Currently Listening Rent (2005 Movie Soundtrack) Seasons of Love see related

Episode 16

“The death of my grandmother, Cassandra Spence, is a great tragedy.” Nikki stood in front of her house the microphones shoved into her perfectly made up face. She dabbed her face for effect, but Ann could tell as she watched the television that her cousin wasn’t crying. Nikki never cried.

“You shouldn’t be watching this.” Cole turned the TV off setting the tray down in front of her.

“Thanks for letting me stay here. I’m sure they’re looking for me now.”

“I left word at the mansion that you were out of town.”

Ann smiled. “That’s good; you’re really good at this damage control thing.” She took a bite of toast as he sat down on the end of the bed.

“It’s one of the first jobs you get as a CIA.” Cole picked up an orange and started to peel. “So how are you feeling?”

“It hasn’t hit me just yet. I know it will though, as soon as the funeral starts and Nadege starts to divide her stuff between everyone.” Ann sipped her juice.

“Nadege?”

“Oh, Nadege Harper, the Spence’s lawyer she’ll be taking care of everything for sure.”

<><><><><><> 

Nadege Harper moved her car through the crowd of news crews standing outside the Spence mansion. She felt like running over a few of the cameramen as the gate slowly opened for her. She had gotten the call late last night from Nikki about Cassie’s death and the possibility of murder on the list. She hated losing such a lucrative client as Cassie, but she had always favored Nikki’s way of working anyway.

Walking into the study she found Nikki making herself comfortable at Cassie’s desk, “Looking good.”

Nikki looked up from some papers. “Thanks, I hate news crews, but they’re necessary, and the more they stand outside the more interesting things will get.”

“Hmmm,” Nadege nodded putting down her brief case and went to the cabinet to pour herself a drink. “It’s interesting, last time I saw her she was in the best of health now she’s dead.”

“Gun shot wound.” Nikki sighed.

“Oh! Well that wasn’t in your little report you gave this morning.”

“I thought everyone knew.” She looked at Nadege down her drink, “Apparently not.”

“So why am I here?” Nadege asked.

Nikki put down the papers looking at Nadege she stood. “Do you have the last will in testament?”

“Yes, but you can’t see it until after funeral.”

“What do you mean?” Nikki looked confused.

“I mean—”

Nikki waved away her explanation. “Never mind, I understand. I hate that woman. She never leaves anything lying around.” Nikki stood walking away from the desk. “Do you need food to go with that drink?”

Nadege looked up from her second glass. “Eggs, beacon, and…err wheat toast?”

Nikki nodded calling in the maid, Charlene. “Could you make, Miss. Harris scrambled…no eggs over medium, beacon, and wheat toast, thank you.” Nikki watched as Charlene left and turned to Nadege. “Are you still in it with the District Attorney?”

“Every once in a while, why?”

“I need to know about this new Chief of Police.”

Nadege looked suspicious. “Why would you need to know?”

Nikki shrugged. “I need to know he’ll find Cassie’s killer.”

“Oh well,” Nadege smiled, “he’ll find them…he could find them easily enough. He’s the proverbial bloodhound. If there’s someone to sniff out the evil doers; it’s Adrien Walters.”

<><><><><><> 

Adrien sat at his new desk going through the paper work. It was his first day on the job and he was already exhausted. He had been called in by Lieutenant Everett Brown when the lights had came on in the Fowler Facility about a murder.  He couldn’t believe it thinking he had a pretty quiet town when he’d applied for the job. It wasn’t like Craven Ridge was New York City or Washington D.C. He sighed looking up at the Lieutenant as he came in, “Anything?”

“Forensics didn’t pick up much. But we did find this in the ceiling.” Everett placed a plastic bag on the desk. Inside it was torn piece of black fabric. “It’s being I.D.ed now.”

Adrien nodded his approval. “Look I’m going to go find something to eat is there anything good in this town.”

“Ridgeway Café, it’s the best in town. Try the burgers; Vie’s created heaven with those things.”

“Thanks, I’ll take your advice.” Adrien walked out of his office behind Everett and locked the door.

<><><><><><> 

Lor sat in a chair in Vie’s office as Vie talked about her plans for her night club Smoochies. Lor was kind of confused but she let her boss and friend go on until she stopped to take a breath. “I thought you couldn’t get a permit to build.”

Vie looked up. “Oh that…I resubmitted yesterday. I’m confident that they’ll change their minds.”

Lor looked at Vie but didn’t ask the question sitting on her tongue. How come Vie was so confident? “I think I need to go back out it’s almost lunch so things are going to speed up soon.”

“Right, right; hey Lor, I’m serious think about being manager of Smoochies. You won’t have to wake up in the mornings it’s all afternoon and night work. A great change.”

“Yeah...I promise, I’ll think about it.” Lor walked out of the office noticing someone was already sitting at one of her tables. Walking over she stopped short. She recognized him from last night, the police chief who was asking questions about Cassie’s murder. She sighed then moved to stand in front of him.

“Can I take your order?”

“Uh...yeah, can I get a hamburger, and could you tell me about the Spence family…I mean what are the rumors.”

“I wouldn’t know…I don’t hang with that sort of crowd.” Lor took his menu as he looked up at her for the first time. “I remember you from last night: The green dress.”

“I was on a date. I really don’t know anything about the Spence family. They’re not looked well upon by the Bartley’s. That’s all I know, but how about you talk to my boss, Vie. She’s lived here most of her life.” Lor walked off before she could be asked any more questions. She stopped when she saw someone else she recognized, but he looked different. “Jay?”