Simply To Die For

Chapter 1

K andi Kisses Candies

Wisconsin

Clar smiled while stirring the chocolate, the contentment of being back home wrapping around her like a warm quilt. No sir, the glitter of LA was not for her. She loved moments like this when childhood memories of baking with her mother came to her. It felt as if mom was right there with her, laughing at the chocolate mustache the spinner would leave above her lip. Making chocolates was a way for Clar to stay connected to her.

Like taking those police science classes brought her closer to her dad. It had taken her so long after the accident to come alive again. And now becoming a professional candy maker firmed the link to her mom. She liked to think that her parents would be proud now.

A trifecta of disasters had sent her running—Dylan’s death, Levi’s subsequent freak-out, and her own personal sleazy newshound Jimmy O’Brien’s constant harassment. It’d seemed like he was nipping at her heels; making her run with his constant questions about her career, her parents, specifically her dad, and Levi’s reaction to Dylan’s murder. Yes, as far as she was concerned Dylan Cameron had been murdered. But who was she? Just an empty-headed blonde adult film star.

She was glad to be out of those shark-infested waters of Hollywood, and nothing would ever induce her to return. Not even Levi’s continued false cries for help.

Clar tried to push the past away, Dylan lying dead, of course people OD’ed every day but not friends, not like that. No wonder Levi had gone paranoid on her. She shivered; glad she’d taken the self-defense courses even though she didn’t believe Levi’s wild stories. It still made her feel safer, not that evil doers were likely to come knocking on her door in sleepy Lake Mills, Wisconsin. No, more like dozens of local children looking for Easter goodies.

With Easter just around the corner, she needed to make sure the chocolate bunnies were ready to be devoured by all the hungry boys and girls in town. Kandi Kisses was due to officially open the week before the scheduled Easter egg hunt in the downtown triangle. She’d been open on weekends only for the past six months. Her bank account finally acknowledged the ability to stay open six days a week and stop dipping into her savings.

She swiped a hand over a brow pushing bangs out of her eyes, then grabbed an ice-cold cola from the fridge, needing a break. One of her favorite cable shows, LA Adult Entertainment Today , kept her company in the background. You watch it to see a glimpse of him, Clar’s inner critic snarked. Sadly, it was true. But listening to Jimmy’s voice on occasion was not backing down.

Despite leaving LA a few years ago, she still felt the need to keep up on what was going on in Tinsel Town. Not that she wanted to go back to that life...ever, but Clar still had a few good friends there, not to mention people who needed her. Levi for instance called every couple of weeks with a new crisis. She smiled at the memory of her rescuer after her parents’ deaths. Levi was an enigma, gay and working as a straight porn star.

Sometimes she thought he invented problems hoping to lure her back, not out of meanness, but because he missed her so much. It was touching really. She missed him too, but this nice quiet town was her life now and she wasn’t leaving it. She felt safe and normal for the first time since leaving her hometown over twenty years ago. Lake Mills had changed, yet in many respects it hadn’t. To her the small town feel of the place was comforting. Some of the people from her past had moved on to bigger and better things. Most didn’t remember her from grade school and that was fine with Clar. She cherished the anonymity.

It made starting over a lot easier.

“An SXY exclusive.” Everything in her tightened at his smooth voice. Damn, she’d been hoping to hear it, but it didn’t stop her heart from quivering when it happened. She spun to look at the TV. Jimmy O’Brien! He looked as good and as snarky as ever as he smiled at the camera. She sucked in a breath sinking down on a chair. Why was she torturing herself this way, wanting someone she shouldn’t? “Can a porn star actually go legit? That’s the rumor out of Cum Again Studios. A sassy thirty-something sex kitten reported to have kicked the film business has opened a candy store, exact location unknown. Seductive, melt in your mouth, finger-lickin’ good...”

She froze, every atom in her body on alert, and glared at the screen as he ratted her out on national TV. How could he stoop so low especially as he was the one who’d helped chase her out of town? The news report slammed through Clar as she sat still, barely breathing. She watched, appalled as one of her old “Kandi Kyses” headshots spattered across the screen with Cum Again Studios as a backdrop. At least they didn’t use an old movie poster.

She hardly recognized the woman flashing before her. Long, flowing bleach blonde hair fell over a pair of manufactured Hollywood breasts barely covered in a T-shirt a couple of sizes too small. Thankfully, that woman no longer existed.

