Page 6 of The Perfect Poise

After they hung up, Ryan motioned for the officers in the squad car behind them to pull up alongside.

“We’re going to call the husband to give him the death notification,” he explained. “Hopefully he gives us permission to access the house. If he gives us any trouble, we may need you guys to sit on the place until we get a warrant. For now, you can just park here. We’ll let you know what happens.”

The officers pulled in front of them. Ryan dialed the number that Jamil had given him for Laurent Baptiste. The first two times he called, he was sent straight to voicemail. The second time, he left a message.

“Mr. Baptiste, this is Detective Ryan Hernandez with the Los Angeles Police Department. It’s imperative that you return this call immediately. We have an urgent matter to discuss.”

As he continued speaking, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation while still using vague generalities, Jessie glanced over at the mansion where the man spent at least some of his time.

The home, a giant, nearly-block-long Spanish Colonial style villa, fit what Jessie would have expected from a couple focused on film and art. She guessed that it was about a hundred years old and had that distinctive old Hollywood flavor.

Despite the glamour of the place, Jessie wasn’t starry-eyed. She’d had bad experiences with this neighborhood. Andy Robinson, a woman who would later go on to stalk and kidnap her, once lived just a block over. In fact, she’s tried to kill Jessie in that very home.

“You think he’ll call back?” Ryan asked after hanging up, pulling her back into the present. “He’s in Paris, right? What time is it there?”

Jessie did some quick mental calculations. “It’s almost 10 p.m. here, so that would make 7 a.m. there.”

“Maybe he’s still asleep,” Ryan posited.

As if in response to his comment, the phone suddenly rang.

“This is Detective Hernandez,” Ryan said the second he hit “answer.”

“Detective,” replied a youngish-sounding man with a light accent who definitely wasn’t Baptiste. “This is Mr. Baptiste’s personal assistant, Gerard. Mr. Baptiste is preparing for a speech. How may I help you?”

“I’m sorry, Gerard,” Ryan said, “but for what we need to discuss, I need to speak with Mr. Baptiste directly. I understand that’s probably unusual for him, but it’s essential.”

There was a long pause before Gerard spoke again.

“You are on speaker with Mr. Baptiste,” he said, “go ahead.”

Jessie could tell from his expression that Ryan didn’t want to relay bad news with someone else on the line, but he didn’t have much choice.

“Mr. Baptiste?” he said.

“Yes,” replied a man with a thick but still mostly understandable accent. “This is he. What is this regarding, Detective?”

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, sir,” Ryan replied in a firm quiet voice, “but your wife, Chloe, has died.”

They heard a stifled gag on the other end of the line and something in French that neither understood. A moment later, Gerard, sounding rattled, came back on the line.

“Are you sure this isn’t a mistake?” he demanded, his tone quavery. “Mr. Baptiste wants to know.”

“I’m afraid not,” Ryan said. “She was found less than an hour ago in her car behind the Larchmont Gallery near Hancock Park. I’m sorry to inform him that she was murdered.”

They heard something else in French. It sounded like Gerard might be translating Ryan’s words for the older man. Baptiste spoke again. Even with his accent, his voice was obviously heavy with emotion.

“This cannot be,” he insisted. “I refuse to accept it. You must present me with evidence that verifies what you say. Photos. How can I be certain that this is not some cruel joke?”

Ryan sighed.

“I’m able to give you the number for Central Police Station or you can look it up on your own. Our captain’s name is Gaylene Parker. You can confirm all this with her. I encourage you to do so if you have doubts. As to providing photos, I’m not able to do that, sir. They’re part of the investigation. And trust me, you don’t want to see them. They are…difficult to look at.”

“Why?” Baptiste demanded. “How was she killed?”

"I can't share any details of the investigation at this time, sir," Ryan told him, wincing at how he had to toe the official line. "Suffice to say, it was extremely violent. That's part of why I wanted to speak to you. Obviously, it's my responsibility to share this terrible news. But I'm also investigating the case, and I'm hoping that you can help. If—once you verify my identity with my superiors—you could tell me if there was anyone who might want to hurt your wife, anyone who had threatened her or expressed animosity, it could go a long way to advancing our investigation."

There was more back and forth in French, Gerard speaking in comforting, hushed tones while Baptiste alternated between anguished responses and angry howls. When someone finally spoke to them again, it was Gerard.

---