Sexy Girls (25 page)

^{“Garrett, you think you're smart, don't you?”}

^{Instinctively, I know this is Jack Hostel but I'm too scared to stop myself from saying, “Who are you?”}

^{“I think you know.”}

^{Within seconds, I make the connection. It all makes sense. That's how he knew about everything.}

^{I need to stall for time. It will be a few minutes only, on this perfect summer day, before someone will come up the trail and start bouldering up to us. He won't want to kill a third person.}

^{“When did you get back, Jack, this morning?”}

^{“Yeah, that's right, Garrett.”}

^{I say, “A second murder is going to be hard to fight in court.”}

^{Hostel smiles. “This isn't a murder. This is an unfortunate accident.”}

^{I figure out his intent here. He doesn't want to stab me or cut me. He wants me to go over the cliff, unhurt, so it looks like I fell. It would be the perfect crime. I'd be a stupid out-of-towner who didn't know this hill.}

^{“But, the first one wasn't an accident.”}

^{“No, that was a mistake,” he says calmly.}

^{“I agree; it was a mistake to kill Andi?”}

^{“No, Garrett, that lesbian slut made the mistake. She stuck her pretty little nose in other people's business.”}

^{While still seated, I turn my body around completely so I'm fully facing him. I want to be able to stand quickly.}

^{I ask, “So, why did Red tell you about that
Kimmel Center
night?”}

^{“The lesbian slut stole your client from Red.”}

^{“That's not what I heard. All three of them were special friends,” I add.}

^{“Sure they were, and if you believe that, then you must think I'll turn myself into the cops.”}

^{I'm still shocked by it all and ask, “Why did Red blackmail her friends? It just doesn't make sense.”}

^{“Red didn't have anything to do with it. In fact, she didn't know. She only wanted the blonde bitch to get screwed by her sugar-daddy hubbie.”}

^{“Then why did you kill Andi?”}

^{“The blonde bitch figured out the blackmailing, somehow. Red was scared and cracked under the pressure when the bitch confronted her in Florida. Red told Andi that Jill and I were in Colorado. Red isn't strong like my Jill. She's almost as weak as your client.”}

^{Stalling for more time, I said, “Do you really think you can get away with this?”}

^{Hostel laughed. “I already have. I'm tired of talking Garrett. You know the whole story and I can't let you tell anyone else. Now, get up and step backward. Two small steps should do it. Just make this easy for both of us. I don't want to cut your pretty neck.”}

^{“Up yours Hostel, do it the hard way.”}

^{In a split second I'm on my feet. I jump over the gravel channel. I'm to Jack's right. He turns and starts towards me, closing the gap between us. My escape is blocked by a large boulder to my left.}

^{Jack is about four feet from me and moving quickly, when I look to my left, over Jack's right shoulder, and scream out, “Jill, what are you doing here?”}

^{It's enough of a distraction. Jack turns his head to the right. His right foot slips in the gravel on the slick granite. He tries to regain his balance as he swings his head back towards me.}

^{I give Jack my best pass-receiver fake to my right, but, instead, I dive forward and down to my left. I go for his Achilles' heel; I pull his right leg upwards. As Jack falls backwards, he makes his last mistake. He doesn't drop the knife to break his fall; instead, he wildly swings his right hand back at me.}

^{I'm sprawled on the rock on my left side and the knife slices my upper right arm. But, his head hits the red rock hard and he loses control. He's stunned. I'm able to kick his right side toward the cliff. The knife pops out of his hand as his legs go over the sheer drop. I reach for his right arm, but miss. The little channel is too slick from water rushing over it for thousands of years. Jack has nothing to grab. In an instant he disappears over the edge.}

^{The echoing sounds of “Fuck youuuuuuuu, Garrettttttt!” end with a soft thud hundreds of feet below.}

 

^***

 

^{It was nearly midnight by the time I left the Fort Collins Police Station on LaPorte Avenue. Earlier, the emergency room put seventeen stitches in my right bicep, and covered it with a white bandage. I also carried two bottles of pills in my pants pocket; a painkiller and an antibiotic. The wound stung and ached, but I was okay.}

^{Three things helped me walk free that night. First, Edie heard the whole attack by Jack as my cellphone stayed connected to her. She was able to corroborate my story.}

