Simply To Die For

Chapter 14

T he silence in the car was deafening. Whatever was on Cameron’s mind he kept close to the vest. When there’s a cop in the car with something on his mind there’s no time like the present for a journalist to start asking questions. Jimmy let out the deep breath he’d been holding since knowing he’d be the one responsible in getting Evie to talk. “Come on, Reed, what was so tough growing up a mobster’s daughter? She grew up rich. The best of life at her fingertips. Evie had everything she’d ever need.”

“Everything but the love of her father,” Cameron huffed in disgust. “Reed? Since when are we on a first name basis, O’Brien?”

Jimmy shook his head, ignoring the bait. He wasn’t about to dredge up old wounds with the detective, it was time to move past that. “Every daddy in the world loves their little girls. I find it hard to believe DeLuca didn’t love Evie.”

Cameron cast Jimmy a side glance, his lips pinched together. “Shows how much you know. Sal couldn’t afford to have his mistress show up with his illegitimate daughter. It was enough that he’d taken Eddie under his wing and brought him into the family. Eddie is the only son Sal’s ever had, legit or not. In my opinion, he desired his blood son take the reins when his time was over, and that won’t be for a long time to come. For a ‘former’ crime boss, Sal is a health nut even if he isn’t exactly Adonis.”

“The Sal DeLuca I remember didn’t appear to be the type to eat anything healthy. He’s a pretty big man.” Jimmy watched the buildings slide by. They were traveling on the 405 heading toward Evie’s apartment on Wilshire near the Westwood district. He prayed they weren’t on a path to nowhere, and that Evie would be home to answer some questions. Otherwise, the leads would be hard to unearth from this point on. Time was running out.

“In more ways than his physical appearance alone. It took a while to convince him to let me come out here. As strange as it may be, family means a lot to Sal. He knew I needed to find out who killed Dylan. One thing is certain, if it had been any of the DeLuca family, Sal would have had their heads on a spike.” Cameron wove through the afternoon traffic, his grip visibly tightening around the wheel. Jimmy noted the control on the detective’s face as he kept his emotions in check. “Sal wanted his son to become head of the family. I think when it came to Eddie, he was totally wrong. He’s a canon ready to be ignited.”

“If family means so much, then why hide his daughter and take Eddie with him?” Jimmy thought he already knew the answer, he needed to hear Cameron confirm it. DeLuca thought women were to be kept out of business, seen as weak links.

“Eddie is his only son. He convinced his wife that this boy needed his father, so he brought him home when he turned a year old—it took that long for Gianna to finally concede. She’d always wanted a boy since they already had three daughters. She couldn’t have more children, and she truly loved Sal with all her heart. She knew of his mistress, Belle, and where Sal spent his nights when he didn’t come home. When she finally gave in to her motherly instincts to give the child a better chance at life, it was on the condition that the mother and daughter would be tucked far away somewhere. He was to never have contact with the girl—or her mother ever again. Sal stayed true to his word. He never did have contact. Everything went through his consigliere until Gianna passed.

“Evie and her mother were kept tucked away in northern Wisconsin. Presents arrived at the appropriate time. A generous deposit was made each month into Belle’s bank account. The poor little girl dressed in hand me downs a few sizes too big. Afraid of having Sal take her daughter from her, Belle made sure Evie didn’t draw attention to herself by not having the best of everything. When Evie grew up enough to understand who her father was, she’d send messages back to him through the consigliere. After college, she begged Sal to let her go to California to live. He set her up at the studio as a receptionist, with the promise when the time came, she would be able to take the business over, if she proved herself to have a good head for business.” Cameron’s smile spread to the corners of his eyes. There was a sense of pride that surprised even Jimmy.

“And that time is drawing nearer, prompting Eddie’s sudden appearance in her life,” Jimmy confirmed, knowing Evie had a head for business that out matched any man. She’d proven herself with the studio. Even after Dylan’s death, she cut staff and screened everyone who walked through the doors.

