The Wages of Cin (Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries Book 4) (8 page)

“Oh, I am.  Don’t worry about me; I never get into anything casually.  But I think he’s not as committed.  I could be wrong.  Oh, this is so sad.”

I got up and squared my shoulders.  I needed to put this in a box in my mind and shelve it.  I didn’t want to worry Sidney with my change in behavior, and I needed to be sharp tonight.

He escorted me back to Sidney who was deep in conversation with an older woman.

“That’s my wife you’re flirting with,” Tom said.

The beautiful woman looked up and shook her head at her husband.

“Cin, may I introduce Susan, my wife and partner.”

I reached out a hand and said, “So good to meet you.”

Susan’s eyes flitted from her husband and back to me.  She knew he told me about Sidney.  “Sidney tells me you’re an instrumentalist.”

“I play.  Nothing professional in a long while though.  I’m happy in the symphonic bands that will have me,” I told her.

“We have a lot of good symphonic bands and orchestras in the area.  I’m spoiled for choice during the season,” Susan said.  She got up and took a moment to smooth her skirt. “Well, I better go and see if Chef has burned the artichokes.”

“Where were we?” I asked Sidney when Tom left.

“Gazing at the ocean.”

“Yes, is it still there?”

“We better go and see, one can never be too sure of anything.”  He jumped up and took my hand.  I set my glass down and hugged Sidney.

“What’s that for?”

“I needed courage.”

He smiled.

“Hey, get a room, Stoneridge,” Manuel said, walking up.  “First, you snatch Elijah’s girl, and then you proceed to make love to her in front of all his friends. That’s cold, man.”

Sidney looked down at me a moment and then laughed.

Since I didn’t know what to say, I kept quiet and let Sidney fight his own battles.

“Manny, you’ve got me all wrong.”

“I think I have your number alright.”  They started talking shop, and I excused myself.  I looked around and saw the coke-girls talking to Harry.  I would leave those two to the capable hands of my partner.  I moved on and rounded the corner, right into Elijah.  “I’m sorry,” I said as I dabbed at spot of spilled whiskey on his lapel.

“No problem, witch,” he said.

“I believe it’s pronounced
bitch
.”

He grinned.  “So how does it feel to be the subject of gossip, Ms. Fin-Lathen?”

“Gossip?” I asked, confused.

“Yes, evidently you threw me over for Stoneridge, or hadn’t you heard?”

“I wasn’t aware there was a you and me,” I challenged.

He smiled.  His eyes danced with mischief.

“You started it!  Why?”

“Caroline was putting the moves on me. I told her I had my heart broken once already and didn’t need any more angst.”

“You used me to torture your ex.  How high school of you.  The kiss on the cheek, it was one of betrayal, not affection.”

“You’re very observant,” he said cruelly.

“I don’t understand. You’re not the guy I met in the hospital or at the restaurant, not to mention the cool guy that took me home.  What are you playing at?”

“Oh, it’s just a game.”

“Careful, it’s a dangerous one,” I warned.  “Someone is trying to hurt you by injuring the people you surround yourself with.”

“I’m well aware of that.  I suppose you know about Louisville.”

“Yes.  For the record, I know you couldn’t kill anyone.  You’re not built that way.”

“No one is.  Accidents happen.”

“Was it accidental that Karen ended up beat to death? I don’t think so,” I snapped.  “Listen carefully; I need you to think of who wants to cage you.  Who wants to keep you from touring?  If you come up with anything, let me know. Until then, stay out of my private life.  You’re hurting, not helping.”  I brushed by him and walked in the direction of what I hoped to find, a bathroom.

A hand shot out of one of the side rooms. I found myself being pulled into a dark room. As soon I passed the threshold, the lights came on, and I found myself in a small but elaborate library.  I twisted away from the talons of Caroline Broadhurst.  “What the hell, lady?”

“Stay away from my husband,” she warned.  “Or I’ll kill you.”

“Whoa, lady, I’m not with your husband.  He’s just using me to get a rise out of you.  Hey, I thought you two were divorced.”

