“Their place in Aspen, after the investigation started she went there. If she went other places, I don’t know. But she was gone, even after they lost all the houses. Like for three years. Then she was back half a year ago and calling me. It started off okay but then it got weird. She was always into control but now she’s kicking it up, you know?”
We said nothing.
Heck licked his lips and smiled. “You want the details, fine. She was always like let me get on top and hold your arms down. Which was fine. Now it’s let me tie you up with neckties, which I did a few times and then I said no effing way. That pissed her off, but she didn’t push it. So what does she do the next time? Pulls out effinghandcuffs.Starts jangling them right after we’re getting into it. Guess she had them under a pillow or something. I say uh-uh, no way, she’s like you got to let me, Mike, it satisfies me. Making a big deal out of it. But I’m, nope, not happening. She’s getting obnoxious. Finally I get off her and put on my clothes and book. Took the effing cuffs with me, also. Tossed them in a dumpster like a mile away.”
Milo said, “A mile from where?”
“Some motel on Centinela. Big difference from how it used to be. We used to go to her place. Their place in San Marino. She got off on doing it in she and Darren’s bed. Crazy big place, like twenty rooms.”
Wider smile. Smug. “We tested out a whole bunch of the rooms.”
I said, “You ended it and you think she hates you for that.”
“I don’tthink,Iknow.She told me.”
“When did that happen?”
“Few months ago. I was with Sophie in Palm Springs, the next day, I was with another girl in Pasadena. Then I’m by myself resting.Needingrest, you know? Andsheshows up at my place with champagne and Mollies, wants to party. I go to the door, I’m half asleep, made it a whole lot easier to say no. Told her you need to get yourself some wuss who likes being dominated and that ain’t me. And she goesballistic.Tells me I just proved myself as the king of the wusses because a real man would have the confidence to yield. Her word.Yield.Like I’m a car on the freeway or something. Then she tries to push her way in andshe’s strong, man. For a girl. But I shove her out and close the door. She pounds a bunch of times, hard. Finally gives up and leaves and that’s the last I seen of her. So, yeah, she hates me, she said so.”
I said, “You began sleeping with Tiana years ago but stopped recently.”
“It’s true whether or not you want to believe it,” said Heck. “It wasn’t a relationship. Never. Just off and on, sometimes she’d call, sometimes I’d call. And like I said there was a lot of time we had no contact after the investigation began. She probably wanted to steer clear of the whole thing.”
“Was she in on the scam?”
“You know,” he said, “I wish I could say she was but if I had to bet, I’d say no.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because there was no reason for Darren to plan with her, she’s no genius. And she was super mad about how Darren had screwed up. Said all he had to do was take his contingency cut, it would’ve still been a shitload. But no, he got greedy.Stupidand greedy, she called him. Said if she’d known she’d have set him straight.”
“Would she have been able to set him straight?”
“Who knows? Like I said, she was dominant and Darren liked the arm-candy. The whole Playboy Mansion thing. But he was pretty alpha, himself. Even though with clients he played Mr. Sensitive.”
I said, “Your theory is Tiana hated you because you dumped her. And she hated Sophie because—”
“I waswithSophie and not her.”
“Jealousy.”
“And also,” said Heck, “she probably wanted to get back at me. Kill two birds, you know—” He colored. “Sorry, wrong way to put it.”
I said, “Did you tell Tiana about Sophie?”
Head shake. “No way. But she could’ve found out. It’s not like I was hiding anything, you know? She could’ve watched me, you know? Going to Sophie’s, taking her out. I was seeing Sophie pretty regular. More than the others.”
Milo said, “How many others were there?”
“At that time?” said Heck. “Probably…five, six.”
“Names.”
“Oh, c’mon. Why?”
“To make sure they’re okay.”
“They are,” said Heck. “I still see them. Except for Bettina, that’s over. Obviously.”
