Hollywood Kids (47 page)

'So Zane - if he
is
the man committing the murders - decided to go for the easy ones.'

'Maybe he's going for them all and hasn't gotten around to Jordanna and Cheryl.'

'Could be,' Rosa agreed.

'We'll have to give all this information to the detectives working the case,' Kennedy said. 'I've already requested an interview.'

She stared intently at the picture of Zane Marion Ricca reproduced in the copies of the newspaper clippings. He had the kind of cold unemotional eyes that gave a person chills. The eyes of a killer.

Reaching into her purse, she took out her notebook and began making more notes.

'What are you doing?' Rosa asked, narrowly avoiding rear-ending a truck.

'Preparing what I'm going to say.'

'Good. The sooner they arrest this guy the better I'll feel.'

'Me, too,' Kennedy murmured.

Luca sat at a table on the terrace of his penthouse suite, eating scrambled eggs and bacon. Not good for his cholesterol level, but who cared.

A magnificent view of LA was spread out before him, and he had a smile on his face. It was on account of that Bambi broad last night, she'd really gotten his juices bubbling. Different. Not the usual hooker type. Young and feisty - just the way he liked a woman to be. He had a strong urge to see her again, especially if she was wearing a nurse's uniform as he'd requested. Yeah, a nurse's uniform with no panties and a lacy garterbelt. He'd have to get himself prepared for
that
little treat - the heat was certainly rising.

When Reno and Bosco arrived five minutes later he still had a smile on his face.

'What's up with you?' Bosco asked, picking up a piece of bacon with his fingers and stuffing it in his mouth.

'Bambi,' Luca said. 'The broad was a winner.'

Helping himself to another slice of bacon, Bosco said, 'Yeah? Was she juicy?'

'I'm seein' her again tonight.'

Bosco snickered. 'What is this - true love?'

'She's a good kid.'

'An expensive good kid,' Reno pointed out.

Luca abruptly changed the subject. 'What did
you
do last night?'

'Had dinner with an old friend,' Reno replied.

'Get a blow job?' Bosco asked crudely.

'Whatever I got, I didn't have to pay for it,' Reno said sharply.

'Let me tell you something about payin' for it,' Luca interrupted, dispensing words of wisdom. 'You pay - you get the best. An' last night I got the best. A good hooker does anythin' you want. Every woman should be like that. An' the important thing is she don't open her mouth unless you tell her to.'

'You should'a seen the one
I
had last night,' Bosco boasted, rolling his eyes in ecstasy. 'A blonde with big tits and an ass to lose your freakin' mind over.'

Luca pushed his chair away from the table. 'It's time. Let's go take care of that dumb motherfucker while I'm in a good mood.'

Bosco and Reno jumped to attention.

An extremely embarrassed Tyrone was waiting in the office when Bobby walked in. 'Jesus,' he said, rolling his eyes. 'I don't know what to say. I had too much booze, and I guess I got outta line.'

Bobby shook his head. 'You lost it all right. What was on your mind, for chrissake?'

Tyrone shrugged, 'Y'know, I don't usually drink. I feel like a dumb schmuck.'

'Good,' Bobby said, checking out the mail.

'Can we forget it happened?'

'If you make things better.'

'How can I do that?'

'By putting together Jerry Rush's deal. He's agreed to do it, but we have to finalize everything today. Pay him the money he wants, give him whatever billing he asks for, but whatever you do, keep me out of it. If we can change the schedule I'd like to reshoot as soon as possible.'

'You got it,' Tyrone said, suitably grateful.

Bobby shuffled some papers on his desk. 'What is it with you and Jordanna anyway?' he asked.

'I like her - I didn't realize you did, too. We had a date, she broke it. I was angry.'

'There's nothing between us,' Bobby said, still shuffling papers. 'She was helping me out. I bought her dinner because it was late and we hadn't eaten. That's it - end of story.'

'Hey.' Tyrone threw up his arms. 'I ain't going near her again.'

'Doesn't make any difference to me,' Bobby said casually. Although if he was truthful he'd admit it did make a difference.

After Tyrone left, Bobby picked up the phone and spoke to his contact in Business Affairs. 'How are we doing with Barbara Barr?' he asked.