“He’s mine and will always be mine.  Stay the fuck out of our lives.  I see the way he looks at you.”

“Well, I think you’re blind.”  I started to leave but changed my mind.  “If you still want your husband, why did you divorce him?”

“I was saving face.”

“I don’t understand.  As far as I know, he seems to be kind of a solitary man. I’ve never seen him with anyone except the band.  What’s your problem?”

“I needed to hurt him before he hurt me.”

“You, lady, need a shrink.  If you want him, tell him.  And stop playing this sick game.”

“Game?”

“Food poisoning, sabotaging the bass player and…”  I stopped.  I could tell from her expression she had no idea what I was talking about.  She was capable of attacking and possibly killing the groupie, but she had nothing to do with the other incidents.  Still, she was dangerous, and I would try to convince Elijah that she needed help.  I knew Caroline would listen to him or, perhaps, her daughter.  I was determined to find Mandy before the night was through.

“I had nothin’ to do with that.  This is the first I’ve heard of it.  My god, someone could have been killed.”

“I know.”

“I’m not going to apologize because I know you went out with him. I followed you.”

If this lunatic followed us, then she knew where I lived.  “Then you know nothing happened.  We had a meeting, a business meeting.  You see, I’m trying to catch whoever is trying to stop this tour.”

“He needs this tour,” Caroline blurted out.  “It’s not the money as much as he needs to be adored.  He’s sinking.”

“Sinking?”

“Picking up old habits.”

“Booze?”

“And other stuff.  Not that I can hold my head up in that arena.  If you’re for real, you get your ass out there and save my husband,” she said, searching her purse for a cigarette.  “I’m going outside, Susan doesn’t allow smoking in her home,” she explained.

I watched her stumble towards the back of the house and out one of the beachside doors.  Looking at my watch, I decided to find out if Sidney needed rescuing.  I headed back and began my search.  The open areas of the house were full of people, and I found him pretty much where I left him.  This time he was having an animated conversation with Mandy Broadhurst.  I took my time observing the two as I approached.

Mandy pushed at Sidney’s chest.  “You have no freaking idea what it’s like to be me!” she screamed.  “Poor little rocker baby, no one takes my music seriously.”

She got up and ran headlong into me, almost toppling both of us to the floor.  I felt a steadying hand behind me.  I turned to see one of the Tobys.

“Thank you.  I’ve got this,” I said.  “Mandy, why don’t we go check out Susan’s library.”

She looked up and asked, “Who the fuck are you?”

“A friend.  A friend who cares,” I said softly.  “I’m Alex’s mom.”

“Shit, he’s alright.  Okay, but it’s philistines like Stoneridge that get my goat.”

I looked over at Sidney and winked.  I walked Mandy to the library and shut the door.  “Now rant, get it all out,” I suggested.

“I’ve got this band. We’re doing some experimental stuff, but I can’t get any backing.  The doors open because of my dad, but they laugh at me after a few minutes.”

“Maybe you’re not looking in the right places.  What about doing a sample video, show it gratis on the internet and see what happens?” I suggested.  “The guys that would back your dad are looking for tried and true investments.  You need to look for someone who has the same vision as you do.”

She stopped pouting and actually looked at me.  “What do you know about this biz?”

“Not much.  I’m an alto clarinet player who sometimes gets gigs, but only by playing a more conventional instrument.  I found a place where my instrument is welcomed.  Took me a while though.”

“You’re my dad’s girlfriend.”

“No, I’m not.  I don’t know how that started.  I’m presently dating the philistine out there.”

“Stoneridge?  No shit?”

“No shit,” I repeated.

“He’s dying.”

“We’re all dying, Mandy.”  I watched her face, and she nodded.

“Eventually.”

I nodded.  “So why waste your time beating your head against the wall?  Open a window instead.”

“God, you’re good.  I wish you were my dad’s girlfriend.  Maybe, after Stoneridge kicks it.”

“No, Mandy, I’m not interested.”

“Too bad, I wouldn’t hate you too much.”

“Thank you, I guess.”

