new Kirsten, an emotionally fragile young woman in dire need of comfort. Sonya put the grapes on the night table and pulled a chair close to the bed.

Kirsten took Sonya's hand as she went on. “I keep replaying the memories. I have to tell you. As I came out of the elevator, I heard a voice call ‘Over here' from the back of the garage. It wasn't Perry's voice, it was deeper and kind of muffled, but I ran that way anyway. I wanted to get that videotape for you.

“The next thing I remember is waking up in the emergency ward with the medics bending over me.”