Eeny Meany Miny Die (Cat Sinclair Mysteries) Read online

  Corey leaned forward, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Rumor has it he wears her shoes in the bedroom."

  "Is that his fetish or hers?" I asked.

  "Maybe both."

  "So they're lovers?"

  "Probably," Jen said. "Cindy's still a player in Hollywood and sleeping with her is the best way to get a part in one of her shows."

  Too late, she seemed to realize what she'd implied—that they'd gotten their parts in Play Group by sleeping with Cindy too. Going by hers and Corey's red faces, I would say it was how they'd gotten their parts, but I couldn't be sure about Taylor and Angel. Their blank faces gave nothing away.

  "What's his name?" I asked.

  "Linc," Angel said. "He had a small part in a kids show she produced. He's worked as her assistant ever since they wrote his character out."

  "I heard he couldn't land any more roles," Corey said.

  Taylor smirked. "And I heard she makes sure he doesn't get any more so he's stuck being her assistant." The smirk became predatory. "I can see why. The boy is gorgeous."

  "Any reason you want to know if she has a connection to Renford?" Angel asked me.

  "She got here pretty quick from L.A. after Frank's death, considering he's her ex," I said. "Why would she come? Did she know all along that she was inheriting the group or did she find out when she got here? It might matter, especially if she was already in town."

  Angel frowned down at the floor. "I can ask Linc if you like."

  "What about Frank? Did he know anyone who lives here?"

  "Now that you mention it, there was someone. Max something. He was a business associate of my husband's. He and Frank met the night before Frank died. I guess Cindy could have known him too. Frank did say they went way back."

  There was a knock on the door. Before anyone could stand, a voice came from outside. "Open up, it's me!"

  "The bitch," Jen told me with a roll of her eyes. She did not get up.

  Angel was the only one who made any move to let Cindy in, but before she opened the door, she turned to me. "Cat, maybe you should hide in the bathroom while she's here. She won't like us talking to an outsider about all this."

  "Sure." I hid in the bathroom, but left the door open slightly so I could watch through the crack.

  Angel let Cindy in then had to quickly step aside or risk being barreled over as she stormed past. Linc followed in her wake. He carried her bag over his shoulder and had to trot to keep up with her short, rapid strides. Cindy stopped behind the sofa. She clicked her fingers at Linc and he raced to stand beside her. His gaze darted around the room nervously, and I freaked out when I thought he'd spotted me. But his gaze didn't linger. It settled on Angel.

  "Let's cut to the chase," Cindy said. She had a throaty, pack-a-day smoker voice. "I'm canceling the remainder of the tour."

  "What!" Angel exploded.

  "You can't!" Jen cried.

  Corey and Taylor both looked to Angel. She marched up to Cindy. They were a similar height, although Cindy's high heels made her taller. They were both slender, pretty and blonde, although Cindy was a good fifteen years older.

  "Why do we need to cancel all the shows?" Angel demanded, hands on hips.

  "Because it looks bad if we keep them going." When Angel began to protest, Cindy put up a finger, ordering her to calm down. "There's only a few here in Renford, and this is our last stop. Look, we've been through this. The group can't afford to look heartless. Or guilty," she added, arching a brow at Angel.

  "I didn't kill him," Angel ground out.

  "That's not the point and you know it. It's all about appearances." She cupped Angel's pointy chin. "Hasn't it always been, Angel dear?"

  Angel slapped Cindy's hand away. "Don't pretend you had feelings for Frank. You hated him as much as anyone."

  Cindy's smile had a sad twist to it. "Yes, but I didn't hate him until after he left me."

  Angel returned to sit on the sofa near Corey. They didn't touch or do any of the things lovers usually did to comfort one another. I wondered if Cindy knew about the two of them.

  "The staff told me there's going to be a party for you tonight, Angel," Cindy said.

  "A freedom party," Jen chimed in. "To celebrate her release."

  Cindy laughed hollowly. "Freedom? Don't count your chickens, Darling. She's only been temporarily released until they can gather more evidence."

  I swear I could hear Angel's heavy swallow from my hiding place. The four group members exchanged worried glances.