“Stoneridge’s not too bad. I don’t wish him dead.”

“I know you don’t.”

“Are you going stick around?” she asked.  “You know, when he implodes.”

“It’s early days.  He may not want me around.  He’s got his own path to follow,” I said sadly.

“Damn, you’ve got it bad,” she said, reaching for me.

I have no idea how the roles reversed, but I found myself crying my eyes out and being comforted by the rocker baby.

“Clean up on aisle six,” I said as I surveyed the damage to my makeup in the bathroom mirror.  I managed to touch up all but the eye makeup I’d cried off.

“Sit down. I’ve got some stuff that will withstand a hurricane,” she said.

I sat down, and she worked her magic.  I worried that when I glanced in the mirror I was going to look a bit wild, but aside from some flare with the eyeliner, I thought she did a great job.  “Wow, thank you, Mandy!” I said and hugged her.

“No problem.  I’m going to try it your way.  Can I call you for help?”

I gave her one of Harry’s and my cards.  She nodded and stuck it in her pocket.  “You hang in there with Stoneridge. Don’t let him push you away.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all we can do, isn’t it?”

“Now who’s the philosopher?”

“Shut the fuck up.”

I didn’t misunderstand the meaning of her comment.  I smiled and left the bathroom.  Sidney wasn’t where I had left him this time.  I wandered outside on the patio.  The sun was setting in the west.  The Atlantic was darkening before my eyes.  I caught myself staring open-mouthed.  It looked as if a curtain was being pulled up from the sea to heaven.

“
Her red hair fell over me as she rode me.  Redheaded Stepchild not wanted by anybody, not by anybody but me
,” Manuel sang behind me.

I turned around.  “Wow, I bet you’ve been saving that up for the right occasion.”

“You, lady, are a hard nut to crack,” he said, his smile not reaching his eyes.  “I’ve been watching you since you first stepped onto the stage.  You’re more than you appear to be.”

“Maybe.”

“I want you,” he said.

“No, you don’t,” I said.  “You just want to borrow me.”

The honesty of that statement caught him by surprise.  “That’s good.  Wait
…  She was made for sin, red and ripe.  I thought I wanted her, but found out I only wanted to borrow her
,” he sang.  “God, that’s good.  I’m going to write that down.”  He dug into his pocket and pulled out a moleskin notebook and pencil.  He sat on the floor of the patio and began jotting down what looked to me to be chords and words.  “
Cin danced away from me, and I followed
…”

I thought about leaving, but when I tried to step away, Manuel shot out a hand and held on to my ankle.  To avoid embarrassment, I stayed put.  That’s how Sidney found me, with his nemesis, Manuel, singing at my feet.

“Stoneridge, I’ve got a song.  Inspired by your biggest fan,” he said, handing him his notebook.

Sidney hummed the tune and made a few corrections, then handed it back to Manuel and took my hand.  “Can I have my girl back?”

“Yeah, go ahead. She’s been Stoneridged. Can’t see anything but you, bud.”

A scream pierced the air.  It hung in the air like an electric guitar at first.  And then it started up again.

I pulled out my radio and called into it.  “Toby, screams are coming from the beach side of the house. I’m heading for the beach.”

A male voice returned, “Right behind you.”

A second male voice said, “Rounding the side of the house.”

I took off running.  I didn’t think about leaving Sidney there or if he would follow me; I just acted.

The screams started up again, and the pitch intensified.  I saw two dark forms on the beach and ran towards them.  I reached them in seconds.  Mandy was kneeling over her mother’s body, screaming.  I dropped to my knees and pulled her away from the staring eyes of the woman who would never accuse anyone again of stealing her husband.  Toby One reached us and shone a light on the late Mrs. Broadhurst.  She was holding the hilt of a twelve inch knife imbedded under her ribcage.

I moved Mandy further away.  She sniffed as she clung to me.

“I’ve got you, Mandy.”

Harry arrived with Toby Two and Sidney behind the two of them.

“Oh my god, Caroline,” Sidney said.

Toby One picked up his radio and called in, “Mr. Richards, there’s been an…  I’m not sure.  We need the police.  Immediately.”