'Her agent's throwing a shit fit, but it's all taken care of.'

'OK, thanks.' He hung up and called Mac on the set. 'Jerry's doing the movie,' he said, all business. 'Barbara Barr is out, and if you agree, I'd like to go with Jordanna. I think it'll work.'

'Fine,' Mac said. 'I've always thought she could do it.'

Next Bobby called Barbara Barr's agent. The guy considered himself a hot shot and was arrogant under the best circumstances. Now he was angry.

'You can't treat actors this way,' he said in an uptight voice. 'Barbara had the role. What's the matter with you people? How can you fire her before she's done anything?'

Bobby stayed calm. 'We're not firing her, she's getting paid off. Call it creative differences.'

'Creative differences, my ass.'

'You're getting your commission.'

'Commission doesn't mean shit when I'm dealing with an unhappy client.'

'Don't give me that.'

The agent switched tracks. 'Why are you calling, Bobby?' he asked sarcastically. 'You want to sign another one of my clients so you can fire them the next day?'

'Barbara wrecked my house last night.'

'She did
what
?'

'Your client broke into my house, cut my clothes to ribbons, and smashed up my house.'

'I don't think so.'

'Oh, yeah, I think so.'

'Why are you telling
me
?

'I want you to have a talk with her. I'm not pressing charges because I don't care to see this on
Hard Copy
. But if she ever comes near me again, she'll be asking for plenty of trouble. Be sure to pass on the message.'

Michael reached Quincy and told him he couldn't meet him.

Quincy was aggravated. 'Why not?'

'It's to do with Bella,' Michael explained. 'Something's coming down.'

'Can I help?'

'No. I'll be in touch.'

A few minutes later Marjory met him in the front hall, dressed smartly in a chic red suit, her long fair hair pulled back in a neat bun. 'I called the bank,' she said. They're opening early for me. They'll have the money in cash.'

'Great,' he said, feeling guilty, but what could he do?

'Which would you prefer?' she asked, clinging on to his arm. To eat home tonight, or shall I make a reservation at a restaurant?'

He didn't know which was worse, sitting at home with Marjory in the gloom of the mausoleum, or going out with her. 'Let's go out,' he said at last.

'Do you have a preference?'

'Hamburger Hamlet's the only place I know.'

'I'll choose somewhere nice,' she said, still clutching his arm. 'Michael, I'm so happy you came to me for help.'

He didn't know what to say. Right now all he was concerned with was finding Bella.

They travelled in separate cars to the bank, met up outside and entered together.

Once inside, Marjory was treated like visiting royalty. The bank officer counted out the money she'd requested in hundred dollar bills, then put it into an envelope. She took the envelope and handed it straight to him. He stuffed it inside his jacket.

'Is everything all right, Miss Sanderson?' the bank officer asked, staring pointedly at Michael.

'Fine, thank you,' she replied, an arrogant tilt to her chin. 'Your prompt assistance was most helpful.'

They left the bank and stood outside for a moment.

'Good luck,' she said, leaning in to kiss him on the mouth. 'Phone me as soon as you find out anything.'

'I'll do that,' he said edgily.

He drove directly to the gas station and hung out by the pay phone. Lighting a cigarette he scanned the area, searching for anything suspicious.

At exactly ten o'clock the phone rang. Grinding his cigarette butt into the ground, he snatched the receiver.

A woman's voice. 'Michael Scorsini?'

'Yes.'

'Do you have it?'

'I've got it.'

'Get into your car and drive to Century City.'

Where in Century City?'

'Park, go into Brentano's Bookstore. Don't forget you're being carefully watched at all times. If you're followed, the deal is off.'

'Nobody's following me. Where's Bella?'

'You'll find out in exchange for the money.'

'I want my daughter.'

'The only way you'll get her is if you cooperate.'

'How do I know you have her?'

'That's a risk you must take.'

'Where do I go once I'm inside the bookstore?'

'Walk around. We'll find you.'

The line went dead. He stood by the phone for a moment thinking about the ramifications. What if he handed over the money and nothing happened? What if he couldn't find Bella? What if this was some great big scam?

Maybe he should have called in the cops.

No. It was too risky - however sophisticated their surveillance teams were, something could go wrong and blow the whole deal. This was something he had to take care of himself.

