Page 87 of Dark Ugly Places

“Lies. All lies.” He smiles, cavalier and definitive. “So, we both live in Los Angeles. We go to some of the same places. Is that a crime?”

Another journalist in a blue dress, hair perfectly coiffed, forces a microphone in his face. “Did you rape her?”

His face turns stony. “I’m done. I told you nothing happened. I’m done.” He heads into the busy restaurant as security bars the entrance from the media.

It cuts back to the livestream’s host. “There you have it. Jason Redfern denying the allegations of sexual assault with co-star Lauren LaMonte. We spoke to a source who claims she saw Jason and Miss LaMonte leaving her house and returning together late one evening. The source also claims that Jason appeared not to be wearing his wedding ring. More information as this story unfolds.”

Emmy stares at me. “It’s true, isn’t it?”

I shrug. “Probably.”

Emmy nods, like she understands. “I thought so. Bullies have that look about them. Like nothing bad can happen to them.”

I clear my throat. “Yeah. It’s worse than that.”

Emmy stops chewing. “What do you mean?”

“I found blood on her linens. A lot of blood.”

Emmy’s brow wrinkles in concentration. “Like period blood or whatever?”

“No, not like that.”

Her face contorts. “Well, what then?” She swallows, the question sitting between us. I nod carefully, confirming her thoughts.

Emmy’s eyes turn big and round. Her pupils shrink. “Are you saying he’s hurting Bambi, too?”

I nod carefully. “In more ways than one.”

Emmy’s eyes form a recognition. “Why doesn’t she leave him?”

“Look at their life,” I say, standing up. A wave of something rises in my chest, difficult to contain. “Everyone knows who they are. She would risk everything. Her life, her marriage, her money, her career.”

“Yeah, but what if he …?” Emmy sits up. Her eyes brighten, like she’s just finished putting together a puzzle. “You have to do something,” Emmy replies. “We already know what he’s capable of.”

“We do.”

“So, are you going to help her?”

I think for a moment. It was never part of the plan, but here we are. I like Bambi. And she needs me. So does Nicola, for that matter.

“You’re right,” I say calmly. “He deserves to pay for what he’s done. To your family, to Bambi, to that actress. All of it.”

Her eyes widen. “Yeah, but he’s a celebrity. He’s got so much money and everything. Who is going to believe us? It’s not like we can just go to the police.”

“We don’t need the police. We need to do this another way. A cleverer way. And I’m going to need your help.”

I jump up, motioning Emmy to follow. I offer my hand, and she takes it, my fingers encircling her little palm and gripping it tight. As I lead her downstairs, I feel Nicola nipping and biting at me like a small rabid dog.

37

Nicola

I sense Martha taking on a rapid, pulsing beat, like a clock ticking. The days pass into each other, day and night, day and night, a heartbeat of time throbbing in my veins. She’s moving quickly toward something.

I need to get out.

I need to stop her.