Hollywood Outlaw: A Hollywood Alphabet SeriesThriller (A Hollywood Alphabet Series Thriller Book 15) by M.Z. Kelly Page B
Authors: M.Z. Kelly
Ads: Link
go talk to Financial Crimes about the spreadsheets and then meet with our victim’s attorney. You ask me, this case is still all about the money trail.”
I sighed, knowing it was useless to argue with him. As we headed for the freeway, I said, “Tell me something.” His murky eyes found me. “You married?”
“Divorced. Four years now. My ex is remarried and I’m still paying alimony. What about you?” He laughed. “Never mind. I almost forgot, your husband was caught on tape screwing his secretary.”
I didn’t respond, knowing that he hadn’t forgotten, since he’d brought my ex’s indiscretions up to me before. The video had made the rounds of the department and most of my coworkers had seen Doug, who was an assistant DA, having sex with his secretary in an office interview room.
As we drove in silence, Darby said, “Sorry, I must have touched a nerve.”
Since he insisted on needling me, I decided it was payback time. “It must be satisfying,” I said.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your ex-wife. It must be very satisfying, knowing that she’s still screwing you even though she’s remarried and screwing someone else.”
After some expletives, we drove in stony silence before Leo called, asking if we wanted to meet at Mel’s Drive-in for lunch. Darby jumped at the offer, knowing their burgers and fries were to die for.
We met Leo and Buck at the restaurant a few minutes later. After our food arrived, I remembered reading somewhere there was a text that kids use for guys like Darby who like fast food. I’m not saying that my partner was the poster boy for FBF—Fat Boy Food—but when I looked at him scarfing down his french fries, the reference seemed to fit.
As we ate, we told Leo and Buck about our interview. I then added, “Not sure if Christina hooking up with Bert was rebound sex or something else, but Lady and her sister acted like it’s ancient history.”
“Whatever the outward appearance, there has to be some hard feelings,” Leo said.
Buck agreed, then said, “Our victim seems like he was a first class user of anyone who crossed his path.”
Leo then told us about their morning. “We tried getting ahold of Sly Sylvester, but he’s in some kind of production meeting for the TV show with Carlyle Waggoner. They’re probably trying to find a way to capitalize on our victim’s murder to increase ratings and revenue.”
“Bert’s ex-wife agreed to meet with us at one this afternoon,” Buck said. “She lives over on Gardner Street, if you two want to tag along.”
“We’ve got financials to look into,” Darby said.
“Why don’t we take the time to go with them?” I said. “It’s just around the corner.”
“Go ahead if you want, but I’m not wasting my time.”
I reached my asshole quotient for the day and tossed him the car keys. “Fine. I’ll catch up with you later.”
He grabbed the keys off the table, stuffed the last of the FBF in his mouth, and stood up. “I’ll make sure that Edna knows you violated CTA.”
After he was gone, I looked at Leo and Buck. “I just realized that CTA stands for Certified Training with Assholes.”
***
Bailey Nolan lived in a house that was converted into a couple of separate living units near Gardner and Hawthorne in West Hollywood. When Bert Prince’s ex answered the door, she was much older and less attractive than I’d expected. Nolan waved us inside and lit a cigarette, blowing smoke above her curly red hair. She was about forty, with too much makeup that did nothing for her pasty, wrinkled complexion.
“I’ve only got a few minutes,” Nolan said, after leading us into a family room.
Leo made the introductions as we took seats across from her, then explained why we were there. “We’re following up with family and friends of your ex-husband, anyone who might give us some insight as to who would want to kill him.”
“Just for the record, you can add me to the list, but I didn’t do
I sighed, knowing it was useless to argue with him. As we headed for the freeway, I said, “Tell me something.” His murky eyes found me. “You married?”
“Divorced. Four years now. My ex is remarried and I’m still paying alimony. What about you?” He laughed. “Never mind. I almost forgot, your husband was caught on tape screwing his secretary.”
I didn’t respond, knowing that he hadn’t forgotten, since he’d brought my ex’s indiscretions up to me before. The video had made the rounds of the department and most of my coworkers had seen Doug, who was an assistant DA, having sex with his secretary in an office interview room.
As we drove in silence, Darby said, “Sorry, I must have touched a nerve.”
Since he insisted on needling me, I decided it was payback time. “It must be satisfying,” I said.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your ex-wife. It must be very satisfying, knowing that she’s still screwing you even though she’s remarried and screwing someone else.”
After some expletives, we drove in stony silence before Leo called, asking if we wanted to meet at Mel’s Drive-in for lunch. Darby jumped at the offer, knowing their burgers and fries were to die for.
We met Leo and Buck at the restaurant a few minutes later. After our food arrived, I remembered reading somewhere there was a text that kids use for guys like Darby who like fast food. I’m not saying that my partner was the poster boy for FBF—Fat Boy Food—but when I looked at him scarfing down his french fries, the reference seemed to fit.
As we ate, we told Leo and Buck about our interview. I then added, “Not sure if Christina hooking up with Bert was rebound sex or something else, but Lady and her sister acted like it’s ancient history.”
“Whatever the outward appearance, there has to be some hard feelings,” Leo said.
Buck agreed, then said, “Our victim seems like he was a first class user of anyone who crossed his path.”
Leo then told us about their morning. “We tried getting ahold of Sly Sylvester, but he’s in some kind of production meeting for the TV show with Carlyle Waggoner. They’re probably trying to find a way to capitalize on our victim’s murder to increase ratings and revenue.”
“Bert’s ex-wife agreed to meet with us at one this afternoon,” Buck said. “She lives over on Gardner Street, if you two want to tag along.”
“We’ve got financials to look into,” Darby said.
“Why don’t we take the time to go with them?” I said. “It’s just around the corner.”
“Go ahead if you want, but I’m not wasting my time.”
I reached my asshole quotient for the day and tossed him the car keys. “Fine. I’ll catch up with you later.”
He grabbed the keys off the table, stuffed the last of the FBF in his mouth, and stood up. “I’ll make sure that Edna knows you violated CTA.”
After he was gone, I looked at Leo and Buck. “I just realized that CTA stands for Certified Training with Assholes.”
***
Bailey Nolan lived in a house that was converted into a couple of separate living units near Gardner and Hawthorne in West Hollywood. When Bert Prince’s ex answered the door, she was much older and less attractive than I’d expected. Nolan waved us inside and lit a cigarette, blowing smoke above her curly red hair. She was about forty, with too much makeup that did nothing for her pasty, wrinkled complexion.
“I’ve only got a few minutes,” Nolan said, after leading us into a family room.
Leo made the introductions as we took seats across from her, then explained why we were there. “We’re following up with family and friends of your ex-husband, anyone who might give us some insight as to who would want to kill him.”
“Just for the record, you can add me to the list, but I didn’t do
Similar Books