^{Second, the couple is married that I trailed up to the Rock. They are also cops, off-duty at the time, and they saw Jack climb the Rock after they returned to the trail. From a distance down the trail, they saw Jack lunge toward me on the edge of the cliff. They heard his last scream and were first on the scene. To them I explained what happened and why I was in Fort Collins. I also identified Jack's body.}

^{Finally, I didn't touch the knife and the police were able to take and match Jack's fingerprints.}

^{I also put the police in contact with John Morelli in Philly. Detective Morelli's timing couldn't have been better. He called me back while I sat in the interrogation room, and he explained Andi's death to the Fort Collins Police.}

^{Jill was taken into custody shortly after she learned of Jack's death. The last time I saw Jill the police were escorting her into a different room for questioning. Her composure was remarkable, icy and with a hard stare. When we made eye contact she aimed her up-turned left middle finger at me.}

^{The police tell me Jill blames Jack for everything. She even provides the dates and details of Jack's trip to Philadelphia in late May.}

^{I say Jill is involved too. They ask me for proof, for evidence to back my claim. I instantly realize I have none. I can't mention the phone conversation I overheard with the listening device or I'd confess my own crime. All these thoughts rush through my head in the fifteen seconds I pause. Reluctantly, I admit, I have nothing solid to link Jill to Andi's murder or the blackmail. Even Jack said nothing to implicate Jill. It's my word against hers.}

^{However, as the long hours pass slowly in interrogation, another idea develops in my mind; my own plan to resolve everything.}

 

 

 

^{I spent most of Wednesday in my hotel room. The police asked me to stay in Fort Collins for a day or two as they sorted things out. I was shaken by Jack's death. I should have been. I could have been killed. It was only the second time my actions led to the death of someone, even if I've acted in self-defense both times.}

^{Jesus! The whole event took less than five minutes, but I'll remember Jack's attack and our conversation for years. It was the one and only time I met him.}

^{Talking to Edie helped. I soon realized she was even more affected than I was by the death on Horsetooth Mountain. She hadn't slept very much Tuesday night and we talked for a long time that next morning.}

^{Edie was floored about everything. She asked me too many times about my arm. I think I finally convinced her I wasn't seriously hurt. She wanted to come to Denver. I convinced her to wait a few days as I was sure this investigation was about to end. I explained how. She would make plans to fly east, all the way to Philadelphia.}

 

^***

 

^{I also talked to Walter Hines. I briefed him about the sudden death in Fort Collins and the whole interstate crime story. Hines told me that he spoke to Eve yesterday and informed her that he was going to ask the court for Robert's financial records, including details of the blackmail payoff. Eve reacted calmly, but said that wouldn't prove anything and had nothing to do with Andi's estate or probate court.}

^{Walter and I agreed that we would meet as soon as I returned home to discuss our next steps, including contacting Eve again about Robert's affair and his involvement in the blackmail.}

 

^***

 

^{I phoned Cyndie. She was in working in my living room. She was very glad to hear from me and amazed at all the news from Horsetooth Mountain. Cyndie offered her opinion of this mystery's missing link before I ventured my guess. We both agreed - we found the answer. She concurred with my idea to call and reach out to learn the whole story.}

 

^***

 

^{Late in the day I met again with the Fort Collins police and learned that they are considering charging Jill Grayson with conspiracy for my attempted murder, even though they admitted that would be hard to prove. They would also work with the Philadelphia Police Department to make Jill available for Andi's murder. But, for now, after providing all my contact information, I was free to go.}

^{I left knowing I hadn't shared my suspicions about one other person in this mystery. I would find the truth about that next.}

 

^***

 

^{I left two messages Wednesday on her work phone and didn't get a call back until 9:30 p.m. No, she wasn't coming to Colorado. No, she didn't plan to speak to authorities.}

^{I explained my offer and she agreed to meet with me, alone, on the beach. I agreed to wear only a swimsuit so she can see nothing is concealed. Plus, I would take a five-minute swim in the surf prior to our conversation.}

^{Yes, Red Sable would see me the next day in Fort Lauderdale.}

 

^***

 

