CHAPTER THIRTEEN
2006
Hayden called when I was sitting at my station, making yet another pair of earrings. I muted Tori Amos on the stereo and answered with, “Jonah Carter’s Jewelry Services. How may I help?”
“Hmm, I’m calling about a nipple piercing.”
“We pride ourselves on being a respectable business, sir. I’m afraid we can’t cater to your nipples.”
“That’s a shame. Many people told me they were top tier.”
“Many?”
“A few dozen give or take. Is this your final decision, then?”
“I’m afraid so. May I interest you in a cock ring instead?”
He laughed, which meant I won.
“Doing jewelry again?”
“Yeah, I don’t have anything major I feel like working on.”
“Well, you always said it was a great way to switch off the brain.”
“True. I haven’t had a single thought in three hours.”
“Good.” He went quiet, and I felt that something was up.
“What is it?”
“I found him, Jonah. I know where Bo lives.”
We hadn’t talked about him since I’d identified his mugshot a few days ago. I’d almost gotten used to spending time with Hayden without obsessing over the case, both of us trying our hardest to talk about anything else.
“Based on the records, he doesn’t live far, and he also made it very hard to find him.”
“Where does he live?”
“Lakewood, on a street called Hardwick. It seems he has a family.”
“A family?” I snorted. “You’ve got the wrong guy.” There was no way in hell that Bo had a family, unless it was a family of hyenas.
“I think it’s him, but I could be wrong. I hope to know for sure this evening.”
My stomach clenched. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t have the authority to question him, so I’ll park close to his house and try to take some photos. When I have something, I’ll show it to you. Once you confirm it’s him, it will help with our case for the FBI.”
“Are you planning on going by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“You need backup.”
“Joe—“
“I’m coming with you.”
“The hell you are. You could barely stand to look at his mugshot, so seeing him in person? Come on.”
He had common sense on his side, but I didn’t care. “It will just be us sitting in a car, right? I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, physically.”
I rubbed my temple in frustration. “You promised to stop treating me like a delicate flower. Was that a lie?”
He moved the phone from his mouth, but I could still hear his muffled curses. Once calmer, he said, “Can I pick you up from the studio in thirty minutes?”
So soon? “Yes.”
“You can still change your mind by the time I get there.”
“See you soon.”
*
It was already dusk when Hayden drove his car into the parking lot.
“Hi,” I said and climbed into the passenger seat.
He frowned at the cardboard box in my hands. “What’s that?”
“Doughnuts. Isn’t that what cops eat at stakeouts?”
“Fat cops.”
“I can throw it away.”
“Let’s not be hasty. Show me the goods.”
I opened the box, releasing a sweet pastry scent into the car. The two doughnuts I’d brought for Hayden were heavily sprinkled with cinnamon, while I’d gotten chocolate ones for myself.
“You know me well, Joe, even when you’re being fucking stubborn. Come here.”
We kissed, then headed off to Lakewood, leaving the city streets behind in favor of the suburbs with their white picket fences. The further we drove, the more ridiculous it seemed for Bo to be living in an area like this. I never expected him to stay with The Society for the rest of his life, but a man like that should either be living in a dumpster or dead in a ditch.
Hayden glanced at me. “You okay?”
“Yes.”
“I can still drop you off if—”
“You just want my doughnuts. I’m fine.”
He sighed and kept driving.
We parked in a quiet street, similar to the ten others we’d passed through on our way. “This one.” He pointed at a dark, two-story house farther down the road. “Maybe they’re out on errands.”
“It doesn’t look like the kind of place Bo would live in.”
“I’ve seen my share of monsters who blend in like normal people. This house tells us nothing of whoever lives inside.” He reached for the glove compartment, took out a camera and placed it on the floor next to his legs.
“What now?” I asked.
“We wait.”
“For how long?”
He chuckled and patted my leg. “It really is your first stakeout. There’s no way of knowing how long we’ll have to wait or if we’ll get anything.”
“Maybe they’re on vacation.”
“I called the house earlier and a woman answered—likely the wife, Donna. Maybe they went out to eat. Speaking of food…”
I opened the box for him to take a doughnut. “Hmm, that’s good. Taste.” He held it for me to take a bite.
“I don’t like cinnamon, but it’s nice.” I returned my gaze to the house. “Do you have your gun?”
“I do, but we won’t need it.”
“Even in self-defense?”
“We’re two people sitting in a car; there’s nothing to defend ourselves from.”
He was talking rationally and making me feel even more irrational. I tore my gaze from the house and looked back at Hayden, who had finished the first doughnut, leaving his lips glossy. “How was your day?” I asked.
He pulled out a napkin to wipe his hands. “It was busy. We’re working on a big drug bust downtown. We caught two dealers and got them to snitch, so now we have our opening.”
