Barking with the Stars Read online

  “Like what?” Sherman asked.

  “I don’t know, but we have presidents of two of the biggest Purple fans clubs right here.” I was thinking of those two names on the note in my bag. “Diana and I could talk with them and see if they might have some ideas and if they’d be willing to help get the word out.”

  “That could help tremendously.” Tania sat back down at the table.

  “I could also call Callum MacAvoy from TV 5 and ask for his help in spreading the word once we came up with a plan,” I said.

  Wait a minute. What was I thinking? Somehow MacAvoy would figure I owed him if he helped out. Maybe this would act as repayment for those fan club presidents’ names.

  “I can look around to see what we could come up with for a better spot for the flowers and stuff.” It seemed Jamie was on board.

  We all looked at Sherman. He seemed a little put out that there wasn’t going to be a fuss, but his face said he couldn’t come up with any arguments against the plan.

  “We’ll see what we can do then and get back to you.” Diana stood. “Who should we coordinate with?”

  “I can be the point of contact,” Jamie offered. He handed Diana a business card. “Just call me directly once you’ve talked with these fan club presidents. I’ll keep Sherman in the loop.”

  I followed Diana out of the board room. The lady in the outer office asked if we needed help getting back to the lobby and I said I thought we could find our way.

  We waited for the elevator in silence, but once we’d boarded and the doors closed, we both let out a big sigh.

  “Are we a dynamic duo, or what?” Diana grinned.

  “We are,” I agreed, smiling back.

  “They don’t even know what hit them.” Diana punched the lobby button. “Brilliant idea, by the way, to move the tribute area.”

  “I believe that it’s true. That the fans will keep coming no matter whether the event is going forward or not.”

  “Do you want to see if we can get in touch with the fan club people before we leave?”

  “That’s a great idea.” I liked how Diana thought.

  We stopped in the lobby and called Cindy Bradford first. She answered right away but sounded a bit groggy for four thirty in the afternoon. When I explained that Diana Knight and I would like to see her, she perked right up. Cindy agreed to meet us in the coffee shop in ten to fifteen minutes. Next, we placed a call to Yuki Kimoto. She answered immediately and also agreed to meet us.

  We found a quiet corner in the coffee shop and I ordered lattes for Diana and me.

  The ocean theme throughout the hotel didn’t translate well to a coffee shop and so the interior designer had gone for beachside café in the décor. We settled into bamboo beach chairs to wait.

  Once Cindy and Yuki arrived and introductions had been made, we got right down to business. We filled them in on our meeting with the hotel.

  “We’ve put reminders out to our online groups already asking that they channel their love for Purple into supporting causes that were near and dear to her heart,” Cindy explained. “My group specifically has a list of charities that Purple supported. We’re happy to add your group to the list.”

  Wow, very organized and a bit more corporate than I had expected.

  “My online group is the same.” Yuri folded her hands in her lap. “We are all so sad. But we can honor her life by helping those she tried to help.”

  “That’s great.” Diana leaned forward. “What we were hoping is that you could also encourage fans to stop dropping flowers and things off in front of the hotel.”

  “Those probably aren’t coming from our base.” Cindy pulled out her phone. “I have over thirty thousand subscribers, but most of them are not within driving distance.” She swiped and opened a website. “Eighty percent United States, another ten percent UK, and the rest scattered.” She held the phone so we could see the site.

  Again, I’d thought this fan club thing was a fun little hobby and clearly it was a business venture as well.

  “Thirty thousand!” Diana exclaimed. “Good grief, child. Where were you when I needed a fan club manager?”

  Cindy’s face lit up at the praise. “And growing.”

  “I do not have as many people who signed up as Cindy’s Purple People, but we have a respectable fifteen thousand or so,” Yuki commented.

  “The hotel has agreed to see if they can find a place for the tributes that wouldn’t obstruct people checking in the hotel.” I was impressed with their numbers and their organization. “Maybe getting the word out to your members would help.”

  “We’re hoping to move forward with the Barking with the Stars event as a tribute to Purple.” Diana tapped a polished nail on the table. “But we have a lot of details to take care of if that’s going to be possible.”

  Yuki’s expression was serious. “I would be happy to get the word out if you think that would help.”

  “It would help,” Diana answered. “And we appreciate it.”

  “We’d also appreciate any ideas you have.” I reached into my bag and pulled out a couple of my cards. “Let me give you my phone number.”

  “Maybe,” Diana continued thoughtfully, “if we manage to keep this event alive, you would each like to say a few words during the tribute.”

  They both stopped and looked at Diana.

  After a pause, Cindy said quietly, “That would be cool.”

  Yuki nodded. “Yes.”

  I handed each of them one of my business cards. “We’ll keep you posted on what the hotel comes up with for a tribute area.”

  Cindy handed her card to me and one to Diana, and Yuki followed suit.

  “We should know something by tomorrow.” Diana accepted the cards and tucked them into her bright-blue Kate Spade satchel.

  “Any scuttlebutt among the fans staying at the hotel around the investigation?” I had to ask.

