Freaks & Family Legacies, page 26
Isaac shared an amused knowing glance with Pete.
“What did you say to them?” Mitch demanded.
“Me?”
Mindy’s bottled blonde hair floated around her head like a man-made halo while her man-made cleavage threatened to tumble out of the blouse she was wearing.
“I told you to just act like a normal grieving friend and you couldn’t even do that. Some actress you are!”
“I am not the one who dropped the bloody knife asshole. You did that!”
Gotcha!
“Get them to separate interrogation rooms!”
Isaac pointed off in that general direction and the officers ushered them back one at a time.
“You want to tell me what’s going on, Taylor?”
Lieutenant Hayes stepped down into the pit and approached their desks.
“I believe our co-conspirators just told on themselves, sir. Seems the brother sister duo are responsible for our dead porn star. Pete and I were just about to go find out the why.”
“Is one of them the person you saw in your vision or whatever you call it?”
“Yes, sir.”
Hayes eyed them both. “Good work, detectives.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Hayes walked off and Isaac looked at Pete. “Shall we?”
“After you.”
Isaac decided to go after Mindy first, hoping that she would lead them straight to all the answers they needed. When they entered the room and had started the recorder, he looked her in the eyes.
“Why’d you kill Ron Harding, Mindy?”
“I didn’t kill him. My idiot brother did that.”
“Don’t waste my time, Mindy. We all heard that little argument out there and we know Mitch didn’t act on his own. You’re in this up to your brunette roots, so start talking.”
She shot an offended glare at him, but Isaac only stared her down.
“We know Mitch acted on your orders. Tell us why or we’ll get his version of the story instead.”
“Yeah, and I’m betting she won’t look too good in his version,” Pete said, sounding unconcerned.
Isaac blew air through his lips and glanced at Pete.
“The way she practically threw him under the bus out there earlier? I’m pretty sure he’s pissed enough to say just about anything.”
Pete grinned and nodded in agreement.
“All right! He did it for me. Is that what you want to hear?”
All of Mindy’s bravado had turned to fear in an instant and she almost looked like an innocent little girl.
Almost.
“What we want to hear is the truth, Mindy. Tell us what happened.”
“Everyone always talks about the great Rock Hard and how he was singlehandedly transforming the porn industry into a female friendly place. Finally, the women were being properly represented. Well hello! Ron didn’t make those erotic romance movies by himself, did he? No! I was there too.”
She pointed a finger at her own chest to emphasize her point.
“I was by his side getting top billing just like he was. I helped make those movies a hit with women everywhere. They connected with me! And I’ve got the fan mail to prove it. But then Ron has the gall to tell Zack and Monty that I’m not a good enough actress to make the next trio of movies with him? Well, that was bullshit and I wasn’t about to let him get away with replacing me!”
“How’d you find out about Ron trying to replace you?”
“Zack came to me right after the meeting they had with him. He told me all about it. And he agreed that the son of a bitch should pay for trying to cut me out!”
Whoa.
Isaac reared back and blinked.
“Are you saying Zack Oberlin was in on the plot to kill Ron Harding?”
Mindy laughed. A joyless, hopeless sound.
“It was Zack’s idea. He was the only one on my side. He suggested we use my brother because he knew Mitch had done questionable things in the past. He even gave me the cash to pay him so that there’d be no money trail leading back to me.”
“How much cash?”
“$75,000.”
Pete whistled. “75 grand. That’s all Harding’s life was worth, huh?”
“Zack promised to keep the erotic romance tales going with me as the star. He said he’d find me the perfect new leading man.”
She dissolved into a puddle of tears, and Isaac took a deep breath and looked at Pete.
“What happens now?”
Mindy’s tearful question made Isaac shake his head. The messes people put themselves into boggled his mind sometimes. He slid the legal pad and pen over to her.
“Now, you write it all out for me.”
“I’m going to jail too, aren’t I? Even though I was just the middle man.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’m afraid you are.”
He got up to leave the room and Pete followed. He looked at the uniformed officer guarding the door.
“Once she’s done with her confession get her downstairs and processed. Conspiracy to commit murder.”
“You got it, Detective Taylor.”
He walked across the hall to the other interrogation room and opened the door.
“Good news, Mitch. Your sister sang like a canary on a farewell concert tour. That means you and I don’t have to have a lengthy conversation about who did what to whom, and you can just leave here and go down to a jail cell. What do you think about that?”
“I think it’s bullshit. I didn’t do nothing!”
“We got your prints on the bloody knife, Einstein,” Pete said.
“And I’ve already checked your background. I know you fancy yourself a real outdoorsman in your spare time. I know you like to deer hunt and that you have an impressive collection of hunting paraphernalia, including hunting knives just like the one used in this crime. But just between you and me…”
Isaac glanced around the room in a conspiratorial way. Then he placed his hands flat on the table and leaned in close, looking Mitch in the eyes.
“I know you did it, because I saw you do it.”
