Deadline (10 page)

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Authors: Fern Michaels

BOOK: Deadline
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Goebel hooted, then jumped out and hastened to open the two passenger doors, then the driver's door for Sophie.
Chalk up another point in his favor,
Toots thought. If he could just locate Chris before the situation got even more out of hand, Toots would add another point to his growing list of positive attributes.
Loud barking sent Mavis rushing to the front door. She fiddled with her key ring—Toots had had keys made for all of them—jostled the knob, then pushed the door open. “Oh my sweet little girl and godson, you couldn't wait to see me now, could you?”
Chester and Coco had spent the afternoon by themselves at the beach house, but neither appeared as though they cared. Once they sniffed Mavis's hand, they took off, stopping only when they reached their favorite corner of the kitchen.
Goebel, Sophie, Toots, and Ida followed the canines to the kitchen. Mavis began to prepare a pot of coffee.
“Okay, let's see what we have here,” Goebel said as he removed his little black notepad from his shirt pocket. He flipped through the pages and took his pen out of his pocket before sitting at the kitchen table. “This okay?” he asked, nodding at the table.
“It's command central.” Toots sat in her usual place at the head of the table. “We seem to wind up here or on the deck.” She pointed to the wall of sliding glass doors that faced the beach.
Goebel eyed the view. “I'll check that out later. While it's still fresh, I need you to tell me every single thing you know about Chris's disappearance—again. Sorry.”
Toots repeated what little she knew. Something told her it was going to be a very, very long night.
Chapter 10
A
bby's intent was to go back to Chris's condo and question Steve and his fiancée, Renée, one more time, but she changed her mind when she received a call from the source she'd just left behind.
“Apparently, the suspect had his vehicle towed. It was parked on the side of Sunset Boulevard. His mechanic called the station not long after you left, and explained that he listens to a police scanner.”
Suspect!
She used her shoulder to hold her cell phone against her ear, and scanned her rearview mirror.
Shit! This isn't good.
Making an illegal U-turn, she headed in the opposite direction. “Can I see his car?” She knew it was stupid to ask, but she had to, just in case.
“You know I can't allow that, Abby. I'm already pushing the line as it is. The mechanic did say the car had a terrible oil leak, said it was completely out of oil.”
Now that sounded like Chris. He was not into vehicle maintenance at all. “And that's it? Was there anything”—she hated to even think the word, let alone say it out loud, but she really didn't have a choice—“incriminating?”
“If you mean trace evidence, hairs, fibers, body fluids, no. They haven't had the vehicle long enough to fully process it yet,” her source explained. Though Abby knew all about the basic procedures, she didn't like to think of them in the same context with Chris.
“You'll call me as soon as you know something ... solid?”
“I will.”
Abby hit the
END
button and tossed her cell phone onto Chester's empty seat. There would be no point in returning to the police station, so she headed to the beach. Josh was in charge for a while. It would do him good to use his human skills. He spent way too much time in cyberspace. Maybe between her and Goebel, they could put their heads and skills together and come up with a clue before it was too late.
 
They'd just sat down for their first cup of coffee to discuss Chris when Sophie's cell phone rang. She didn't answer, and it rang again. “Answer it, Soph. It might be Abby.”
Sophie answered the phone. “Yes, this is Sophie Manchester. Yes. Yes. I am.” Sophie's brown eyes doubled in size. “Now? Well, I suppose I could. Can you hold on for one minute?”
They stared at Sophie. She placed her hand over the minispeaker on her cell phone. In a loud whisper, she said, “You are not going to believe who this is.”
“Chris?” Toots exclaimed.
Sophie shook her head.
Sorry,
she mouthed to Toots, and the others, who watched her like a hawk.
“Yes, of course. I can be there in an hour.” Sophie clicked the
END
button on her phone, placing it on the table.
All directed their gazes toward Sophie.
Amazed, Sophie turned to the group clustered around the table. “You won't believe who just called. I don't believe who just called.”
“Don't keep us in suspense,” Ida said, her hot pink head raised a notch above normal.
As though she were in a stupor, Sophie stated, “That was Laura Leigh's mother.”
Except for Chester's panting, the kitchen was completely silent. Four pairs of eyes stared at Sophie.
