Chapter 18
Friday
9:21 p.m.
"Too Close" by Next was playing on the speakers inside and out. Olivia took a sip of her club soda and lime and looked over at Fin, one headphone on his left ear, dancing, on the shorter, left side of the pool.
He caught eyes with her and pointed at her, smiling.
Olivia only smiled and shook her head, turning back to her current conversation. She had chosen not to drink any alcohol at all this evening. After all, a clear head in moments like these, and especially for this case, were absolutely vital. She had already learned the hard way on that one.
Monica and Felix Shalhoub were standing in front of them, talking to she and her fake wife, telling them about a new construction development that would be happening in the near future in town, the brunette listening with interest, her eyes and ears constantly scanning the happenings at the party.
The faces were all familiar and yet she didn't know any of them, personally—save for Fin and Tony. Amy Andres, the owner of the Gucci store in town, was there, along with Lorena Bartholomew, the curator for the Vivaldi Boutique. There was also Samuel Dennison and James Putney who were friends and fellow photographers and artists, along with more alleged neighbors from Bridgehampton—some Olivia's friends and some Antonia's, some belonging to both of them.
Edison lights were strung all along the wooden porticos as well as on high posts that surrounded the pool. For the party, there was an ever-changing rainbow bulb inside the pool, giving off glows of reds, fuchsias, blues, and purples sporadically.
Olivia brought her glass to her mouth once more, eyeing Camila and Priscilla who were standing on the opposite side of the lighted pool, about five feet from where Fin and his turntable were set up, two men with them, the foursome talking to Jim and Melina Poriscova—friends and former neighbors from Bridgehampton. The couple had gotten there just a little while ago and had yet to give their greetings to Olivia and Antonia, or to let them know who the male gentlemen that were accompanying them were.
"Celebrate" by Kool and the Gang came on and she looked at Fin. Her partner knew she didn't like disco, and she shook her head slightly at him, smiling, before taking another sip.
Melina looked at her husband for the evening. "Honey, another drink?" She raised her eyebrows.
Olivia took this opportunity now and she leaned into Tony who was next to her. "I'm going to the ladies room."
"I'll come, too."
Olivia hesitated momentarily, but then remembered why the younger agent was offering to escort her.
"It was good talking to you, Olivia…Tony," Melina commented, smiling.
"And you, as well," Olivia smiled. "Enjoy the party."
Olivia stepped away now, Tony linking arms with her.
"Do we want to go up to Camila and Priscilla, or…" Tony questioned.
"I think, at some point, we should." Olivia entered the house now, the door to the living area already open.
They stopped at the bottom of the spiral staircase.
"Just wait here. I'll be back down." Olivia smiled.
"I'll hold guard," Tony smiled.
Olivia nodded and moved up the steps now, her shoes becoming increasingly uncomfortable as the minutes she remained standing passed by.
She entered the bedroom and then the master bath and closed the door before she looked at herself in the mirror as she lifted her dress, eyeing her make-up. So far, so good.
She turned, lowered her underwear, and sat, relieving herself and thinking.
There weren't too many sitting areas at the party or around the pool. But people also had the chance to sit in the kitchen on the stools, or in the living room of the house.
There was a casual outdoor sofa and a small table when you first walked out onto the patio on the left, and there were only the ten beach loungers that were spaced out around the pool. Therefore, everyone was either standing or on one of the loungers. However, the brunette noted that a couple of people had actually hiked up pants and dresses and were sitting on the edge of the pool, their feet in the warm water.
All in all, it was a good party, but the seating for entertaining more than a handful of people, hadn't been thought through. Olivia stood and finished what she needed to do before washing her hands and eyeing her make-up and hair once more. She needed a little more lipstick but, other than that, things still looked good.
She wiped her hands on a face towel and then reached for her nude MAC lipstick and took the cap off.
"Babe?" Antonia's voice now.
"Yeah, Tone?" Olivia called, continuing to apply the lipstick to her lower lip.
"Camila is here. She's asking for a tour of the house, hon…"
Olivia stopped, tamping her lips together before capping the color. "OK, sweetie. I'm coming out." She looked at herself once more and let out a deep breath before turning, closing the light, and opening the door.
