Rock 'n' Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason (14 page)

“The bass. I'm pretty sure it's Johnny's. His bass was missing from the scene last night.”

His eyes widened and his mouth dropped a little. The tips of his fangs peeked out, reminding me of what he was. His stern look wasn't so stern now, it was more of a flabbergasted appearance. “How sure are you?”

“I’ve seen his bass a bunch of times. It has his initials.”

“And it just happens to be in your apartment today. What a coincidence.”

“It’s not a coincidence. Someone obviously left it here on purpose. I didn’t have his bass.” Was he insinuating something?

“Did you touch it?” he asked.

“No, no, I had no reason to.”

“We'll take it is as evidence.”

“The bass is Johnny’s, so that means this has to be related to his death.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Let us stick to the detective work, Ms. Mason. You stick to singing.”

Completely uncalled for statement, if you asked me, but he wasn’t asking me, so I kept my mouth shut. The thought of Johnny’s murderer being in my apartment sent chills up my spine. And why had they crossed out my face on the flyers? That seemed like a direct threat to me. Detective Walker didn’t seem concerned about that.

“Don't I get some sort of police protection or something?” I asked.

“And why would you need that?”

“The flyers are a direct threat to me. I need at least a patrol car to pass by here a time or two.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“So do I have to be murdered first? Cause it’ll be too late then, don’t you think?”

Footsteps climbed the stairs. We both looked over to see who was coming. Detective Walker stepped in front of me. Guess he was doing his job. It shocked me; I hadn’t expected him to care if I took a bullet. Not after what we’d just discussed. He placed his hand on his gun, ready to unload bullets, if need be, on whoever approached. I’d heard they used wooden bullets tipped in silver, that way it covered all the bases—werewolves and vampires.

The face that emerged caught me by surprise. But made me smile.

Chapter 26

“It’s okay, detective, this is my new bass player, Buzz Vaughn.”

He looked at me and then back at Buzz.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I drove by on my way to run some errands. I wanted to make sure I knew where your place was for later. I saw the police cars and open door. I was worried, so I thought I'd check on you.” He stepped through the open door. “Are you okay? What happened?” Detective Walker frowned and moved back into the apartment to talk with the officers.

“We were supposed to meet at my parents’, not here.”

My heart rate increased. What was going on?

“You wrote down your address, I thought I was supposed to meet you here first. He showed me the paper with my address scribbled on it. I felt like an ass.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I guess I forgot. Someone broke into my apartment. They trashed the place. And they left flyers for tomorrow night's gig everywhere.” I pointed over my shoulder. “Problem is…my face was crossed out.”

“Are you serious? What did the police say?”

“Not much, you know how police are.” I frowned.

“No, what do you mean?”

“I mean, they’re secretive, and too macho for their own good.”

The side of his mouth raised in a sexy grin. “I thought you said that about all men, not just police.”

I shrugged. “I guess I did, but I'm sticking by that statement.”

“So you think this is somehow related to what happened to your bass player?”

“I think so, yeah. Considering his bass is in my apartment. He had it last night, and now it turns up in my apartment!”

“Are you serious? How did it get here?”

“I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t know what to think. The bass was missing last night and now it's here. The same person had to have left it here, don't you think?”

He stared at me with his dark eyes for a beat, then ran his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“I don't know what to do. I don’t know how safe I feel in this place.” Police traipsing through my apartment and direct threats to my life—why was this happening? “I could stay with my parents for a while. But I don't want them to worry about this. They have enough problems without me adding to it.”

“Maybe you could stay with your friend? What’s her name, Kitty?”

“Nah, she lives in a small place with her boyfriend. There’s barely enough room for their cat.”

“You can stay with me.” I looked at him. My expression must have said it all because he added, “I know you don't know me.”

He thought it was just because he was a stranger to me? Unfortunately, that wasn’t entirely it. I’d never resist his kissable lips living in the same space as him.

“That's really sweet of you to offer, but I think I'll be fine. I'll make sure the landlord fixes the front door.”

“Is that how they got in? Through the door?” He tilted his head in that direction.