  "She didn't do it," Corey declared.

  "None of us did," Taylor added.

  Cindy flipped her hand. "Whatever. There's a dozen people who would want to see that asshole dead, including everyone in this room. I don't care who did it, I only care that the bastard's gone."

  Angel shook her head in disbelief. "And you call us heartless for wanting to continue with the concerts."

  "The thing is, I'm in charge now, Darlings. You do as I say."

  "Only until I contest the will."

  "Go right ahead. You won't win."

  Angel said something else, but I couldn't hear what. Cindy spoke over the top of her. "About the party—"

  "We're not canceling it!" Corey cried. "Angel deserves that party after what she's been through."

  "Oh please, spare me. Anyway, I'm not canceling it, but I am going to turn it into a grieving party."

  "A what?" Jen sounded disgusted.

  "We're going to use it to publicly grieve for Frank. A way of celebrating his life, if you like. So wear black and look sad."

  "But it's for Angel!"

  "For fuck's sake. Stop kissing her ass and start thinking for yourself, you stupid girl."

  Jen's mouth flopped open like a door on a broken hinge.

  Angel stood again and stepped closer to Cindy. She may have been shorter, but at that moment, she looked like a fierce pit bull. "Do not speak to her like that. You'll get your way with the party, but only because I happen to want to mourn my husband's death. You might think I didn't like him, but he was still my husband. He deserves a bit of respect now he's gone."

  Cindy's response was a snort of derision.

  Linc's phone beeped. He checked it, then whispered something in Cindy's ear.

  Without so much as a goodbye, she walked off. Linc followed at her heels. They let themselves out.

  Once the door was shut, Angel flopped onto the couch.

  "You all right, Honey?" Corey asked, sidling up to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her.

  Jen sat on her other side and circled her arm around Angel's waist. She kissed her cheek. "Ignore the bitch."

  "Jen's right," Taylor said, squatting in front of Angel. "She's just trying to stir up trouble as usual."

  "It doesn't matter what she's trying to do," Angel said on a sigh. "What matters is what she's capable of doing. And she's capable of anything right now, from canceling our tour to canceling our contracts. We need to be careful."

  "Canceling our contracts?" Jen cried. "But they're tight. Aren't they?"

  "It can be done. She'll have to pay us out a huge amount though. Frank once told me that. I don't think she can afford to do it."

  "She hates you," Taylor said quietly. He rested his hands on Angel's knees.

  She bent her head and pressed it against his forehead. "I know. But I'm stronger than her and I won't let her break me."

  The little foursome huddled in close. If I felt like an outsider before, I felt positively voyeuristic now. I cleared my throat and emerged from the bathroom.

  "Cat!" Angel signaled for me to join them. "I'm sorry you had to hear all our dirty linen being aired."

  "My business trades in dirty linen," I said. "Don't worry, I've heard much worse." I checked my watch and gave them all sympathetic smiles. "I have to go."

  "You're still coming to Angel's freedom party tonight, right?" Jen asked me.

  "I thought it’s a grieving party now."

  Corey's lip curled into a
sneer. "No way."

  "Fuck that," Jen said. "It's still Angel's party to us."

  Taylor agreed. "Frank doesn't deserve so much as a passing thought, let alone a party."

  Angel merely lifted her shoulder in a resigned shrug. "So you're still coming?"

  "Of course," I said.

  Jen clapped her hands. "Bring your boyfriend so I can check him out."

  "Sure," I said, wondering how I was going to convince Will that he'd have a good time.

  ***

  I'd lied. I didn't have anywhere I needed to be. As soon as Cindy had indicated that she had to be somewhere, I decided to follow her. I waited in my Honda and picked up her black Lexus as it left the hotel. She must have rented it.

  Linc drove, but he was a terrible driver. He changed lanes without indicating and didn't slow down for pedestrians or stop signs. He was an accident waiting to happen. I guess he was used to the pace of Hollywood where people drove the way they lived—fast and careless. It wasn't easy keeping up with him, and I broke the speed limit too many times to count, but I managed to follow him all the way into the parking lot of The Grotto.

