Jonathan Kellerman - True Detectives

He said, “If Book didn't try to off himself, why was he hospitalized? And why announce he's a suicide?”

“Good questions, Moses.”

“Exhaustion,” said Moe. “Isn't that how celebs spin when they check in for detox?”

“No detox here,” said Aaron. “No drugs of any sort-that's what tipped off my source's source. It was like the guy was using the place for a hotel.”

Moe said, “Maybe no prescription drugs, but he had friends bring in recreational chemicals-maybe suicide was a cover for something worse career-wise. Like a total mental meltdown. If Book fell apart totally, his handlers wouldn't want it publicized. Better to cover with a half-truth.”

Aaron's eyes widened. “I like that. Going off the deep end, total blithering lunatic… people shy away from crazy, but depression, suicide-climbing back up from adversity-that's the cover of People. That's Oprah being your new best friend-yeah, that makes sense, Moses.”

Moe said, “And the fact Book never made it to Oprah or People could mean he's still nuts-the problem didn't go away. It also syncs with his not making a movie in three years. Hearing voices, seeing little green men, would make it hard to follow the script. But one thing bothers me. They treat psychotics with drugs, right? Is your source's source certain there were no meds at all?”

“That's what I'm told,” said Aaron, careful to avoid any hint of Merry's gender.

“Then maybe we're wrong.”

“Or maybe Book found himself a shrink who doesn't use drugs. I like the total-whack angle because it makes him capable of some real bad behavior. As in picking up a starstruck girl like Caitlin at Riptide, bringing her over to his place to party, once he gets her under control, he goes all Lecter.”

“Has his way with her in the Hollywood Hills,” said Moe, “and buries the body forty miles away to be safe.”

“With Ax Dement's help, because Ax is Book's primary walking-around guy, could very well have been part of the kill. I say that because choosing Malibu points to Ax's involvement, Moses. He's been brought up there. Hell, maybe he was the one chose the burial spot because he knows the area, nice and close to Daddy's ranch.”

Moe said, “And Book, weird as ever, returns to the scene to get high, relive the experience. Chauffeured by Ax-who could also be getting off on the whole thing.”

Aaron said, “Rory Stoltz chauffeured Book to Malibu the first time. Even though Book chickened out and they turned back at the Colony, Rory could've been in on the kill, as well. The three of them meeting up in that damned bar.”

Moe said, “Book's nuts but he can still feel guilt. That's why he checked into Cedars a week after Caitlin went missing. Freaked out over what he'd done.”

Aaron leaned over, clapped him on the back. “This is good, Moses. I know it's all theory, but it feels right.”

Moe went silent, thinking about his options. Show his hand to his brother? Or keep working Aaron as an outside guy.

Aaron was smart, would eventually figure it out.

Aaron would be smarter if he was informed.

“What, Moses?”

“There's more.”

For the first time in his life, Moe realized something about Aaron.

His brother could be an excellent listener.

Aaron didn't move a muscle as he took in the facts. Adella Villareal, Baby Gabriel, Ax Dement's Eagle Motel tryst with Raymond Wohr and Alicia Eiger. Wohr's peep of his own niece. Caitlin Frostig babysitting for Adella.

The only thing he didn't tell Aaron was Wohr's passivity in the face of Eiger's verbal abuse, which had shaken up Moe's notion of him as a dominant psycho killer. Because he was still trying to figure out what that meant.

When he finished, Aaron said, “Whoa.” Genuinely knocked over by everything Moe had uncovered. Not a trace of now you choose to tell me? “So now we've got a link between two dead women… oh, man… okay, my op's over to Riptide. How do you feel about getting me a jpg of Adella?”

“Could be too risky.”

“My person knows how to be subtle.”

Moe knew his brother could get pictures of Adella with or without his help. He said, “Let's go back to my desk, I'll get you a scan.”

“Thanks. Now it's my turn for something additional. Nothing I was holding back, I just didn't get to it after we started brainstorming about Book. This morning, I spent some time with Gemma Dement. Ax's mommy.” Keeping his voice even, but he shifted uncomfortably.

It was unlike his brother to fidget.

Moe smiled. “Good-looking woman.”

“For her age.”

“The two of you discuss politics?”

“We discussed peanuts-forget all that, the point is the woman's seriously Weird. Obsessed with guilt and atonement. Quote unquote. Normally, I might attribute that to some sort of religious conviction- her and Lem finding God together.” Though she doesn't put much stock in the Seventh Commandment. “But if baby boy Ax was involved in murder, she might be tormented by the knowledge.”

Moe said, “Living with a big, dark secret-did she come across guilty herself, or just talk about it philosophically?”

Aaron shook his head. “There was emotion there, but hard to pinpoint what it was.”

“What does that mean?”

“What it means is she wasn't bent over with guilt or grief or anything like that, but she brought up the phrase out of context. Guilt and atonement. The last time she got into it, it made her really angry. Unpredictably angry.”

“But nothing about any murder.”

Aaron hesitated. “It wasn't that kind of conversation.”

“Still, sounds like you got to know her pretty well.”

“Well enough to know she's a seriously messed-up lady, Moses. Who Lem is still beating on. I saw a bruise.”

Bet you did.

Moe said, “Getting pounded could mess you up.”

“I think this was more. I'm no shrink, it's just an aura she gave off. Something dark and deep and troubling.”

“That's the second time you mentioned that.” “Mentioned what?”

“Not being a shrink,” said Moe. “Seeing the direction this is taking, maybe we should talk to someone who is.”

Aaron went off to a corner of the D-room and called whoever he was sending over to Riptide. A woman, Moe figured, from the way his brother loosened up and put on the charming smile for an unseen audience. Seconds later, Aaron gave the thumbs-up, they scanned Adella Villareal's photo and sent it to lp-vox36 at a Hotmail account.

Moe called Dr. Alex Delaware, connected to the psychologist's answering service.

“Is this an emergency, sir?” said the operator.

“Not a medical emergency, ma'am. I'm an LAPD detective.”

“A new one?”

Moe stiffened. “Pardon?”

“The doctor always gets called by Detective Sturgis. Is it that kind of thing-murder?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Hold on.”

Seconds later, Delaware came on the line. Without getting into details, Moe asked if he and Aaron could come by to discuss a case. Not sure what Delaware's financial arrangement was with the department. Not knowing what he'd say if Delaware brought that up.

“I'm out the door, Moe, court appearance in Beverly Hills. But even if I'm called to testify, I should be free by four, so let's aim for a quarter to five. My place would be best. I need to check in with my dog.”

Driving above the converted bridle path that wound above Beverly Glen, finally sighting the crisp, white contours of Delaware's house high up, nestled among pines and redwoods and sycamores, Aaron thought: This is the endpoint of the dream, beyond cool, look at this, dead-silent when you needed to meditate on something, talk about green-and that sky, you'd never know it's L.A. and only a short drive to Westwood Village, downtown Beverly Hills, the Strip, anywhere you want to go, really. Guy probably sees hawks all the time. Wonder if his drive is a ragtop, have to be, how could you fully enjoy this with metal over your head, and this place, whoa, bigger than it seemed at first glance-full two stories, interesting angles, obviously custom architecture, nice the way they positioned it on the lot, not intrusive, fits great into the landscape, talk about contemporary-cool, the interior's probably just as fresh and clean, maybe bamboo floors, vaulted ceilings, all that nice natural lighting, maybe even a home theater… nope, it's an old Seville. Nice shape, though… maybe there's a convertible in the garage… great landscaping…