“I’m afraid so. Evie’s smart and knows more about running a business than Eddie ever could. The studio has thrived under her behind the scenes leadership. Then the studio took a hit following the murder of Dylan. Now the attack on Levi, not to mention Clar’s candy wrappers, I’m not sure it can withstand the blow. There’s a fox in the hen house and it doesn’t look good in my opinion.” Cameron sneered, taking the next exit onto Wilshire Boulevard. “Look, I know Evie can be many things, but a murderer she’s not. Belle made sure she didn’t know about what her father did for a living for a reason. She raised her right. I’m unclear as to how she found out, unless it was at Belle’s funeral when Sal showed up to pay his respects. I know they had an old-fashioned father-daughter talk about her education and future.”

“How does Eddie fit into the picture? Wouldn’t the family business be handed down to one of Sal’s sons-in-law?” Jimmy tried to sort it all out. Could they have been jealous of one another? Did they ever know each other existed before now? That they were twins? Hell, it could be all of the above making for a deadly pack of dynamite.

Cameron let out a big whoosh of air. “That’s where it gets interesting. None of Sal’s legitimate daughters want anything to do with the ‘family’ business. They and their husbands distanced themselves. Sal loves his children with all his heart, even his illegitimate twins. Since the legitimate girls have shunned the business, that leaves either Eddie or Evie. Secretly, I think he was pleased with the disinterest.

“While Eddie has street smarts, Evie has the formal business education. Sal hoped they’d work together one day since they each brought something to the table, but Eddie being here is a bad omen. As far as I know, up until his appearance here in LA, he’s never made contact with his older twin.”

Jimmy mulled the information over in his head. Either Evie and Eddie are working together, or one of them is out to get the other. Either way, the conclusion he came up with couldn’t have a happy ending. Someone was going to get hurt by greed. And Clar was caught in the middle of it all. “Which could mean Sal’s either on his last legs, or about to be.”

“Sadly, I think you’re correct. Which is why we need to get to Evie’s condo before Eddie does. If they are protecting each other, who knows what has happened to any evidence we may never find.” Cameron sighed, pulling over to the curb. “There’s one more thing, I know you think Sal had something to do with Clar’s parents’ deaths. He didn’t, but I think I may know who did. And I think it was the same person who had Dylan killed and put the hit out on Levi.”

“One of the twins.” Jimmy’s stomach fell like a boulder in a landslide when Cameron nodded his head. The clock just sped up and they had no time to lose.

***

J IMMY QUICKLY SCANNED the mailboxes, looking for Evie’s condo apartment number. “She’s on the sixth floor, 6B. And there’s a DeLuca on the tenth floor in one of the penthouse suites.”

“Now, that’s interesting. Why would Eddie buy a condo in LA in the same building as his sister?” Cameron licked the end of the ever-present pencil, then jotted down some notes on his pocket size spiral notepad. “I’m going out on a limb, by presuming it is Eddie. The likelihood of it being some other DeLuca is a very slim chance by my estimation.”

“With no first name or initial it’s a presumption I’m willing to make.” Jimmy pressed the elevator up button, his heart racing while waiting for the doors to swoosh open. “I’m guessing Evie may have to verify that question.” Here we go, I hope she’s in a cooperative mood and not her usual snarky one. Jimmy looked over at Cameron and shook his head in amusement.

“Why don’t you come into the twenty-first century and use a tablet like everyone else, instead of scratching your notes in that pocket sized spiral?” Wiping away the nervous perspiration from his upper lip, Jimmy sucked in a deep breath. He had a feeling about Evie, and it wasn’t a good one. He needed a distraction to calm his pounding pulse down.

“Because I know my notes are my own and not out on a cloud in someone else’s air space.” Cameron looked up from the paper, scowling at Jimmy. “You never have said how you and Clar Turner became so close.”

“Hadn’t I? I didn’t realize the level of our relationship was pertinent information to this case.” Jimmy glanced at Cameron, a sliver of a chill creeping up his spine. “What’s your interest, Cameron? Because she’s Karl Turner’s daughter?”

The doors slowly swished open. Jimmy entered, pushing the button for the sixth floor. Not exactly penthouse level, but with only ten floors to the building, still not a bad view. He doubted Evie was into the view of LA from her balcony.

“Humph, that’s exactly what I’ve been wondering about you, O’Brien. What’s your motive in keeping Ms. Turner close to you? Is it strictly personal? Or are you looking for something?” Cameron accused, quickly surveying the entryway that led back to Wilshire as the doors closed. “Bad cops and judges weren’t the only people on Turner’s list.”

