He grinned. He could play the game.
Hello, gorgeous, yourself, he told her. My name is Bryan McFadden. My parents
Oh! Roberta exclaimed. I knowyes, youre so like your father. And your mother, really, and they both were truly gorgeous. Well, your dad, of course, was very manly. Youre manly, too, naturally, and I...Im just making a fool out of myself here. Mr. McFadden, may I introduce you to my costars? Grayson Adair, our brother. Jeremy Highsmith, good old dad. And Marnie Davante
Scarlet Zeta, Madam Zeta, he said.
Marnie forced a stiff smile. How do you do, Mr. McFadden?
Nice to meet you, son. I knew your parents. I was so sorry when they...died, Jeremy Highsmith told him, wincing a little.
Thank you, sir.
And they say that Hollywood is murder. Well, in this case... Oh, hell, I cant get out of this one.
Malcolm Dangerfield suddenly cut between Jeremy and Marnie, offering his hand. Malcolm Dangerfield, he said. Are you looking for work out here? Acting?
No. Im not an actor. Im actually a private investigator, Bryan replied curtly.
Hey, let me tell youbodyguards are in high demand right now. You know, after what I witnessed, Id take on another. Call me if youre interested in anything like that.
Actually, Im out here to work the case of Cara Bartons murder, Bryan said.
Marnie stared at him, startled.
And wary.
Very wary. She obviously didnt trust him. At the moment, he was sure, she didnt trust herself. Why should she trust a man claiming that he could see a dead woman, too?
Well, nice to meet you, Malcolm said.
You sure youre not trying to get into the movies? Jeremy asked him. Names and nepotism have been known to open doors. Are you...looking for a role?
I assure youIm not looking for a role, Bryan told him.
They all continued to stare at him suspiciously. Except for Roberta. She remained curious and intrigued. Youre here because your family knew Cara, I imagine. But...the cops are trying everything. Theyre looking at every angle, Roberta told him.
Jeremy Highsmith cleared his throat. Every angle. Theyve told all of us to keep special care, to keep our doors locked and to watch out for strangers. Oh, yeah. Theyve suggested we all avoid comic cons for the time being, and any place that a man or woman could dress up in a costume that would make them totally anonymous. Just in case Cara isnt the only target.
They do say that it could have just been random, Malcolm said. That the guyor woman, but the dude was pretty big, so I think it was a manwas just out to kill. Someone, anyone, a guest or a celebrity.
You know, like it might have been some kind of an exhibitionist, Roberta supplied.
Marnie was going along with the show, Jeremy said. And CaraCara was never to be outdone. She hopped up and got right into it.
Miss Davante, a male voice said softly, interrupting them.
They all swiveled around to see who had spoken.
Bryan had seen the man beforein the cell phone footage of the killing that had gone viral around the world. Most of the news stations had shown the footage with some respect. Many social media sites had posted it in all its graphic detailuntil the pure horror of it had been caught and taken down by whatever powers that be, those with some common decency.
The man had been standing at the booth when it had happened. Hed been speaking with Marnie, or so it appeared. A fan?
Miss Davante, David Neal. I was there... I just wanted to say Im so sorry. I... We...we have an appointment tomorrow. I wasnt sure... Anyway, I wish you luck with your future, he said. He backed away awkwardly, looking at all of them. Im truly sorryall of you. She was a great talent. She was...a talent. Yes. Im sorry. Miss Davante, I hope that... I hope that you wont hold this against me when...when youre looking to hire again.
He nodded uncomfortably to all of them and then moved on.
Rude, Malcolm said. Were at a funeral, and hes worried about a job.
He was just apologizing, Marnie said in the mans defense.
As he should have been, Roberta murmured.
Were here for you, Jeremy said. Were all here for each other. Oh, look, theres Vince Carlton. Im sure hes hurting, too. Hed been in talks with Cara for a while, he said to Bryan. Im going to say hello again. Excuse me.
And excuse me, Marnie said. She stared straight at Bryan, and he knew that he was the reason she wanted to be excused.