“I’m wondering if the candy is as tasteful as its namesake, former adult film star Kandi Kyses. I can’t wait to see the molds she’ll use for her chocolate. I somehow don’t think this will be the old-fashioned corner candy store we grew up with.

For SXY, this is Jimmy O’Brien.”

That son of bitch, how could he do this to her? All thoughts of candy making went out the window as soon as James O’Brien, reporter, and a royally attractive pain-in-her-ass, opened a door to her past she thought she’d bolted shut.

“Damn it, O’Brien! Why in the hell can’t you leave me the hell alone?” Clar slouched against the green sofa pillows, worrying her bottom lip as anger crept through her. “Can’t a woman start a new life without the press and its most persistent hound dog sniffing her out? You wanted me to run, I ran, so leave me the hell alone.”

Grabbing her cell, Clar tapped in the number to the studio. Someone was fucking gonna pay for this breach of ethics. Damn it, her private info was supposed to remain just that, private. But she’d left enemies behind, Evie, the nasty receptionist for instance, kicking her off the set. Someone was obviously gunning for her. Well, they had another think coming if they thought she was just going to sit here and take it. Levi might know who’d leaked the story to the press. He was always up on studio gossip.

“You have reached Cum Again Studios,” a recorded voice answered. “We are currently tied up and unable to take your call. Please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we are free. Thank you for calling Cum Again.”

“Crap! Not now, I don’t have time to play telephone tag,” Clar growled at the mechanical voice as she paced the kitchen floor. After the beep, she said. “Please have Levi Andres call Clar Turner as soon as possible. Thank you.” Clar disconnected then checked the time. It was ten in the morning on the west coast, there should be someone at the studio by now manning the switchboard. Even if there was a shoot on location, someone would be in the office.

“We interrupt this program for breaking news!” Oh shit, what now? She poised herself for more bad news. Another reporter came on the screen looking very serious. At least it wasn’t Jimmy this time.

“We interrupt this previously recorded program to bring you breaking news for SXY— this just in. Reports of an assault at Cum Again Studios earlier this morning are surfacing. Unconfirmed reports of at least six dead and one wounded. SXY has a reporter on the scene and will bring you up to date information as it becomes available. Stay tuned.”

Oh shit, Levi! He was supposed to be shooting a new film there today. He’d laughed about it last week. Hands shaking, she punched in the studio’s number again.

“Cum Again Studios,” said a snide voice.

Clar breathed a sigh of relief in spite of the fact that it was Evelyn Dagmyer one of her least favorite people. “Evelyn, it’s Kandi. What’s going on? Is Levi...” She bit her lip unable to say the words she feared.

“Get off the phone, Kandi. You’re not on the list of people I’m allowed to talk to,” she said with a sniff.

As usual, the offensive woman’s sharp tone held annoyance and disdain but there was something else that made Clar crumble inside. It sounded like she was holding back tears. What the hell? Evie didn’t get emotional which meant. Oh hell.

“Let’s skip our usual banter and get to the heart of the matter. Is Levi okay?”

“So now you care...interesting.”

What the hell was that supposed to mean? It was Evie who’d fired her off the last set, inadvertently aiding in her departure. Now she was acting like Clar had abandoned them all.

“Tell me about Levi, damn you!”

“He’s still...” her voice broke, making Clar’s gut tighten.

“Let me,” a low male voice said in the background.

“This is Detective Cameron, who am I speaking to?” The gruff male voice echoed with authority. A chill went through her at the officious voice with its Midwestern tone. Chicago maybe, she thought absently.

“This is Clar Turner. I’m trying to reach Levi Andres at Cum Again Studios. Is he...?” Clar’s hand shook, feeling the pressure of tears behind her eyes. She could not afford to give into them, not now.

“Ah yes, Miss Turner,” he said, adding, “I was just about to call you.”

She closed her eyes and prayed softly. Please let Levi be safe .

“Yes,” she said tensely as she heard a woman sobbing loudly in the background.

“Ms. Turner, yes, it’s indicated you are Andres’ only contact should something happen. Like I said, I was just getting ready to call you.”

Oh gawd, this could not be happening. She felt like she was going to pass out. It was like Dylan all over again, but ten times worse. Levi loved life, he didn’t do drugs, he was... She sniffed back tears. “Yes.”