“I hope you didn’t catch whoever sells Jenny her pot; she’ll be pissed.”
He laughed. “It’s a bit more serious than Jenny’s pot. I’m just happy it’s putting me back on the Chief’s good side.”
“He cares about you.”
“Not as much as I thought, and not when it mattered the most. Anyway, Maya’s coming to LA next month. I told her she’d get to see you again. Hope I didn’t speak out of line.”
A month from now felt like a lifetime away, but it was nice to be included in his plans again.
“I’ll need to grow my hair back.” She loved my curls.
“You definitely should.” He lowered his voice. “You know how I like to grab them when…” His eyes narrowed. I followed his gaze. The car that had driven past us was slowing down before turning right into the driveway of Bo’s alleged house.
Hayden picked up his camera as I leaned forward, holding my breath. The light in front of the house was enough to reveal two young boys getting out of the backseat. They seemed to be about five or six, clearly twins.
“No running!” a woman called. She was chubby but carried her weight well.
“That must be Donna,” Hayden said.
I barely heard him. My entire focus was on that car, waiting for Bo to climb out, but he didn’t. Seconds later, the woman and her two children vanished into the house, and the lights inside were turned on.
“Damn,” Hayden said. “He’s not with them.”
I exhaled, my chest aching from holding my breath. I was about to suggest we leave when Hayden said, “I’m going to talk to her.”
I grabbed his arm. “You’re kidding.”
“I’ll say that I’m an old friend and ask where I can find him.”
“What if he comes home in a minute with their other car?”
He shook his head. “They have one car, a whole lot of debt, and one paycheck coming from Donna’s teaching job.”
Things made more sense if Bo was doing a shitty job providing for his family. I felt bad for that woman and her children, but I couldn’t help feeling satisfaction knowing that Bo was still Bo.
“It sounds like he might have left her and the twins,” I said.
“Yes, but I need to be sure.”
I unbuckled my seatbelt. “I’ll go with you.”
Now it was his turn to grab my arm. “Your bubbly butt is staying right here, Jonah. Bo might have been sleeping for all we know, which means he could be awake now. The last thing I need is for him to see you.”
The thought was gut-wrenching. I couldn’t imagine how I’d react if I were to face him again.
“Be careful,” I reluctantly said.
“Always.” He kissed my cheek. “Be back in a few.”
I watched him walk toward the house, moving with authority. He knocked, and seconds later, light spilled out as someone opened the door. Hayden smiled as he spoke, but I could sense his nervousness. His face turned serious at a certain point, like he’d heard bad news. I sat straighter, nervous and agitated. I only allowed myself to relax when he finally walked back toward the car.
He got back inside and said, “Bo—or Bobby to her—disappeared two years ago, leaving her and her sons behind. They’re not his biological children, but he was the only father they knew.”
“Does she know where he could be?”
“She claimed he left with another woman he was cheating with, likely to Boston where she has a family.”
“Did she say what Bo did for a living?”
“He lived offan alleged inheritance for a few years until the money ran out.”
So he was likely unemployed after leaving The Society, which didn't shock me.
Hayden started the car. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Can you take me back to the studio to get my car? I’ll sleep at my place tonight.”
“You sure?”
I nodded and looked out the window. I didn’t plan on using my needles, but I yearned for the peace and quiet only my house could provide.
We listened to the radio while we drove, some silly program where listeners called in to ask questions. When we reached my studio, Hayden killed the engine and asked, “Are you disappointed or relieved?”
“I think I’m both. Are we dropping the Bo line of investigation?”
“I’ll try to search for his current location, but since I’m doing everything under the table, I can’t utilize the same resources I usually have.”
In other words, it was likely a dead end.
“Can you think of anyone else who worked there back then? Any other name that I can search for?”
I closed my eyes and tried to focus. “I only knew first names, and I wasn’t as familiar with the others as I was with Bo.” On the radio, a caller was asking for dating advice, saying that she wanted to find a man who would take care of her because she was a hot mess.
Her words sparked something in the back of my mind, blowing away dust from a long-buried memory.
‘ You’re not pretty or smart enough to land yourself a rich man, Amanda Tulip, so settle for whoever is willing to take good care of you .’
“Amanda,” I blurted. “Amanda Tulip!”
“Who’s she?”
“A makeup artist—a God-awful one—but she was there for most of the shoots.”
“Okay, good.” He took out his BlackBerry and wrote down notes. “Try to tell me everything you remember. Focus on one thing and let it lead you to another.”
“I think she was a few years older than me. Blonde. Sort of pretty. Not altogether sane.”
“Do you think Amanda Tulip was her real name? Sounds like a porn star.”
“She said the headmistress at her orphanage had called her that.”
“Hold on. If she grew up in an orphanage, that narrows down our search. Are you sure it was an orphanage and not a group home?”