^{I bodysurfed one last wave and waded to shore. The water felt great and helped to refresh me after the long flights east, southeast, that Thursday from Denver and Atlanta. My arm stung and I was glad I had popped a pain killer while I changed in my Fort Lauderdale beach hotel room.}

^{I didn't wait long on the dry sand above the high-tide line before I heard, “Stevie.”}

^{I turned and there was Red Sable. Once again my eyes took in this healthy, fit woman with her vibrant red hair and her bright aquamarine eyes. The whites of those eyes were red from crying and her face was blotchy red too. She wore a green two piece swimsuit; a boys pants and a sleeveless camisole-like top.}

^{I was surprised that she came right up and hugged me. I held her tight and said, “Red, I'm so sorry about Jack and everything that happened. I don't know what to say. Thanks again for meeting me.”}

^{She sighed. “Where do we start?”}

^{“At the beginning.”}

^{“Let's take a walk, north,” she said.}

^{I tried to break the ice. It wasn't easy. How do you avoid falling into a person's pit of despair? Jack Hostel was a murderer and a blackmailer, and, now, was dead. There's no point in delaying the inevitable too much. I tried some small talk.}

^{Then, two minutes later, she stopped for a moment, turned to me, and said, “Stevie, tell me what happened in Colorado.”}

^{I told it all.}

^{Red frowned, breathed deep, then said in a soft voice, “Stevie, look, I've lived this nightmare for four months. I hated it from the beginning and it kept getting worse.”}

^{Since she was talking, I simply nodded.}

^{Red was suddenly agitated, flipped her hair over her right shoulder and started walking again. I hurried to catch up.}

^{Red began talking. “Okay, listen! I learned the whole story after the night at the
Kimmel Center
. Jack and Jill Grayson couldn't keep their big mouths shut. I started asking questions when it became apparent that he loved Jill and they were moving home to Colorado. Where did they get the money? How did they know so much about that night and the filming?}

^{“Right from the start, I wasn't getting answers that made sense. Finally, Jack called me at home one night in early March and told me about the blackmail and what he did. No, what he, Jill and Robert did to Andi and why they did it. I told him he was a jerk and would regret it some day. I also told him he broke several laws and could get in big trouble.}

^{“He just said, 'Red, you always worry. This is my chance to make it.'”}

^{“I replied, 'Yeah, this is your chance to make license plates while you're serving time.'”}

^{“Jack hung up on me and I was crushed.”}

^{Before I could speak, Red went right on, “Look, I should have done something earlier - I wimped out and ran away in mid-March. I guess I didn't want to get Jack in trouble. It's bothered me a ton ever since. I haven't slept right. I know I screwed up.”}

^{Red was very mad, but tears started in her eyes, and I didn't dare interrupt, “This is what I figured out later, after that night. Jill wanted money - her inheritance - to start her own business. For months, she was her normal royal pain-in-the-neck. I must have heard her whiney begging a hundred times and Robert always told her no. But, one day, Robert's nepotism bit him in the ass. Jill found out about Robert's new affair with Giselle and threatened to tell Andi.}

^{“Jill also knew about the prenup. If Andi learned about Giselle, she could divorce Robert and get her million and a half dollars. Jill also knew Andi was completely fed up with Robert. One day, I mentioned to Jill that Andi was about to file for divorce; that really pushed Jill to act.}

^{“Next, enter Jack. Jill met Jack at the agency, they began dating, and she fell in love with him. The turning point came when she guessed the truth about the Sexy Girls. That pissed Jill off and made her snap. Jill told Jack about the prenup and her plan to screw Andi and get the money she needed. That news got Jack to join in Jill's big plan.}

^{“Finally, Jill made a deal with her father. If she could entrap Andi, with proof of an affair, could she get a million dollars? That's how it all started. Jack and Jill would come out great, Daddy would save a half million dollars, and Andi would be screwed. Plus, Robert would be free to jump Giselle's skinny bones whenever he wanted. Robert agreed to go along with the plan.}

^{“However, this plan had a big problem. The original idea was for Jack to have sex with Andi. But, he struck out. Thank God. Andi wouldn't even talk to him. Andi didn't want to lose her big money payoff from Robert, she told Cyndie and me that all the time. Jill was frantic. She didn't know what to do and Andi was about to file for divorce. So, she came up with Plan B.”}

^{I asked, “How did Jill do it?”}

^{“Do what?”}

^{“Red, how did Jill know about the Sexy Girls Night at the
Kimmel Center
?”}

^{“Stevie, this is hard for me to say.”}

^{“You know, don't you, Red?”}

^“Yes.”

