Blood and Fire (6 page)

Kelly turned her socialite smile on Ryan. “This is fine. Let’s see, who’s left? Tom, the photographer, was dating Bev, of the innocent blue eyes and designer breasts. I heard it was hot and heavy until Jase decided he wanted her. Bev is probably the only one on the crew who didn’t have a current reason to want him dead. She would have, in time. His love affairs never lasted for long. As Sara, the PR rep, should know. Their word-slinging breakup a year ago even made the tabloids.”

“I think I remember a friend mentioning that.” Ari suppressed a grin. “She reads one of the celebrity exposé mags.” In fact, Claris read all of them, laughing her head off.

“Oh, yes, Sara called him a pervert and a deviant. Those were the repeatable words. I won’t bore you with the rest of the lurid details, but I can’t imagine why she came on this expedition.”

“Or why he allowed her to come,” Ari added. “Since he was the boss, couldn’t he have said no?”

“Sure, he could, but that’s Jase. When something’s over, it’s over. He never looked back, never held a grudge.” Her eyelids glistened with moisture. “That was part of the charming side.”

“I’m sorry. I know this must be hard.” Ryan softened his tone. “But we appreciate you being so candid.”

Kelly straightened her shoulders. “He was a good big brother to me. I will miss him…a lot.” She took a sip of her cooling coffee. “But I understand why others might not feel that way. He was cocky and had such a strong belief in himself.” She blinked the tears away. “Anyway, enough of that. The two cavers…their dispute with Jase was over money. They found out the other crew members received shares in the company. When Jase and Max wouldn’t make a similar deal, the cavers tried to quit. It was Jase who held them to their contract.” Kelly waved off the implication. “Probably not enough of a reason to commit murder.”

There, she’d finally said it. Murder. The word that had hung over the entire interview, its presence coloring everything Kelly said. Were any of these disputes strong enough to demand the payment of a life?

Ryan brought Ari’s thoughts back to the conversation. “The only crew member you haven’t mentioned is Dyani.”

“The Native American girl. That’s because I don’t know anything about her. She’s a new addition to the crew. Never heard of her before a couple of weeks ago. If anyone knows about the treasure, I’d say it would be Dyani. Jase hired her specifically for this site.”

Wasn’t that interesting? The young woman hadn’t indicated she had any special knowledge, but Ryan hadn’t pressed her either. Until now, nobody had mentioned she was new. Taking a look at her background might be worth their time. Hadn’t the man at the historical society mentioned local Indian legends?

Kelly was talking again. “About 10:30. He was fired up, anxious to get started, but he didn’t want to talk about it until he was sure. He said this could be his biggest find.”

Ari leaned forward, realizing she’d missed part of the conversation. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch that last question. What happened at 10:30?”

“It was the last time I talked with Jase. He called me that night just hours before he died.”

“And he was excited about the treasure,” Ari repeated to clarify.

Kelly’s face lit with a soft smile. “More than excited. Really revved. At least I can keep that memory…how happy he was, how much he loved doing what he did.”

Cold comfort when that same career was most likely what killed him.

Ten minutes later, after receiving assurances her brother’s case would continue to be investigated as a suspicious death, Kelly Falk was gone. She was flying back to New York early the next day, but Ryan had promised to keep her updated.

Would those be daily or hourly updates? Ari didn’t tease him; he’d just be embarrassed.

Ryan closed the door behind Barron’s sister. “Neither of us suggested black magic as a cause of death. What do you think she would have said?”

“She wants answers. She might accept it, if we decide to give her the details, but I don’t think we should, at least not yet. She acts cooperative, level-headed, but what if she went to the press or made a careless slip?” Ari gave an emphatic shudder. “We’d have all hell break loose.”

“Yeah, I thought she was pretty solid, but you never know.” Ryan tapped his pen on the desk. “What do we do with all the information she gave us? Carmody and that PR woman seem to have pretty big gripes against the victim.”

“Well, yes, but you know this wasn’t a human killing. Barron wasn’t shot or stabbed, and he didn’t die from being shoved off the cliff. His body reeks of black magic. Unless one of the crew hired a wizard or witch, which would be a really weird way for a human to kill someone, their motives for disliking the victim are interesting, but probably unimportant.” She watched his face deflate. Given a choice, Ryan would much rather find an ordinary, human answer. “Still, it is significant that they lied during their interviews. They didn’t want us to know about the disagreements, which could be a normal tendency to appear in the best light to police—or it might be someone covering up. I not only want to know why, but I wonder what else they’re hiding. One of them must know something that would help us.” She set down her coffee cup and stood. “And no matter how remote the possibility, we still can’t discount a murder for hire. Let’s talk to the entire crew again, especially Carmody, Sara, and Dyani.”

