Methods of Malice, page 17
“I can do that.”
“Perfect. Make it very nonchalant. Like an afterthought.”
“Okay.” She looked at Cooper. “Are you sure you can’t tell me what you’re up to?”
“Not yet.” The only way the plan was going to work was if they had the element of surprise.
Trish clutched her clipboard to her chest. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Did she know what she was doing? Cooper sure hoped so. She was about to taunt a killer, and if things didn’t go as she hoped, there was no telling what might happen.
“Don’t worry, Trish. I’m simply going to help the walls start closing in on our killer.”
“Be careful, Coop.”
“I will.” She looked around again. “Now I’ve got another problem to deal with. I’ll see you later.”
In fifteen minutes, Mary Bailey would be called onstage for rehearsal. Cooper hurried toward the dressing room hall. Another day, another confrontation with Simon Doyle’s staff. This time she wouldn’t back down.
She stood outside Jasmine Ryan’s dressing room and knocked.
“Come in.”
Cooper opened the door and found Jasmine preparing for rehearsal in front of a makeup mirror. A dozen red roses in a glass vase sat on a coffee table in the room. “More roses,” Cooper murmured.
“Yes. Simon is so sweet.” She smiled. “What can I do for you, Cooper?”
“When we ran into each other last Tuesday night, I discovered several of your things on the ground. I tried to get in touch with you to return them but couldn’t catch you.”
“Oh, Simon and I took a short trip into the country to do a little leaf peeping. I love this time of year. Don’t you?”
“I do.” Cooper pulled the driver’s license out and placed it on the makeup table.
Jasmine looked at the license and then up at Cooper, alarm in her eyes.
“Are you Jasmine or Delores?” Cooper asked.
“Both. My real name is Delores Melville.” She offered a weak laugh. “What kind of name is that? I mean, really. Can you see Delores Melville in lights across the theater marquee? Of course not. I mean, unless it’s for a production of Moby-Dick. My stage name is Jasmine Ryan.”
Stage name. Just what Trish had said. Maybe there weren’t any secrets here. Then Cooper remembered the appointment card from Shady Oaks Rehab and took that from her pocket as well. She handed the card to Jasmine.
“Is this what Regina was threatening you about?”
Jasmine released a breath and her shoulders slumped. “You may as well hear the whole story. Although, I must request that you keep it between us.”
“I’m all for honesty,” Cooper said. “There’s been far too much drama and secrets around here since day one. And you can trust me to be discreet.”
“Delores Melville has an addiction to narcotics due to a stage accident.” Jasmine laughed. “I spent three months at Shady Oaks Rehabilitation Center a year ago. I hurt my back during a production that Simon directed. He felt terrible about the accident and my subsequent problems. Simon paid for my rehab. Those flowers you tried to deliver in October? They were congratulatory roses from Simon. I was one year clean.”
“Congratulations,” Cooper said. “That’s a huge milestone.” Cooper meant every word. She respected anyone who could overcome an addiction, no matter the method. There was a time when cigarettes held her in their ugly grip. It took a minor miracle to break the cycle. To this day, she battled the urge for a smoke.
“How does Regina play into this?” Cooper asked.
“Regina. Ugh.” Jasmine shuddered. “She and Simon have been divorced for more years than they were married. Regina was still in love with Simon. Or maybe with his money. She wanted me gone and threatened to expose my addiction to the press. It would have been disastrous for Simon and for me.”
“Disastrous. As in a motive for murder?”
Jasmine gasped at that. “Murder? Was Regina really murdered? I thought that newspaper article everyone was talking about was more like an opinion hit piece. I don’t think anyone I talked to took it seriously.”
“I have it on good authority that the police will announce this week that the medical examiner has determined Regina’s death to be a homicide.”
“What?” Her face reflected shock. “Surely the police don’t think I murdered Regina?” She slowly shook her head. “I didn’t like Regina. I admit that. However, there really wasn’t any true malice there. Regina was like moss. Annoying, but you learn to live with it. I was as stunned as everyone else when that detective told us she was dead.”
