Chapter 3
The paramedics defibrillated Alain and rapidly removed him from the villa to transport him to the closest hospital. Monique sat on a couch on the first floor, her head in her hands. Taggart opened the door, and at Monique’s introduction, let Jack Martinez and his fiancé, George, inside to join her.
Taggart advised her that the detectives were en route to question her about what happened. Normally, it would not be suspicious since Alain was well into the heart attack range at fifty-eight years old. But with the incident that occurred in the morning, his collapse was deemed suspicious.
Taggart watched from the villa’s dining area as he called Julian back. "Hey, bro, she found her manager shirtless on the floor of his bedroom. According to her statement, he wasn't breathing when she got there, and she gave him two breaths, ran to the phone, dialed 9-1-1 and came back to find him in arrest. So she started CPR. Her security team opened the door for the first arriving patrol officers, who confirmed they found her performing CPR. I spoke with her personal security. They're nice guys who travel with her, but they’re in way over their heads. They said most of the things they do for her are just keeping away the paparazzi. They also swear she lives a sedate life. I really don't like this."
“I agree. Delphine and I are en route to the airport. Martin will meet us there. We are taking the company jet. If we take off soon, we should be there by two a.m. your time."
“One of her male model friends and his fiancé, George, are here with her. She was supposed to meet the two of them for dinner at Del Frisco's. The detectives want to talk to her. And after that, I'm going to suggest she move to a suite in the main hotel, or to a completely different one.”
“Good idea. Thanks, Tag,” Julian said. Tag heard the sound of a suitcase being zipped.
“Don't thank me; it’s my job out here. I don't want to get the next call saying she's missing or dead. It's not my place to question her more in-depth about what happened prior to these events. I don't even know where she traveled from. Her permanent address is in Lyon, France. But I don't know if she's established US residency. I'm inclined to believe so because her other regular traveling companion is a very big male tabby named Soleil.”
“Alrighty then. We're almost at the airport. I'll call you when we get in. Martin and I have two rooms at The Omni."
“Safe flight.”
* * *
Two San Diego Police Departmentdetectives questioned Monique for two hours. Already exhausted from the day, she was emotionally spent and wanted to go to the hospital to check on Alain. “I’ve answered your questions multiple times. I would like to go to the hospital," she pleaded.
“Ms. Lily, we just want to figure out what happened this morning and now tonight. Do you know anybody who would want to hurt Mr. Charpentier or you? Did anyone else know you were staying at the Fairmont?” one of the detectives asked.
She ignored the detective’s mispronunciation of her last name. “I am now telling you one more time: I don't know of anyone who would want to hurt me or Alain. My photographer knew I was checking in here because of the photoshoot. Anyone concerned with the photoshoot knew. And I'm sure their assistants, who told their assistants. There's no such thing as privacy in this business. And the fact that I did a shoot on Del Mar Beach, a city beach, anyone who saw the shoot could put together that I was a guest here. Hell, anyone listening to your police radios could figure out I’m at the Fairmont.”
“And how would you know anyone listening to the police radio would know?” the other detective asked.
“Detective, I am French; I am a fashion model, but I am not stupid. This interview is over." Gracefully she stood and walked toward her friends. “I'm going to wash my face, and then we can go to the hospital,” she told them.
The detective approached Jack. “Is she always like that?”
“Always like what? She is exhausted, and the man who has managed her career since she was twenty-one may be dead. You asked her the same questions at least three times. Whatever you mean by ‘is she always like that?’ the answer is yes.” Jack stood up and walked away, and George followed.
Ten minutes later, Monique walked out of the bedroom. The detectives had left, but Taggart and two patrol officers remained.
Taggart said, “Madame Lillier, I'm sorry you’re upset. May I suggest you pack your things, and I will transport you to the main hotel? Management will be happy to accommodate you in one of their suites. I really believe it may be best for your safety until we figure this out.”
She smiled. “Thank you for your concern, Sergeant. If we can manage this fast, I will take the hotel up on their offer. Then, I need to check on Alain.”
“Well, let's pack up Soleil and your bags, and we can be out of here as soon as you're done.” Taggart smiled.
* * *
Julian and his wife,Delphine, were already on board the Chase Group jet when Martin jogged up the stairway. The steward greeted him, “We will start cross-check as soon as the last passenger gets here.”
Martin looked toward Julian. “Are you expecting anyone else?”
“Not me.” Julian got a sinking feeling. “Do you have the name of that third passenger?” he asked the steward.
“Yes, sir, Mr. Kieran Chase.”
Glancing between the two men, Delphine giggled. “Look at the two of you; you're both petrified of the boss? You’ve both survived danger-close bombings; you've both been injured and are purple heart recipients, and you're afraid of Kieran.Coullions.”
Kieran could hear her as he crossed over onto the jet. “Hello, Delphine, don't you look beautiful tonight?” He walked over and kissed her cheek. Looking at his two operators, hetsked. “What, you two wingnuts think I’m going to let you run amuck in San Diego?”
The jet was cleared for takeoff. Once airborne, Julian walked Delphine back to the bedroom area and encouraged her to sleep, then returned to sit with Martin and Kieran.