^{“Red, who was it?}

^{Red whispered, “I told them.”}

^“What?”

^{“Yes, I became insanely jealous and super pissed off after Andi stole Cyndie from me.”}

^{Red continued, “Cyndie and Andi started their secret affair several weeks before that night. I found out and I hated it. The worst part was that Andi and Cyndie started acting out in public. I got so pissed off that I told Jill at work. But, Jill already knew, she saw them kissing too.}

^{“I schemed with Jill and we came up with Plan B. It definitely would get Andi's pretty little ass screwed by Robert. The Sexy Girls would go to the Kimmel Center and I would require Andi and Cyndie to have sex. I knew they were doing it all the time and it would be easy. Jill and I had it all planned. Jill would take the photos of us entering the Center and then walk in on the sex scene in the lounge. Andi wouldn't be able to explain that away. I was going to be the dominatrix and make Andi and Cyndie promise to do what I said.}

^{“However, at the last minute, I had to go out of town with Robert. Jill and I thought our plan was ruined, but we lucked out. I gave Cyn the dominatrix cat suit and had Andi swear she'd follow Cyndie's orders. I was being obsessive. Andi and Cyndie had sex in the lounge, and would have done it anyway, given the intensity of their affair.}

^{“It turned out to be a perfect way to trap Andi. Plus, Robert and I both had fool-proof alibis. I was very happy.”}

^{I was about to speak, when Red went on with her story, “But, I didn't know about the blackmail before that night. I swear! Jill tricked me! I thought I was helping Jill get Andi in trouble, only. At some point, behind my back, Jack and Jill decided to film the sex and blackmail Andi to get the million dollars. I didn't even know Jack was involved until I got back from Vegas with Robert.”}

^{That explained the blackmail, but I needed to know about Andi's murder. I blurted out, “Tell me about Andi's visit to Florida.”}

^{She hesitated, “Oh… Andi really didn't know that much. At first, I denied knowing anything about the blackmail. But, as her visit continued, Andi worked her charm on me. As I said before, Andi broke my heart when she told me what happened to her after that night. I didn't realize how badly she got screwed by Robert. By that point I was so alienated and pissed at Robert and Jill and Jack I could barely think straight.}

^{“Finally, over dinner the last night, with three glasses of wine in me, I started talking and things clicked for Andi. She knew Jack; she met him a few times. Andi asked about Jack as she knew he had stopped working at the modeling agency. I first said he was back in Fort Collins. Then, I blurted out that Jack was dating Jill. That comment broke things open. Finally, I came clean. I told her that Jack and Jill were a couple and were behind the blackmail. I was really very sorry. Andi thanked me and promised to keep a secret everything I told her.”}

^{I said, “I think she did as even Cyndie didn't know anything you told Andi.”}

^{Red continued, “Anyway, the last thing Andi said, right before she left Lauderdale, was that she would follow up with Jack and Jill and Robert. I begged her not to. I was very worried as Jack and Jill scared me. Andi was driven and I couldn't change her mind.}

^{“That's when I called Jack. I was frantic. I wanted to give him a heads-up about Andi, but also I begged him to deny everything and treat Andi well. Jack went ballistic. He screamed at me and threatened me; I really think he snapped. I knew we were all in danger. I thought he would kill me. Instead, he killed Andi - following her all the way from Fort Collins back to Philadelphia. It totally freaked me out.”}

^{I just shook my head.}

^{Red went on. “I can't believe it. I was honestly trying to help. My stupidity caused a lot of this to happen, right from the start.”}

^{I couldn't speak.}

^{Red paused, and then pleaded, “I'm sorry. That's the total truth.”}

^{I didn't know what to say. Her story sounded so true. It answered all my questions. I guess that made it the truth.}

^{I changed the subject, “Red, did you get some of the blackmail money?”}

^{“Yes, but not a lot, later, after Jack and Jill moved to Colorado, but only $25,000; enough to pay my moving expenses.”}

^{“How were you paid?”}

^{“By check, a check from Jill Grayson.”}