“I… yes. She said orphanage. Does it matter?”
“Group homes replaced orphanages. They stopped using the term orphanage in the late 1980s.”
“She grew up in the early 1970s, maybe in the 1960s.”
“Then it adds up. It’s honestly a lot to go by.” He leaned forward and kissed me. “I love working with you.”
And I loved working with him, but I wished it was on any other case.
I unbuckled my seatbelt. “I should head back home. Keep me updated.”
“Of course. Let me know if you remember anything else.”
*
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Hon, you need to get out of your comfort zone,” Jenny said on the phone. “It will just be ten people. Fifteen tops. Maybe seventeen. And since it will be in our studio, you’ll feel more comfortable. I’ll bring wine and finger food.”
I sipped my tea on the porch, watching the sun set in the distance. “I’ll need to arrange my things first; maybe put up a stand for the jewelry.”
“Yes, we’ll need to spend the morning prepping up the place.”
“Can I wear regular clothes?”
“Nope, it’s a fancy event. How would Hayden want you to dress for a date?”
“Naked.”
“Well, let’s call that plan B. And speaking of the handsome devil…”
I sighed, not surprised that she would pry. She’d been there throughout my entire relationship with Hayden, though I never told her the real reason for our ugly breakup.
“We’re dating again. I think.”
“And what brought him back into our peaceful lives?”
“Circumstances.”
She chuckled. “Do you possibly have a vaguer answer? But never mind. As long as he puts a smile on your face—and a cock in your ass—I approve.”
“Always classy, Jen. See you tomorrow.”
“Wait. Is that a yes for the party?”
“Oh, so it’s a party now? But yeah, fine.”
We hung up, and I finished my tea. If this were any other time, I would have been worried about an event full of strangers, but it seemed insignificant given everything else going on. I was about to head inside when Hayden called.
“How are you?” he asked.
“I’m watching the sunset and drinking tea. I think I’m turning eighty.”
“I’d still do you when you’re eighty. Did you put too much sugar in your tea?”
“Maybe. Hmm, Jenny is organizing an event at the studio tomorrow evening. She’s inviting a few art lovers who could end up buying some of our stuff.”
“Sounds great. Didn’t think it was your style, though.”
“It’s not, but she knows how to push the right buttons. Do you… I mean, if you’re not too busy, do you—”
“Yes, Jonah, I’d love to spend an evening watching you play a polite host.”
“Dick.” But I was glad he’d be there.
“I have news.” His voice became serious.
“You found her?”
“I think so. Can I send her mugshot to your email?”
“Yes.” I waited for almost a minute for the email to arrive because of the weak reception. When it finally did, my body turned cold. I’d expected a mugshot of Amanda from before she was recruited by The Society, but her mugshot had clearly been taken a few years after I last saw her. Her blonde hair was a mess, and her eyes were puffy and red. Zits dotted her chin.
“It’s her. Was she doing drugs?”
“She was a junkie, yes. Her then-boyfriend called to report she’d burned down his car.”
“Jesus. Is she in prison now?”
“No, in a highly secured psychiatric department. She was found to be mentally unstable and a risk to herself and her surroundings. They sent her to Patton State Hospital.”
“Where’s that?”
“San Bernardino. I have some time off work the day after tomorrow, so I’ll drive over there and try to meet her. And no, you’re not coming with me.”
“We said—”
“I don’t want her to recognize you, and there’s no reason for you to waste your day driving all the way back and forth. I’ll try my luck and update you later.”
“Fine, but I don’t like it.”
“I’ll make it up to you.”
I glanced again at the mugshot of Amanda, feeling a twisted sense of joy at her downfall. She had it coming. They all had.
*
As expected, Jenny had invited more people than she’d promised. Around twenty well-dressed guests wandered around the studio, chatting among themselves or inquiring about the various pieces on display. We had lit scented candles around the studio, their flames creating dancing shadows on the walls. We also had jazz music playing in the background because Jenny claimed it was what sophisticated people listened to, or at least pretended to.
It was a good sign when the guests ignored my jewelry and focused on the sculptures instead, asking about my methods, inspirations, and choice of materials. I wasn’t used to discussing my work with strangers, especially not with strangers who knew their craft. After stumbling over my own words at the start, I grew more confident, almost like remembering a language I hadn’t used in a long time.
When Hayden walked in, I stopped mid-sentence. He wore a black blazer and dress pants that sat nicely on his frame. He was letting his stubble grow out these days, looking even manlier than usual. He seemed self-conscious as he gazed around.
“Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”
“The place looks great,” Hayden said when I reached him. “Even smells less like a dorm room.”
“Don't get used to it. You look very handsome.”
“Yeah? Not too much?”
“You can take something off if you prefer.”