Ryan grabbed his keys, ready to follow her out. “The whole lot of them lied by omission.” Ryan squared his jaw. “Maybe I’ll give them a lecture about impeding a death investigation.”

“OK, but I get to watch.”

* * *

Barron’s crew was still booked into the local River Vista Inn. Ryan had wrangled an agreement from the company lawyers for the group to stay in town until the end of the week. Ari listened to Ryan’s side of the conversation as Ryan called ahead and arranged to use one of the business conference rooms. She cocked an eyebrow at him as he hung up. Carmody had agreed to gather the crew, although not without an argument. Ryan filled her in on their way to the inn.

“He asked what new questions we had and why. When I said we’d discuss it at the meeting, he got huffy, demanded to be told immediately. Reminded me it was his crew. As if that made a difference.” Ryan harrumphed quietly as he reached for the conference room door, pausing to add, “He bitched about the crew wasting time and enjoying the bars and spa too much. I’ll bet the real problem is a growing bar tab.”

Without waiting for a response, Ryan opened the door. Carmody’s expression was chilly. The others lounged around, mostly looking bored.

“Are you going to let us leave town soon?” Cole spoke before anyone else had a chance. “There’s not much to do around here. One night on the vampire strip is about all I can take.”

“I like the hotel pool,” Sara said. “And the spa’s nice. Earlier today I had a great facial.” She’d arrived at the meeting in her swimsuit and cover-up, a towel slung across her shoulders. Cole came in with her and was also in swim gear.

“Shall we get down to business?” Ryan spoke in a normal tone, but the crew grew quiet. “I won’t keep you any longer than necessary, but Ms. Calin and I have a few more questions. Today we’ll be talking with you individually.”

That caused a wary exchange of glances.

“May I ask why?” Carmody stood to one side with his arms crossed.

Ryan’s expression remained bland. “We have additional information to discuss with each of you.”

Carmody frowned. “What kind of information? Do we need to call our lawyers?”

“Suit yourself. In any case, we’ll be interviewing in that room over there.” Ryan pointed to a smaller meeting room to the left. “You can wait here until we call you. Feel free to get drinks or food while you wait, but bring them back here so you’re available.”

The next hour and a half were tedious, sometimes combative. Ryan pulled no punches, laying out the facts if the suspects didn’t.

They interviewed Bev first. If Kelly was right, Bev was the least likely to want him dead. They hoped she’d give them a better picture of what things were really like on the crew. But it was quickly evident she was as unsophisticated as Kelly had implied. When they asked her about the fights and arguments, Bev looked astonished, claimed it was nothing but artistic temperament and that everybody had loved Jase. They let her go after a few minutes.

“Is anybody that naive?” Ari asked when the door closed.

Ryan shook his head and called in the next witness.

The two cavers, Mary Ann and Rico, were second and third in line. They both admitted their anger over the company shares but denied doing anything about it except informing Carmody they wouldn’t work for his company again. They claimed the tension on the crew was nothing unusual.

“Film crews are touchy,” Rico declared. “They spend too much time worrying about their image instead of the job. This is my third expedition for film and my last. It isn’t worth the extra money. I’m sticking with scientific explorers from now on.”

“Why didn’t you mention this expedition involved the caves?” Ryan asked the question as if it were a proven fact.

Rico looked surprised. “I thought you knew. All you asked about was the treasure.”

It wasn’t much, but at least they had confirmation that the caverns were the intended filming site. With two cavers on the film crew, it wasn’t exactly a big surprise.

Cole was interviewed next, and he flirted with Ari throughout the questioning. He admitted he and Jase had argued but appeared shocked they thought he might commit murder over the disagreement. Ari couldn’t bring herself to view Cole as a serious menace, unless someone had threatened to cut his pretty boy face.

When Ari stepped out to call Tom, the photographer, for the next interview, she found him hugging his ex-girlfriend, Bev. She was snuggled against his chest and wiping her eyes. Tom had definitely benefited by Barron’s death. He had his girl back.