“Yeah, I guess. It was open when I got here.” It wasn't as if they could climb through the window. Unless it was Spiderman. “It had to be. My neighbors are elderly and sometimes forget to lock the main door downstairs behind them. Whoever did this probably walked right in like they lived here.”

“I see,” Buzz said.

“I'll add another lock to my door too.”

“Well that might cover when you're home, but what about when you're out and about? What if this person is following you?”

I shrugged. “I hadn't given it much thought, I guess.” A vision of the mysterious car popped into my head.

He was right, but I couldn't let it stop me. “What am I supposed to do, barricade myself in my apartment? I have to continue with everything I'm doing. Just live my life and hope that the police find out who did this.”

“Well you should at least carry mace or pepper spray.” Buzz folded his muscular arms in front of his chest.

I nodded. “I'll get some.”

“Do you think your neighbors heard or saw anything?”

“Mr. Cooper wasn’t home and Mrs. Stevens is hard of hearing, so I doubt it. I guess the police will talk with them.”

Footsteps grabbed our attention. We turned to see who was walking up the stairs, but I knew by the voice.

“God, I hope everything is okay.” Kitty shrieked.

“I'm sure she's fine,” her slacker boyfriend muttered.

Kitty popped up at the top of the stairs. “Are you okay? I was worried when I drove by and saw all the police. It looks as if someone had been murdered. So of course after last night, I freaked.”

“Why is everyone driving by my apartment? Are you all stalking me?”

Kitty looked Buzz up and down. Her brow shot up. “Well, you do live on a main thoroughfare.”

“Good point. I'm fine. Someone broke into my apartment.”

“She’s fine. She’s fine.” Kitty waved her arms. “Someone just broke into her apartment and she says she’s fine.” She glanced from Danny, to Buzz, then me again. “You make it sound so casual. Like it happens every day.”

“The main thing is I’m not hurt. Therefore, I’m fine, Kitty.”

“How did they get in? A window?”

“I’m pretty sure they walked right in the door. And I know they didn’t break in the main door, because I’m sure Mr. Dust in a Jogging Suit left it open. They’re always leaving it open.”

“Yeah. I told you some freak would walk in off the street like that someday. There are pervs in that park next door.”

“I'm not sure how they got into my apartment, though. I was sure I locked the door when I left. But I guess I was in a hurry. I’d gotten a call from the craptastic detective in there.” I motioned with my head. “He wanted to ask more questions, which left me flustered.”

They stared at me. All except Danny, he stared at his nails in between biting on them.

As I explained to Kitty the details of what happened after I got home and then called the cops, Detective Walker emerged from the bedroom. “You’ve got quite a crowd gathered here. Are you planning a party?”

“Well, this is Kitty Lauren my best friend.” I pointed. “And her boyfriend, Danny Clayton. I believe you spoke with them last night. And you talked with Buzz Vaughn earlier.” They exchanged a glance.

“Yes, I remember.” He nodded at Kitty and Danny.

I’d almost forgotten about seeing the detective confronting Buzz as he left the bar. When I got the chance, I’d ask Buzz what they’d talked about.

“Forensics will be here soon,” he said. “They’ll be a while. Do you want to come over to the police station and sign a statement?”

Did I want to? No. Would he force me? Maybe. He had asked, but I was sure it was more like an order.

“Do you have any idea how long they’ll be?” Kitty asked.

“An hour or two. I really can’t give an estimate. This isn’t P.F. Chang’s. There’s no waiting list and I’m not the hostess.”

Kitty had a short temper. If he wasn’t careful with his tongue, she’d sprout hair and claws within a half minute. Detective or not.

“I’ll go to the police station,” I said before they could exchange more banter.

“I’m going with you,” Kitty said. “Danny can drive my car home. I'll ride with you, then we can come back here and clean up this mess.”

The mess. I hadn’t thought about cleaning the disaster. Looked as if my nap was ruled out. I’d be exhausted by the end of the evening; we still had to practice.

Chapter 27

Buzz had a look of pity on his face. “Do you need some help?”

“No, no, Kitty and I will be fine. It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.” Danny didn’t offer to help, but I didn’t want him hanging around anyway. Time alone with my best friend was what I needed right now.

“So I’ll see you tonight?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Can you give me your parents’ address?”

