Chapter Eleven (The Butler Did It...)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I WANT TO THANK ALL THE ANONYMOUS REVIEWERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND INPUT. I DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO SAY A PERSONAL THANK YOU, OF COURSE. YOU ARE MOST APPRECIATED! I ALSO SEND A HEARTFELT THANKS OUT TO ALL THE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING READERS WHO CHECK IN. I'M SURE I SPEAK FOR ALL THE WRITERS WHEN I SAY, HOW AMAZINGLY PHENOMENAL WE FEEL WHEN WE REALIZE THAT OUR EFFORTS ARE BEING READ FROM EXOTIC PLACES ALL OVER THE WORLD. WHAT A COOL THING TO KNOW. JUST WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW..HOW MUCH YOU ARE APPRECIATED. ON WITH THE NEVER ENDING SAGE...
"I don't get it, Chief..." Flynn turned outside the interview room, rounding on the woman, his bulk much more pronounced, his height, a good head taller, ok, a head and a half without those damned heels she wore today. "Don't we need his D.N.A? He offered, right?"
"We have it, Lt..the cream soda. My problem is, why is he being so cooperative. And since he's a Lundgrim, and not a ...a..."
"Flanders, Chief." Andy sighed heavily. "Dirk...Flanders...the dead guy?"
"Whatever..there is more than meets the eye here." Brenda was relatively sure. "We're missing something. We'll run this little freak's DNA but don't be too shocked when it comes back..'no match'."
"But he knows the details of the murder. You heard him. None of that crap has been released to the media." Andy kept his voice low and his manner..low key, leaning into the woman's space, close..speaking in hushed tones.
"Oh, I'm not saying he wasn't a part of it..just, it doesn't feel right."
Andy hesitated, straightening his frame, drawing in a breath as he processed. "..Ok, I trust your judgement. I'll get the cream soda from the little jerk."
"And Lt.." Brenda stepped out of his way, making a path for his reentry into the room behind them. "Have your' source get it back to us pronto. I want to eliminate this guy as fast as possible."
"You really don't think he's the one." He jerked his thumb to the interior of the room he was about to enter.
"No. I do not. But..isn't he colorful though?" She started to her office, but Andy's hand covered hers on the knob of the door, the one she had been leaning upon while they conversed.
His eyes sought the brown ones, his manner altering a bit. "...I..didn't want to leave, Chief." He searched her features religiously. "As God is my witness." There, he had approached the matter. He waited tensely for her reaction.
"But...you did, Lt." She smiled brightly, her tone all sweetness and light suddenly.
Andy's fingers tightened a bit over her slender ones. "You think it was easy?" He asked gruffly, his tone tight and edgy. "I know the game." He moved closer, turning a bit side ways to shield them from any curious eyes. "I understand the rules. You don't give your heart to someone without a hell of a lot of emotion baggage attached."
"Who says I have given my heart, Lt?" She appeared totally confused by such a statement.
"I meant..." He corrected, the words hurting him, the emotion showing on his face for a beat. "The FBI guy."
Brenda had the grace to feel badly about what she had just said, reading the stark pain in his eyes. "I...eh.."
"I didn't know if he would be coming in last night. If you had hung up on my ass, I would catch the first plane out." Andy continued, having collected his wounded dignity a bit. "I'm just saying."
Brenda was forced to see his viewpoint. She cleared her throat self-consciously.
"I'm not afraid to face the guy. You say the word, and I'll confront him but..I don't think you're at that stage." He told the truth. He had thought a lot about this after all..in the hours following his departure. It wasn't as if he had been able to sleep. "You're still undecided about your relationship with him and that's ok. I get how it has to be but..you can't deny that something happened last night, Chief. At least..it did for me."
Brenda lowered her head, putting a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"If you plan to cut me off...tell me now." He asked. "I'm a big boy. I'll be the perfect little soldier you expect but.." The bitterness was there, no matter how hard he tried to keep it from his voice. He glanced around anxiously, hoping to have a few more minutes of her time. He desperately needed that. "...You don't sleep around, so..don' t tell me it meant crap, cause..I won't believe it."
He dared her to refute the statement, his eyes boring into her's, holding her with the strength of his will alone.
"You gotta give me something..." He pleaded with her. "Don't just..leave me hanging like this."