He leaned in close to my ear. “Is that a dare, Joe?”
The way he lowered his voice sent a shiver through me. “Not a dare. Let’s get you something to eat.”
“Wait. People are watching us.”
I glanced around, noticing the curious stares.
He whispered, “Since we have their attention…”
I shook my head. “Don’t—”
He kissed me, making me lean back with his arms around my back. People cheered while Jenny called, “Told you there’d be entertainment!”
“You’re hopeless,” I said once he let me go, my face warm.
He patted my ass. “Go back to charming your guests. I’ll walk around.”
True to his word, Hayden didn’t need me to hold his hand. He mingled naturally and struck up conversations with ease, helping me sell one of my most expensive sculptures.
Toward the end of the evening, I noticed an older man standing alone at the side of the room, massaging his chin as he watched one of my sculptures intently. I didn’t want to bother him, but I was curious.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
He glanced at me and nodded. “Yes, of course. Thank you for inviting me.” He kept observing the sculpture. It was a figure of a man stretched backward, his arms transforming into two waterfalls that merged into one. It had taken me forever to complete it, mostly because sculpting water was exhausting.
“How did you name it?” he asked.
“I don’t like to name my work; it feels limiting.”
“I never thought of it like that. This is truly a wonderful piece. I’ll buy it, of course—just name your price.”
“Wow. Thank you!”
“I am curious, though. Your work reminds me of other pieces I’ve seen at an acquaintance’s house. Did you make a bronze sculpture of a man with one angel wing?”
I knew what he was talking about. “Yes. I sold it a few months ago to an anonymous client. He buys a lot of my work.”
The man nodded, seemingly proud of himself for making the connection. “It makes perfect sense. Eliot always had an eye for fresh talent. You should be proud of yourself.”
*
I somehow survived the rest of the evening. When Hayden and I were finally alone, I told him what I’d discovered. We sat on the couch in the middle of the studio, jazz music still playing in the background. I turned on my laptop so we could go over every email Eliot had anonymously sent me since we started corresponding eight years ago.
“I have other anonymous clients,” I said, feeling ill. “Maybe they’re all him.”
“Maybe.” Hayden put his hand on my bouncing leg. “Don’t take it too harshly.”
“How can I not? I’ve been emailing him for years! We talked about plays we liked, books we read, and… shit. I’m so stupid!”
“Hey, cut it out. You had no way of knowing. I’d rather have him sending you emails than trying to meet you in person. From what I can see, there’s nothing incriminating in his emails that we can use against him.”
“I’m going to block his address.”
“Don’t. As far as he knows, you’re not on to him. Leave it alone for now.”
I sighed and turned off my laptop. The thought of my work being displayed in Eliot’s house was unnerving. How many bills had I paid thanks to his generosity?
“Other than this, did you have fun tonight?”
I forced my anger to subside, unwilling to let Eliot sabotage my successful evening. “It was better than I thought it’d be. It helped that you were here.”
“Please, you had them enchanted before I got here.”
“Still.” I leaned my head against his shoulder. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I love seeing you with people.”
“I felt rusty.”
“No one could tell. I felt proud seeing you in action—not that I have the right to feel pride about that.”
“You have the right.” I kissed his cheek.
He smiled and nodded. “Good to know. How many pieces did you sell?”
“Three, and expensive ones.”
“And how much would you have sold if we’d given them a sex show?”
“Hmm, maybe four.”
He laughed. “That’s it?”
“Could be five.” I cleared my throat. “Do you still want to drive to see Amanda alone tomorrow?”
He stroked my cheek. “Yes. You’ve had enough stress lately. Let me take this one.”
He was right. I’d only been able to sleep because of pills, and I hated taking them. “Just remember to update me the moment you can.” I glanced around at the mess. “Mind helping me clean?”
“Sure, but only if you do it naked. That’s non-negotiable.”
I rolled my eyes and rose to my feet. With his eyes watching me closely, I removed my clothes.
*
The aftermath of the dinner party didn’t fade the following day. I got dozens of phone calls from guests who wanted to order new pieces or to offer me a spot in their galleries. One even insisted on publishing an article about me in a fancy art magazine, and I found myself fighting my instincts and agreeing. It was overwhelming and wonderful, making me forget about Hayden’s visit to see Amanda for a few hours. Around noon, he texted me that he’d met with her and that it had been a waste of time. “She’s crazier than a bag of cats.”
I wasn’t surprised—she had been on the wrong side of sanity even back then. It dawned on me that another lead had just died, bringing us one step closer to the uneventful conclusion of this investigation. I once again felt selfish for wishing this to be over, but I couldn’t help it, and I owed no explanations in the privacy of my own mind.
Hayden promised to give me more details later that evening, but I returned home exhausted and fell asleep before we could speak.