Page 45 of Mastered By Lust

“It’s Mr. Jannik now.”

“Mr. Jannik. I’m Detective Vazquez. This is Detective Li. We’re here to ask you a few questions.”

“By all means,” I say.

“Do you have an office where we could speak privately?” Detective Li asks. He has a round face, but the shrewdness in his dark brown eyes says he’s no less tenacious than his partner.

“I’d rather talk here.”

I turn to Margot and Paxton, but Margot’s already on it.

“Paxton, let’s wait over here.” She gestures toward the end of the hall.

Once they’re out of earshot, I say to the detectives, “What can I help you with?”

“We’re wondering how long you were in Los Angeles last Saturday, the tenth?”

“Only for the day. I drove home after Javier Nori’s funeral. May I ask why you want to know?”

“Todd Evanston was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident.”

I blink several times, trying to understand.

Claudia said some guy tried to run her over. Javier was killed in a hit-and-run. At the time, I’d believed it to be a coincidence. But Todd was run down, as well?

This is not a coincidence.

“Is he going to be all right?”

“He’s in critical condition. That’s all I’m at liberty to divulge,” Detective Vazquez says. “Did you return to San Esteban immediately after Javier Nori’s funeral?”

“No. I met with several of my former castmates at a bar. I’m sure they can attest to that.” It had been a full two hours of unpleasant conversation. Javi was exalted as a saint. Nic cried at several points, which led Claudia to tears as well. Todd and Nic both encouraged Claudia to drink. I had to play the part of a stern parent to keep her from overindulging.

Li’s gaze is steady on me. “And after the bar?”

“I returned Claudia to her home in Hollywood Hills, and then I drove back to San Esteban.”

“No stops along the way?”

“I stopped for gas.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes.” I am losing patience with this line of questioning. “Am I under arrest?”

Vazquez doesn’t answer my question. “Where were you on Sunday, March fourth?”

That’s the day Javi was killed. “At home, probably. I rarely go anywhere.”

Vazquez continues, “How many automobiles do you own, Mr. Jannik?”

“One.”

“And where is it?”

“It’s parked behind the club. You’re welcome to walk past it after you leave here. And I hope you will be leaving soon, as I have business to attend to.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see that Betty has sent me a two-word text.Room One.

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