The running steps of Elijah Broadhurst were muffled by the deep sand.  He stopped and took in his dead ex-wife and then his daughter.  He reached down and picked her up as if she was a child.  He turned around and carried her back, cooing, “It’s going to be alright, baby. Daddy’s here,” over and over again.

I got to my feet, clearing my voice.  “I think we need to stop anyone else from destroying the scene.”

“You heard her,” Harry said.  “Let’s split up and watch the perimeter until the cops show up.  Cin, we’re in Palm Beach, which means the Ken dolls.  I’m going to call Buslowski. It’s his county.”

“Good thinking.  They’re going to fight for jurisdiction, but we need the best on this. That means Buslowski.”  I staggered in the direction of the house and tried to turn around any of the curious partygoers.  I felt the steadying hands of Sidney behind me.  Having him there gave me the confidence to handle the people who arrived.  “Sorry, folks, but we need you to go back to the house.  No, you can’t leave.” I picked up my radio.  “Tom, get someone on the front door or hide the valet keys.  Until the police release this scene, no one leaves.”

“Gotcha.  How bad?”

“As bad as it gets.”

Sidney rubbed my back.  I turned and looked up at him.  “I’m going to be here awhile.”

“Wherever you goeth, so shall I,” he said.  He put his cell phone light on and shown it towards my feet.  “Cin, where are your shoes?”

I had the sinking feeling that this was a portent that things were going to get worse from here.  “I think I ran out of them.  Don’t bother looking for them.  I have another pair in the trunk of the car, not that it’s going to do me any good now.” I wanted to ask where his jacket was.  When did he take it off?

My radio buzzed.  “Palm Beach police have arrived,” Tom said.

“Send them down,” I said.

“Sheriff’s Department cruiser pulling in,” Tom reported.

“Um, send them down too.  We need lights down here.”

“Susan’s got some on the patio.”

“On second thought, wait until the police request them,” I said, thinking about trying to ease Harry and me out of this investigation.

“Cin, she looked like she did that to herself,” Sidney said.

“We need to have an expert tell us.  I talked to her forty minutes ago, and she was resolved to get her husband back.”

“Did she threaten you?” he asked, rolling up his sleeves.

“Oh, yes, that makes me a suspect.  Do me a favor and stick with me when Buslowski arrives?”

“You don’t have to ask that,” Sidney said.  “But why?”

“He’s going to kill me,” I informed him.

“I take it you’ve worked with him before?”

“Yes, that’s why I’m certain my death is imminent.”  I stopped talking as two flashlight-bearing men came running down from the house.

It was the Ken dolls.  I did my best to explain the situation to Ken and Ken.  These handsome Palm Beach cops weren’t exactly inept, but they were hired more for their looks than their experience.

From the patio, a slower, more deliberate light-carrying figure descended, barking orders as he approached.  Buslowski had arrived.

Harry walked over and got between me and the investigator.  He updated Buslowski on what happened from hearing the screams to his arrival.  He nodded, and as he walked by me, he grabbed my arm hard.  “Come on,” he growled.

Sidney made a move to come to my aid, but Buslowski shut him down.  “You, sir, go up and wait with the others.  Thank you, I appreciate your cooperation.”

“Ow, let go,” I said, trying to twist away.

“I hear you’ve been running this like a crime scene.”

“Yes,” I admitted.

“Good.  Now, Harry said you were the first one here.”

“No, I was the second one.  Mandy Broadhurst found her mother…  Um, no.  I found Mandy bending over her mother, screaming.  I only assumed that she found her.”

“That’s better.  What did you do next?”

I told him every little detail.  He walked around the crime scene and talked to the patrolmen.  I think he was leaving the jurisdiction bartering to his superior.  He would collect evidence and run the scene until he was told not to.  He still had ahold of my arm.

“Let go, and I promise not to run away,” I said.

“No, I’m holding onto you, so you don’t end up in a similar state.  While you were partying, I was doing a little research on your new boyfriend and the circus band.  You don’t have a clue what these guys are capable of, do you?  What the hell did Harry get you into?”