His relationship with Clar was none of Cameron’s business. Hell, there were times when Jimmy didn’t even feel it was any of his own business. He wasn’t sure how Clar felt, but he’d been head over heels for her from the start. Long before he knew she was Karl Turner’s daughter.

Karl Turner had been the one to tip him off about the mayor and his connection to the DeLuca family. His long list of cops, district attorneys, and other officials was never found. Even after his death, the tell all list haunted those whose names were scrolled on the paper. A reporter never gave up his resources, even the dead ones.

The elevator slid in silence to the sixth floor and the doors opened to an average looking hall. Nothing special. Plain and simple like Evie. They continued down the hall, coming to unit 6B. Jimmy reached out, knocking on the door.

“Evie, it’s Jimmy O’Brien.” He waited a moment then knocked a bit harder. “Evie?” It was quiet—deathly quiet. Jimmy looked over at Cameron, then reached for the doorknob. The detective’s large hand clasped tightly around Jimmy’s wrist, pulling it away from the gold tone globe.

“Best to have my prints on there; just in case it turns out to be a crime scene.” Cameron released his hold and turned the knob, surprised when the door opened. “Would she leave it unlocked?”

“I don’t think it’s in her DNA to give anyone the opportunity to have a glimpse into her private life, Cameron. So no, I don’t believe she would for a second.” Jimmy walked through the door, calling out. “Evie! Are you here?”

They stalked into the sparsely furnished living room, then through the simple dining, and finally the sterile white kitchen. “It doesn’t look like she’s been here for a while. Not a dirty dish in the place,” Cameron noted, pulling open the dishwasher door.

“Shhh!” Jimmy tilted his head, then walked back into the living room, looking down the hallway toward the bedrooms and bathroom. A dull whimper crept softly into his senses. “Did you hear something?” He cocked his head again, listening, watching, waiting.

“No.”

“Evie, are you here? It’s Jimmy,” Jimmy called out, ignoring Cameron. Jimmy took a few soft steps down the hall. The whimper, a little louder than before, snuck out from its hiding place. “There! I heard it again.” He ran down the hall, throwing open the first door he’d come to. The bathroom, nothing. Not even a bath towel hung up to dry.

“Evie, I’m coming in.” Jimmy pushed open a bedroom door and ran into the room. “Cameron, I found her!”

Evie lay on the bed, hands bound behind her back, ankles shackled to a bedpost, and a piece of gray tape strapped tightly across her mouth. Tears glossed over the frightened wild animal gaze. Toppled across the top of the bedside table were several bottles of prescription medications, their contents safe inside.

“I’m sorry, but this might sting.” Jimmy grabbed a corner of the tape and pulled quickly making her squeal in pain.

“I’m gonna kill that SOB!” Evie spat with the venom of a poisonous snake as she struggled against the restraints.

“Evie, first things first. You need to stay still.” Jimmy worked slowly to untie her hands, hoping she’d calm down a bit. The more she pulled against the knots, the tighter they’d become. Whoever did the knot work knew exactly what they were doing. “Who did this do you?”

“My fucking brother!” Evie said, seconds before the tears flowed unabated down her cheeks.

***

“A RE YOU SURE YOU WANT to do this? It could be a wild goose chase, Evie.” Jimmy held firm his grip of Evie’s arm, keeping her steady on the way down the hall to the elevator. The stubborn woman wouldn’t let either Jimmy or Cameron call paramedics. No, Evie wanted to confront her brother with what he’d done to her. Cameron, for some crazy reason Jimmy couldn’t figure out, went along with it, leaving Jimmy to stall as long as possible. Maybe it was out of Cameron’s sense of loyalty to DeLuca; it was the only option remotely making any sense. As long as it led to getting Clar back he didn’t give a damn what the reasons were. The next forty-eight hours were crucial if they were going to find her alive—and they’d wasted enough time already.

An image of Clar tied and shackled in a similar fashion to the way they found Evie flashed through Jimmy’s mind. Then a naked Clar spread out like a sacrificial lamb flashed into the recesses of his brain. His heart sped with panic. The hand clasped around Evie’s arm flexed tightly. You son-of-a-bitch, I’ll kill you if you hurt her!

