Free Hollywood Assassin by M. Z. Kelly Page B

contribution—sitting around and eating the other contestants’ food.
    “Hope I can deal with this,” Robin said to me. “The premiere of Tidal Wave is tomorrow night. We’re still on for the after-party.”
    “Looks like Clark’s leading the parade.” An entourage had formed. The Bon Bon line snaked through the club.
    “He gets a little star struck. I just hope I can keep him out of The Cavern.”
    “Cavern?”
    “Donovan’s estate has a swimming pool that runs underground—lots of music, dancing, and naked bodies writhing around.” A thin smile. “Just your typical backyard barbeque.”
    I was warning Robin about keeping Clark away from drugs when two uniforms entered the nightclub. I excused myself and met up with them at the club’s entrance.
    After a few moments I returned to the table and told Robin, “This should be interesting.”
    “What’s going on?”
    “Just delivering a package to a guy named Roger.”
    We sipped our drinks and chatted for a few minutes until the officers reentered the club with their suspect in handcuffs. I walked over and inspected the package that the younger of the two cops held up.
    “Test was positive for meth,” the officer said.
    Roger gave me his best angry, sultry look.
    I couldn’t resist rubbing it in. “In case you get lonely tonight, ask if you can room with a Mr. Wiener. If you get lucky maybe he’ll show you his package.”
    I returned to my table and finished my drink. After more chit-chat I told Robin I had to call it a night. As I was leaving, he mentioned that Sara Johnson would be calling me about her mystery dating event.
    “Maybe I’ll meet another guy named Roger,” I said.
    I drove home and parked in front of the closed appliance store. Natalie waved to me from inside. She was with her elderly husband, Clyde. As I walked toward the store,
    Natalie opened the door, greeting me, “Hey sweet pea.”
    Clyde was on a ladder tying balloons to a post. He said, “Big sale starts tomorrow. Everything is twenty percent off. Let me know if you need a new washer.”
    He teetered, reminding me of a chubby teddy bear up a tree.
    Natalie steadied the ladder. “Always the salesman. How was your evening?” Before I could tell her about Roger, she added, “I’ve been meaning to ask you if I could go on one of them follow-arounds with you.”
    “Come again?”
    “You know, follow you around at work. I’m thinkin' I might wanna do some real detective work someday. Need to get more of a feel for it. See if I’ve got enough snoop in me.”
    “I don’t do that sort of thing, but you can call the station. They’ve got a ride-a-long program. You could go with a uniformed officer for a shift.”
    “That’s it, a ride-a-long.” Natalie leaned over and whispered, “Do you think you could recommend an officer that looks like Johnny Depp?”
    “Sure.” I lied. Most of the cops I knew looked more like Charlie. “Why don’t you come up for a nightcap? I’ve got a little story for you.”
    Natalie turned to Clyde. “Back in a few, sweetie.”
    “But we’ve got the sale tomorrow,” Clyde protested, again teetering.
    Natalie held his ladder a moment longer. “Keep it up, Clyde, and you’ll be selling Maytag’s to Saint Peter.”
    Up in my apartment, Natalie and I shared a glass of riesling while I told her about my evening.
    “Wish I was there.” Natalie lowered her tone. “Coulda used me King Henry voice and convinced Roger I was your partner.”
    “I seriously doubt you could convince anyone you’re a guy.” My phone rang. It was Pearl Kramer.
    “Kate, I’ve located our soap star. His name is Roger Diamond. He’s a small time porn producer who filled in on Beautiful Lies a couple of times. Got an address and phone number.”
    Pearl gave me the number. I told him I’d call him back. A couple of minutes later, I had Roger Diamond on the line.
    “We’re looking into the death of a woman you knew named Cassie Reynolds, Mr. Diamond. I’d