Toots was the first to speak. “What did she want? Surely she doesn't suspect Chris of anything? How did she make the connection?”
“It seems she's heard about me through the Hollywood psychic line. She wants me to do a tarot reading for her. She doesn't have a clue that I have a connection to her daughter's disappearance. Not that I have a connection, but you get the picture.”
“You're going to do this?” Toots asked.
“Of course I'm going to do it. She wants me to meet her at the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica in an hour. I take it you don't think this is a good idea?”
Toots shook her head. “No ... I mean yes, I think it's okay. It might even help us to find Chris. What do you think about it, Goebel?”
“I think she should get her ass out of here.”
Sophie nodded. “Yes, I'm going. I'll need to gather my things. I normally go to a reading with a bit more notice. Give me ten minutes, and I'll be ready to go.” Sophie whirled out of the kitchen like a spring storm.
Five minutes later, she returned, wearing a pair of black trouser pants with a pearl-colored silk blouse. She left her dark hair loose. With her olive complexion, prominent cheekbones, and full lips, Sophie looked like a woman ten years younger. A smudge of cranberry lipstick and mascara was all the makeup she needed to take off another five years.
“Who wants to come with me?” she asked.
“As much as I hate to say this, I think you need to go alone. This missing girl Laura is in the public eye, which means that as soon as the media gets wind of what the family has asked of you, they're going to scrutinize you and whoever you're with.” Goebel held his hand out in front of him. “I realize you're already in the public eye. I think the longer we can keep the connection between you and Chris out of the media, the better off we'll all be. What say you, Toots? Ida? Mavis?”
“It's just as well. Mavis and I have a client to dress this evening,” Ida said.
Perplexed, Mavis looked at her. “We do?”
Ida's expression revealed the confusion she felt. “I forwarded the e-mail to you two days ago, remember? It's that crazy star who hanged himself! I can't believe you've forgotten! We have to be there by eight o'clock. We'll need at least three hours.”
Mavis looked as confused as Ida. “I'm ashamed of myself. The only e-mails I've really digested lately are orders coming in for the Good Mourning line. I suppose I might have deleted it, Ida.” Mavis watched the group at the table. No one seemed upset except Ida.
“You have to take this seriously, Mavis. If we're to work as freelance funeral dressers, we have to be able to communicate,” Ida admonished.
“I'll get ready.” Mavis called for the two dogs. They followed her upstairs.
Out of earshot, Toots said, “You need to be gentle with Mavis. She isn't an old hard-ass like the rest of us.”
“If she wants to run a successful ... whatever it is we do, then she must pay close attention to every detail. It's the same as you communicating with
The Informer.
Everyone who is anyone either communicates by e-mail or text messages. I'm just playing the game, Toots,” Ida said in her queenlike manner.
Toots wanted to bow, but successfully resisted the urge. “I understand, but cut Mavis some slack. She lives under the same roof as you do. It wouldn't have hurt to actually tell her.” Toots was all for electronic communication, but Ida took it a step too far, as she did most things.
“Ladies, I hate to be a party pooper, but Sophie needs to go. Ida, can Sophie drop you two off on her way?” Goebel asked.
Ida gave an impatient shrug. “I suppose she could. It's at Evergreen Funeral Parlor in Santa Monica. They're not far from the Huntley Hotel.”
“I'm gonna need a vehicle myself,” Goebel said as though he'd just realized it.
“I still have the Thunderbird. It's in the garage, and you can use it. Where will you go?” Toots questioned.
“I made a few phone calls before I left. There isn't a lot to work with yet. I can poke around in a few places, see what I can find.”
As though she were suddenly struck by lightning, Toots jumped up from the table and grabbed the remote. She turned the TV on and found the local news station she'd watched earlier. “There should be an update soon. It's after six o'clock.” She raised the volume. The glossy-lipped reporter she hated filled the screen.
“
Police have located and impounded Chris Clay's Toyota Camry. When asked if there was any evidence indicating a crime had been committed, Chief Roberts said the vehicle was currently being combed for possible trace evidence.
”
She turned the TV off. “Why doesn't Abby know this? She's a reporter!” Toots's hands shook as she reached for her cell phone. She dialed Abby's number. Abby picked up on the first ring.