“I hear you, though you can see how easily her threats to you could be seen as your motive to kill her, right?”
“Yes. Okay. I guess so. Though I never thought protecting myself from a vindictive person who threatened me would make me appear guilty.” She released a breath of air. “The thing is, one of the reasons Simon and I have been pretending to have a relationship is exactly for that reason. So Regina couldn’t extort me with her vicious threats. Only days before she died, I told Regina to go ahead and talk to the press. I planned to tell them how wonderful Simon was to stand by his love during a challenging time, which would only make him look like a hero to the public. I even reached out to a few media outlets in case we had to go public.”
“Can you prove that?”
Jasmine reached for her cell phone. “I sure can. I have threatening text messages and emails from Regina. They must be on her phone as well.”
“Her phone is missing.”
“Mine isn’t. If the police want evidence, I have plenty.”
“Why didn’t you tell Detective Olson all of this when he interviewed everyone?”
“I had no reason to. Regina died. I wasn’t connected to her death, so I certainly wasn’t going to share anything I didn’t want to become public knowledge. Reporters always seem to get information from police reports and put it out there to the public.” She shook her head firmly. “Oh, no, I’ve learned to be discreet in this industry. Regina McAllister taught me that. The hard way.”
Cooper paused. “What’s the story with Michael and you?”
“There is no story. Michael is obsessed with Simon. He’s jealous of anything in Simon’s world. Michael wants all that Simon has attained without actually working for those achievements.” She chuckled. “As you can tell, I’m not a fan of Michael Ospina. Then again, I don’t know anyone who is.”
“Michael claims you dumped him for Simon’s wealth.”
“Please,” she scoffed. “It soothes his ego to pretend I dumped him for Simon. That’s all fantasy. One date with Michael is all anyone needs to realize he’s got problems. Ask Laura. She lasted one date as well.”
“Oh, I believe you. What I haven’t figured out is how Michael and Simon are related.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened, and she laughed. “You’re very good. No one else has put two and two together. Michael is Simon’s half brother. Much younger half brother. I told you once that Simon is a kind man. Hiring Michael was a supreme act of kindness. Michael has never been able to hold down a job.”
“Simon and Michael haven’t been very up-front about their connection to each other.”
“Michael wants it that way. You can see why. He’s able to act like he knows what he’s doing with that pretentious title of technical director.”
Cooper nodded. Everything that Jasmine said so far rang true.
“What about Simon?” Cooper asked. “The man doesn’t exactly have a sterling reputation.”
“He made one mistake, and he’s paying for it. That actress lied to him and told him her divorce was nearly finalized. Turns out she was using Simon for a publicity stunt. There’s no way to prove that, which is why the last year has been all about damage control for Simon.”
“You’re sticking to the story that you and Simon are friends?” Cooper asked.
“Come on. Simon is old enough to be my father.”
“There are plenty of May-December romances in your business.”
Jasmine shrugged. “It’s the truth. Plain and simple.”
“Does Laura know the true nature of your relationship with Simon?”
“Yes. Though that was not without risks. So far, Laura has kept our secret because she knows that our relationship made Regina livid. She also knows that if she tells anyone, she’ll be fired. Laura won’t risk her golden goose.” Jasmine looked at Cooper. “How well do you know Laura?”
“Not well at all.”
“Laura Champagne is all about making herself relevant. It kills her that she didn’t make it as an actress. Being Simon’s assistant is an insult. But again, she won’t do anything to cut off the generous checks Simon deposits in her account each month.”
“Because she has to take care of her elderly parents.”
“Do you believe that story?” Jasmine asked. “I think it’s because Laura needs the money to maintain the lifestyle she thinks she deserves. Laura and Michael aren’t all that different. They’re both entitled.”
