Chapter 6: love triangle

Three days passed by and Mac and Crystal were both caught up in a flurry of fashion and melodrama, but not much closer to finding the model killer. Between model hissy fits, badgering between competitive designers, and Claude's thinly veiled insults and tirades for every employee, Crystal wanted to scream and tear the place down. Mac enjoyed himself despite the hectic atmosphere and the dark cloud of the case. He had grown used to working with Dani and her girls, though this agency was considered the 'big time.' He wasn't wrong about the swimsuit modeling, nor that they would immediately tan him up to toasty perfection and highlight his hair to portray the sun-kissed beach god they needed for various Speedo and swimming trunk adverts. He felt sorry for Crystal, who, in her Jodie character, and despite her quite beautiful makeover, had to endure bossy requests from himself and a barrage of patronizing insults from others. Mac tried to be easy on her, excusing her 'spaced-out' behavior. She quickly became the female Paulo, after the disgruntled errand boy never returned with Claude's lunch. However, Crystal's lemons didn't get soggy in Claude's Iced Tea. It tickled Mac to see the resentment flare-up in her eyes whenever they paired him off with the models in their swimsuits, though he pretended not to notice. He didn't want to hurt her, but it confirmed that she truly harbored strong feelings for him.

"Whatever happened to wearing swimsuits to swim in?" She grumbled as they paraded around Mac in very revealing bikinis and hi-cut bathing gear.

After three sessions, Mac was done for the day, he quickly showered off the body oil and changed into comfortable jeans and a gray t-shirt, then met Crystal in a small café a few blocks from the Agency.

"What do you got for me, Crys?" He asked, as she passed him a yellow envelope.

"While you were having fun, fun, fun, in the fake California sun, I took a few discreet shots of our gal Stella, she appears to be very cozy with the janitor, Fred."

"That guy? He's a weirdo, I don't like the way he looks at the girls, but I did notice he's gaga for the receptionist. I'm surprised you caught them together, she barely gives him the time of day."

"I think everyone in there is a bit of a kook if you ask me…present company excluded. Maybe Stella changed her mind since Claude, the one she really wants, ignores her every chance he gets."

"Hmm. I smell a huge love triangle brewing, you know what that means."

"Three motives for murder?"

"Yeah, but apparently they take it out on the models, not each other!" Mac grimaced.

Mac looked over the pictures as he sipped his coffee. In the shots, Stella was caught by the janitor's closet, talking to him and playing with his uniform, and later alone, furtively hunched over one of the shelves.

"What do you make of that?"

"Maybe she was getting some toilet paper?"

"Come on, Mac. You know, mix up some of those chemicals in that cleaning closet and you might have some odd concoction that would have an effect on those poor girls." Crystal pondered.

Mac stared at here with a small, proud smile. "You amaze me with your investigative skills, you just have this knack for making assumptions that are logical."

Crystal sat up taller and happier. "Thank you, Mac. That's very kind of you. Though I'm sure you already thought of it."

"Yeah, I did, but why take glory from you? Still, you remember what Stanley said, there was nothing of known origin found on the girls that would cause such drastic facial and skin disfigurement. If anything from the janitor's closet made it into their facial creams, I doubt they would have put it on."

"Hum, you're right. Now it's your turn. What did you find out?"

"Stella may be sweet on Fred, but she had a romantic past with Claude, and get this, it was at the same time that Dani was modeling for him too."

Crystal leaned closer, intrigued. "Oooh, and I remember Stella seemed a little tense when she realized Dani had referred you to the agency. She said Claude adored her."

Mac's gaze averted toward the front entrance and he saw Lindsey walk in sullenly. "I noticed that too. I badgered Dani to give me the real story and she admitted to a lot of rivalry in those days. Claude wasn't as prissy back then, he was quite the stud and had models eating out of his hand. Dani was different, she didn't make it to the top the usual way, and that intrigued him. She admitted to a few dates, but nothing too serious."

Crystalyn nudged Mac after noticing Lindsey. "What do you make of Miss Noir perfume?"

"We've talked, she doesn't really know anything, so I would cross her off the list…in fact I'm a little worried about her. I'm gonna go talk to her for a minute now, she looks upset."

"Sure. I'll go over my notes."

Mac plopped on the stool beside Lindsey as she sipped an espresso and glumly thumbed through a small portfolio.

"Hey, Lindsey! I saw the Noir ads and they were hot! What's the matter? Aren't you excited?"

Lindsey shrugged. "Yeah, it's great and all, but did I tell you I really can't stand Claude?"

"You did mention he was exasperating."

"I thought I was doing okay, but apparently, everything about me is wrong! The arch in my eyebrows, the way my beauty marks are situated, and the fact that I have a slight astigmatism in my right eye, so he claims. He's impossible! I thought modeling would be fun and that you'd be supported, not mocked every step of the way."

