“You better.”
“Anyway, the boys ordered dinner, so I should pull myself together. I plan on eating then trying to sleep. I’m exhausted.”
“You and me both, dear. You and me both. Well, if you need me, call. Okay?”
“Will do. Love ya.”
“Love ya, too,” Stephanie said before the line went dead.
Ethan sat back up, his head swimming with a million-and-one thoughts.What happened? Why Danny?
Ethan pulled his phone into his lap and stared blankly at the screen. He wanted to reach out and talk to someone who didn’t know him, didn’t know he was in a boy band, didn’t know he dated Danny, didn’t know anything about him.
About a year before, Ethan had downloaded the gay dating appEndZoneand randomly talked to some people. He’d hit it off with a guy named Blayne in Houston. The two had become ‘friends’, even though Blayne knew nothing about the real Ethan. Ethan had lied to Blayne early in their conversations, telling Blayne his name was Roy and that he worked in Internet marketing out of New York City. When they met onEndZone, Ethan had been in New York rehearsing for a tour, so it made sense to tell Blayne he was in NYC. They only connected onEndZonebecause Blayne had been in NYC doing tourist crap.
Over the last year, they had become ‘friends’. Blayne had been a great sounding board for all kinds of problems Ethan had faced that year. Admittedly, all Ethan’s issues had been disguised to hide his identity.
Ethan openedEndZoneand quickly scrolled through his messages before finding the latest from Blayne. He typed.
Hey B.
Had to write to you real fast. I’ve had the crappiest day of my life…
Chapter Five
Agent Murphy
FBI Agent Sarah Murphy walked through the crime scene. She was thankful the water on the lake was calm that day, because she got seasick easily. Walking around a houseboat was not her idea of a fun evening.
The New Orleans Police Department had requested the FBI’s help on this investigation since it looked like a mob-style hit on a couple of celebrities. Sure, the New Orleans Police Department—NOPD—could probably handle the investigation, but they wanted the extra eyes and resources that involving the FBI could bring.
“What are you seeing?” Sarah asked FBI Agent Daniel Harper, her partner.
“Well, it looks like both were shot by one person, who surprised them.”
“Why do you say that?” Sara questioned.
“Well, my best guess is the shooter entered from here,” Agent Harper said as he walked through the crime scene from the door. “He grabbed Dunning, used her as a shield, shot Hawthorne, then shot Dunning to leave no witnesses.”
“Makes sense to me, but…” she started, “you’re assuming Hawthorne was the target. What ifshewas the primary target?” Murphy said, motioning to Cynthia Dunning’s covered body on the floor. “Even though this wasn’t her houseboat, someone could have tracked her here.”
“Your theory works, too,” Harper said, knitting his brows. “Why would anyone want to off two soap stars?”
“That is the question, isn’t it?” Murphy finished up a few notes before she headed off the boat. She was glad to return to the dock as soon as possible.
“Agent Murphy?” a voice called from a distance.
Murphy looked for the voice and saw a woman standing behind the police tape. She took stock of the woman and her expensive suit.Clearly, she’s not a local, Murphy thought to herself. Murphy walked over to the woman and reached out to shake the woman’s hand.
“Agent Murphy,” the woman started, shaking Murphy’s hand. “I’m Denise Alvarado. I’m the senior executive for the production company that producesNew Orleans Nights, Limitless Films.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Alvarado,” Murphy said after noticing the woman wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. “How can I help you?”
“So, it’s true?” Alvarado asked with a smile on her face.
“Is what true?”
Ms. Alvarado shook her head from side to side to make sure no one was easily eavesdropping to ask, “Are Cynthia and Daniel dead?”