  “You mean other than the missing items?” Cindy asked.

  “Missing items?” Diana had been about to stand but sat back down.

  “Auction items that were in Purple’s suite,” Yuki explained. “Many fans came specifically to bid on these things.”

  From the look on Diana’s face it was clear that no one had told her there were auction items unaccounted for. I hadn’t known but then I wasn’t really involved with that part of the event.

  This was another blow to a fundraiser that was already in trouble. “Are there many things missing?” I asked.

  “Pretty much everything that had been in her room is my understanding.” Cindy shrugged. “I’m not sure of the specifics.”

  I thought of all the items Mandy had been unpacking in Purple’s suite the day we’d been there. An award, a doll, a poster. I tried to remember what the other items had been.

  “They were worth a lot of money.” Cindy propped her chin in her hand, her elbow on the table. “They’re worth even more now.”

  “Is it possible the police took them as evidence?” Diana asked hopefully.

  “No, it doesn’t sound like it.” Cindy seemed to be in the know. I wasn’t sure how, but she seemed certain the police hadn’t taken them.

  We wrapped up and with a promise to call them as soon as we knew anything, Diana and I stopped at the valet station and I handed off the ticket. Most of the flowers had been cleared from the walkway, but cars with fans continued to pull up as we waited for my car.

  I dropped Diana off and then drove back toward Laguna proper. She would call Sunny and see if she knew anything about the auction items and I would ask Malone about them when I dropped off the note that had been left on my car.

  Traffic was still heavy but it didn’t take long to get back to the downtown area. I started toward my place and then decided I would just swing by the Laguna Beach polic
e station and see if Malone was in.

  I figured he would want the note anyway, so it would be easier to simply talk to him in person.

  The police station was in a low brick building right next door to City Hall and like the rest of Laguna, parking was at a premium. I had to park several blocks away so I was regretting the high heels by the time I got in the door.

  I walked in and looked around for Sally and Lorraine who were usually there. Yes, I know. Being on a first-name basis with the police station staff, also on the list of things that don’t speak well of me. Not seeing either Sally or Lorraine, I approached the desk. That’s when I noticed Betty Foxx sitting on the bench in the entryway, her white patent-leather purse perched on her knobby knees.

  Attired in white “loungewear” with crimson lip imprints scattered across the fabric, Betty’s lips and eyebrows matched the bright-red accents. And one eyebrow was halfway up her forehead. A disconcerting Picasso-like effect.

  “Betty.” I stopped. “What are you doing here?”

  “I had to come down and get fingerprinted.” She held up her hands, fingernails also painted red. “You know, on account of all that stuff I touched when we were in that dead singer’s hotel room.”

  I guess that made sense. They needed to rule out all the random fingerprints. In a hotel that could probably be a bit more difficult.

  “I had my hair done in case they needed a mug shot too.” She shared a big grin, seemingly thrilled about this fortunate turn of events. “What do you think?” She turned her head back and forth so I could see.

  What did I think?

  As usual where Betty was concerned, I didn’t know what to think.

  Chapter Ten

  WE DIDN’T HAVE long to wait before Malone appeared. He glanced at Betty and then spotted me and did a doubletake.

  “I know what you’re doing here,” he addressed Betty, “but you?” He turned to look at me. “Did we have an appointment?”

  “I left you a message. Something has come up I need to share with you.” I’d intended to simply hand over the note, but I wasn’t going to do that in front of Betty.

  “Sounds pretty cozy.” Betty snickered. “It’s okay, you two can talk in front of me. I can keep a secret.”

  The truth of the matter was the silver-haired imp could not keep a secret. Not for five minutes.

  “All right.” Malone motioned to the young officer working the desk. “Would you take Mrs. Foxx back to the lab for fingerprinting? They’re expecting her.”

  Betty stood and followed the officer down the hallway. “Are you single?” I could hear her ask as they walked away.

  They called older women who went after younger men cougars. I didn’t think Betty fell into the cougar category. She was more of a harmless kitten trying to act like a predator.

  “My office,” Malone said. It was more of an order than an invitation.

  I followed Malone down the same hallway that the officer had taken Betty, but then we took a turn into another corridor where the offices were located.

  Malone’s work area was no-nonsense, like the man himself. There was a desk, a chair, and a filing cabinet. He pulled a tan folding chair from behind the door and offered me a seat and then sat himself.

  I sat down, pulled the plastic bag with the note in it out of my bag, and handed it to Malone. “I found this on the windshield of my car.”

  He read the note carefully and then looked up at me. “When?”

  “Earlier this afternoon.” I knew better than to try to explain.

  “Where was your car when you found the note?”

  “In my driveway.”

  “Okay.” He blew out a breath and tipped back in his chair. “Walk me through finding it. What had you been doing before that?”

  I started with arriving at home, taking Dogbert for a walk, going inside to change, and ended with coming out to find the note.

  “How long would you say that was?”

  “Fifteen, twenty minutes, tops.”

  “Caro.” Malone’s jaw hardened. “Whoever left this on your car must have followed you home or already knew where you lived.” He crossed his arms and leaned forward. “Who would want the event canceled?”