She knew what it was taking for the man to compromise his principles to such a degree. "...Lt.."
"I'm not one to go behind a guy's back." He stated grimly. "But..if it means, that's the only way to..be around you." His mouth set in a tight line, his eyes hardening perceptively. "To...have some kind of connection with you." He swallowed the emotion churning in his throat..his mind. "I've shown you that I can work with you still..that I can do my fucking job."
"There was never a question of.."
"Then why do things have to change?" He asked tensely, his entire body coiled..stressed. "We are both adults for God's sake. I won't cross any lines, Chief..not if you say they shouldn't be crossed. I swear by all I hold holy."
He waited for her to say something..anything, studying her face, watching her body language but she was silent and he was totally at a loss. He wasn't used to being on this end of a relationship. He was a prideful man. Even when he had felt things in the past, for a woman..if they were at odds, he could never bring himself to lower that defensive wall. To admit his fallacies.
This time? He seemed have no choice in the matter. "Alright..you want me to say it? I'll say it." But he didn't have to like it, which..he didn't, his temper kicking in. "Do I think the FBI guy is the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in the entire universe...yes. Does he take that fact for granted, decidedly...does he want to change you into something you're not..probably..is he an imbecile..undoubtedly...would I give my right arm to switch places with him? Take it." He held out the appendage willingly, the dark eyes flashing the fire of battle. He moved decidedly closer, that she had to crane her neck to keep contact with the riveting gaze.
"Was last night the most sensual experience of my entire existence? As God is my witness..do I thank you are the most beautiful, desirable female I have ever encountered? Absolutely..unequivocally ..yes! Would I kill Provenza for a chance to have a relationship with you? Let me check my weapon..."
Brenda's heart was touched by his brooding intensity. "Ohh, Lt. Flynn." Her hand graced his sleeve gently.
"Don't say it." He grimly advised, thinking he knew where this was headed. "I can't take the 'let's be friends' shit right now."
"I do think of you as my friend..now." She bent a bit to force his eyes back to her face. "I hope you know that."
Andy shook his head slowly, his misery complete. His worse fears having come to pass.
"I'm not sure what I feel for you, if you want the truth." She could be no less honest than he had been. "I...didn't expect anything that has happened..to happen. Which does not mean..I'm sorry it happened."
Andy's head snapped up, for he had downed it in abject defeat. He stared at the enigma before him, his heart thudding hard against his chest cavity. "...What...does that mean?"
Tao chose that particular time to arrive on the scene, shattering the brittle silence. Andy was forced to adopt the facade of professionalism the woman would expect of him. He stepped back instantly, forcing his demeanor into one of controlled placidity.
"Chief..an interesting side bar here. I thought you should take a look. Oh..hey, Flynn." The other man acknowledged his contemporary. "How's it going..anyway," Tao shared the data readout with Brenda, pointing out the spot she needed to peruse. "I did a routine background on the security guard..you know the one at the Lundgrim mansion?"
"Yes, Lt. Tao, I know." She had pulled her glasses from the side pocket of her jacket, peering at the tiny print with a decided squint. "Go on please."
"His work history shows he wasn't always a guard..in his early years. Look at the name of his employer."
"Mega Hits Studio..what's the significance?" Brenda asked, straightening, easing her back into a more comfortable position.
"Mega Hits was the place where all Jon Lundgrim's movies were produced, Chief." Andy supplied readily.
"Yes." Tao nodded agreeably. "I'd like to go down there and ask around. See if anyone still remembers anything pertinent. What do you think?"
"It still exists?" Brenda was surprised.
"Oh sure, Chief." Andy shrugged, his hands in his pockets. He was in his 'waiting' mode. "It's a 'B' list production now though. It churns out all those slasher movies."
"Oh well.." She put her glasses back in the side pocket. "That's fine then, Lt. And yes..we need to check that out, don't we."
"I think so, Chief." Tao was happy. "Can't promise it might lead to anything, it was a long time ago but, we've hit on longer odds, right?"
"We have indeed..take Sanchez and see what you can dig up. Thank you." She smiled at the man. "Good catch there."
The man walked away, clearly geared for action.
"We need to talk, Lt, but.."
"The case comes first." Flynn stated quietly. "Yeah, I know but..one thing, Chief." He touched her arm, his fingers gentle. "Just tell me..what you said before. You weren't shitting me around..were you? Just to shut me up at work and all, I mean?"
