Tags:
Drama,
detective,
Crime,
Sex,
Mystery,
Murder,
models,
Investigator,
LA,
strippers,
private,
case
Delaware, Walter Hines.â
âA s I said before, that's her attorney.â
âWe need to speak to him.â
Then, Cyn asked, âIsnât Edie McCall Andiâs friend from Los Angeles?â
âYes, remember she helped figure out what happened, that Andi didnât kill Sid.â
Cyndie said, âOh, yeah, the little actress. I met her at Andiâs wedding. I didnât know Andi was that close to her.â
I said, âIâm a little surprised, too. But, Andi could never thank us enough for what we did.â
âThatâs right; she always says you and Edie saved her life.â
Still, I was surprised! I wondered if my recurring dream was coming to life. I hadnât shared that with Cyndie, or the mountain wildfire experience. I also wondered how often Andi spoke to Edie, and if Edie might know something about her disappearance. I asked Cyndie if she knew anything about Andiâs relationship with Edie. She said she didnât. I let my thoughts of Edie stop there for now.
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***
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An hour later we walked in to Cyn's apartment. I was about to say goodnight. But, first, I turned and gave Cyndie a long hug and kiss. For once, Cyndie held me even longer. When we came up for air, tears were streaming down Cyndie's face.
I wiped them and Cyn said, âStay with me tonight. I need to be held. You can go down to your house in the morning.â
âSure.â
I did hold Cyndie and she fell asleep soundly in a few minutes.
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I didn't know it, but I had started down a new path and there was no turning back.
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the kimmel center
I woke first, early. I got up and walked quietly out to the hall.
When I wandered into the living room, I noticed the white envelope with the blackmail letter and the photos sat on the shelf above the TV. We forgot to put it away. I pushed the eject button on the VCR and put the video back into the white bag. I turned, walked back to the second bedroom and placed it on top of the shelf in the closet.
Back in the kitchen I made coffee and sat on the couch and started reading the second journal, the white one. Andi had reached the present time and the writings became diary entries.
I'm not sure how much time passed, but my next sip of coffee was cold and the sun had cleared the townhouses across Cyn's street.
I heard the toilet flush. It was only 7:45 in the morning.
I put the journal down, made Cyn's cup of coffee, with cream and sugar, and walked back into the bedroom.
Cyn was headed back to bed and turned toward me. She looked very appealing, with her tangled hair, her bedroom eyes, her nightgown, her tattooed arms and legs and her big smile. It's so much better than the serious scowl she too often shows the world.
I handed her the coffee.
âThank you.â
I mentioned the envelope and journals. âIf you want me to, I could take it down to my house and put it in my safe for safety's sake.â
âYes, do it.â
I couldn't stop myself. âCyn, you're incredibly beautiful. It was wonderful seeing you on film without clothes. I mean, it's a real privilege, oh, I'm sorry, I don't mean to embarrass you.â
Cyndie said, âShut up, you jerk. I'm sure you liked seeing Andi even more.â
I left that comment alone. I said, âCyn, you guys weren't fooling. It was everything, love, passion, mad sexâ¦â
âYes it was. It's embarrassing that such a private moment was caught on film. But I'm not upset that you watched it. I'm glad you liked it. I just wished I looked better.â
I replied, âYou look incredible.â
Cyn touched her hair. âOh, Stevie, you're so kind to me.â
I kissed her lips, got up and went back to the living room. I picked up Andiâs itinerary and studied it for a minute.
Cyn got up and started to make her breakfast.
I picked up Cynâs telephone. Three phone calls changed everything.
I called the big red rental car company and asked
Volume 2 The Harry Bosch Novels