Mac pitied her. "Claude is rough, he found something wrong with every inch of me, but I don't really care. This is who I am, take it or leave it, and you need to have the same attitude also. I bet there are a lot of other agencies that would be willing to have you model for them. Why don't you try?"

Mac suddenly felt a strong impulse to make sure that Lindsey got as far away from Claude and the Jezebel Agency as quickly as possible.

Lindsey stared at him in disbelief. "Mac, you're perfect, he's just a nut job! He's handsome and all, but he needs to look in the mirror! Nobody is ever going to be good enough for him. He should just stick to dressing up Ken and Barbie, at least they won't talk back. I can't go to another agency right now. I'm under contract here for the rest of the year, and besides, Jezebel is one of the oldest and Claude is still the best."

"That doesn't mean you have to stay on and take this treatment from him. His antics have been bringing the Jezebel Agency down for years; I've researched the decline. Lindsey, tell me, are you sure modeling is what you truly want? What about the nursing?"

Lindsey finished off her drink and leaned her face in her hand. "You know, Mac, sometimes I feel like this is all a big waste of time. I mean, what is it really doing for anybody? It's just glorifying vanity and pushing clothes and products on people that they don't really wear or need. I don't mean to knock it, because obviously you love it, but, I just feel like I can be out there making a real difference in the world."

Mac smiled at her. "Ya know, Lindsey, you make a great point. If I were you, I'd go back to that first love. Everyone needs a nurse, it's demanding for sure, but it's all for the greater good and it saves lives."

Lindsey stared at him. "Wow, Mac. I didn't think you'd say that to me. I hope I didn't offend you."

Mac laughed and shook his head. "Me? Not at all. I'm thinking about leaving the biz myself and going back to my first love…uh…farming. Family owns a milk farm in Wisconsin, ya know. It's good, honest work and keeps ya fit and busy." He prattled on, hoping she bought it.

"Cool! I wouldn't have taken you for the farmer type, but I can definitely see you in cowboy mode…nice." She smiled coyly. "I've got two days off, I'm really going to think about what you said. Something tells me I'll be getting on the train back to Connecticut by Friday and skipping the photo shoot."

Mac was compelled to give her a hug. "Good girl! I imagine your family would be happy, especially considering what happened to your friends."

Lindsey's expression darkened. "I know. The phone has been ringing off the hook. I'm planning to move by the end of the month. I don't like staying at my apartment since Ana died. I mean, the police checked it all and found nothing that would harm me, but just the fact that it happened there scares me."

"It must feel weird, I can understand."

Lindsey slid off the chair and patted his arm. "You're really a nice guy, Mac, so great to talk to and so easygoing. Not like those other guys in the Agency! You can't get them out of the mirror and all they brag about is themselves and their careers. You have substance."

Mac grinned at the compliments. "Thanks, Lindsey, I appreciate that."

Lindsey stared at Crystal across the way as she waited for Mac and rhythmically tapped her coffee cup and peered at her notes.

"I talked to her a little you know, when she wasn't being ordered around, and she's a really nice woman. I think she's so pretty and the way she talks about you, wow. Jodie's not as dense as everyone thinks she is. Maybe you should give her a chance."

Mac stared in Crystal's direction, unable to control the little smile of admiration that played across his lips. "Ya think so?"

"Yeah, it may sound like a hopeless platitude, but sometimes the things we most want and need are staring us right and bright in the face, but we're too busy looking beyond to the dark unknown. My mom always tells me that, I think it's time I listened to her."

Mac stood up and escorted her to the door of the café. "Very wise, I'll keep it in mind. If I don't see you again, take good care of yourself, okay?"

Lindsey nodded happily. "I will and you too…and take care of her also." She winked toward Crystal and with a wave, left the café.

"Absolutely." Mac whispered and returned to the table.

Crystal stood up. "That looked like it went well. What happened?"

"I think she's decided to go home and become a nurse after all. I kinda nudged her in that direction."

"If you were a female, I'd say you just didn't want the modeling competition, but I can tell something's on your mind about her."

Mac and Crystal left the café and went to the parking garage near the Agency to pick up her van. As they drove back to report to Dani, Mac explained his suspicion of Claude as the killer and his concern for Lindsey's safety.

"I just can't shake it, Crystal. He's a man with an obsession for perfection, if it's not up to his standards, then it might as well be hideous, right?"

"All the signs point to him, but we need more time to figure it out. We're not the police, we're Outriders, we don't have to work under the gun here and we need all the proof we can get."

She parked near Dani's studio and they came up to the elevator. "How about this? I'll stick with Stella and Fred, and you stick with Claude. Something tells me the trains will meet."

The elevator rang, but Mac pulled her back before she could get off. "That's a good plan. How are you doing lately, Crys?"

Crystal stared gently at him. "I'm fine, really. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, but I'm hoping there's no hard feelings over what happened at the museum and that you don't feel…I don't know, scared?"