Camila was sitting on the bed, wearing a low-cut, gold sequined, mid-thigh dress, her hands flat on either side of her, head cocked to the side.
"I saw this in the Serena & Lily catalog. I love this duvet. Is that where it's from?" she asked, rubbing the soft cotton beneath her palms.
Olivia forced a smile. "Exactly where it's from, Camila." The brunette moved up to Tony then and slipped her arm around her, leaning in and kissing just below her ear tenderly, before looking at her adoringly.
Tony returned the smile, a slight eyebrow raise involved, before they both looked back at the older woman.
"You two look cozy…"
Olivia looked at Tony again. "We are cozy, Camila. Especially in here, right, honey…"
Tony nodded. "Especially in here, Olivia."
They kissed, their lips lingering momentarily before pulling away and looking at each other.
"I'll bet Olivia has taught you a thing or two in here, being the older woman in the marriage."
"Oh, she definitely has…" Tony looked at her again, smiling, …but…"
Olivia smiled and bit her lower lip, "Tony's no stranger to how to turn a woman out in the bedroom."
"Thanks for that, Sweetie…I was kind of upset last night when you only came three times…when it's usually more…"
Olivia wiggled her eyebrows at the shorter brunette and they looked back at Camila.
The older woman, whose mouth was open, shock covering her bronzer-powdered face, before she regained her composure and smirked. "More?" Camila questioned, smirking.
Priscilla entered now, a tall, light-skinned black woman with long, honey brown hair and rich brown almond eyes and amazing cheekbones, following close behind her.
Olivia swallowed hard but refocused on the current conversation. "But yes, Camila…something about this room…knowing what happens here…" She looked down at Tony. "Right, honey?"
"Turns me on just thinking about it," Tony added.
Camila interrupted. "Olivia…Tony…this is Kaia…"
The gorgeous woman stepped forward, smiling, and holding out her hand, her gaze on Olivia and only Olivia. "It's really nice to meet you. Camila's told me so much about you already. But the way she described you…" Kaia shook her head, "…words don't do you justice."
"Thank you…" Olivia said softly, flashing her best smile. "Camila described you, but…has anyone ever told you that you bear a striking resemblance to a famous celebrity?"
Kaia smiled. "All the time and I'll have to admit…it's very flattering to be compared to a one Ms. Knowles. My nickname was On-say when I was younger."
"Good to know." Olivia looked at Priscilla now who appeared more than uncomfortable. "Priscilla? You, OK?"
Priscilla narrowed her eyes and then flashed a thin smile. "Maybe now you'll keep your eyes off of my wife?"
Olivia only smiled. "Your wife was the one coming after me."
"That's not what I heard happened the other day, at our house," Priscilla gritted.
Olivia raised her eyebrows and looked at Camila who was smirking once more. "Oh, yeah? Is that what she told you?"
"It was both ways, honey," Camila said flatly. "The kiss was mutual."
Olivia nodded, pursing her mouth before bringing her lips inward. "OK, Camila. Mutual. "I prefer a little warning first…a little foreplay…a little more seduction…" She looked at Kaia, her eyes not leaving the beautiful woman. "What do you think of their friend, Tone?"
"I think she's…I think you're beautiful…" she said to the tall woman.
"My wife likes you, too," Olivia winked. "That's a good thing."
"I want you to meet our business partners," Camila said now.
Everyone looked at the older woman now, watching her rise from the bed, at long last.
"They're downstairs. Priscilla's ex, Logan Brooks, and his friend, Miles Forester. They're the ones who really head the agency. They're looking forward to meeting you two."
Olivia smiled. "Sounds good." She looked at Tony now. "We should be getting back to the party, anyway."
"This is How We Do It" by Montel Jordan began playing below them and Olivia smiled, peering through the large bedroom windows at Fin who was still dancing, still working it, hands in the air, most of the other guests also dancing now.
The five women began descending the staircase now, Priscilla, then Camila, then Tony, then Kaia, and then Olivia.
