“So I told Lila she’d killed Carol Anne for nothing because she, Carol Anne, wasn’t going to ask Ben to be the father. She was going to ask his brother. Okay, I know I taunted her, but I’ve been running and hiding from a crazed stalker for days now and I had just had it with the whole lunatic thing. That’s when Lila threatened to kill me, and you shot her to save me. Like you said, it’s an internet sensation.”
“How well do you know Clyde Benson?”
Jess shook her head. “Who is Clyde Benson?”
“Based on the fingerprints we found on the knife at the scene, we believe he is your stalker.”
Jess nodded. “Well, as far as I know, I had never even seen him before today. But, I’ve been running all over L.A. doing interviews and public appearances, so it’s possible, even probable, that he’s been at some of them. Someone and I assume it’s him, has been leaving me notes, gifts, and flowers for the last couple of weeks.”
“And where have you been since I saw you at the hospital and say 7:00 p.m. this evening?”
Ben held his hand up before Jess could answer. “What does that have to do with the events from this morning, Detective?”
“We found Clyde Benson this evening. He was dead with a stiletto heel protruding from his carotid artery.”
Adam opened the folder he had placed on the table earlier. He pushed two photos toward Jess.
“I believe you threatened to, let me see, how did you say it, ‘show him what a real stiletto could do’ earlier today.”
Jess looked at the photos and turned to Ben. Both had realized the shoes looked like a pair he’d gotten for her two months ago. Only Jess suspected they didn’t just look like the ones he’d gotten her, they were the ones that had disappeared from her living room. God, was it just two days ago? The fucker had stolen her shoes, and then had gotten killed with one of them. Damn it! Those were her favorite shoes, and she knew there wasn’t a shoe repair shop on earth that would be able to get that bloodstain out.
“I’ve been with my family the whole time. And, you know the paparazzi have been following me, so I’m sure someone has me on video at whatever time he was killed.”
The detective nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I figured, but I had to ask. Do you recognize the shoes, Ms. Parker?”
“I had a pair just like them, but they disappeared from my condo two days ago. I thought the stalker took them.”
“Did you report the stalker and/or the theft to the police in Los Angeles?”
Jess closed her eyes. How was she going to get this Overland Park, Kansas cop to understand her reasoning? “No. At first, he was just leaving notes for me at the places where I had personal appearances or interviews. So, there was nothing to report really. It’s not unusual for fans to do things like that. Some of the notes were almost sweet, but some were pretty vicious. Then two days ago, I returned from doing an interview and found a note on my bed. That’s why I came home. It should have been safe here. But completely by accident, there were paparazzi at the airport and they got photos of me and Joey getting on the plane. Then the paparazzi showed up here, I suppose that’s how the stalker found out where I was.”
“But that still doesn’t tell me why you didn’t report anything to the police in Los Angeles, especially after the break-in.”
“Detective Hunter, I’m not a well-known or established actress. These roles in Harts in Time are the opportunity of a lifetime for a young actress like me. It can make my career. It’s not uncommon for even a big star to be replaced in a movie at this stage. We don’t start principal filming until late next month. I didn’t want the producers to think I’m too much trouble. I guess that ship’s sailed after the incident today though. In fact I’m surprised my agent isn’t already blowing up my phone.”
As if talking about Jeremy Comstead had conjured him, Jess’s cell phone rang. She looked at Detective Hunter. “I really should answer this. You know and just get it over with.” She knew she was going to be fired, and it was like taking bad tasting medicine. You should do it fast and all at once, then chase it with something good like pudding or ice cream. But don’t ever crush it up and put it in pudding, because all you’ve done then is ruin perfectly good pudding.
Chapter 21
that makes no sense at all
She stood and walked away from the table where Detective Hunter and Ben still sat. “Jer?”
“Jess, holy crap. Why didn’t you tell me you had your very own stalker? My God, that puts you in the same class as Orlando, Alec, and Uma. And why didn’t you ever tell me you could kick someone’s ass? That puts you with Angelina, Scarlett, and Jennifer.”
“I didn’t want the producers to fire me because of the stalker. I guess kicking ass just never came up. So, am I fired?”
“Fired? No. Not just no. Hell No! My God, you’re the hottest thing in L.A. right now. Offers and scripts have been rolling in all day. The producers are talking about sweetening the Harts deal to keep you exclusive until all three of the movies are in the can. They’re even talking about filming all three of them at once, the way Lord of the Rings was done, so you can be free to pursue all of the other offers that are rolling in. We seriously need to talk, when are you going to be back in L.A.?”
Offers and scripts were rolling in because of the scene in the parking garage? Huh, life was strange, and Hollywood life was even stranger.
“There are some things here I need to do. By the way, the stalker’s name is Clyde Benson and he was killed today.” She glanced at Detective Hunter. “I’ll come back Sunday night if the police will let me leave. I’ll call you tomorrow with more details.” She ended the call and walked back to the table.
She looked from Ben to the Detective. “Is there anything else, Detective or am I free to leave?”
“I need a formal statement. I’ll get you a pad and pen. Then just write it down and sign it.” Adam left the room and Jess looked at Ben.
“Is this all normal?”
“Yeah, pretty much. This is the way it goes. What did your agent say?”
She laughed. “It seems I’m the hottest thing in Hollywood right now. He said scripts and offers are rolling in and the producers are talking about filming the whole three movie series at the same time. That will probably mean more time in Europe than I’d originally planned, but I won’t know what’s going on until I get back there.”
Ben shook his head thinking, California is a totally different world.
“So, that’s a good thing, right? And the other good news is that we don’t need to stay at Uncle Sal’s. I’m going to call your mother and let her know we can all go home.”
He stepped away from the table and pulled out his phone. He had left Lane with Jamie, knowing they were going to Jake’s house to wait for Jess and himself.
“Red? We’re almost finished here.” He realized they hadn’t talked about whether they’d live at his house or hers after the wedding. His house was larger. It made sense to him that they’d move in with him. At least until the new house he was having built was finished. He’d gotten plans drawn up before he’d proposed; and as soon as she’d said yes, he’d had the builder break ground. He hadn’t told her about it; but to his way of thinking, they needed a lot more bedrooms than he had now. That was especially true with the baby on the way.
“Let’s stay at my house for now. Are you okay with that?”
Lane laughed. “Ben, the boys and I were just talking about where we’d live. Your house has twice the square footage. It seems like a no brainer. Jamie and I will meet you there. I love you, we’ll see you soon.”