"No, Lt." Brenda assured him. "I just wasn't shitting you around."
He relaxed visibly, his entire demeanor altering, a slow grin spreading across his face. "That sweet mouth saying that dirty word..kind of a turn on, Chief."
"Why am I not shocked, Lt." She feigned being so, however. "That 'dirty talk' would amuse you?"
His grin widened, his eyes twinkling. "Well, at least I'm not into the rough stuff..like Provenza. No whips and chains..yet."
"Eww." She pulled an endearing face. "I could have gone my whole life without that knowledge, thank you very much."
He looked at her, his soul suddenly content. "Let's get this sucker, Chief..let's nail his gay little ass to the wall..If he knows something..I'll drag it out of the fudge packer."
Brenda sighed heavily. "Where DO you get these quaint terms? What is wrong with you today? For Heaven's sake." She tsked sadly.
"I don't know, Chief." His eyes suddenly had that little boy glint again. "Maybe it was something I ate...last night."
"One more remark like that and I will assign your butt to watch over Lt. Provenza for the duration." She promised faithfully.
"I always watch over him..the duration of..what exactly?" He was curious.
"My pissy mood." She supplied readily. "Which, as you..of all people know..can last for decades, sometimes."
He opened the door for her, his good humor under wraps. It wouldn't do for the suspect to know the detective wasn't terminally 'pissed'. He had his game face on.
The 'suspect' was fidgeting and impatient, arising at their entrance. "What's the procedure here? What's the hold up? I've confessed already..shouldn't I be in a cell or something?"
"Sit down, Jerk Wad. You'll get to Big Bubba in due time." Andy's tone was commanding, and he shoved the man back down into his chair with a rough hand on the slender, almost feminine shoulder.
"Lt, did you have your coffee this morning? You are in a very bad mood." Brenda played her part, scolding superficially, seating herself with an assist from Andy's free hand, which slid her chair gently forward. "He gets so grumpy when he forgets his Starbucks. Excuse him, Sidney..won't you?"
"Oh, I don't know." 'Sidney' swept Flynn's frame with masculine/feminine appraisal. "I don't really mind a man..being a man." He pursed his lips, sending Andy an affectionate 'kiss'. "Not one little bit...if you know what I mean." He flirted shamelessly with the detective, his look a rather lascivious one. "And...I think you do...Lt."
"Give me five minutes with him alone, Chief." Andy suggested menacingly. "I'll wipe that smarmy smirk off his creepy face!"
"Ohhhh..." Sidney shuddered visibly. "You're giving me goose flesh."
Flynn's body tensed and he made a lunge across the table, his beefy fist grasping the front of the yellow silk shirt the other man wore, his face masked into supposed rage. He pulled the guy two inches out of his seat with no effort at all on his part.
"Lt, now.." Brenda put a restraining hand out. "You behave. Settle down please." She indicated he should sit. "Remember, Sidney is our guest...go on.." She encouraged a reticent Andrew Flynn. "Sit." Andy remained standing, a force to be reckoned with, his belligerent glare fixated on Jon Lundgrim Jr.
Brenda turned a bright smile on the 'suspect'. "He's so physical at times. You just ignore him, Sidney..pretend he's not even in the room..now..." She put her glasses on, peering over the file before her. "Bear with me please. It won't take a minute. Let's see..." She leaned closer. "It says here.." She lifted her head, her expression more than congenial. "That you have been unemployed since...oh my!" Her face took on a concerned look. "July of 1998? My goodness..how have you been surviving?"
"Well...I've worked..just not in my chosen profession. I'm an actor..a damned good one!" Sidney was clearly a little sensitive about the subject.
"I'm sure you are." She agreed brightly. "Ok, well..could you catch us up on your work history then?"
"What does that have to do with the fact, I chopped off Dick Flander's head?" Sidney demanded peevishly.
"Answer the question, dirt bag!" Andy growled, his tone icy.
"You people are unbelievable!" Sidney sighed, exasperated. "Look..I called Dick, I told him I had the evidence that my dad had always searched for on his old man. I said, it would ruin the bastard's supposed reputation." The man leaned forward, speaking slowly, that even they could comprehend. "I said..for a price, I would keep my mouth shut and turn over the goods, if he would meet me, in person."