“Levi has been transported to a local hospital. He had been asking for you and the studio requests you return to LA as soon as possible.”

She let out the breath she’d been holding, relief surging through her in a giddy wave. “He’s alive. Why didn’t you say that in the first place,” she yelled, not caring that she was berating a cop. Okay, calm down, you can’t help Levi if you piss off the cops. “Is he going to be okay? What happened?” She yanked an overnight bag from the top of the closet. She had to get to Levi.

“He’s in surgery. The rest, Ms. Turner, the rest I’m afraid is a police matter, and cannot be discussed over the telephone.”

“I’ll be on the next flight.” As soon as the words ‘Levi’ and ‘surgery’ were in the same sentence she’d mentally made plans to be by his side. Levi was hurt enough to go to the hospital, and she should have been there to protect him. She’d never believed his wild “they’re out to get me” stories, and now he was hurt. Clar never should have left LA without him, or thought she could start over again.

“Check in with LAPD when you arrive. I need to talk to you before giving you clearance to see Mr. Andres.”

So, she needed to go through this detective to get to Levi. Why? That didn’t sound right but, in her haste, she didn’t ask questions. “Yes, yes of course. Detective Cameron.”

“Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Turner, I’ll be waiting for you.” The emotionless voice confirmed, then faded away with the chatter behind it.

“Wait! Cameron?” Then the phone went dead. “Damn it!”

Clar threw some clothing in the overnight bag, grabbed several things, and headed out the door, punching the number of the one person she knew she could count on in a fight.

“I need you, Jackson. Can you meet me in LA as soon as possible? It’s Levi this time.”

***

R EVOLVING ROSES RANCH

Black Horse Canyon

Oklahoma

“That’s a good boy. You’ll feel better after we get this Oklahoma red dirt off you,” Jackson Wolfe cooed as she ran the stiff bristled brush across the prized stud’s back. Max, aka Black Ice, bobbed his head in agreement. He was such a sweet boy. The sleek Quarter Horse was the pride and joy of Revolving Roses Ranch and about the only decent thing that came of Jackson’s grandfather’s notorious Hollywood past and his singing cowboy royalties.

If not for Jacki’s quick intervention, her father would have gambled the ranch away ten years ago in a high stakes poker game. That stunt of his cost Jacki most of her life savings, and forced her into eventually giving up a career as a private investigator. She’d been shoved into teaching through a school out of California to keep her and the ranch above water.

Max shifted slightly to the left, stretching his glistening ebony neck toward the pink and black striped box tilting precariously between the stall bars. Her latest guilty pleasure courtesy of her favorite self-defense student and BFF. “Oh no you don’t, bad boy, those are mine!” Jacki grabbed the box an instant before Max’s lips skimmed the shiny paper. “You know chocolate isn’t good for you. Besides, Clar made these for me, not you.” Jacki unwrapped one of the candies and popped it into her mouth.

Patting Max on the neck, Jacki smiled with satisfaction as the chocolaty flavor burst on her tongue and richness slid down her throat. Her BFF might be out of the movie business, but Clar was still setting off fireworks. These were orgasmic.

“Damn these are great. Clar’s going to make a killing with them.” Jacki ran her hand along the horse’s back, down a sleek black leg, and pulled a hoof pick from her back pocket. Pinching just above the fetlock, she took the offered hoof in hand. She repeated the process three more times, removing the day’s muck from around the frog of each hoof.

The clomping of boots raced towards Jacki as she gently released the last leg, standing upright to see who dared to run through the barn. The long-time foreman grabbed her arm and dragged her into the barn’s office before she could muster up a complaint.

“Rusty, what the heck is going on. You know not to....”

Rusty Calhoon stood with the TV remote in his hand, gave her a worried look, and then turned to the adult cable channel 69. Jacki’s stomach rolled when a photo of Kandi Kyses, Clar’s semi-scandalous alias, appeared on the screen with Clar’s tormentor James O’Brien giving commentary. Oh hell, no. What was it with those two? Why couldn’t the man leave Clar alone? Clar had worked so hard to disappear. How could he out Clar like this? Because there was more going on than just their mutual antagonism. They’d always had a love/hate thing between them, but this was a gutter move on Jimmy’s part, unless there was more behind it. He wasn’t smiling, his jaw was tight, hell, even his body language was all wrong. It was as if someone was holding a gun to his head.