Mitch looked up at him with shock in his eyes.
“What?”
“You were wearing a dark blue sleeveless t-shirt and jeans. And after you stabbed him, you dropped the knife on accident and ran away scared like a little bitch.”
All the color drained from Mitch’s face.
“See, I’m thinking it was the first time you ever actually killed someone, and you were a little nervous. A little sloppy.”
“You were there? At the club that night? You saw me?”
Isaac raised up to his full height and he and Pete left the room without another word. To the officer outside the room he said, “Take him downstairs and get him processed. Charge is premeditated murder.”
“Will do, detective.”
He looked at Pete. “Let’s go pick up Mr. Oberlin.”
“I’m right behind you.”
They approached the sleek front desk at the After Dark Productions posh offices, flashing their badges at the same too-much-makeup-wearing receptionist they’d encountered last time.
“Detectives Taylor and Vega.” Isaac flashed his badge at the girl. “We need to see Zack Oberlin.”
“Zack and Monty are in a production meeting with distributors right now and can’t be disturbed.”
Isaac glanced past her into the inner sanctum of the offices.
“They in that conference room down there?” He pointed off to the right and headed that way with Pete right behind him.
“No! Sir you can’t do that!”
Isaac opened the conference room door and all eyes turned toward them with stunned expressions. His gaze briefly met Oliver’s.
“I’m sorry, sirs. They were very insistent.”
“It’s all right, Jackie.” Zack stood. “What can we do for you, detectives?”
“You can turn around and place your hands behind your back, Mr. Oberlin. You’re under arrest for the murder of Ron Harding.”
“What? You’ve got to be joking!”
“I don’t joke about arresting people.”
Isaac motioned with a nod of his head and Pete moved in to cuff Zack.
“No, I’m sure there must be some mistake.” An attractive dark-haired woman stood and rushed to Zack’s side. “My husband would never harm Ron Harding or anyone else!”
“Really? Not even to keep you from running off with Harding?”
Isaac looked her in the eyes and the woman froze.
She turned to look up at Zack, shaking her head.
“No. You didn’t. Did you?”
“What the fuck was I supposed to do, Lynette? He was screwing my wife! We made an agreement when we started this venture, didn’t we? Our marriage came first, remember? Everyone else could dick around all they wanted to, but you and I were going to be the grown ups. We were solid. We were going to be together forever! Do you know how much pussy I’ve turned down over the years being faithful to you? But you got seduced by a smooth-talking big dick with delusions of Hollywood!”
“So you killed him?” Lynette looked horrified.
“You’re damn right, I did. And the only thing I regret is not killing you at the same time.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Isaac motioned with his clasped hands, and Pete led Zack from the room, reciting his rights as they went. Isaac glanced over at Oliver before he followed them out.
Isaac walked through the front door and was met by a tiny kitten trotting toward him.
“Meow.”
“Well, hello to you too, Mr. Hitchcock.” He bent down and picked up the little ball of fluff. “You know, cats aren’t really supposed to meet their people at the door. That’s more something a dog would do.”
“Meow.”
“Well, now I’m not telling you not to do it. I’m just saying it’s not typical cat behavior, that’s all. You can do whatever you like. If you want to meet me at the door each day, that’s fine. I don’t mind it. I mean, it is kind of nice.”
“Meow.”
“What are you two arguing about?”
Sidney sounded amused when Isaac carried the kitten into the sunroom, and he leaned in and kissed her.
“We’re not arguing. Just having a discussion. Seems we have different ideas about what’s typical cat behavior and what isn’t. But since he’s the cat and I’m just a lowly human, I suppose he’s right.”
She laughed and Isaac sat down beside her, handing her the kitten.
“How was your day, darlin’?”
“Good. I got a substitute teaching gig that begins in two weeks.”
“Yeah? How about that.”
“It’ll run for three weeks while the regular teacher recovers from surgery.”
“Well, that’s great, Sid. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’m a little nervous about it. It’s been a long time since I was in a classroom, you know?”
“I’m sure you’ll do great though.”
“Well, I was thinking that now might be a good time for our road trip to Tennessee to see your grandfather. Before this teaching gig begins, you know?”
Isaac nodded. “Timing’s right. Pete and I just closed the stabbing case today.”
“The one with Lorna the suicidal witness?”
“That’s the one.”
“Well then it’s like a sign. We’re supposed to go now.”
Isaac smiled, but her enthusiasm only highlighted his trepidation. He wanted to see his grandfather. He had questions he knew only his grandfather could answer. But part of him worried that the answers might destroy what was left of the foundation of his family. He licked his lips and took in a breath.
“Well, I did look into his whereabouts this morning like I said I would.”
“And?”
Sidney’s tone was as eager as the look in her eyes, and Isaac pulled a small slip of paper from the chest pocket of his shirt and handed it to her. She unfolded it and looked at the address.
“Sterling Atticus Taylor. Sunset Hills Retirement Village. He’s in Nashville?”
