“A break? What do you mean?”
“I just got a call from one of the police officers working on the case. A witness has come forward, Laurelle. A witness who saw Shana’s murder.”
Laurelle’s already pale face became even paler. “A-a witness?”
“An eyewitness who… saw you in Shana’s room that night.”
The stylist’s eyes went wide. “But that’s impossible. I wasn’t anywhere near Shana’s room that night. I told the police already. I was in bed.”
“Someone was watching, Laurelle,” said Camille. “Someone was watching through the window. They saw you murder my daughter.”
“That’s just crazy! How can this witness have seen me? The killer wore a mask. Whoever this is, they’re lying, Camille. I would never kill Shana!”
“That’s what I first thought. The thing is, the dog didn’t bark, Laurelle.”
Laurelle looked at Camille as if she was crazy.“The dog didn’t bark?”
“That’s right. You know Kane. That stupid mutt barks at everything and everyone. But that night he didn’t bark when the killer attacked Shana.”
“So? That doesn’t prove anything.”
“It proves everything. You gave that dog to Shana. You’re the only one he never barks at, because you’re his owner and he knows that.”
“The killer could have drugged Kane, like he drugged everyone else.”
Camille shook her head decidedly.“I believe you killed Shana, Laurelle.”
“But, Camille—”
“The police also told me you used to work at your uncle’s butcher shop until you left your hometown to become a stylist in LA. They told me you were very handy with the meat cleaver. In fact your uncle told them you were an ace. That for a girl of your size and build you packed quite a punch.”
“I… I don’t know what to say. This is just… ridiculous.”
Camille fixed her with an implacable look.“Why did you do it? Was it because of that silly sex tape? Yes, Shana told me all about that. How that tape was your claim to fame. She even sent me a copy of the silly thing.”
Laurelle’s lips tightened and she went still. “You saw my tape?”
“Of course I saw your tape. Everybody did. We all had a good laugh. The thing was hilarious. Did you really think it would make you famous?”
“That tape wasn’t Shana’s to distribute. I gave it to her in confidence.”
“It’s a sex tape, Laurelle. If you didn’t want people to see it, why did you make it in the first place?”
Laurelle shook her head. She’d moved back, and twin dots of crimson had appeared on her cheeks. Out of nowhere, a knife suddenly manifested in her hand. “You’re just as bad as your asshole daughter, Camille. I should have taken care of you and your family a long time ago.”
Camille eyed the knife nervously.“What are you doing?”
Laurelle’s lips curled up into a cruel smile. “What do you think I’m doing? I’m going to put my carving skills to good use. This time without a witness.”
“You won’t get away with this. Everyone will know it was you.”
The stylist shrugged.“I’ll just cut myself. Tell the cops the terrorist struck again and I barely escaped with my life. I’ll even throw in a full description this time. Only for you, help will come too late, of course. You’ll be dead.”
“Why did you do it, Laurelle? Why did you kill my daughter?”
“For the same reason I’m going to kill you. Because you deserve it,” she spat. “You think you’re so high and mighty. Sitting on your throne of money and fame and power. You think you can mock and ridicule everyone else. Well, no more. I deserve a spot in the limelight, just like you, and I’m going to get it. That tape was supposed to put me out there, but your daughter sabotaged everything. She didn’t want the competition. She could have made me part of her inner circle but instead she chose to keep me down.”
“You’re crazy,” said Camille. “No silly sex tape could have made you famous. It would simply have made you the laughing stock of the world.”
Laurelle stuck out her chin.“You know it’s all about celebrity endorsement. If Shana had endorsed my tape, it would have put my name on the map.”
“You’re deluded, honey. It doesn’t work that way. Shana was famous not because of some elusive celebrity endorsement but because she had talent and worked her ass off to make it in this business. Success doesn’t fall from the sky. Shana had to work hard to make a success of herself, and she wasn’t going to hand it to you on a silver platter just because you felt entitled.”
“You’re so wrong. I’m not entitled. I’m talented. I just needed a break.”
“Drop that knife. It’s over. You killed Shana and you’re going to jail.”
“It isn’t over until I say it is. You and your family are going to suffer. I’m going to kill every last one of you. First I’ll carve you up like a brisket, and then I’m going to do the same to your rotten kids. I won’t rest until all the Kenspeckles are nothing but a bunch of cadavers rotting in the ground.”
“You’re insane,” said Camille, throwing up her hands. “Why didn’t I see this before? When this is over I’m going to have a word with your employment agency. This is just ridiculous.”
“One more thing before I slice you to ribbons,” said Laurelle. “Give me the name of the witness.”
“I told you, it was Kane,” said Camille.
“I should never have given my precious baby to Shana,” said Laurelle. “I knew she wouldn’t appreciate it. I just felt sorry for her after Lil’ Pim died.”
“Well, Kane was the witness.”
“Quit messing around, Camille,” said Laurelle, gesturing with the knife. “Tell me the name of the witness.”
Odelia stepped from behind the curtain.“That would be me.”
Laurelle’s eyes widened in shock. “You! What are you doing here?!”
“Telling Camille what’s going on.”
“You saw me that night?”
“A family friend did.”
Laurelle took a step toward her.“Give me the name or I’ll gut you right now. One slice is all it takes to spread your guts all over the floor so you can watch yourself bleed to death.”
“Sounds like fun,” Odelia said. “But I think I’ll pass.” She shook her head. “And here I thought you were the victim. You sure fooled me.”
“I am the victim. I’m the victim of Kenspeckle greed.”
“You made that tape, didn’t you?” asked Odelia. “That was your idea.”
“Of course it was my idea. I devised the whole plan. You don’t think I escaped that shit town of Armada, Illinois just to spend my life slaving away for the Kenspeckles, do you? I came to LA to become rich and famous, only this asshole here doesn’t want to share. So now I’ll make her pay. And I’ll make you pay,” she said, making a slashing gesture in Odelia’s direction.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a voice sounded from the door. Chase had appeared, and he was accompanied by the FBI agent in charge.
Laurelle stared at them, completely taken aback.“I… the terrorist was here, and… he attacked me and…”
“I don’t think so, Laurelle,” said Burr as he stepped from behind the curtain. He had his camera mounted on his shoulder and pointed at Laurelle.
The knife dropped from her hand and fell to the floor.“You filmed me?”
“Yep. Got it all on tape.” He tapped his camera proudly. “A real doozy.”
It was over, and she knew it. Chase stepped forward, and outfitted the fallen stylist with a nice set of shiny new handcuffs. Laurelle looked at Odelia.“Who was the witness? Who saw me that night? I need to know.”
Odelia shrugged.“There was no witness. I just made that up.”
The girl’s face contorted into an expression of rage. “I hate you. I hate all of you! And I hate you most of all, Camille Kenspeckle! I’ll get you for this!”