Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Luca
Ariana softly knocked on my door as I looked over a case file.
“Come in.”
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving for the night. I have an appointment with your realtor. Thanks, Luca, for having him get in touch with me.”
“You’re welcome.” I smiled. “I figured it would save you some time since you’ll be busy working on the Michaels case. Let me know if you find something.”
“I will.” She smiled. “Have a good night.”
“You too.”
About an hour had passed, and as I was getting ready to leave the office, a text message came through from Will.
“Our first stop is at 117 East 57th Street. A mere two-minute walk from your apartment building.”
“I know exactly what building you’re talking about. It might be a little pricey for her, and if it is, let me know. Do everything you can to convince her to take it.”
“I will, and I’ll let you know.”
Ariana
When Will opened the door to apartment 26E, I stepped inside and looked around at all 712 square feet.
“Isn’t it lovely?” He smiled. “The light oak floors actually make the space look bigger. And wait until I show you the kitchen.”
I followed him into the kitchen area, which was decorated with white cabinets, white appliances, and black and gray marbled granite countertops.
“I like this apartment. It feels cozy. How much is the rent?”
“3,850 a month,” he replied.
I bit down on my bottom lip. “That’s a little more than I wanted to spend. Especially for this small of a space.”
“Well, darling, this is New York, and you don’t get much for your money. Hold on a second. Let me text the landlord to ensure the rent is correct.”
It was a nice apartment. I would hate to see what something bigger would cost. I sighed as I continued to look around and ran the numbers in my head.
“The landlord said that the rent includes all utilities, and he won’t require a deposit. I explained to him your situation and your job at the law firm.”
“No deposit. Really?”
“Really.” He grinned. “It’s a steal, Miss Williams, and honestly, it’s the nicest one of the three that I wanted to show you. I was saving the best for first.”
I looked around one last time, arranging furniture in my head.
“All right. I’ll take it,” I spoke with excitement.
“Fabulous. I’ll start the paperwork, and you can probably move in this weekend. I’ll give you a call tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thank you, Will.” I held out my hand. “I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Ariana.” He smiled as we left the building, and I headed home.
Excitement soared through me. This was the first time I ever rented my very own place. I lived at home most of my life except when I went off to college and law school, where I roomed with a couple of other girls.
“How did apartment hunting go?” Harry asked as I stepped through the door.
“I found a place!” I smiled.
“That’s great, Ari. Where at?” Olivia asked from the couch.
“117 East 57th Street. It’s a 712-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath apartment. It’s cute.”
“That’s over by Luca’s apartment. Like, literally a two-minute walk around the corner.”
“Really? I didn’t realize that.”
“I’m happy for you, but I’m sad you won’t be living here anymore.” She pouted. “When are you moving?”
“Will said that I would probably be able to move in this weekend.”
After talking with Harry and Olivia for a while, I retreated to my bedroom, changed into my nightshirt, and sat on the bed, spreading the papers out from the Michaels's case. The boyfriend had an airtight alibi. He was sitting at the bar he frequently visited. Mrs. Michaels was murdered at approximately nine p.m., and the security camera in the bar showed Stephan, the victim’s boyfriend, sitting there at that precise time. My phone rang as I was racking my brain and reviewing the evidence. Luca was calling.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hello, Ariana. How did apartment hunting go?”
“It went good. I found a place.”
“Excellent. Where at?”
“Over on East 57th Street.”
“That’s not too far from me. Great area. I’m sure you’ll be very happy there.”
“I think I will be.”
“Any update yet about the Michaels’ case?”
“I’m working on it now.”
“Okay. I’ll let you get back to it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
There had to be something Luca and his team weren’t seeing. But what? All the evidence pointed to Mr. Michaels. He had a motive. But maybe Mrs. Michaels’ boyfriend did too. I threw my clothes back on and headed to the Bleu Room to view the security tape of that night for myself. After viewing and seeing one thing that caught my attention, I decided to look at the tapes from the month before the murder. I smiled as I left the manager’s office and sat at the bar for a drink.
“What can I get you?” the tall young blonde bartender asked.
“I’ll have a vodka on the rocks.”
“There you go.” She smiled as she pushed the filled glass towards me.
Just as I pulled my phone from my purse, a man sat beside me. When I looked over, I noticed it was Stephan, Mrs. Michaels’ boyfriend.
“Hi.” He gave a slight nod as he caught me looking at him.
“Hi.” I smiled.
The young bartender walked over with a grin across her face and placed her hand on his.
“Hey, I thought you would call me last night,” she said.
“I’m sorry, Vi, I crashed the minute I got home and didn’t feel like talking.” He pulled his hand away.
Her grin quickly disappeared as she poured him a beer and set it down before him.
“Well, you’re here now.” Her smile returned.
I sat there, sipping my drink, pretending not to listen to their conversation as I studied her body movements and noted the look in her eyes as she stared at him.
“I sent you a few text messages today, and you didn’t respond,” she spoke.
“Sorry about that. It was a crazy busy day at work.”
Suddenly, his phone rang, and he excused himself to take the call.
“I’ll have another vodka, please.” I smiled as I held up my glass. “Men. Always have an excuse for why they didn’t call or text.”
“I know, right?” She set my drink down in front of me. “But I always seem to forgive him.”
“How long have the two of you been dating?”
“Well, we aren’t officially dating yet, but we will be soon. He’s still mourning the loss of his whore, who recently passed away. I never understood what he saw in her.”
“His whore?” I asked.
“She was married, and the poor husband never knew she was out cheating on him. She deserved to die. Stephan is too good for her. He didn’t deserve trash like that. By the way, I’m Vi.” She smiled.
“I’m Ariana. Nice to meet you. How long had they been dating?” I asked.
“About six months. Six months too long, if you ask me.”
A few moments later, Stephan returned to his seat, and I decided to strike up a conversation with him after Vi walked away to attend to other customers at the other end of the bar.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Excuse me?” He turned his head and glared at me.
“Vi said your girlfriend recently passed away.”
“Oh. Why would she tell you that? And thank you.”
“I thought maybe the two of you were dating by how she talked.”
“We aren’t dating. I would never date her,” he spoke in a monotone voice as he picked up his beer and threw it back.
“Does she know that?” I cocked my head.
“I’m sorry, but who are you?”
“Ariana Williams.” I extended my hand. “I just moved here, had a long day, needed a drink, and this bar was the first one I saw.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Stephan.” He lightly shook my hand.
I looked at Vi, who was at the other end of the bar helping customers and keeping a very close eye on us.
“I don’t think she likes me talking to you.”
“Don’t mind her. She has a lot of serious issues, but she’s harmless.”
Suddenly, Vi appeared, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead right now.
“Can I get you another beer, Stephan?” she asked.
“Sure. One more, and then I have to head out.”
“Did you want to hang out tonight? I get off in an hour.”
He let out a long sigh. “I can’t, Vi. I have to be up early for a meeting in the morning. Maybe another time.”
“Sure. Just let me know when.”
I threw some money on the bar and got up from the stool.
“It was nice to meet the both of you. I’m going to use the restroom and head home.”
Instead of using the restroom, I entered the manager’s office and found Randy sitting at his desk.
“Did you need something else?” he asked.
“Your bartender Vi. Is that short for something?”
“Violet. Why?”
“What’s her last name?”
“Cole. Is there a problem, Miss Williams?”
“No. Not at all. I thought I went to high school with her, but it turns out I didn’t. Have a good night.” I smiled.
“You too.”
It was midnight when I climbed into the back of a cab and pulled out my phone. Leaning my head against the headrest, I decided not to text Luca. My suspicions could wait until morning.