Free Hollywood Kids by Jackie Collins

We're goin' back to the apartment an' meeting a couple of cops I know. I'm gonna try an' get 'em to put out a missing persons report.'
    Michael slammed the phone down and marched into the kitchen. 'I need a drink,' he said, grim-faced.
    That's exactly what you don't need,' Quincy said, remembering the bad times.
    Michael managed a wry laugh. 'I said I
needed
one, I didn't say I was going to have one.' Opening the fridge he grabbed a 7-Up and took a hearty swig. 'There's no reply at her aunt's house.'
    'I have a feeling they're both fine,' Amber said reassuringly.
    Oh yeah, like she would know, Michael thought. If anything had happened to his kid...
    No. It didn't bear thinking about. He would kill if anyone harmed Bella - blow their fucking brains out without a second thought.
    Guilt was creeping up on him big time. He should have guessed something was wrong when he kept on getting the answering machine. He was a detective for chrissakes, the moment he hit LA he should have run right over there instead of waiting almost a week.
    Taking two more gulps of 7-Up he slammed the can on the counter. 'Come on, Q, let's get back, I wanna talk to the woman in the upstairs apartment again. Maybe she's remembered something.'
    Stopping only to kiss Amber on the cheek, Quincy was right behind him. We're on our way. See you later, hon.'

* * *
    'Lily,' the fat woman said, lisping slightly. 'My name's Lily Langolla.' She was quite a sight to behold in a stained yellow caftan and fluffy blue slippers, a pink bow stuck jauntily on top of her frizzy yellow hair.
    At least she'd let them into her apartment this time. Michael had flashed his detective's badge and she'd opened up immediately.
    'So, Lily,' Quincy said, keeping his voice nice and even. 'When did you last see Rita Polone?'
    'I don't spy on people,' Lily said primly, throwing her huge bulk on to an old purple couch from which the stuffing escaped in six different places.
    'Nobody said you was spyin' by knowin' what's goin' on,' Quincy said, continuing his soothing friendly bit.
    Michael stared out the window, as far as he could see, the woman had a prime spot to watch everything that happened on the street, if there'd been any kind of commotion there was no way she could have missed it.
    He turned towards her. 'Lily,' he said, speaking softly. 'Why did you call her a slut?'
    'Not against the law't call people names, is it?' Lily replied belligerently.
    He used his charm, hitting her with a direct dark-eyed gaze. 'No, Lily, I'm sure a smart woman like you wouldn't do anything against the law.'
    The heat of his gaze had the required effect. Reaching up, Lily patted the bow in her hair, suddenly aware that she might not be looking her best.
    Michael knew he had her. Quickly he moved in, bombarding her with questions, taking her by surprise. 'Was she noisy, Lily? In and out all the time? Did she have many visitors?'
    That's right,' Lily agreed.
    What's right?'
    Lily was flustered, but now she was determined to please. 'Men. Comin' an' going at all times.'
    He felt a tenseness in his stomach, a knife-like feeling of doom. 'How many men, Lily?' he asked, making a concentrated effort to keep his voice calm, because he knew exactly what she was alluding to. 'One a night? Two?'
    'Hey, now, Mike, don't go thinking just because -' Quincy began.
    Michael silenced him with a look.
    Lily squinted, thinking about it for a moment. 'First there was several different ones comin' an' goin' all times of the day an' night,' she said, fidgeting with the bow in her hair. Then there was just one. He visited her regular for a couple of weeks, until one night he came an' got her an' they took off. I ain't seen her since.'
    Was her little girl with her, Lily?' Michael asked softly.
    'Maybe she was.'
    What the fuck do you mean,
maybe
she was,' Michael yelled, suddenly losing it. 'Was she or wasn't she?'
    'OK, OK,' Quincy said, hurriedly getting between them as Lily cowed back. 'Let's take it nice an' easy here.