“Hey, not so damn tight!” Evie glared at him, then yanked her arm from his grasp, hissing her reply. “That SOB is as dead to me as a squashed bug. Even if this isn’t his condo, daddy and I are going to have a sit-down heart-to-heart about brother dearest. If Eddie lives long enough.

“After spending the past twenty-four hours with baby brother yapping nonstop about how he’s the rightful heir to the kingdom, I think Eddie plans on destroying, or even, killing me. Daddy isn’t in the best of health. Several years ago, the family consigliere sent word for me to be prepared to take over the West Coast properties. Eddie has been tending to the Chicago investments where he can be monitored. To say he’s been an unhappy camper is an understatement. He wants both the West and Chicago arenas.” Evie drew in a breath then looked up at Jimmy with tearful eyes, catching him off guard with the love reflected in them.

“He’s always been a wild card. Momma said the moment he popped out, Eddie did nothing but scream and throw tantrums. I think that’s why daddy took him to live with him. Momma wouldn’t have been able to handle both Eddie and I. We don’t have the normal twin tendencies. I don’t know who Eddie has become. How he thinks. What he feels. He’s a complete stranger to me.” The sadness in Evie’s words took Jimmy by surprise. The tough nut does have a soft spot after all.

While Cameron had gone ahead of them to obtain the proper forms to legally gain entry into the penthouse condo, Jimmy continued to talk Evie down from her anger. He bet the odds she had been more scared than angry at first—it hadn’t taken long for those feelings to be reversed.

The elevator doors slid open revealing a hallway of lush white carpeting and priceless paintings adoring the walls in gold frames. Poised at the end of the corridor, a boldly designed door with inlaid vines and grapes gleamed like a shiny sentry, reminding Jimmy of a door leading to a Greek god.

Everything about the floor said someone with way too much money who loved flaunting it lives here. Four floors below, where Evie lived, felt like a different world. Jimmy decided he liked Evie’s choice of modest living, compared to the extravagance he had a feeling they were about to walk into.

The unlocked door swung open to an expansive living room decorated in whites and muted gold. The elegantly simple furniture screamed of richness and excess. A few things caught Jimmy’s eye. The full wall of glass panel doors leading out to the balcony with an impressive view of downtown LA, and the wall mural painted with soft hues. The room, while elegant, felt lonely and cold.

“Pretty impressive, isn’t it?” Cameron closed the door, his eyes glittering with envy.

“If you like this sort of thing.” Jimmy toured the room, glancing at the book titles in the case. “Humph, I’ll bet he’s never read one of these—they’re all classics.”

“Shows what you know,” Evie huffed. “My brother loves the classics, as well as period novels from the twenties. He felt it was a way for him to understand daddy’s business, even if the old ways are, well, old. He made sure I knew about his collection of first editions. It obviously makes him feel important or something.”

Jimmy glanced into the kitchen littered with dishes and various frozen meal boxes. He opened the door to the bathroom and smiled. Well, at least he’s a typical guy. Doesn’t hang up a towel even to save his own skin.

“Holy shit!”

Down the hall, standing in the doorway of the last bedroom, Cameron stood motionless. Jimmy jogged toward him, praying to the Almighty that a dead body was not in that room. Pushing passed Cameron, Jimmy halted in his tracks and stared.

Surrounding the headboard on the wall were several movie poster size pictures of Dylan, Levi, Evie...and Clar. Dylan’s face had been slashed with red paint. Levi’s photo had a huge yellow question mark on it. Neither Clar and Evie’s pictures were marked, but it was all too clear they were next on the list.

On the connecting wall where an expensive Monet painting had hung but now lay propped against a bedside table, was a map the size of the queen size bed. A bright yellow circle with a long tail attached to it looked like a yellow balloon taking flight. Jimmy touched the yellow tail, following its trail with his finger. The tail went from Wilshire north on the 405. The balloon encompassed the City of Santa Clarita and the surrounding area.

“I think I know where he’s gone.” Jimmy scoured the room, looking for anything that they may have missed. He walked over to one of the bedside tables, pulling open a drawer. His heart stuttered for a moment and he thought he’d died in that instant.

“He’s taken Clar to the West Canyon Movie Ranch.” Jimmy pulled the printed website information about the ranch out of the drawer. “It’s a location north of Santa Clarita with old movie sets on about a hundred acres. And he’s got at least an hour head start on us.