  Yep, The Grotto. Grungy bar, criminal hangout, and shit hole. The parking lot was mostly empty so I drove a little down the street, turned, and parked on the other side where I could see both the parking lot and the building. Linc parked the Lexus away from the other beaten up cars and Cindy got out. She clip clopped on her high heels to the door, her bag swinging at her hip. Linc stayed in the car.

  It didn't take long before the Lexus attracted some attention. The wrong kind of attention. Two guys with round shoulders and no necks came up to the car. One kicked its tires and the other peered through the glass. He did a double take and I guessed he'd just spotted Linc. The poor kid would be shitting himself about now. I could just make out the grin on the one looking through the window. He beckoned his friend over and nodded at Linc. The friend leaned a meaty forearm on the car roof.

  If Linc had any sense he'd gun it and run the guy over. It seemed he was lacking in the brains department, because he wound the window down a fraction to speak to the thugs. One of them laughed and pulled something out of his back pocket. It glinted in the light.

  Crap!

  I got out of my car, hiked my skirt higher and fluffed up my hair. "Hey!" I called out, waving my hands over my head. "Hey you!"

  The Neanderthals looked at me. "What the fuck do you want, Sweet Cheeks?" one asked. He grinned and showed me what he'd pulled out of his pocket. It was a set of knuckle dusters.

  Double crap. Why did I do this to myself? Why did every psycho in Renford want a piece of me?

  "You a cop?" the other asked.

  His friend grunted. "Would the cops send out a pretty little ass like that on her own to a place like this?"

  "He's got a point," I told his friend. "He's right too. I ain't no cop. I'm Mad Max's girl, and this car belongs to a friend of his. So unless you want him on your case, I'd fuck off if I were you."

  Both the thugs looked at me. I could practically hear the hamsters in their brains running to turn the wheels. I ground my fingernails into my palms as I waited for them to consider their options.

  "You're a mouthy little thing," the guy with the knuckle dusters said.

  "Never seen her before," the other said to his friend. "If she belongs to Mad Max, would we have seen her before?"

  Belongs? What century did they think they were in?

  "If you're going to talk about me, at least do it to my face." I had no idea what I was saying now. I only hoped I wouldn't pee myself.

  "Hey, it's Kelly, right?" said Linc through the gap in the window. The nervous wobble to his voice gave away his fear, but at least the guy was trying. "Max is probably expecting you, right? He's inside now with Cindy, but they won't be long. They'll be out soon. Real soon."

  Seems the goons couldn't tell a good actor from a poor one. They glanced at The Grotto's front door and stepped away from the car. The knuckle dusters got put away.

  "Like we was saying," the second guy said. "Nice car." He patted the Lexus's hood. "Come on, Tex, I need a drink."

  They sauntered off. The Lexus's locks clicked and Linc said, "Get in before they come back."

  I climbed in the passenger side and he flicked the central locking again. I blew out a breath and leaned my head back against the leather headrest. I hated The Grotto. Scary things always happened to me in this place.

  "Are you really his girlfriend?" Linc asked me.

  I gave him a tired smile. "What do you think?"

  He looked me over with his lovely blue eyes and shook his head. "I think you're too good for that weirdo."

  I laughed. "You're right. I'm not his girlfriend. I was just driving by and thought you needed some help here. I know this place. It's got a reputation. When I saw those two guys looking at this car like they wanted to do some damage to it, I thought I’d better step in."

  "That's pretty brave considering you don't know me."

  I shrugged. "I'm stronger than I look."

  He arched a brow at me and gave me another once over. Yeah, I was stretching it with that lie. The thing was, I would be bumping into Linc and Cindy later at the party where any cover I made for myself would be blown. I had to at least tell him part of the truth now.

  "So how do you know Max?" he asked.

  "I just do."

  He humphed, but seemed to accept my brush-off. He definitely didn't question me further. What the hell were Cindy and Max actually doing in there? Did Linc assume that I was there to see Max for the same reason she was?

  "Anyway, like I said, I was just passing by and thought you needed some help. I haven't seen you around The Grotto before."

  "We're new in town."

  "We?"

  "My girlfriend. She's in there with Max like I said."