"I'm not scared. It was upsetting for a day, but I get over things quickly, and I know you spoke to Henry on my behalf. I told you not to do that. You could have gotten in serious trouble."

"He wasn't thrilled, but I'm still here, aren't I? I couldn't help it. I didn't want to feel any more like a heel, and with what I did, and what could have happened, it still kinda shakes me up. I just want you to know Crys, for as much as it's possible, I'll have your back for now on."

Crystal smiled at him. "I don't doubt that, Mac. You do your best for everyone involved. That's a great quality. I can see why Dani didn't want to lose you."

Mac pulled her closer. "Thanks. Say, did I tell you that they did a fantastic makeover on you? Not that there was anything wrong before."

Crystal bit her lip and drew her arms over his neck. "No, but you didn't have to say anything, your eyes did."

Mac leaned down until his forehead pressed to hers. "Right now, my lips want to say something."

"I don't want them to say anything, I want them to do something." She sighed.

Mac grinned and obliged her and they built up a slow kiss, before they could deepen it, the doors opened again and Dani poked her head in.

"I was wondering what was happening to my elevator. Come in, you'll never guess who called me!"

Mac and Crystal fell to attention and sauntered off the elevator a little embarrassed. Dani said nothing about catching them. She went to her desk and then faced them a little apprehensively, but not entirely unhappy.

"I just got a phone call from Claude Dupont. He gave me glowing praise for you, Mac. When you first told me he was there I was stunned, I thought he would never leave Europe. So, anyway, we got to talking about old times and our modeling days and he wants to take me out to dinner tonight…and I said yes!"

Crystal and Mac stared at her shocked, but Dani paced around. "I heard all the rumors and that he's supposedly a demon in the studio. I know him, it's really all an act, he does that to keep people intrigued, on their toes, and his popularity up. He always used to say 'bad press is better than no press.'"

Mac folded his arms and shook his head. "Demon isn't the word! He has these poor women bursting into tears every day. I'm ready to pound him one. Dani, I can't let you, he's too high on our suspect list."

"Suspect? You think Claude is the killer? I can't believe that. He's a little vain at times, but he was always harmless."

"Dani, you're talking about the old Claude from twenty…"

Dani coughed slightly and glared at Mac.

"Uhh, um…fifteen years ago! He's not the same man." He stammered.

"Mac, I'm not marrying the man, it's just a little dinner to catch up from old times. Why do you always insist on getting involved in my personal affairs?"

Mac tossed up his hands. "I don't believe this! You're the one that called me at the crack of dawn to drag me into this modeling case, now that I tell you who the suspect is you're ready to wine and dine him!"

Crystal stepped between them. "Hold on, Mac! First of all, Dani is a grown, intelligent woman and can make up her own dating mind. Second, if you really believe that he's guilty then this could be a perfect opportunity to bait the man."

Dani marched to her set and started packing up her camera equipment. "Absolutely not. Do you both think I'm stupid? I know where this case is leading. If I find anything suspicious about him, I'll tell you, but you are not going to have me wire-tapped. I want to just enjoy myself for the evening, in private, is that allowed?"

"Of course it is, Dani, but couldn't you find another old friend to meet up with?"

Crystal patted him to keep relaxed. "Dani, you're right, Mac shouldn't be getting involved in your like this. Come on, Mac, we'll have to report to Henry. Dani, enjoy your date."

"Thank you, Crystal, I'll try."

As they entered the elevator, Mac tried to plea one more time with Dani. "Can't you at least tell us where you're going tonight?"

"Mac, he didn't decide yet. It will be fine. I'm a big girl." Dani winked at him and the doors closed.

Mac wanted to slam them, but he calmed himself down and held his forehead. "Remind me again why I ever teamed up with that woman?"

Crystal rubbed his shoulders. "Oh, Mac, don't worry, I already put one of our new satellite tracers on Claude's car today. I knew you suspected him. We're not letting Dani out of our sight."

Mac gazed at her and laughed. "I knew I could count on ya! I have a little surprise for you too."

Crystalyn clapped her hands. "Goody! I love surprises!"

"I put a tap on Stella's phone at the reception desk and one on Claude's office phone."

Crystalyn grasped him and kissed his cheek. "That's awesome! How did you manage to do that?"

"Claude has a habit of fluttering in and out of his office for extended periods, so one time when he asked me to come in to reassess my 'make-over' and berate my looks again, I did it when he left me alone, no sweat!"

"Genius! And Stella's phone?"

"That took more planning, I waited until she took one of her Über long trips to the bathroom and installed it fast."

"Excellent! Oh wait a minute! Is that what you were doing when I saw you pop up from under Stella's desk? Because she was coming straight at you and I diverted her."

Mac casually put his arm over her shoulder as they approached the vehicle. "Oh yeah! When you knocked over the water cooler. Smooth! Now I really know you got my back too. Thanks, Crystal."