“No, it was me, all me,” I admitted.

“Listen, Cin, stay with me?” he asked.  “It’s going to be a long night, and I wouldn’t mind your sharp eye on things.”

“I’d love to, but there’s a problem,” I said.

“What?”

“I think I’m a suspect.  I may have been the last one to talk to her, and she’s got a knife sticking out of her chest.  My
modus operandi.
”

I could tell he was fighting procedure over our friendship.  “How about Harry?  Did he get himself implicated too?”

“I don’t know. We split up.”

“Harry, get your ass over here,” Dave called.

“Take Cin up to the house, and don’t leave her side until you find Alex. Then come back down with my guys when they arrive.”

“Yes, sir,” Harry said.  He grabbed my hand.  “Come on, Cin.  Where are your shoes?”

I just looked at him mutely.

“Shit, this isn’t a good sign.”

“No, not at all.”

~

Alex insisted that I sit down.  I would have preferred to pace, but I didn’t want to embarrass him in front of the others.  He did let me sit next to Sidney which was comforting.  Evidently, Alex wasn’t in on the Sidney bashing Buslowski was doing.  Sidney reached over and held my hand.  “Hell of a second date,” he said.

I tried not to laugh; I fought it.  I managed to cough to cover up my irreverence.  Tom Richards had called his private physician, and evidently, he arrived on the heels of Buslowski.  I heard that Mandy was sedated and lying down in one of the upstairs bedrooms.  I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes.  My mother was alive and safe in Michigan.  But I was very familiar with death.

“Do you think we need a lawyer?” Sidney asked.

“I don’t know.  I think we’re all going to have to give statements first.  Buslowski is very thorough.  I fear he may be pretty hard on you.”

“Why me?”

“There’s something in your past that has got his back up.”

“Oh, that.”

“Care to share?”

“Not here.”

“Okay.”

The familiar faces of the Palm Beach County forensic team trooped through the house.  Two of the techs stopped when they saw me.

“Yes, me again,” I said.

I heard them talking as they left.  “Did you notice she was barefoot? She always loses her shoes.”

I didn’t hear the reply as the screaming started up again.  One of the uniformed patrolmen trotted up the stairs.  A moment later, he came down and asked, “Is there a Cin Fin-Lathen here?”

I raised my hand.

“Come with me,” he said.

Alex tried to go with me, but he was turned away.  I knew, as soon as we left, he probably went to report to Buslowski.  I hoped I wouldn’t get blamed for this.

He opened the door and pointed.  “The young lady needs you,” he said.

I walked in to see Elijah sitting on the bed holding a shaking Mandy.  I crawled in beside them, and Mandy transferred herself to me.  I didn’t tell her everything was going to be okay; I just let her cry.  I started to hum the strange little tune Manuel was working on, and it seemed to calm her.  Soon she let herself fall asleep.  I eased her down and covered her up.

I didn’t leave the room.  I walked into the attached bath and washed my filthy feet.  I didn’t see any of Caroline’s blood on them, so I felt I was in the clear and wouldn’t be destroying any evidence.  Memories of being covered in a bandmate’s blood flooded in, and I held onto the counter for a moment to calm my stomach.

Elijah walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind him.

I was surprised but managed to keep my cool.  Our eyes met in the mirror.

“Thank you,” he said.  “She seems to have bonded with you.  Will you stick with us?”

“I’ll do my best, considering that I’m a suspect.  Are you sure you want me around your daughter?”

“Mandy said she was with you before she went to find Caroline.  You didn’t kill her.  Mandy didn’t kill her.  Who did?”

“I don’t know.  I’m sorry, Elijah. I know you had a complex relationship, but Caroline did love you.”

“Maybe too much,” he said, breaking down.

Against my better judgment, I walked over and put my arms around him.  For the second time that night, I found myself in the arms of a Broadhurst.  He cried silently.  The tears fell and ran down his face onto my shoulder.  After a while, I encouraged him to go back into the bedroom so Mandy didn’t wake up alone.