Booby Trap (23 page)

“Actually, I wanted to ask you about Jane Sharp. Have you worked for her long?”

“Several years now.”

“Was she in this morning? I had hoped to give her a call about something, a surprise for Lillian.” There I go again, lying my fat ass off.

“Sorry, wouldn’t know. I don’t work directly out of Sharp Design. In fact, I’m a contractor and work for several designers, as well as other folks. I like the independence.”

“Mason Bell, too? I heard he left Sharp Design and started his own company.”

Paul nodded. He had the flat tire off and was putting on the spare. “Yes, Mason’s doing quite well. Lately, I’ve been doing more work for him than for Jane.”

“Is Jane’s business going through a slow period? I thought she was the hottest of the hot.”

He tightened the lug nuts as he answered. “It’s a fickle business. One day people are waiting six months just to meet you, and the next day someone else is the darling of upholstery and wallpaper.”

I was trying to figure out how to ask Paul about possible stalkers but wasn’t sure how to do it. And if he didn’t work day in and day out with Jane, he might not know anything.

“Paul, during your time with Jane, have you ever noticed anything odd with her clients, like maybe one who might have had a thing for her?” When he gave me an odd look, I added a quick lie. “Lil mentioned something to me about how Jane has had problems with some of her prior clients—that some of them have almost stalked her. She is very beautiful, so I can see how that might happen.”

With a grunt, he gave the lug nuts a final twist. “That should hold you until you replace the spare with a new tire.”

Without addressing my question, he put the damaged tire into my trunk along with the jack. I was sure he was going to ignore my query. But after he closed the trunk, he turned to me.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like that. I know over the years Jane has become close to some of her clients, but nothing unusual.”

Either Paul was unobservant or clamming up for some reason, maybe even out of decency. Mason Bell and even Steele had made it sound like everyone who knew Jane knew she diddled her male clients. But Paul Milholland didn’t strike me as the sort of person I could push to talk. Better I get down the road to Newport Beach and see what was happening with Lisa.

I held out my hand to him. “Thanks so much, Paul, for helping me out.” He took my hand and shook it, but didn’t release it.

“Well, I’m off to deliver a couple of antiques. Some real beauties. Want to see them?”

I really didn’t have time to window shop and was about to decline, but it was obvious that Paul was eager to show them to me.

I extracted my hand. “I loved that table you brought to Lil’s, but I’m kind of in a rush.”

“If you liked that table, then you’d really love these.” He chuckled. “One of them cost more money than I make in a year.”

The man had done me a huge favor, and I didn’t want to seem rude. “Well, a quick peek won’t hurt.”

When we approached the side of the van, I noticed that Paul moved to stand behind me and was very close. Then I felt his hand on the small of my back. It was an intimate gesture and one I didn’t appreciate. At that point, my cell phone rang. Happy for the interruption, I excused myself to Paul and deftly put some space between us.

When I answered, I couldn’t believe my ears. “Where are you?” I asked the caller. I listened for a few seconds before interrupting. “Hold on, hold on. Just a minute.”

I turned to Paul. “I’m sorry, Paul, but this is a very important call. Perhaps another time.” I started for my car as I talked. “Thanks for everything. You have no idea what a huge help you were today.”

With a smile and a salute, Paul Milholland climbed into his van and took off before I was even settled into my own vehicle.

I went back to my call. “Okay, Lisa, now tell me where you are and why you ran away from Miriam’s.”

According to Lisa, she
left Miriam’s because she wanted to go home, pack, and leave town for a few days. She couldn’t stand the thought of being cooped up like a hostage, not even for her own good and with such a nice lady as Zee’s Aunt Miriam. She said she snuck out because she knew we’d try to stop her. Then she remembered Muffin and decided to take the cat with her.