“Apparently that’s where he’s been for the last couple of years. It’s one of those assisted living facilities. From what I can gather he’s in pretty decent health. I cleared the next two days with Lieutenant Hayes.”
“So we should pack and hit the road. How long of a drive is that?”
“Doesn’t matter. I bought us two round trip tickets. Plane leaves at 9:15 in the morning.”
23
“I hope Alfred Hitchcock will be okay alone.”
Sidney sounded a little bit like a new mother worried about being away from her infant for the first time. Isaac wanted to be supportive and reassuring, but right now he was just trying to keep his anxiety in check. He swallowed.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. Most cats are fine alone.”
“I know. I’m being silly.”
“No, you’re not being silly. And Adam promised to stop by and make sure his food and water dishes are full. We’ll only be two days.”
“Yeah, I know. You’re right.”
She took a deep breath and settled beside him, and Isaac clasped his hands together and drew his shoulders in. Maybe if he closed his eyes and tried to make himself smaller.
“Are you nervous, Ike?”
“Yes.”
His response was tight and clipped and he stared straight ahead.
“I don’t really like to fly. I just thought this would be faster and easier than driving.”
“You’re afraid to fly?”
“No. It’s not the actual flying.” He opened his eyes and looked at her. “It’s the close quarters. Knees and shoulders tend to touch. Shared arm rests. It’s a nightmare.”
He shook his head and stared straight ahead again, drawing his shoulders and arms in even more. Sidney touched his hand, prompting him to take a much needed deep breath.
“Isaac, why didn’t you tell me?”
He looked at her and smiled. “I’ll be okay.”
“You should sit here. That way no one will touch you but me.”
“But you were so excited about the window seat.”
“I would much rather have you comfortable and relaxed. Please switch with me.”
He didn’t have to be asked twice. He lifted the arm rest and scooted over when she stood. Once they were settled in their new seats and buckled in, Isaac felt his anxiety slowly begin to ebb away. No chance of anyone touching him throughout the flight except Sidney.
He took hold of her hand and gave it a light squeeze. He was grateful she’d agreed to come on this trip with him. He wasn’t sure he would’ve bothered to make the trip without her.
Things were easier with Sidney. Everything from taming his monsters to dealing with life. She made things better. She made his life better, and Isaac knew he never wanted to let her go.
When they landed at the airport they picked up a rental car and drove into Nashville to their hotel. After they’d put their things away and freshened up they got back into the car to drive out to the retirement village.
“Sterling Atticus Taylor. Sounds like an old movie star.”
Isaac grinned. “It’s an old family name.”
“When’s the last time you saw your grandfather?”
It was an innocent little question, and Isaac knew that Sidney certainly meant no harm by it. But he couldn’t explain the weird tightening her question brought about in his chest.
“The day he saved my life.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” The tightening got worse, and Isaac blew a breath between his lips. “He sent a card shortly after I graduated the police academy. Not sure how he found out about that. But I haven’t actually seen him since that day. It’s been 17 years. I always just figured he’d stayed away because of the weird tension between him and my dad, which I never understood. Now it all makes so much sense.”
“So how old is he now?”
Isaac drew his lips in and thought about it for a moment.
“Hmm. I guess he’d be about 79 or 80. 81? Somewhere in there.”
“I can’t wait to meet him.”
He tried to smile at her response, but he was just too nervous. He pulled the car into the parking lot of the retirement village and found a spot. Then he turned off the engine and sat there, staring out the windshield.
“Let’s do this.”
He got out of the car and went around to open her door. As he did, he looked around the place. There seemed to be quite a few acres to the Sunset Hills retirement village. Rows and rows of one-story apartments and immaculately kept grounds. Blue Ridge mountains in the distance. It was nice.
They were quiet on the walk around the village to his grandfather’s apartment and every step filled Isaac’s belly with a mixture of butterflies and bats.
“This is the place.” He glanced at the address on the slip of paper one more time even though he had the number memorized by now. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Sidney gave his hand a light squeeze and when he looked at her, she smiled. She was trying her best to be supportive and he appreciated it.
He knocked again.
“He’s not there.”
They turned around to see a rail thin, shrunken old man wearing pants that looked to two sizes too big and cinched tight with a belt. He looked at them with a waning air of authority.
“This time a day you’ll most likely find Sterling down by the pond playing chess with Maynard.”
“Oh. Which way to the pond, sir?”
The old man pointed off in the general direction, and Isaac nodded.
“Thank you, kindly.”
Still holding onto Sidney’s hand, they walked back down the sidewalk and onto the path that led to the sizable pond. The late May breeze was warm and welcoming, and many of the trees were either still in bloom with white or purple flowers or just beginning to leaf out with fresh green foliage.
“It’s beautiful out here.”
“Yeah.”
“Isaac. It’s going to be okay. It’s going to be better than okay. I truly believe that.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, but he couldn’t respond. Instead he concentrated on the pond.