“The way Laura tells it, Simon used her and dumped her,” Cooper said.
“Yes, they dated, and yes, it didn’t work out. I suspect that Regina may have had a hand in that, though I’ve never asked Simon.”
“Who do you think the anonymous source was who contributed to Jillian Malloy’s article?” Cooper asked.
“There is no doubt in my mind that it was Laura. As I said, she despised Regina and told anyone who would listen. I’m sure Jillian Malloy paid her handsomely for the information.”
Once again, money and Laura. Trish was going to be very sad to hear what Cooper had uncovered about her friend.
“I see.” What Cooper saw was that either Jasmine was telling the truth or she, too, was manipulating the truth to cover something. Her gut said that Jasmine wasn’t lying.
“I hope you won’t share any of this, Cooper,” Jasmine said. “You seem to be an honorable person. You and your Bible study friends.”
“You can trust me. All I want is for this play to be a success. We’ve got a lot on the line. That said, I suggest you go downtown and talk to Detective Olson. It would be better if he heard the truth from you and eliminated you from the suspect list.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks, Cooper.”
Cooper took a step to leave and then stopped. “One more question, Jasmine?”
“Sure. Why not?” The actress raised her brows.
“Who do you think murdered Regina?”
“I don’t know. She made enemies wherever she went.” Jasmine looked away, unwilling or unable to meet Cooper’s eyes.
“Thanks,” Cooper said.
“Thank you for listening to me.”
Cooper left the dressing room convinced that Jasmine had an opinion about who was responsible, but she wasn’t talking.
• • •
Cooper couldn’t help but smile as the Bible study group huddled outside Trish’s office. Quinton, Bryant, and herself were all in costume, ready for the dress rehearsal. Maybe she was born too late because she absolutely loved forties vintage fashion and menswear. Bryant was suave in his suit and classic fedora. Quinton’s large build fit the character of Clarence the angel perfectly, with his overcoat, bow tie, and bushy brows.
“Why is Detective Olson here?” Quinton asked Trish.
“Don’t ask me. I only run the place.” Trish raised her hands. “He showed me a search warrant. It’s something to do with Regina’s murder.”
“This is the dress rehearsal. The cast and crew are already on edge since that newspaper article came out today, saying Regina was murdered,” Quinton said.
“Quinton, Olson has a search warrant. There’s nothing I can do,” Trish said.
“What’s he looking for?” Quinton asked.
“I don’t know, specifically,” Trish said. She turned to Cooper. “Do you?”
“I suspect they’re looking for Regina’s phone, but don’t tell anyone I told you.”
“This is terrible timing,” Bryant said. He pushed the fedora to the back of his head. “Terrible.”
“At least he didn’t shut the production down like last time. I’m hoping that if he completes his search tonight, this drama will be over before opening night,” Cooper said. She looked at Jake. “Everything ready?”
“It sure is.”
“What are you talking about? Ready for what?” Quinton asked. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Cooper and Jake.
Trish grabbed her clipboard from her desk and stood. “Don’t ask. They won’t tell us.” She looked pointedly at Cooper. “Plausible deniability, right?”
“Yes,” Cooper said. “If everything goes sideways, I want you, as the head of the theater board and the assistant director, to be able to say that you had no idea and mean it.”
“That is not comforting,” Trish said.
“Jake will have Detective Olson on speed dial should I need his assistance,” Cooper said.
“Detective Olson,” Trish repeated. She glanced at her phone. “Simon just texted me. He wants to know what’s going on.”
“Tell him that Olson is investigating Regina’s murder. Leave it at that,” Cooper said. “At least Olson is trying to be inconspicuous. His officers are dressed in plain clothes, and they’re very discreetly searching rooms.”
“Is Regina’s phone the only thing they’re looking for?” Bryant asked.
“Maybe they’re looking for the missing wig too. I gave Olson all the information we have so far.”
