Try as she might to imitate a Victorian governess from one of the scariest movies I’d ever seen,
“Damn it, Jitty, you scared me.”
“I’m a ghost, Sarah Booth. It’s in the job description.”
I picked up my clothes and turned back to the bathroom. I didn’t have time for her antics. “I’m heading home tomorrow.”
“To Zinnia?”
There was such hope in her voice that I stopped and turned back to face her. “To Los Angeles. But once I’m done with this film, I’m going to Dahlia House. I need a break from all of this movie hustle and bustle.”
I could see that my explanation did nothing to soothe the wound I’d so innocently inflicted. She’d really thought I would give up this movie in midstride and head home. “Why are you on my balcony?” I asked.
“I was thinkin’ of perception. You know, how you can see somethin’ and another person can see the same exact thing, but if you both tell it, you each have a different story.”
“And?” She’d given up all attempts to speak like a governess. Her voice was rich and soft and lilting with the soft “g” endings that made a Southern drawl so appealing.
“You’re packin’ up to leave Costa Rica. I’ve never known you to leave a case half-finished.”
It stung a little, which let me know she’d hit an exposed nerve. “First of all, I’m going to L.A. to finish a job that I’m committed to do. Secondly, this isn’t ‘a case.’ No one is paying me to straighten out Federico’s daughter. I did what I could, but now it’s time to move on.”
“Are you so certain that Estelle is the perp?”
I hated it when Jitty used television language. She sounded like such a phony. “Estelle may or may not be ‘the perp’ but she damn sure has motive, means, and opportunity. She’s at the top of the suspect list.”
Jitty remained on the balcony, the sheer curtains lifting and falling around her in the breeze. Even in her governess garb, she was beautiful.
“That’s what I mean about perception, Sarah Booth. Maybe, for just one minute, you should try lookin’ at this from her point of view.”
“I would if I had any idea what her point of view might be.” But I was already talking to air. The balcony was empty. The curtains billowed once and then hung straight. Jitty was gone, and I was left with a feeling of dissatisfaction.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
My hair was still damp from the shower, and my mind was on Jitty’s message as I locked the door of my room and started for the staircase. The lessons from my haint were always cryptic, but this one had me puzzled. How did Marlon Brando as Quinton, the horse master in a movie based on a delicious short story, relate with anything that was happening around me?
I’d forgotten all about my “moment” in the gardens with Federico, but obviously Jovan had not. She waylaid me at the foot of the stairs.
“Is there something between you and Federico?” she asked.
At least she had the guts to come to me to get an answer, and I gave her points for forthrightness. “No, Federico is my boss. I’m concerned about his daughter.” I matched her look for look. “I saw you on the balcony of my room.” I checked my impulse to ask her why she was there. It would be more interesting to see what she volunteered.
Jovan’s smile was amused. “Your door was open, and I heard something, like someone shuffling around. Creepy. Since Federico and I both have had that virus or whatever it was, I went in to check on you. I thought you might be sick.”
I knew what happened next. “But the room was empty.”
“Yes, the room was empty, and as soon as I went to the balcony, the noise stopped. I checked the bathroom and around, but I couldn’t find anything. It had to be a water pipe or something in the walls.” Her blond hair caught in one of her beautiful earrings, and she tugged it free. “It was so eerie. I honestly thought someone was there. Maybe the ghost that everyone is talking about.”
“And then you glanced out and saw me and Federico in the garden.”
She nodded slowly. “You looked pretty cozy. Federico and I are together because it suits us, but if he’s developing a new interest, I don’t want to be the last to know.”
“Like I said, we were discussing his daughter. He’s worried about her, and for good reason.” No matter that we’d sealed all the secret corridors we knew about, there were others. There had to be. Old houses made strange noises, but it also seemed that someone floated through that house like it was a poltergeist honeycomb.
“The little bitch is working him.” Jovan showed her first spark of Nordic heat. She was usually so cool, so unemotional, but Estelle had been pushing her buttons, too. While she might not show Federico her true feelings, she had no such reservations where I was concerned. “Estelle is a manipulative, dangerous woman,” she continued. “I’ve told him he should stop all contact with her. Every time he gets worried and upset, she wins.”
Estelle was manipulative. But dangerous? Yes, that, too. She’d hurt Joey, Jovan, Tinkie, and Chablis. And me. I could easily have drowned. “If we find her before tomorrow, I think Federico will put her in a facility for medical care. He’s afraid she’s going to harm herself.”
“Instead of a country club mental institution, I’d rather see her sit in jail.” Jovan frowned. “I hate to sound like a shrew, but she could have killed me. And your friend was hurt, as well as her dog.”
I nodded in agreement. “To be honest, I don’t think we’ll discover Estelle before tomorrow. And once we’re out of this house, she has no reason to bother us again.”
“Tell that to Suzy Dutton.” Jovan’s blue gaze held mine for a moment before it broke. “I’m afraid, Sarah Booth. If she killed Suzy in Malibu, she might try to harm me again. Or you. Or someone on the film like Joey. He was lucky he didn’t break his neck.”
“We don’t know that Suzy’s death involved Estelle in any way.”
“Right. It’s just a coincidence that Federico’s ex-girlfriend is dead and everyone on this film has been hurt.” Her face shifted into shock. “Except for Graf. Nothing bad has happened to him.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I didn’t intend to be rude, but what she was implying was ridiculous. “Only women and teenage boys have been injured. Graf is a strong man. Perhaps that’s why he hasn’t been targeted. And you’re forgetting Federico. No one has pushed or slugged him.” I moved past her. I was ready to join my friends in the kitchen. Chablis was home and I needed some pampered pooch kisses.
“Federico may have been a victim, too. I’m thinking someone tampered with our food. We had seafood delivered and he and I both have been sick.”
That brought me up short. Sick was one thing, but if Estelle, or someone else, was poisoning the food, it could also be deadly. Or it could merely have been a mild case of accidental food poisoning. Seafood and sun were a breeding ground for bacteria. “We should have had that food tested.”
“I know, but Federico threw it away.” Jovan walked with me toward the kitchen. “Look, we’re leaving in the morning. If that’s the end of all of this, I say let it go. Estelle is nuts, but she’s also Federico’s daughter. But what if this continues in Los Angeles? What then?”
“I’ll mention that to Federico, but I honestly think once we leave, you’re safe.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said, pushing the door open. “Graf asked me to hurry you up and I’ve detained you, jabbering about my fears. Graf said the steaks are almost ready.”
We entered the kitchen together, talking about the scenes that would be shot as soon as we unloaded our gear in Los Angeles. Jovan had a far better understanding of how the movie would be edited. But, of course, as Cece would point out, she was sleeping with the director. That did give her a slight advantage.
Throughout the meal, Chablis was alert and wagging her tail, but she didn’t leave Tinkie’s side. And Sweetie remained near her, attentive and protective. Like me and Tinkie, they were best friends.
Federico tapped his wineglass with a spoon and stilled the conversation that was buzzing around the table. “The plane leaves at ten in the morning. Be at the airport at nine.” He turned to Tinkie. “And what time is your flight