Listening to her explanation, my gut—which was correct, by the way, about Dr. Eddy—told me something wasn’t right. A few days ago, Lisa couldn’t stand the sight of Muffin, and now she couldn’t leave town for a few days without the animal? Maybe now that Lisa realized she had nothing to do with Laurie’s death, she wanted to be near something that her sister had loved. But if she was only going to be gone for a few days, why take the cat? Cats aren’t good travelers even under the best of circumstances, so why uproot an animal from a stable environment just to drag it around to who knows where? It just didn’t make sense.

I agreed to meet her, and I agreed to bring Muffin. And yet again I lied my ass off. I had no intention of bringing Muffin to the rendezvous. Instead, my plan was to talk some sense into the girl and/or find out if she was involved in any way with Kirk and the smuggling. And with Jane Sharp’s connection with Kirk, I was now wondering if Jane was involved. After all, she also had connections to Gordon Harper and was now missing. Maybe Jane wasn’t running from the Blond Bomber, maybe she was running from Harper. Whichever—it didn’t matter. Jane Sharp had two big targets pinned to her designer outfit. We still weren’t sure what Kirk was bringing into the States for Harper, but according to Dev the consensus was pretty much diamonds. It was the number one illegal export from the continent of Africa and easily transportable.

With my spare tire securely in place, I flew down the 405 Freeway towards Newport Beach. Along the way, I saw the remnants of the accident Paul had alerted me about. The cars involved, tow trucks, and police cars were lined up along the right shoulder, and the only slowdown now was caused by lookey-loos.

Arriving at Lisa’s condominium complex, I turned cautiously into the guest parking area, keeping my eyes peeled for signs of Harper’s silver Mercedes or any other suspicious vehicles. I also didn’t see Dev’s car or any sign of police.

After parking my car, I made my way cautiously towards Lisa’s unit. It was on the end, conveniently located to the parking lot. I knocked gently. After a moment’s hesitation, during which I’m sure Lisa was making good use of the peephole, the door quickly opened to allow me inside. Just as quickly, it closed behind me.

Unlike my last visit, this time the condo was dark, the drapes drawn. Although it still looked the same, it felt abandoned—no longer a warm, welcoming home but an empty shell. As soon as my eyes adjusted, I noticed two bags near the door—a small suitcase on wheels and a matching overnight bag. I also noticed that many of the photographs that once sat on the credenza were gone.

I turned to Lisa, who was standing by the door dressed in jeans and a blue sweatshirt, her long blond hair pulled back in a ponytail.

“You leaving until this blows over or for good?”

“Where’s Muffin?” Lisa didn’t look at me when she spoke.

I ignored her question and asked my own. “How did you get here from Compton?” When she didn’t respond, I asked another. “Did Kirk come get you?”

This time she nodded but still didn’t look up. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Odelia. Both you and Zee. But Kirk thought it best to get me out of town, and I agree.”

“You do realize that Kirk is responsible for Laurie’s death, even though it was only indirectly.”

She nodded again. “Yes, he told me everything.”

“Everything? Even about the smuggling and his deal with Gordon Harper? And what about the smuggling? Was it diamonds?”

“Yes. It was just as you and Detective Frye said. He was smuggling diamonds. That Harper guy killed Laurie to teach Kirk a lesson, to get him to do what he wanted.”

“And now the two of you are going away together?”

“No.” Lisa jerked her head up. “I mean, yes. We are going away, but not as a couple. Kirk just wants to make sure I’m safe. He says if I stay, that guy will kill me.”

“He’s probably right. That’s why you were staying in Compton. You took a big risk coming here.”

“Then give me Muffin and I’ll be going. The sooner the better.”

“I didn’t bring Muffin.”

“What?” Lisa’s eyes went huge and her face paled. “But I told you I wanted her back.”

“And you can have her back, as soon as everything settles down and you’re safe again. If you’re running, an animal will only slow you down. Cats aren’t dogs. You can’t use them for protection.”

“That’s not fair. She’s mine.”

“I’m doing what’s right for both of you. I’d hate to see Muffin abandoned or you get bogged down with her when things get tough, and they will get tough if you’re dodging a scumbag like Harper.”

