“I think you do enough massaging for the both of us,” she replied pointedly. “Besides, the way I look at it, I’m a free agent. I don’t work for LAPD anymore. I’m just consulting on this case, so I’m not bound by all those bureaucratic politics anymore. If someone complains and Decker isn’t happy with me, he can dump me and I’ll see if I can schedule a few more teaching interviews. I guess what I’m saying is that with everything I’ve been through lately, I’ve lost the patience to give a crap about anything other than the case.”
Trembley nodded, clearly not interested in arguing the point. They were almost to the door of the Fairbanks building.
“I haven’t had the chance to really tell you—really tell you— how sorry I am about both Garland and Ryan. I know you were tight with the old man, and Ryan, obviously he’s very important to you.”
“Thanks, Trembley.”
“I was meaning to ask, and I don’t mean to offend you, but are you sure you’re safe where you’re staying?”
“What do you mean?” Jessie asked, her eyes narrowing.
“Please don’t bite my head off, okay?” he began. “But I know you had a lot of security measures set up at your last place. Ryan mentioned how involved they were. And they made sense considering all the threats you’ve faced. Your dad tried to kill you. That serial killer, Bolton Crutchfield, had a thing for you. And that’s where your ex-husband came after you. So it was logical that you’d take every precaution.”
“What’s your point, Trembley?” she demanded.
“Just that, even though those specific threats are gone, not all of them are. That corrupt cop you busted, Hank Costabile, was just convicted last week. I could see him wanting to get some payback, maybe send some fellow officers your way when they’re off duty. And what about Andrea Robinson, the rich psycho who befriended you and then tried to poison you when you figured out she was a murderer? I know she’s in a psychiatric prison ward, but last time we checked, she had a serious fixation on you. If she got out somehow, who knows what she’d be capable of?”
“You don’t think I can take care of myself?” Jessie asked in a mild tone.
“I do. You’ve proven that. But I’m assuming your private eye friend’s apartment isn’t as decked out with security as your last place. And while Ryan wasn’t officially there to protect you and Hannah, it didn’t hurt to have a decorated cop living with you. I’m just saying that maybe Corinne Weatherly isn’t the only one who would have been well served by a bodyguard.”
Jessie knew Trembley was only trying to be helpful. There were still legitimate threats to her safety. And with her boyfriend in the hospital, her mentor murdered, and her sister jumping at every slammed door, he wasn’t wrong to suggest that she ought to be proactive about securing their situation. She decided to go easy on him.
“I appreciate the concern. And you’re right. There are still real threats out there. That’s why I’m aggressively looking for a new place. But in the meantime, Hannah and I are living with a former Army Ranger. And I did learn a thing or two about self-defense at the FBI Academy when I took their training program. I think we’ll muddle through for the next few weeks, even without a bodyguard, until I find somewhere I like.”
“Okay,” Trembley said. “But I’m sure that if you asked, Captain Decker would have a unit do regular patrols around your friend’s place, even though you’re no longer officially an employee.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jessie promised. “In the meantime, maybe we should keep our focus on this Boatwright guy. Anything special I need to know before we chat him up?”
“I don’t any know more than the average movie lover,” Trembley answered. “But the guy does have an out-sized reputation.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means he does everything big. He makes big movies. He’s got a big personality. And if the rumors are true, he’s got a big appetite too.”
“For food?”
“For women,” Trembley said. “He’s notorious for getting involved with actresses. Some say he trades sex for roles, though that’s just speculation. I don’t think anyone’s ever formally alleged that. I’ve also heard he’s just a magnetic guy that many women find intriguing. You can be the judge of that.”
“Sounds like a real charmer,” Jessie muttered.
“Apparently he is, although from what I’ve read, he’s also got an impressive temper. I