  Girlfriend? So they were sleeping together. A part of me wanted to give the forty-something Cindy a high-five for scoring the pretty boy, but I suspected Taylor was right when he said she'd promised Linc a role if he slept with her.

  He peered through the windscreen, a frown creasing his brow. "So you think I should go and check on her? I thought she'd be out by now."

  I needed to hurry up and get some answers before she emerged. I might be able to fool Linc, but I wasn't so sure that Cindy would be as stupid. "Best to stay here. If your girlfriend is a friend of Max's then she'll be fine. He has a reputation around here."

  "So I gathered from the way those dumbasses scampered off with their tails between their legs."

  I didn't think it described their exit, but I didn't say so. Linc seemed to want to talk now that the danger was over, and I needed for him to talk.

  He snorted. "Did you see the size of their necks? My thigh isn't that thick."

  "I think their necks are inversely proportional to the size of their brains."

  He laughed. "So you don't seem too worried about them going inside and telling Max his so-called girlfriend is out here."

  I was shitting myself, but I couldn't tell him that. "Max won't hurt me for that little lie. We go way back." My little lie had presented me with a line of questions that might help. "I know Max really well. We're very close. So that's why I'm surprised to see a nice guy like you sitting in a car like this in the parking lot of The Grotto. What does your girlfriend want with Max?" I crossed my arms and enjoyed watching him squirm. The poor kid looked like he couldn't decide whether to lie or not.

  "She doesn't usually come to Renford to conduct, er, business. But since she was coming anyway…"

  Business? So it wasn't a meeting between friends. "What sort of business is she in?"

  "Look, no offence, but I don't think I should say. She wouldn't want me talking about her affairs to complete strangers." Pity the guy wasn't just a bit dumber. I might have gotten more information out of him.

  Cindy and Max both emerged from The Grotto together. She had an angry air about her as she stormed toward the car, like Glenn Close in Fata
l Attraction. Max sported a twitchy smile.

  I got out of the car, waved, and headed back across the parking lot.

  "Hey!" Cindy called. "Who the hell are you?"

  "Nobody," I called back. I turned with the intention of flashing my winning smile, but it froze on my face, half-formed.

  Mad Max stood with his feet apart, pistol in hand. He pointed it at me.

  CHAPTER 10

  I held up my hands. My head began to spin. My legs turned to jelly and a wave of heat slammed into me. I was going to faint. Maybe.

  Better fainting than dying.

  I steeled myself and locked my gaze with Max's. He didn't blink, and even his twitching had stopped. He was across the parking lot, but the man had been in the army. He was probably a great shot.

  "Jesus fucking Christ!" came Linc's scream from inside the car.

  That made Cindy turn to look at Max behind her. She screamed too. "Fuck! Don't shoot! Are you fucking nuts?"

  Max laughed, a manic, horror-movie laugh that sent a chill rushing down my spine despite the warm day.

  He pulled the trigger. I dropped to the ground, my knees crunching against the tarmac.

  Max lowered the gun to his side and laughed harder. Cindy pressed her hand to her breast and swore at Max again. I stood and tried to look calmer than I felt. My insides were doing flips and my heart was racing, but I was alive. I needed a moment to let it sink in.

  Just my luck, Max sauntered over to me. Cindy raced to the Lexus, hopped in, and they sped off, leaving me alone with the freak. Great. Just what I needed. The only witnesses to what might happen next had fled.

  I couldn't trust my voice, so I said nothing. He nodded at me and licked his lips.

  "So," he said. "H-how's my g-girl?"

  "A little b-bit freaked out r-right now."

  "B-better watch that st-stutter, Sweet Cheeks. W-wouldn't want p-people to think you're weaker b-b-because of it." He laughed again.

  I turned and ran to my car. I didn't check my mirror until I approached the corner. Mad Max still stood in the parking lot, smiling at me, his gun in his hand.

  I sped all the way back to the office.

  ***

  "You told me you'd call in," Will said. He'd come marching down the corridor from his office as soon as he heard the front door open. He stood near Faith's desk, his arms crossed, his eyes dark and swirling.