“...Kandi Kyses, whose sudden disappearance remained a mystery up until now. It’s rumored that...Kandi Kisses...cherry poppin’ guaranteed.”

Distracted by her thoughts, Jacki leaned into the desk, barely listening to Jimmy give his report. The man nearly drove her best friend, Clar Turner, insane before she left the industry. Truth be told, between Jimmy constantly reporting her every move and Levi’s continuous drama, and Dylan’s tragic overdose, any sensible woman would have gone off the deep end. She respected Clar for breaking free and making her own life.

A few moments passed and another reporter came on. “Breaking news for SXY—this just in. Reports of an assault at adult filming studio, Cum Again Studios, .... Numerous dead and wounded have been reported... Stay tuned.”

Jacki’s jaw dropped. This could not be happening. The phone rang in the barn and the answering machine kicked in. Clar’s garbled voice, scared and panicky, echoed in the barn. “I need you...LA...Levi.” Jacki turned down the volume, walked out of the office, untied Max and put him in a stall.

“Rusty, call the airport. I want the ranch plane ready within the hour with the shortest flight path to LAX.”

***

O CEAN BEACH

Los Angeles, California

Maybe it was the way the tip had come in wrapped in a pink and black striped box. Or, maybe it was the way someone seemed to be setting Clar up. Either way, things didn’t add up to James O’Brien’s liking. It sucked that he’d been forced to out her but at least he’d held back her location. The station manager would probably have his ass for that but he didn’t care. He had walked through the newsroom watching each foot fall on the cold gray tile floor, cursing. The waves called and he was all too happy to finally answer their allure and lose himself in the oblivion. It had been weeks since he waxed up his board and right now, he badly needed to clear his head.

Damn, she was really gonna hate him now, and this time for good reason. This time he wasn’t trying to do her a favor and save her ass by running her out of town. He’d fought for months to get the news report on Kandi Kyses squelched. And then fate in the form of a black and pink striped candy box had forced his hand. Whoever was doing the hack job on Kandi had simply bypassed him to send the proof to his boss, and he’d had no choice but to break the story. It was either that or let one of the other less merciful reporters do it. No fucking way that was happening.

His past investigative training told him it was a set up, but who was behind it, and why? The overdose death of Dylan Cameron, Levi, one of his sources and Kandi’s best friend plunged into paranoia, and then the planned mysterious and sudden retirement of Kandi Kyses. There was a pattern here but why couldn’t he put two and two together?

To the average Joe, this would be an isolated incident. To Jimmy, the dots connected a common thread...something weird was happening at Cum Again Studios. Maybe a day of riding the surf would clear his mind...a guy could hope, couldn’t he?

The waves were great, taking Jimmy’s mind off Clar for moments at a time. The sport he’d grown to love usually relaxed him, freeing up his soul. Not today. The freedom of riding his board did little to ease his troubled mind.

Wiping down his board, he bade farewell to his surfing buddies. Climbing into his black Durango, he grabbed his cell phone checking for messages...six from the station in rapid fire. What the hell, had World War III started, or maybe another celebrity sex tape had surfaced. He punched in his code.

“Damn it, O’Brien! Where the hell have you been? Get your worthless ass over to CAS and call me on the way. There’s a fucking bloodbath over there.” His boss’s words, laced with arsenic and urgency, boomed into his ear. “I’ll have a team on standby, so unless you’re dead too you’d better heed my call!”

Unless I’m dead too? Oh fuck! Checking the time stamp of the message, Jimmy noted that call came in right after he’d hightailed it out of the station and turned off his phone. Shit, how could the world have come apart in the interim? Scrolling through the remaining missed calls, he noted the first one had come in more than four hours ago. Had he really been on the beach for so long?

Shoving the key into the ignition, he slipped the SUV into gear and instructed his phone panel to call the station. Adrenaline pounded in his ears. The ring of the phone sounded like sonar from a submarine, as he toweled himself dry.

“Where the hell are you?”

“Just got off the beach.” Jimmy tossed the towel into the back. “What’s going on? What’s the mess at CAS this time?”

The silence was black as the deep recesses of a cave. Jimmy’s heart skipped a beat and the hairs on the back of his neck prickled.

“Bodies everywhere. Levi Andres is one of them.”