“That was a touching scene.” Ari turned to Ryan in the interview room once the door closed. “He was comforting Bev with his big, strong arms.”

Tom’s cheeks turned red. “Yeah, um, she’s upset. Bev’s not very strong. She’s led a pretty sheltered life.”

“She seemed devastated by Barron’s sudden death. I wouldn’t think she’d get over that so quickly.”

Tom sighed. “She’d be just as upset if it was a stray puppy. I know what she’s like, Ms. Calin. She’s flighty, but I don’t care. She needs someone who sees beyond the beauty.” He gave Ari a serious look. “I plan to be around. Someday I’ll marry her.”

“That’s a pretty serious declaration. Didn’t it bother you to see her with your boss?” Ari asked.

“You think I killed Jase to get Bev back, but you’re wrong. I’d never do that.” He ran his fingers through his sandy hair, the resulting disorder adding to his boy-next-door look. “I knew I’d have to pick up the pieces when he dumped her. Jase isn’t into commitment. I’ll admit I was pissed, because I knew Bev would get her heart broken. But I wouldn’t try to harm him.” He wrinkled his nose in distaste. “That’s not how I handle things.”

“How do you handle something like that?” Ryan locked his gaze on him.

Tom frowned. “Patience, I guess. Hang in there long enough, and you’ll eventually get what you want.”

Or you could give fate a nudge.

Although Ryan tried, he failed to ruffle Tom’s laid-back demeanor. Ari suspected the photographer might really be the easy-going type he appeared to be. It was too early to draw any definite conclusions.

The interview with Dyani, the Native American, was far from the casual chat they’d had with Tom. Although the young woman wasn’t defiant or openly angry, she wasn’t cooperative either, and her discomfort was palpable. Her expression remained stoic; answers were limited to one or two words, or more often nothing except a shrug. She denied withholding any information on the treasure and said she didn’t know why Barron had asked her to join the crew.

“I’m an archeologist. I assumed the site would be something like a prehistoric dig.”

It was the longest answer she’d given. Ari perked up, immediately suspicious. Why was Dyani volunteering an opinion now, especially a theory they hadn’t heard before? “Did Barron say it was prehistoric or imply it by anything specific?”

“Well, no, I just thought…”

And that was the most they got. When Ari asked her about the caves, the young woman said she hadn’t known there were any nearby.

“I’ve never worked in a cave. Why would he hire me for that kind of expedition?”

“That’s funny.” Ari kept her tone casual. “There are cavers on the crew, and they knew this was a caving expedition.”

“No one told me.”

She was lying, but Ari couldn’t decide if Dyani was hiding something or just resistant to authority and not wanting to get involved. She had a chip on her shoulder, but that could be from anything. One thing Ari was pretty certain of—if Dyani knew something, she wasn’t giving it up unless they found leverage to use on her.

When the interview was over, Ari stretched her back and looked at Ryan across the conference table. “I don’t believe her, but I can’t tell you why. Who’s left?”

He checked his list. “Only two. Sara and Carmody.” He looked at his watch. “Maybe another hour. So far we’ve got next to nothing, and I don’t believe
any
of them. I’m going to need a beer or two when this is over. A few of my squad are going to the Woodland Inn to shoot pool. Care to join us?”

“Let’s see what time we finish. Then I’ll check in at home.”

Ryan grinned. “Got to ask the SO for permission?”

Startled, Ari’s gaze flew to his face. SO? She couldn’t believe he’d referred to Andreas as her significant other. What a totally inappropriate term for the darkly dangerous and domineering vampire prince of Riverdale. She snorted in response. “I’m trying to be considerate and keep anyone from panicking. It’s a whole new thing when a bunch of people start worrying about where you are and what you’re doing.”

“Some of us have always worried.” Ryan’s expression turned serious. “You tend to draw enemies to you. The really scary kind. Vamps, wolves, demons.”

“Doesn’t anyone think I can protect myself?” She sighed. “The O-Seven has everyone jumping at shadows. Honestly, this protectiveness has become obsessive. If I’m not home right on time, they start calling. Andreas, Gabriel, even Samuel, Andreas’s security chief. It’s weird. They finally agreed to back off during the day, so I’m doing my best not to give them a reason to worry.” Anxious to put an end to the conversation, she stood abruptly. “I’ll get Sara.”