He'd never felt so helpless, and yet there was nothing he could do except follow instructions. Right now there was no other way.

Rosa glanced around the packed press conference taking place at the Parker Center. 'Exciting, huh?' she whispered.

'I'll say,' Kennedy replied.

'As soon as this is over, we'll do a remote outside.'

Kennedy nodded. 'I'm all set.'

The Chief of Police and the Mayor, surrounded by their minions, made their entrance.

Kennedy settled back, ready to hear what they had to say.

On their second visit to the house, Reno carried a crowbar in a hold-all, fully prepared to break into Zane's room.

'There'll be no problem,' Luca said confidently. 'This time we'll nail the fucker.'

'Let's go over this again,' Bosco said. 'You're tellin' him you want him to come for a ride with us to discuss his future.'

'That's it.'

'How about the maid and the gardener?'

'You think they're gonna miss him when he's gone? They don't give a shit. Once we got him in the car, we drive out t' the desert an' dump him for good.'

The sun was shining and the birds were singing when they arrived at the house. 'This place ain't bad,' Luca said, his hooded eyes checking out his property. 'Fixed up it could be a fuckin' palace. I could set a girl up here easy.'

'What girl?' Bosco asked.

'Bambi.'

Reno laughed disbelievingly. 'You wanna set a hooker up in you'r house?'

'If I make her my exclusive property, why the fuck not?'

'You mean you'd give her this place?' Bosco said, eyes popping.

'I wouldn't
give
her nothin'. I'd stash her here, an' at my convenience, fly in whenever I felt like it. Maybe I
should
spend more time here.'

'You'd better change your way of dressing if you're planning on doin' that,' Reno remarked.

'You criticizing the way I dress?'

'No, but a silk suit don't cut it in LA. You gotta be more casual. We havta take a walk down Rodeo Drive, visit some of them fancy stores where they charge you five hundred bucks for a tie.'

'Five hundred for a freakin' tie?' Bosco said, shaking his head in disbelief. 'No freakin' way!'

'That's what they pay on Rodeo,' Reno said, speaking as if he were the town expert.

'OK, so we'll do it later - after we've gotten rid of the prick,' Luca decided.

They entered the house and headed for Zane's room.

'Knock first. If he don't answer, bust in,' Luca commanded, standing back.

'Sure,' Reno replied, knocking sharply.

There was no response. He knocked again. Still no response.

'He's out,' Bosco said.

'I don't give a fast crap whether he's out or not,' Luca said in a hard voice. 'This time we're goin' in.'

Reno worked on the locks for a few minutes until the door sprang open and they entered the room.

'Fuckin' stench!' Luca complained, wrinkling his nose as he took in the unmade bed, garbage on the floor, and a cockroach scurrying over a Big Mac wrapper. 'This place is a fuckin' dump.'

'He's gone,' Reno said. 'Look around, there's nothin' here.'

'Someone must've told him we was visiting,' Bosco added. 'He took a fast run.'

'Fuck!' Luca exploded. 'You mean I gotta go searchin' for this
schifosot
Jesus Christ!'

'We should'a stayed around yesterday,' Reno said. 'Waited for him to come back.'

Why didn't you open your big mouth then?' Luca demanded.

Eldessa was in the kitchen when they marched in.

'Where is he?' Luca demanded.

She shrugged non-committally. 'Dunno. He was here yesterday. He must'a come back and packed up -I never saw him leave.'

'You got no idea where he went?' Bosco asked.

'No. He never told me nothin'.'

'What car does he drive?' Reno asked.

'A black Ford,' she said.

'You know the licence?'

She shook her head.

Luca pulled out his gold money clip, extracted a hundred-dollar bill and slipped it to her. 'If he comes back make sure you find out where he's livin'. You do that and there's more where this came from.'

'Yessir!'

'Bosco, give her the number at the hotel.'

Bosco scribbled down the number and handed it over.

'C'mon,' Luca said, 'We've wasted enough time.'

Shelley did not come home all night. The Man roamed around the house becoming more furious as each hour passed.

How dare the bitch stay out.

How dare she do this to him.

She was sleeping with somebody. She was a whore just like he'd known she was. Every woman he'd ever known eventually let him down. It was a given.