“Um, okay. Sure, I’ll give you directions. Just let me write it down.”

I grabbed paper from my purse and jotted down the address, then handed it to him. My fingers brushed his with the exchange. He had the sexiest hands I’d ever seen.

“I’ll see you.” Buzz grinned and waved.

“We’ll met you at the station, detective.”

He nodded and I followed Kitty down the stairs. Buzz’s backside was right there in my line of vision on the way down, so I stole a glance at him. Kitty caught me and her mouth twisted into a huge grin. My cheeks burned. Damn. I didn't mean to look for that long. Now she’d caught me.

“You like him,” she whispered.

“I do not.”

She continued to smile. Buzz walked down the path toward his bike. I hoped he hadn’t heard her.

“Just because he’s gorgeous doesn’t mean I like him. I mean, sure, he’s easy on the eyes and what woman wouldn’t enjoy looking at him, but that doesn’t mean anything, Kitty Lauren. So you can wipe that grin right off your face.”

“Uh huh,” she said while walking Danny to the car.

While waiting for Kitty and Danny to finish a too long public make-out session, I jumped into the Bel-Air. You’d think he was going off to war by their tongue exchange. I waved at Buzz as he pulled away on his motorcycle and tried not to hold his gaze for too long. Why’d he have to be so mesmerizing? His aura was almost magical.

After what seemed like an eternity waiting for Kitty, she slipped into the car.

“He likes you,” she said breathlessly. Kissing Danny must be a real workout.

“What?” I scowled. “Who? Danny?”

“No, silly. I mean, yeah, Danny likes you, but not in that way. At least he’d better not.”

“Kitty you’re rambling, get to the point.”

“Buzz likes you.” She reapplied her bright red lipstick—I kept her in an endless supply of lip color.

“What do you mean?” I sighed and started the ignition.

She waited for it to purr to life before continuing, “He wants to play your bass.”

“Are you okay? Did Danny-boy slip something into your drink?”

“He wants to do the mattress tango with you. Or in your case the mattress swing dance.”

“Your attempts at humor are lame.”

She chortled.

“I don’t know what you mean, or why you’re rambling about this. But I have other things to worry about besides a gorgeous bass player. Like my apartment and the little fact that someone was murdered mere hours ago.”

“I know, I know. Don’t get your bloomers in a wad, I’m just sayin’. Just so you know.”

“I’ll make a note of it.”

Did Buzz like me? I kind of got that vibe from the looks he gave me. But I’d been wrong about that kind of thing in the past. Like the time I approached the guy in Target because I thought he’d winked at me, when in reality, he had dust in his eye. Anyway, did I really want to start anything romantic? Nope. I needed to let him know that I wasn't interested. But if he wasn't interested, I’d look like an idiot. Oh well, it wouldn’t be the first time.

Chapter 28

I pulled onto the street and headed toward the police station. We traveled through the narrow streets, passing an old, weather-beaten gas station, a produce stand, and a small café along the way. I watched and waited for the mysterious Cadillac to pop out of the shadows. Few cars passed—none of them the shadowy stalker. Thank heavens.

Not the best way to spend an afternoon. The station wasn’t far from my place. The topic of conversation on the way there involved Danny. All Danny—all the time.

As excitable as Kitty tended to get, I wasn’t sure taking her inside was a good idea, but she’d promised to behave. The police instructed me to compile a list of my enemies. Like I’d told Detective Walker, I didn’t know of any arch-nemesis lurking behind every darkened stage. Sure, he said everyone had enemies, but they hadn’t exactly made their hatred of me known. No one came up to me and said, “Hey, Veronica my heart turns black and my blood boils over the moment you walk into the room.” I scribbled down the only names that came to mind, and felt guilty for doing so.

I had to add Rick to the list, and his new wife. After all, he’d been angry with me when I broke off our relationship. He didn’t understand why I still didn’t want to date him even though he’d recently married the woman he’d been cheating on me with for the past year. What can I say, I’m crazy like that. His new wife went on the list because she saw me as competition. Her words, not mine. But nothing would ever make me interested in Rick again, so she didn’t have anything to worry about as far as that was concerned.