He sat back, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface of the table, his look, an intent one. "That I was down on my luck and needed cash to jump start my career." He smiled condescendingly. "At first, he told me to go fuck myself.."
Andy stood abruptly, his face telegraphing his intent...
"SORRY!" Sidney apologized benighly. "He TOLD me to..have sexual relations of the third kind with myself...better?"
"Keep a civil tongue in your head when you speak to her or I'll fucking rip it out and wrap it around your fucking dick thereby cutting off the circulation to your 'brain'.." Andy jabbed a finger at the person in question then, turned to Brenda apologetically. "Excuse my language, Chief."
"Good one." Sidney could appreciate 'wit' when he heard it, evidently. "You ARE physical, aren't you." He seemed to ponder the subtleties of the statement for a beat. "Well, anyway..where was I? Oh..yeah. I said..that I would call the newspapers and give them a head's up on what I had found. So naturally, he was curious and couldn't take the chance that his revered father's name would be dragged through the mud."
"But..you didn't really have a thing on ..eh..."
"Dirk Flanders, Chief." Andy provided sotto voce, leaning close to convey the information.
"Mr. Flanders Sr. now, did you Sidney." Brenda finished, her look a sincerely interested one.
"No," it was ruefully admitted. "But it was enough to get the bastard here. I arranged to meet at the mansion and the rest..is Hollywood history. Now..can we get me finger printed and booked? Until it's official, I can't really make my spiel to the media, can I."
Brenda exchanged looks with Flynn.
"Hey..you two will be famous. You brought me in! You solved the case! I'll make you names household words. What's the down side to all this? You think you would be chomping at the bit!"
"I'll tell you what I think, Sidney." Brenda shifted in her seat, her fingers playing with the tap of the file folder. "I think..although you undoubtedly were at the crime scene and you were definitely involved somehow...we don't think you killed anyone."
"Excuse me, honey?" That hadn't gone over at all.
"I think that..when we run your DNA...your blood will not match that which we found at the scene...will it."
"What the hell are you talking about?" The man was suddenly tense..upset. "DNA is a waste of time..I told you..."
"Yes I know. You killed our dearly departed." Brenda arose, as did Flynn.
"Well, I did!"
"So, you admit..it won't."
"Even if what you say is so...I'll chance that little scientific anomaly against the fact..that in a jury trial..I can convince those twelve tried and true that..I did the deed." The arrogance was back. "You see...I really am an excellent actor...this is the role of my life time and I do not intend to blow it. I have much to prove to those assholes who turned me down all these many years. You'll see. But, you'll just have to wait on that one, I guess." Sidney smiled happily. "You really have no choice but to bring the charges. DNA can be wrong..especially if I explain why the blood doesn't match."
Sidney straightened his spine, sighing heavily. "I want an attorney."
Brenda felt the bottom fall out from under her. She hadn't expected that one. She smiled. "Well, there you have it then. We'll just take that cream soda now."
"No." Sidney reached out, taking his can of pop. "I think not." He smiled right back, holding on to his 'prize', his expression rather superior, Brenda thought.
"We'll get a court order.."
"You do that." The man suggested evenly. "No need to make your job easy..since you refused to cooperate with me. Why should I do so with you?"
Brenda gathered her things and she and Flynn left the room. Once outside..they pulled up short, both feeling the weight of a interview gone bad.
"That could have gone better." Andy philosophized.
"We'll get him..or them." Brenda was positive. "It will just take a little longer."
"What can I do?"
"Bring in the security guard." She thought to try another route. "He turned up on the radar..let's see what, if anything..he can tell us..now that he's sober and dry."
"It's still raining, Chief." Flynn pointed out.
"When will this ever stop?" She moaned. "It's so gloomy and depressing! This is supposed to be sunny California!"
"I'll alert the media." Flynn grinned down at her. "Starbucks sounds pretty good along about now, right, Chief?"
"Oh, you are a god send, Lt." She felt better suddenly. "Coffee is our friend."
He chuckled. "I know how you like it." He sauntered off, going about his chore, his mood ever so improved from this morning.
Brenda watched him go, enjoying the cocky swagger of his stride. "Oh, I know you do, Lt." She murmured softly to herself. "I know you do."
She headed for her desk, her depression lifting a bit. She hummed an old song in her head...it was Ray Charles... 'Georgia.'