drive later he pulled into the empty parking lot for the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park. Mason had picked up a couple of lawn chairs and a small table from his house and he unloaded them and set them up. I brought out the food and drinks. Behind us the Santa Monica Mountains loomed in the darkness and a panoramic view of the twinkling lights of the San Fernando Valley spread before us. In the far distance the massive San Gabriel Mountains marked the end of the open area.
Jaimee hadn’t been happy with either of us by the time we dropped her off. They still didn’t have a location for Thursday’s wedding and they hadn’t been able to agree on anything at Rexford’s studio as a gift. Mason had voted for the suit of armor and Jaimee wanted to get an armoire using a door from a monastery. She was irritated at me for just being there.
Mason held up his bottle of soda to make a toast. “To the end of an exhausting day.”
A breeze glided along the ground with a hint of ocean. It was amazing how the wind could wind its way through the mountains and surprise you with some cool damp air. The crickets chirped and a distant cry of a coyote reminded us we were in the wild. Mason tapped me and pointed up. Something with a big wing span sailed above us.
“An owl,” Mason said. It was soundless as it landed on a tree, waiting for its dinner to show up.
All the kinks of the day began to unravel as we ate and enjoyed the view.
“Did you see the detective when you stopped home?” Mason asked. I told him about Barry’s reaction to telling Detective Heather about North Adams.
“I was hoping she’d take over,” I said. Mason nodded. He knew why. North Adams was represented by my son. Peter would have a fit if he thought I was harassing his client. I was afraid he’d rather a murderer go free than upset such a big moneymaker for the talent agency.
For a moment there was silence and Mason turned toward me, appearing uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, sunshine, but I can’t help you with Adams. He’s a client of the law firm and I don’t think the partners would be too happy if I was investigating him.”
I told Mason I understood.
“What are you going to do?” Mason asked.
“I’ll think of something,” I said and Mason chuckled.
“I figured you would say that.”
* * *
The next afternoon, Dinah and I met in the yarn department of the bookstore. It wasn’t an organized meeting time for the Hookers. It was our personal meet up to talk and work on our projects for the street fair booth. I had already told her about North and my dilemma and we’d come up with a plan.
I had hoped that Adele would be there and she didn’t disappoint. Lately, it seemed she was always hunched in the corner, working on perfecting the bullion stitch.
Beyond us the bookstore was slow, and I assumed the production company people were all busy working. Even the café was quiet, and I hadn’t had to wait for my red eye.
I asked Adele how it was going. She moved her arm so I could see her work. She was still struggling to get her hook through the multiwraps of yarn. “You can’t tell anyone how much trouble I’m having with this stitch. I’m supposed to be the expert, the go-to person for anything crochet.” She dropped her work in disgust. Then she pulled out a bright orange cowl and began working on it. Crocheting something she could handle easily made a huge difference in her demeanor.
“So how’s your investigation going?” I asked. I was surprised to see Adele’s expression falter.
“Eric thinks I shouldn’t pursue being a sleuth. He says one coplike person in a couple is enough.”
“What do you think about it?” Dinah said. “I have never thought of you as being a give-in-to-your-man type.”
Adele sat a little straighter. “You know that’s what I was thinking.” She turned to me. “You’re lucky, nobody cares what you do. I guess that’s how it goes when you don’t have a boyfriend in law enforcement.”
“Do you ever think about what you’re saying?” Dinah asked. Adele gave Dinah a blank look.
“Did I say something wrong?” Adele looked at Dinah, waiting for an answer. Dinah did her best to explain tact and thinking about how other people might have interpreted what Adele said. Adele listened but