Kaia paused just short of halfway down, waiting until the other two continued down and made their way out of sight. Tony turned back and looked up, a confused expression on her face.
The caramel-skinned woman pointed upwards now, signaling Olivia to go back up.
Olivia did so as fast as she could in her now painful shoes. She headed down the other hallway and moved into a guest room, entering fully, and turning, folding her arms, Antonia next to her, also watching the tall woman.
Kaia spoke quickly and in a hushed voice. "I don't have much time, I know. I'm not with Camila Benetti or Priscilla Keene."
The two ladies waited.
Kaia took a deep breath now. "I'm FBI. The Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking branch in Los Angeles. A few tips were made and FBI sent me undercover to infiltrate these two women. I was also sent to infiltrate this entire operation."
"How long?" Olivia asked.
"I've been here a little over a month." Kaia looked back and forth between Tony and Olivia. "I'd show you my badge…but…" She smiled, holding her arms out. "Your Captain…Captain Cragen…should be telling you about it this evening during your recap."
"They don't know…Benetti and Keene?" Tony asked.
"Not at all…they think I'm a former model. Actor…Amazing what you can add to IMDb and Wikipedia to falsify information. Camila hired me a couple of weeks ago to oversee some of the classes for the Forester-Brookes Agency."
"Have you seen anything so far?"
Kaia shook her head. "Seen? No. Heard rumors? Yes. Almost walked in on? Absolutely. Many times."
"So, no proof," Olivia nodded, narrowing her eyes. "What about babies?"
"Babies?" Kaia asked.
"I had a tip from my Captain that there might be babies involved?"
Kaia nodded, squinting. "There is a class they teach young girls. It's sort of a method acting class? Where they have to take care of a baby? Kind of like a pet rock or a pet egg? Weird, but it's an acting class there. They have different acting classes there. Some are just plain monologues, some are physical acting, some are classes just for love scenes…"
"Sounds strange," Olivia said softly. "But that explains the dolls to some degree."
"From what I hear, Camila's gonna ask you to be a mentor, like me. I don't know what class or subject…but she's gonna ask you."
Olivia nodded. "I figured that might happen."
Olivia held up her index finger now, listening. She moved around to turn on all the lights now, having been standing in the near dark, except for a bedside lamp, for the past few minutes.
A slight knock on the door and Olivia motioned outward with her hands, indicating the space, just as the door squeaked open.
"So, you can stay here any time, Kaia. It's one of the rooms we'll be remodeling soon—"
"We're gonna do light blues and whites, shells, starfish, white and sea glass lamps…it should look amazing with all the sunlight that comes in during the day," Tony interrupted, holding onto Olivia, left arm around her back, right arm holding her across her stomach.
Olivia continued, "…but you're welcome to crash…anytime you want…" The brunette detective winked. "I think I might…" she looked down at Antonia, "…we might enjoy seeing your beautiful face more often…" The brunette winked.
"Well, I appreciate it, but I'd rather sleep somewhere else…maybe even closer? Especially if I'm already there, in the same room as you." Kaia raised her eyebrows.
"The bed is sometimes…boring to my wife," Tony added. "Too white bread for her…she likes…"
Olivia smiled down at Antonia, "What do I like hon?"
"You like…" Tony raised her eyebrows, "…you like doing it everywhere…" she whispered the last word.
"I see you three are getting along…" Camila finally commented.
The ladies turned to face her. "Just talking about future…opportunities…" Tony added, winking at the tall, mocha-skinned woman.
"I can't wait to see all the places we can have fun," Kaia winked.
Olivia looked at Tony, "Should we head back down, Tone?" She raised her eyebrows.
Tony only nodded, the two making their way out of the room, Kaia and Camila following close behind.
Olivia felt like she was being corralled by Camila Benetti in her own house. But the good thing was that she had finally learned about this Kaia, she was about to meet the heads and founders of the agency, and she knew that Fin would have some information for them when this party was finally over.
They continued walking through the sliding living room door. Olivia noticed that the two men, the same two men, were now sitting on the sofa, lounging. She smiled at them before exiting with Tony.
"Peaches and Cream" was playing now by 112.
"Olivia…" Tony said loudly over the music.