  “Other than the hotel?” I asked.

  “Why would they want the event canceled?”

  “I don’t think they truly do. They just wish it didn’t involve a murder investigation and a steady stream of mourning fans leaving flowers that block their entrance.” I told him about the problem with the tributes on the property and the meeting Diana and I had had with the hotel management.

  “Sounds like a good solution.” He picked up the note and looked at it again. “Can you think of anyone who would benefit if your big event didn’t happen?”

  “Diana and I met with the presidents of two of the biggest Purple fan clubs while we were at the hotel. It seems like they’re hoping the event will go on.” I thought hard. “I simply can’t come up with anyone who I think would want Barking with the Stars to be canceled.”

  “All right. We’ll process this and if you come up with any ideas let me know. If you happen to get another threat”—Malone looked at me pointedly—“don’t wait for me. Call dispatch.”

  “Got it.” I didn’t move right away.

  Malone raised a brow. “Is there something else?”

  “You know about the stalker Purple had, right?” I asked.

  He nodded.

  “And the missing items from the hotel suite?” I didn’t want to be accused of keeping anything from the police.

  “Yes, the assistant gave us a list of things that had gone missing from the hotel room.”

  “And?”

  “And, it’s all part of our investigation.” He stood.

  I gathered our time was up. As usual with Detective Malone, the sharing all went in one direction.

  I took my leave and peeked at the front desk as I left to see if the young officer had survived his time with Betty. He had his head down working on some paperwork and didn’t look up as I passed by, but I thought I detected a smudge of red lipstick on his cheek. I wasn’t sure whether that was a lip print or an eyebrow smudge though.

  ONCE HOME, I confess I felt a little unsettled by the events of the day. I hadn’t really been frightened by the note on my car, but Malone’s reaction now made me feel uneasy about the whole deal.

  I changed out of my dress and heels and into yoga pants and an oversized Laguna Beach Dog Park tee. Taking Dogbert out and then feeding him and the cats was comforting. A part of my regular routine.

  I flipped on the television to see what was going on in the world and caught sight of Callum MacAvoy on the Channel 5 News.

  “Here we are in front of the Ocean Mark P, an elegant hotel by any standards.” He looked directly at the camera. “But also, the scene of the tragic death of the star known as Purple.”

  “As you can see for the past day and a half, since Purple’s death, people have been coming here. Leaving mementos of all sorts, flowers, CDs, cards in her honor.” The camera panned the piles of flowers, candles, pictures, and balloons in front of the hotel.

  Hell’s Bells.

  I smacked my forehead. If it hadn’t already occurred to fans to bring things to the hotel, they’d be doing it now. And, the hotel was probably going to think I had something to do with telling him about the growing mound of flowers and notes. Why had I even mentioned MacAvoy’s name?

  My cell phone rang. Hoping it was Sam returning my call, I was disappointed to see that it was a number I didn’t recognize.

  “Hello?” I answered, my eyes still on the television.

  “Caro Lamont?” A male on the other end of the line asked.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Jamie, from the Ocean Mark P.�
��

  “Hello, Jamie.” I hoped he hadn’t called about the news story.

  “I believe I’ve identified an area that might work to redirect fans who want to drop off flowers and things.”

  “That’s great.” I was impressed. He’d done fast work to come up with a place so quickly.

  “So, you can let people know about it?” he asked.

  “Would you mind if I came and took a look at it?” I asked.

  “Absolutely. That would be fine.”

  “Great. I’ll be right there.” I could check it out and then let MacAvoy and the fan club presidents know the details.

  I had no sooner hung up from talking to Jamie than my phone rang again. This time I recognized the number; it was Diana.

  Diana had just gotten off a call with Danny Mahalovich. Danny had heard back from Nora Worthington’s agent, and the singer was thrilled to help out by stepping in as the new headliner for the event.

  “That’s wonderful.” I felt a weight lifted. The show could go on. “Thanks for letting me know. I also just got some good news.”

  “Did you hear from Sam?” Diana asked.

  “No, we’re still playing phone tag. We keep missing each other.” I flipped off the television. “My good news is that I heard from Jamie at the hotel, and they’ve identified a space for the flowers and other items. I was just about to go take a look.”

  “Well, that is good news!” she exclaimed. “Still, I want to get back to the Sam issue.”

  There was a beep.

  “Hold on.” The beep was from Diana’s end. “I’m sorry, sweetie, I’ve got to take this. It’s Sunny and I’ve been trying to reach her. She’ll be thrilled with the news about Nora, and I’ll fill her in on the hotel.”

  “No problem, hon.” I was already moving down the hall. “You take care of that. I’m running back to the hotel to see what we can do to get these tributes taken care of.”

  I changed my clothes yet again and grabbed my car keys.

  The trip to the hotel was short but long enough for my mind to wander off in a million different ways. The event was back on track but the police was no closer to solving Purple’s murder. If things had been taken from the suite, had that happened before or after the murder? Or was it possible Purple had interrupted the thief and her murder was the result of the break-in?