But he couldnt stop her. And he wasnt sure that he should, not at that moment.
Miss Davante, he said, lowering his head as she stepped by.
So, Roberta said as Marnie walked away, may I get you a drink? I suppose you used your family connection to get in here today. Because though we had help from a few others, we were Caras family, and we pretty much put the guest list together. Naughty, naughty, Mr. McFaddenyou werent on it! Then again, neither was that young man, David Neal. You have a connection. How did he manage it, do you think?
I dont know, Bryan told her. But it would be interesting to find out.
* * *
There was someone in her house. But that wasnt unexpected.
Marnie had driven herself to the service, though she could have gone to the funeral and the reception in the cast limo.
She had chosen not to, explaining that she might not want to stay long at the reception, and shed really like to have her own car available.
She pulled up to her duplex. Her home was in a perfect locationclose to Universal Studios, a hop on the I-5 to either Hollywood or to places up north. She wasnt far from Burbank and the airport there.
Also, she had just loved the home when she had first seen it. The yard was surrounded by a white picket fence. There were three gatesone at the walkway from the sidewalk, and one on each side for her and Bridget to bring their cars into their parking spaces. Really, for the location, her duplex had been an amazing deal.
The charm of the duplex was, in a way, odd. There were dozens of skyscrapers nearby, but her place looked like it might have come out of Home and Garden for the rural crowd. But it was that kind of a neighborhoodhouses for the median-income crowd along with businesses and skyscrapers. Shed loved where she lived since shed bought it, at the height of Dark Harbors popularity.
She kept the place whitewashed with green trim. It had been built right when Art Nouveau had been giving way to Art Deco. There were window boxes and arches and all kinds of charming little details in the architecture.
Using her remote control, she opened her driveway gate and pulled her little Honda into place.
As she exited the car, Bridget came flying out from her front door.
Marnie! Youre back so early. Are you all right? I knew I should have gone with you. Oh, they werent rude or mean or anything, were they?
No, Im fine, really, Marnie said, and she really hoped that she was a good actress, good enough to pull off that kind of a lie to her cousin. I just... I just needed to leave. To come home.
Ill make tea. My side? Your side?
My side. I know its just getting toward evening, but Im thinking about to going to bed really early.
My side. I know its just getting toward evening, but Im thinking about to going to bed really early.
Right after tea, Bridget said. Oh, and food. Youll need food.
I just left a reception, Marnie argued. There was food.
And I know you. You didnt eat any of it.
Marnie hadnt eaten. Neither had she had anything to drink.
Nope, not a drop of alcohol, and still she had seen and heard a dead woman.
Its okay. Dont worry. Im really not hungry, Marnie said. Honestly.
Yeah, but you have to eat something. This is terrible, tragicbut you have to go on living. If youre going to get that childrens theater up and running on schedule, youre going to have to start functioning again. That real estate agent, Seth Smith, called. I told him that you were a bit preoccupied right now, and hes being understanding, but doing up a budget and taking care of all the details will take timeyou have to start moving. He told me he has other offers. Of course, that could be a come-on, but...
Ill go see the accountant tomorrow, Marnie promised. She smiled at Bridget. Neither of them had siblings, but their dads were brothers and had become the proud parents of baby girls the same year. Marnie and Bridget were as close as siblingsmaybe closer. They had never had to fight over anything since theyd grown up in different homes.
They werent, however, much alike in appearance. Bridget had very wild red hair and soft amber eyes in contrast to Marnies blue-green eyes and dark chestnut hair color.
At the moment, however, Bridget was sporting some swatches in aqua and pinkvery in the now. So far, Marnie had chosen to retain her own hair color. Her future was still uncertain; she made a lot of her current income from commercials shed garnered here or there, and she was afraid of doing anything a bit offeven if hair did fix easilywhen needing that money was still a major part of life.