“It’s a distinct possibility that he’s trying to spook the murderer,” Jake said. “This investigation is stalled.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Cooper nodded.
“I’ll be close by, Cooper,” Jake said. “Just be careful and remember to check in every fifteen minutes.”
“Oh, I will,” she said. Though more and more she was beginning to feel like the heroine who went down into the dark and scary basement.
• • •
Was hiding in an empty theater a good idea? Probably not one of her best. She’d checked in with Jake ten minutes ago, though it seemed like an eternity.
Cool air moved around Cooper as she stood backstage, hidden behind a large prop.
Moving air meant someone was walking around in the building. Jake was outside watching the doors to see if anyone was lurking around or tried to get in. Who was in the theater besides her?
Measured footfalls became louder as they got closer and closer, until Cooper was certain whoever it was now stood outside the wardrobe room. The doorknob rattled, and the clink of keys against metal echoed in the empty theater.
Cooper stepped out from behind her hiding spot into the darkened hall.
Laura Champagne had her hand on the wardrobe room doorknob and worked to fit the key in the lock. Tonight, she wore an olive-green corduroy dress, cinched at the waist with a colorful scarf around her neck. A red leather tote bag hung from her arm. She was certainly a well-dressed murderer.
“Is there something I can help you with, Laura?” Cooper asked.
Laura jumped. The keys crashed to the ground.
“Hi there.” She offered a nervously plastic smile before scooping up the keys. “There seems to be a problem with this lock.” She rattled the knob again. “I promised to return a few supplies to wardrobe after the dress rehearsal.”
“Like the wig you borrowed?”
Laura’s eyes rounded and her lips became a thin line.
“Yes. I know all about the wig.”
“I’m sorry. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Cooper reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone to show Laura the photos she’d taken. At the same time, she surreptitiously opened the recording app on the phone.
She stepped closer to Laura. “That’s you in the wig at that ATM. The shop owner at the Little French Pâtissier? Does that ring a bell? You bought Délicieux French Chocolates, wearing the same wig, and left them for Regina.” Cooper paused. “In your spare time, you’re embezzling money from Simon.”
“As I said, you don’t know what you’re talking about. And I’m leaving.” A glint of anger sparked in her eyes.
“I can’t let you do that,” Cooper said. She crossed her arms and did her best to appear threatening.
“How exactly do you think you can stop me?” Laura moved to one side of the hall, and Cooper moved as well, blocking her exit. “Get out of my way, Ms. Lee. I wouldn’t want anything to fall on you. This place is an accident waiting to happen.”
Cooper gritted her teeth at the threat, thinking about how that backdrop nearly crushed her and Jasmine. She looked at Laura and realized that she would do whatever necessary to stop her. There was no way she would allow Simon’s personal assistant to leave. It all ended here and now.
“Laura, if you cooperate with the police, things will go much better for you.”
“Cooperate?” Her voice became shrill. “I’ve spent my life cooperating, and what did that get me? Simon cast me aside, and that little phony Jasmine took my place in Simon’s heart. I was relegated to his assistant. Me. Laura Champagne. His assistant!”
“I’m sorry, Laura,” Cooper said.
“I don’t need your pity,” she scoffed. “I found a way to take back what was mine. Until Regina found out and threatened to tell Simon.”
“Regina found out you were embezzling money from Simon?” Cooper prayed that her phone was picking all of this up.
“Simon is loaded. I think of it as tipping myself for a job well done.”
“It’s still illegal.” Cooper worked to keep her voice calm and reasoning.
“You can’t prove a thing.” Laura gave a scornful shrug. “Even those pictures are worthless. They could be anyone in a wig and sunglasses.”
Laura backed up and pulled something from her bag. “Get out of the way, or I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”
The rubber gun.
Here and now, Cooper repeated to herself. She rushed the other woman and tackled her to the ground. Laura thrashed back and forth, hitting Cooper on the side of the head and in the face with the rubber pistol.
