Guilt

CHAPTER 51

The police detective strode to the movie star’s side, placed his arm around her, guided her back to the sofa.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Moon, I really am. If it makes you feel any better, you’re helping achieve justice. For that baby and others.”

Prema didn’t answer. Milo relocated to a closer chair. Pulled it even nearer.

She said, “Mr. Fuck-everything-that-moves. Another collection. That’s why my estate manager is-was a man. That’s why the maids I have are Church Ladies in their sixties.”

“You think Donny Rader killed the baby.”

“I never would have thought him capable. I mean I know he couldn’t care less about kids. But … I guess he’s capable of anything if it’s in his best interests. She probably became an inconvenience-pressured him.”

“For money?”

“Money or emotional commitment-wanting him to step up to the plate. I will tell you one thing: Giving her serious money would definitely be a problem for him. Because he has no control over the finances. Gets an allowance because he’s an idiot.”

“What’s serious money?”

“Anything more than ten thousand dollars a month. If he needed to come up with something like that, he’d have to ask me. Or else start selling his crap.”

She turned to Milo. “That’s probably the motive, Lieutenant. She got greedy, put him in a bind.” She sagged. “But that poor baby. How did it die?”

“That’s unclear.”

“What do you mean?”

“The skeleton bore no evidence of trauma.”

“The skeleton,” she said. “Why would he do that?” She turned to me. “What kind of insanity is that, Dr. Delaware?”

I shook my head.

Milo said, “This woman, what was her-”

“Simone. Simone Chambord.”

He showed her Qeesha D’Embo’s mug shot. In this photo, no concealment of the booking numbers around her neck.

Her mouth formed an oval. “She’s a criminal?”

“She had a police record.”

“Oh, God, what a sucker I am. She told me she was a teacher’s aide, had preschool experience. That’s what the agency told me, because of that I hired her to watch over Boo, Boo was just a toddler.”

Another stare at the arrest form. “You’re telling me I entrusted my Boo to a criminal?”

“Sorry to say, Ms. Moon.”

“I must be the biggest fool in the universe.”

“Anyone can get taken, ma’am.”

“There wasn’t a hint of anything off. She was kind to Boo, Boo liked her, and Boo doesn’t take to everyone. I liked her. That’s why when she got pregnant and her energy flagged, I took pity on her and helped her out by hiring another person.”

“Adriana Betts.”

“You’re going to tell me that one was an ax murderer?”

“No, ma’am. Clean-living church-girl. How’d she and Simone get along?”

“Fine,” she said. “Why?” She shuddered. “Oh, of course. He killed her, too, so she was connected.” She rubbed her face. That plus the pacing; Milo’s spiritual sister. “What was her story?”

“I was wondering if you knew.”

“Well, I don’t. Adriana was … there seemed nothing complicated about her. Then again, I liked Simone.” She laughed. “To think I helped her with her pregnancy-gave her clothes, books, encouraged her to take it easy.”

“Adriana came on to relieve Simone.”

“Yes.”

“Your suggestion or Simone’s?”

“Mine. I used the same agency and once Simone was gone Adriana took over completely, did a great job. Then she walked out on me, too. Or so I thought.”

“Did you try to find out why she left?”

She threw up her hands. “My life is hectic, people come and go, you have no idea how hard it is to find dependable help.”

“Like Mel Wedd,” said Milo. “Did he work for Mr. Rader as well as for you?”

“He was the estate manager and, technically, all three properties are the estate. But his day-to-day job was under my supervision.”

“How did he and Mr. Rader get along?”

“He didn’t respect Donny. Or so he told me.”

“Why?”

“Because of Donny’s behavior.”

“Promiscuity.”

She ticked her fingers. “Promiscuity, being constantly stoned, never taking responsibility. Mostly, not caring about the kids. Mel thought that was unconscionable.”

Milo said, “Mr. Rader shut the kids out of his life.”

“To shut them out, he’d have to be aware of them, Lieutenant. He acted as if they didn’t exist. How do you explain that to a child?”

Her hand touched her mouth. “I guess with that attitude, doing things to a baby isn’t so big a stretch.”

Milo said, “Back to Mel Wedd for a moment. Any idea why Mr. Rader would kill him? Assuming he did.”

Another easy opening, if she was manipulating. Once again, she didn’t take it. “No. I can’t imagine.”

Milo looked at me again.

I shrugged. Still your play, Big Guy.

He said, “Was Mr. Wedd involved in any of Mr. Rader’s activities with women?”

“Mel? Why would you ask that?”

“Wedd’s been spotted in the company of several attractive women. Streaming in and out of his apartment. Including Simone Chambord.”

“You’re saying Mel pimped for that bastard?”

“Or he might have been in charge of the finances.”

“What finances?”

“Paying women off when Mr. Rader was through with them. In Simone Chambord’s case, that may have included getting a car for her. A red BMW. It once belonged to Mr. Wedd but he reported it stolen and Simone Chambord was seen driving it.”

“Oh, this is all too much. What else do you want to drop on me, Lieutenant?”

“That’s it.”

“Insanity,” she said. “Okay, now what do we do about it?”