Death in Daytime Read Online Free PDF

leave. I'll go and talk to the detective."
    Why would I try to leave? I wondered. Detective Jakes also had a man standing by the elevators, and the stairwells.
    The young policeman returned with my cell phone.
    "I have to wait and take it back."
    "Fine."
    I hit number two on the speed dial, hoping my mother would not have the phone turned off. She was one of the few people conscious of her cell phone ringing in a restaurant or a movie theater. Luckily, she picked up right away.
    We lived in Venice, in a kind of cool, old craftsman house from the twenties that needs a lot of work. Venice is a combo of great, old expensive houses scattered right in among bad areas. There's some gang activity, but the canals, built in the twenties, add charm. Very colorful. There's also the boardwalk where artists as well as crazies sell their stuff. My mom lived in a small guesthouse out back, by the canal. It was a good arrangement. We both had privacy, and she was there for us, and we for her.
    "Mom, can you pick Sarah up from school for me?
    I'm stuck on the set." Literally. "Something's happened. The police are here--"
    "Police? Are you all right?"
    "I'm fine," I said. "There's been a murder--"
    "A murder? Who was murdered? How did--"
    Just then my manager, Connie Wilson, beeped in.
    "Mom, one second, I'm so sorry, I'll be right back. Hi Connie."
    "What the hell is goin' on, Alex? Are you okay? I just got a call from a friend at LA. Marcy murdered?
    The fuckin' bitch deserved it, if you ask me. Did they get the guy who did it?" I couldn't get a word in. "By the way, did you read that crap script, yet? I know it's just a guest spot, and I know it's playing a cave woman on a silly Saturday-morning kid's show, but it could lead to something else! Casting wants to know if you could come in on Friday and meet the producers?"
    Connie is always looking for other job opportunities for me. Some have been a little questionable. My relationship with her borders on love/hate. She's a little rough around the edges, probably from being in this business so long, and she's a real contradiction--a vegetarian who smokes two packs a day. Her gravelly voice makes her sound like a truck driver, all five feet three of her. Not to mention she loves to use lots of four-letter words. She's a good person who truly cares about me. Maybe she isn't so good at grasping priorities.
    "Connie, I've been a little busy here. The script is going to have to wait. I'll let you know what's going on when I know." I clicked back to my mother.
    "Mom, I'll have to give you all the details when I see you. The police want to question me now. Can you pick Sarah up and keep her until I'm done?"
    "Of course, Alex. Whatever you need."
    "Thanks, Mom. Give her something to eat, but not too much sugar. And please give her an extra big hug for me. Hopefully, I'll be out of here in time for dinner."
    "Honey, are you okay? You sound . . . kind of scared."
    "I'm fine, Mom. I just miss Sarah. Not too much sugar before dinner, remember?"
    "Okay, honey. And sweetheart, whatever happens, you can handle it."
    "Thanks, Momma. I needed that." She always knew what I was feeling, even when I didn't. I handed the phone back to the policeman. He was staring. Was he a fan, or did he think I did it, too?
    Just when I thought I wouldn't make it home to have dinner with Sarah, Detective Jakes put in an appearance on the set.
    "Ladies and gentlemen, we have all your contact information. We know where to find you. You can go home. And please, don't anyone leave town without checking with me first."
    "At last," Thomas said, getting up from his chair.
    "People, early tomorrow. We have time to make up."
    As everyone headed for the door, Detective Jakes came over to me and said, "Ms. Peterson? Not you. We'd like you to stay, please."
    "I'm sorry?" I asked. I felt butterflies in my stomach. Surely someone had told them about the fight. Now I was going to have to explain why I hadn't mentioned it.
    "We have a few more