"Yeah, Tone?"
They switched places and now proceeded to follow Camila and Kaia.
"I wanna dance after we meet them."
"OK, honey," Olivia smiled.
They moved up to the sofa now, noting the two men were sitting, one leg crossed over the other, a drink in their hands.
They didn't stand. They didn't speak. They only smiled, silently ogling Olivia and Antonia, eyes roaming over their bodies.
"Olivia, Tony…this is Logan Brooks, Priscilla's ex-husband…"
Finally, Logan Brooks took his ankle from the top of his leg and leaned forward, reaching out to shake their hands. But he only leaned over so far, causing the brunette detective to have to lean even further in order to accomplish the task. His eyes went straight to her cleavage as she did so and it was crystal clear the sleezy maneuver he had just made.
"Nice to meet you," Olivia managed, trying not to glare.
Still not standing, he shook hands with Antonia, as well, the same game play of ogling her chest involved.
The same introduction was had with Miles Forester—same exact plan of attack made by the other man.
They looked like money. But they looked like money in the way that Harvey Weinstein looked like money. In that I-have-money-but-I'm-a-complete-pig-and-can-get-whatever-I-want way.
They looked like predators.
Olivia swallowed, not able to stop the sickening feeling that was forming in her stomach now. Logan's eyes were beady, red, his curly hair was greasy, he was almost morbidly overweight. A gold chain was visible at his neckline that contained so many follicles—blacks, grays, whites—that the brunette was sure his back and shoulders were covered with it, as well.
Miles was a little more reserved, a little more well-mannered, and from the slight British accent she heard, she guessed it was because of demographics and geography. And Olivia also realized that he was the man from the car that had driven by her when she had visited Camila's house.
"You two just moved here?" Logan said loudly over the pumping bass.
Olivia nodded. "About a week ago."
"Well, welcome to the neighborhood, Olivia." He looked at Tony. "Antonia. I'm sure my ex-wife's wife has many plans for you…" he chuckled, taking another sip of his amber liquid on the rocks.
Olivia felt a hand along the back of her neck now, a force pulling her head. She looked to find Antonia trying to get her to lean closer.
"I wanna dance, honey…" she said loudly against her ear before stepping back and holding her hand out.
Olivia smiled broadly and took it, just as "Humpty Dance" came on, the entire wooden deck vibrating. "We'll be back…"
The two ladies danced as they walked toward the DJ table and then stopped and grabbed each other's hips, still smiling as they danced., shaking backsides, feet stepping. Olivia smiled at Fin, his arms in the air.
"Ya'll having fun?" he called loudly.
Olivia winked and raised her arms above her head, swaying her hips. "Love the music, Malcolm…"
"I know you do, Olivia…"
And the brunette detective felt like they had made a little headway that evening. Finding out that Kaia was actually on their side was not only a relief, but a benefit. But they had to find out about these classes, these babies, and what was happening there.
The creep-out factor she got from the two older gentlemen made her skin crawl, but she would have to investigate them as incidences and situations arose.
After all, she wasn't interested in them as far as her role went. Their whole reason for being there was to find out what Camila Benetti and Priscilla Keene were up to. And if outwardly sexual innuendo and letting her believe that Kaia, Antonia, and herself were becoming close, all the better. If it kept Camila Benetti from groping and getting horizontal, even better.
She felt one step closer to perhaps knowing what was happening and busting whatever it was wide open. Something was definitely off, definitely wrong.
After the party, she and her agent Malcom Thomas would talk about future art galleries. And they would call her Captain and find out about this Kaia and how to proceed with her.
It would all come together.
It was just a matter of time.
A/N: Thank you for reading. I love to hear your thoughts about what's happening, etc. Even one or two words means a great deal!
Pinterest has clothing, etc. Spotify "Love Won't Leave" playlist has music!
(If there's anything that's legally wrong or not plausible in real-life, I apologize for any inaccuracies. It is fiction, after all and I am just an elementary school teacher with dreams of writing) I know sometimes, we see cop shows and one branch or department didn't know another was undercover, so I figure it does happen. 😊 Enjoy!