“Where were you tonight?” I asked, foregoing pleasantries.
“Oh, Rule. You’re here,” she said dramatically. “It was all such a blur. One minute—”
“Where. Were. You?” I repeated.
I didn’t give a shit what happened. That was none of my fucking business.
Her eyes twitched at the corners, proof she didn’t appreciate my tone. “At a party.”
“Did you know them before tonight?”
“Not really, no.”
“Are you working with either of them?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I’ve auditioned for them before.”
Since she used the termauditioned, I assumed she hadn’t gotten the part. Which to some could look like she had motive to kill them. Especially if they hadn’t been interested in offering her a part in the future.
“You told me you just met them tonight,” Laikyn accused her mother.
“I forgot.”
I could tell Laikyn wasn’t surprised by the lie.
“Did anyone see you leave with them?” I asked, wanting to maintain control of the situation.
This time, she hesitated, presumably to think back. “I…” She stammered over her words before finally saying, “Probably.”
Realizing I was still holding onto Laikyn, I released her hand. “When Rhyan’s done here, she’ll drive the car back to their place. You’ll go with her. From there, you’ll call for a ride. Not before, but as soon as you get there. And call from your phone, Monica. If anyone asks, you went home with them, then after you had your fun, you came home.”
“I’ll call my driver,” she said.
“Fine. Whatever,” I said firmly. “I want you smiling and laughing when he gets there. You had a good time. When you left, they were still … doing whatever the fuck y’all do.”
I could feel Laikyn’s eyes boring into me.
I spared her a glance.
“Why can’t we just call the police? This isn’t her fault.”
“No? And you have proof of that?”
“Well, no, but she said—”
“No police,” Monica stated firmly.
I nodded my chin toward Monica. “This is your third time. My fee tripled.”
Her eyes widened. “I … I don’t have it right now.”
“Rhyan!” I shouted, directing my voice toward the foyer. “Stop doing what you’re doing.”
“No!” Monica yelped, stabbing her cigarette out in the ashtray as she hopped up from the couch. “No. Please.”
