Bones

junior, and an almond-eyed boy around eight holding both their hands. The boy and the man wore tuxedos, the woman a long red gown. Both adults smiled. The child’s mouth was tiny and tight.

Simone Vander touched the frame with a French-tipped nail and smiled. “That’s my brother Kelvin. He’s a genius.”

She switched off the music as Milo and Reed and I settled on the longest sofa. Our combined weight compressed fluffy down cushions a foot or so. Simone Vander asked us if we wanted something to drink and when we demurred, she took a hard-backed chair and crossed her legs. The chair was high, and we had to look up to make eye contact with her.

She fussed with a sleeve. One pink sandal dangled. “Sorry,” she said. “For calling Aaron. It’s just that he’s been really helpful to me.”

“Investigating Travis Huck,” said Reed.

“Uh-huh.” She pushed thick black hair behind a flat, delicate ear. Another network of blue veins marked the juncture of jaw and lobe, suggesting translucence.

She hugged herself. “I guess you’d like to know why I hired him in the first place.”

Reed said, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Aaron came highly recommended,” she said. Searching our faces for confirmation or debate.

“Who referred you to him, ma’am?”

“A man who’s worked with my father-doing real estate deals-had used Aaron before, said he was the best. It wasn’t something I was sure about, the whole thing felt kind of strange. Hiring a private eye, I mean. But I just felt I had to. When I heard about Selena.”

“You knew Selena,” said Reed.

“She was my brother’s piano teacher. Sometimes she’d show up at the house when I was there, and we’d talk. She seemed like a really nice person. I was so upset when I heard what happened to her.”

Reed said, “Talk about what?”

Simone smiled. “You know, casual stuff. She seemed sweet. Kelvin-my brother-really liked her. He’s been through other teachers-strict, really stuffy-professors from conservatories. They leaned hard on him and Kelvin had enough. He’s been playing since he’s three, got tired of practicing six hours a day. Just because you’re a genius doesn’t mean you’re a slave, right? He also had his fill of classical music, wanted to write his own songs. Dad and Nadine-Kelvin’s mom-were fine with it. They’re not like other parents in that situation.”

“What situation is that?”

“Having a genius. A prodigy,” said Simone Vander. “From what I saw, Selena was a great fit for Kelvin. She told me she’d gone through the same thing. Being real talented, expected to practice all the time.” Frown. “This is horrible. Kelvin’s going to freak out.”

Reed glanced at Milo.

Milo said, “So you liked Selena.”

“There was nothing not to like.” A hand pressed the side of her face, left a faint, rosy print. “The way I found out, just horrible. I was getting ready to go out and caught it on the news. Half listening, you know? I heard Selena’s name but thought no, you’re making a mistake. So I looked up one of the TV station websites but the story wasn’t posted and I forgot about it. But the next morning, there it was. I couldn’t believe it.”

Moe Reed said, “What made you suspect Mr. Huck?”

“I can’t say I suspected him. It’s nothing that definite. I just… the first thing I did-when I learned what had happened to Selena-was call my father. His regular cell phone wasn’t working so I got transferred to an international cell because he was in Hong Kong. He was in a meeting, but I told him. He was stunned, said he’d let Nadine and Kelvin know when he called them.”

“They’re not with him?”

“No, they’re in Taiwan, visiting Nadine’s family there. Dad’s looking at some real estate in Hong Kong.”

Moe Reed said, “About Huck…”

“Yes. I’m not saying I suspected him, but he always gave me a… weird feeling.” Pause. “And I know for a fact that he was interested in Selena.”

“Interested how, ma’am?”

“You don’t need to call me that,” said Simone Vander. “Ma’am.”

“Mr. Huck was interested in Selena…”

“Physically. Not that I ever saw him do or say anything overt, but a girl can tell.” Half smile. “At least I think I’m pretty perceptive.”

“What did he do?”

“Looked at her,” said Simone. “You know, that way. With a capital L.” She toyed with her hair. “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble… to be truthful, sometimes I felt he looked at me that way. No big deal, he never stepped out of line, and normally I’d never say anything. But… when I found out what happened-you won’t tell him, will you? That I hired Aaron.”

“Of course not,” said Reed. “Guy acted creepy, you had every right.”

She exhaled. “That’s a strong word. I don’t want to make accusations, but Travis has a way of making everything seem… not sneaky, I guess the best word would be… covert? Like a spy?” She frowned, not satisfied with the choice of vocabulary.

“Furtive,” said Milo.

“Perfect! Yes, furtive, like everything’s in code. Like he’s looking over his shoulder all the time and that makes you want to do it, too? I’m a really direct person so… but my dad likes him, and Dad’s brilliant, so who am I to say?”

“What does your father like about Huck?”

“He never said, but you could just tell. Which is why I never made a fuss. Dad has a good feel for people. That’s part of what made him so successful.” She chuckled. “Who do you think bought me this house? My job sure couldn’t pay for it and I’m the first to admit it.”

“What do you do?”

“Work with kids. Nanny, preschool teacher, I’ve done some remedial tutoring. And… I probably shouldn’t admit it but, yes, like everyone else, I wanted to act. But want’s a long way from do. Right now I’m taking some downtime, maybe I’ll transition to something totally different. Anyway, Dad’s not like you’d imagine, for a man in his position. He’s a people person and his instinct is to trust. He always says he’d prefer to trust and end up disappointed rather than live his life as a cynic. ‘A cynic understands the price of everything and the value of nothing.’ That’s his favorite saying.”

Reed said, “Travis Huck hasn’t disappointed him yet.”

“Apparently,” said Simone Vander. “Maybe because Travis doesn’t have a life of his own, is always there to run some errand, whatever. I know that’s helpful for Dad and Nadine, but maybe that’s what bothers me. Maybe Travis is too involved?”

She sat forward, folding like origami. “Being an assistant is more than a job. He lives in that house.” Exhaling. “That’s why I hired Aaron. To find out if there is some reason to be worried. And you guys know what he found. Travis killed someone.”

She hugged herself.

Moe Reed said, “Did Mr. Fox give you the details?”

“I know it was kids pushing and shoving. But still. Someone died and he went to prison. Thinking about it last night, I didn’t sleep very well.”

Brown eyes drifted to Milo. “Aaron said you’d follow through, Lieutenant. That you never let go of a lead.”

CHAPTER 17

We left Simone Vander standing just inside her gate. Milo drove down Benedict Canyon slowly.

Moe Reed said, “She’s someone who knows Huck. Guess this puts more focus on him as a solo psycho, Loo.”

Grunt.