For Bridget, of course, it was different. She didnt actin fact, she hated acting. She also hated crowds, which was one of the reasons Marnie had talked her out of attending the funeral. Bridget was a writer; she had a great job as full-time writer for several shows on the new Sci-tastic cable channel, an outlet that specialized in sci-fi and fantasy themes.
Bridget followed her cousin into her side of the duplex and headed straight for the kitchen. Marnie loved her kitchen. It was painted yellow, with herbs and flowers growing in the huge tiled bay window that overlooked the yard.
Marnie walked into the living room and crashed onto one of her rich chocolate leather sofas.
How was the reception? Bridget asked. I can imagine it was a zoo. Everyone who hadnt had a second for Cara Barton in life probably was thereI mean, what self-respecting actor would miss out on an opportunity for exposure like that? There was a ton of press there, right?
Yep.
A zoo, Im sure. Hey, did the police get anywhere yet?
No. I think they were at the funeral, but they all kept their distance. They were watching, Im certain. I actually saw Detective Manning and her partner, Detective Vining, at the wake yesterday. They were...
Watching?
Yes, I guess so.
Well, someone killed Cara.
Yes, but those closest to her obviously didnt do it. I mean, we were all there.
Water is on. Look, you have some little meat pies in the freezer. Ill pop a few of those into the microwave. Its not gourmet and maybe not even really too healthful, but its something.
Sure, Marnie said, picking up one of the pillows on the sofa and holding it. She closed her eyes. Life was a nightmare. It was good to have Bridget in here, chattering away.
Someone had killed Cara. Why?
And why was she imagining that she saw Cara?
Hey! Someone is here, Bridget called from the kitchen. And... Whoa. Be still, my heart! This guy gives new meaning to tall, dark and handsome. Are you hiring a hero type for the theater? Or did you get some kind of an offer? Did your agent send this guy? I mean... Wow. Wicked-wow!
Marnie didnt have to look out the window to see to know that Bryan McFadden had come to her house.
She groaned out loud, looking around her living room.
No. There was no dead woman there. Maybe it was him. Maybe he was somehow causing her to have some kind of a delusion.
Dont let him in! Marnie said.
Dont let him in? Are you kidding? Who is he?
Bryan McFadden.
And who is Bryan McFadden?
Hes no one. His parents were actors. He thinks hes some kind of a cop or something. Just make him go away.
Oh, Lord, I have done some things for you in my life, but make him go away? Im not married, you know. Im not engaged. Im not even dating. And you want me to make this guy go away?
Yes. Do it, please.
McFadden, McFadden... Oh, he looks like that old matinee star Hamish McFadden. Is he
Yes. Make him go away. Please... Oh. Never mind!
Shed make him go away herself.
Marnie leaped to her feet and flew to the front door, opening it.
He was a solid six foot four, and in the dark suit hed chosen for the funeral, he was definitely impressive in his size and stature. He had a way of looking at her so directly that it was unnerving.
He was attractive; that was certain. Very. In a land of attractive people, he had something else, as well. Maybe it was that very steady way he had of looking at a person. Rock-solid. More. She felt as if Bridget could create one of her sci-fi ray guns based on his gaze: a green ray of light that drew her to him while she wanted to run awayor at least slam the door on him.
Yes, his very stature was imposing.
He probably knew it. Maybe he even used it to bully people.
She didnt let him speak.
Mr. McFadden, I left the funeral reception to avoid you. I dont appreciate you coming to my house to hound me. You may be working with the police, but if you harass me, I will get a restraining order against you.
Youre going to need me, Miss Davante, he told her. He produced a card. My cell number is there. Call me when youve figured out the fact that you cant do this alone.
Oh, hello there!
Bridget had come to stand behind her and was looking at him over Marnies shoulder.
Hello, he said pleasantly, lowering his head slightly to see her. Bridget Davante, I presume. A pleasure to meet you. I watched Deadly Venom and Bloody Claws the other night. Very tongue-in-cheek. Absolutely ridiculous, but the writing was wonderful.
Thanks! I was head on that project, Bridget said. Would you like some tea?
Mr. McFadden was just leaving, Marnie snapped.