Toots didn't bother with hello. “Abby, they've impounded Chris's car.”
“I'm in your driveway,” Abby said.
Seconds later, she bounded through the front door and entered the kitchen.
Goebel spoke up. “You must be Abby. I'm Goebel.” He held his hand out to her.
“I've heard a lot about you; it's good to finally meet you. I take it you know all about Chris and the media's trying to connect him to Laura Leigh's disappearance?”
“I know what your mother told me, and what the news is reporting.” He looked at the small television set on the countertop.
“They're searching Chris's car for trace evidence. His mechanic called in when he heard the BOLO on the police scanner. He said the car was totally out of oil. It was on the side of Sunset Boulevard, and Chris had it towed, according to the mechanic.”
“I don't understand. Why ... what?” Toots asked.
“That's what I intend to find out. Goebel, do you have a contact at the police department? I have a source, but my source has the same information the media has, at least I think so. Damn Chris, if he would only answer his phone! I've called, texted, e-mailed, and nothing. I hope to hell wherever he is, he's having one good time. When I get my hands on him, I personally plan to kick his ass all the way to hell and back.” Abby was shaking with anger, yet tears pooled in her bright blue eyes.
Toots embraced her. “We have to keep good thoughts, Abby. Chris would never intentionally cause either of us to worry. Unless something has happened to him, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for this.”
“Right, Mom! And Laura Leigh? How do you explain that? Chris was the last person she was seen with. I don't know about you, but from my standpoint, it doesn't look so good.” The tears began to fall from Abby's eyes, leaving damp circles on her black turtleneck.
Toots cleared her throat. It wasn't the time for her to fall apart. She had to be strong for her daughter. Later, when she was in the privacy of her own room, she could fall apart all she wanted, but not now. Abby needed her.
“Listen to me, Abby, Goebel will find out where he is, trust me. If he can take”—she searched for the right word—“instructions from a damned spirit and solve a murder, finding Chris will be a breeze. Right, Goeb?” Toots said, shortening his name.
“A piece of cake,” he replied.
Abby grabbed a paper napkin from the table and blew her nose. “Then let's stop talking about it and do something!”
Goebel appeared uncomfortable. Toots, ever the caregiver, hated it, but it was what it was. “Abby's right. We've talked this to death. Maybe Sophie can learn something from Laura's mother when she reads for her.”
Sophie, who'd been silent during the exchange, spoke up. “I have to go now or I'm going to be late. Ida, can you go tell Mavis to speed it up?”
Ida nodded and went upstairs, returning a minute later with a well-dressed Mavis, the two dogs trailing behind her.
“Okay. As soon I learn something, I'll call. Everyone keep your cell phones on.” Sophie tucked her tarot cards inside her tote bag.
“We can't possibly take phone calls when we're at the funeral home. They're having a viewing tonight,” Ida said, without much feeling for what they were going through.
“Vibrate, Ida, put your frigging phone on
VIBRATE
. I'm sure whoever you're decking out won't mind. Now let's go before I miss this opportunity and your stiff gets even stiffer.” Sophie hugged Abby, gave Toots their special look, and winked at Goebel.
When they left, Coco and Chester ran back to their favorite corner of the kitchen. Chester stretched out on his side, and Coco tucked herself in the space between his front and hind paws. They appeared to be spooning.
“Woof! Woof!” Chester saw Abby. She stooped down to receive his doggie kiss. He licked her face, where traces of her tears still shimmered.
Coco growled. Chester belonged to her right now, and she was letting them know it. Abby fluffed her between the ears. “You be a good girl, okay?” Coco barked, then turned away from Abby and back to her hero, Chester.
Toots led Goebel to the garage, where the Thunderbird was parked. “It's full of gas; keep it as long as you need it. Of course, if you have any news, call me.” She handed him her cell phone number and house number on a scrap of paper. “You need anything, please let me know, Goebel. Chris is my son.”
Without another word between them, Toots went back inside where Abby was sitting on the floor with Coco and Chester.
Putting on a cheerful front for her daughter, Toots took a deep breath before speaking. “Let's keep our fingers crossed, Abby. And anything else we can cross.”

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