“But you don’t understand,” Lisa whined. “She’s all I have left of Laurie.”

Her eyes started to tear, and I allowed her emotion to tug at my heart, but just for a moment. Then I straightened my shoulders, ready to get to the bottom of things.

“I do understand. The police are on to Harper. Hopefully, they’ll nab him soon. In the meantime, Muffin will be safe with us. When all this blows over, we’ll gladly hand her back.”

I indicated the bags. “Although I think running is stupid, you’d better get going. Every minute you spend here is dangerous. Are you meeting Kirk somewhere, or is he coming here to get you?”

“But I can’t go without Muffin!”

I studied Lisa with a suspicious eye. I couldn’t see Lisa becoming an animal lover overnight. There was definitely something special about Muffin, but what? She’d been with us a couple of days and so far seemed like a normal, healthy feline.

“A few days ago, you couldn’t get rid of the animal fast enough. Now you’re willing to risk your neck for her. I don’t buy it. What’s up?”

Although Lisa was facing me, her eyes shifted from side to side, as if she expected someone to jump out from behind the curtains or from the next room. Her skittishness was as infectious as the flu.

“Nothing’s up, Odelia. Kirk and I just want the damn cat, especially Kirk. It’s all we have of Laurie. Why can’t you understand that?”

I was about to say
bullshit
when a slight noise came from the closed door to Laurie’s room. This time it wasn’t a cat crying for attention. Already pale, Lisa’s face drained of all color, leaving her as white-faced as a mime.

“Leave, Odelia,” Lisa whispered to me. “Go now.”

“Who’s there, Lisa?” I whispered back. She didn’t answer but the fear in her eyes was loud and clear.

I turned my head as nonchalantly as possible in the direction of the front door, gauging how fast the two of us could make it out and to my car. A successful escape would depend on who was behind the door and whether or not they had a gun. I made a slight motion with my hand like I was holding a gun. Lisa took note of it and nodded, confirming what I feared. The next question was whether it was male or female, followed by how many, but it would be difficult to play charades without the unknown assailant catching on.

I gave Lisa an exaggerated shrug and sighed. “Muffin’s out in the car.”

“She is?” Lisa sounded surprised and relieved.

I nodded. “Yes. I didn’t bring her in because I’d hoped to reason with you to let her stay with us until things calmed down for you.”

“Muffin will be fine with me.” When I made no move for the door, she added, “Why don’t you get her so I can go.”

I bent over and picked up Lisa’s overnight bag. “Come on,” I said to her, hoping my voice sounded resigned. “I’ll walk you out to your car. Then we can transfer Muffin at the same time.” I widened my eyes at Lisa, hoping she’d catch on to my plan. “I have her other stuff, too. You know, her cat box and dishes.”

Lisa stood as still as a rock. “But … but,” she stammered for a moment. “No, that’s okay. I still have some more things to pack.”

“Fine.” I tried to keep my voice casual with overtones of annoyance. The annoyance part wasn’t a difficult stretch. “Suit yourself. But the least you can do is come with me and get the stuff so I don’t have to make two trips. Then I’m washing my hands of you. If you won’t listen to reason, there’s nothing more I can do.”

Maybe, if we really did look like we were going to my car to get the absent Muffin, whoever was in the other room would let us do it, thinking we’d return in just a couple of minutes. Then we could hop in the car and leave. Providing, of course, Lisa was in sync with my desire to skedaddle. I still wasn’t sure if she was part of the smuggling or just someone who got dragged into the drama by her proximity to Kirk and her sister. My hope was pinned to the latter.

I started for the door, trying to be as normal as possible. However, the best laid plans of mice, men, and stumpy-headed paralegals was not to be.

“That’s far enough, Ms. Grey.”

The familiar voice wasn’t Lisa’s, nor did it belong to Gordon Harper. With caution, I turned around to find a gun pointed in my direction. Holding the gun was Maria Santiago.