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The next day I pulled into the valet parking area of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. The landmark hotel at the crest of Nob Hill was breathtaking. Jim and I had spent our honeymoon night here and it was one of my favorite swanky hotels in all of San Francisco.
The hotel had been booked for Kelly and Ryan’s big day, but unable to be refunded on the catering, Kelly’s parents had decided to honor their daughter’s philanthropic spirit. Soon, shuttle buses would be arriving from the various homeless shelters in the area to provide a classy dining experience for people who’d probably not eaten this nice for a long time –possibly ever.
Just as I was about to get out of the car, I received a video message from Jim. It was Laurie, and she was doing that adorable baby babble thing again. For whatever reason, I imploded. I banged my fist on the steering wheel, slammed my phone down in the passenger’s seat.
I had missed it again!
Tears threatened.
I wanted to whip the car around and head straight home.
I snatched up my phone, ready to call Jim, but then I paused. Why was I so worked up? I mean, really? She was just babbling. She’d be babbling for a long time. I wasn’t missing her growing up. I was on an important assignment that could be the key to solving Kelly’s murder.
Not to mention I was on the clock and getting paid. I needed the money for her college fund!
“Ugh,” I moaned to myself.
The last time I was this up and down with my emotions, I was pregnant!
I took a few deep breaths and sent Jim a simple text, “awe, so cute!” because that is a normal reaction to your husband getting excited about something your daughter is doing.
Climbing out of my car, I was almost as assaulted by a woman rushing toward, nearly knocked me over in a ridiculous bear hug.
The woman, of course, was my dear mother.
“Mom” I exclaimed. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Why are you here? I thought you’d thrown your back out.”
My mom stood upright. “Oh, believe me, I can still hardly move my back. But I couldn’t resist the urge to hug you. I haven’t seen you in days!”
“I know. I’ve been busy, but why are you here?”
Galigani approached us. “We’re volunteers too,” he said.
“Check it out, Kate,” my mom said as she proudly puffed out her chest. “I’m undercover.” She winked at me as though she thought this was just hilarious.
A valet attendant made us way over to us and Galigani handed him his keys.
“I figure we can volunteer here and then later you and your ma can head over to Pampered to Death.” He reached into his blazer jacket and handed me an envelope.”Two complimentary, one hour massages for you ladies.”
Mom squeezed his arm. “Isn’t Albert so sweet to think of us?”
I nodded. I hadn’t planned on being gone so long from Laurie and Jim, and suddenly I felt overwhelmed with emotion.
“You mind if I borrow my mom for a moment to chat about something private?” I asked.
Galigani smiled. “That’s fine. I’ll meet you two ladies inside.”
Galigani wondered off, and Mom turned and looked at me like I was a little bankers.
“Everything okay, sweetie?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ve been really emotional this week,” I said. “Like more than usual. Is it normal for my hormones to still be out of whack? I mean, Laurie is five months old now. I should be back into the swing of things by now, right? But I almost had a mental breakdown because of a cute video Jim sent me. Then when Galigani mentioned the massages—”
“It’s not that time of the month, is it?” she asked me.
“No, mom,” I groaned.
Wait, was it?
I’d really not gotten back into the swing of things—like keeping track of my monthly cycle. I laughed at myself, realizing I’d probably been acting so loopy because my monthly call of mother nature was just around the corner.
I gave my keys to the valet attendant and Mom and I we entered the amazing lobby of the Mark Hopkins. The lobby was adored with crystal chandeliers and velvet armchairs. We were immediately ushered into the Room of the Dons Banquet hall.
Mom gasped at the nine beautiful mural decorating the room. The murals depict the legend of Queen Califa and the early history of California.
Mom turned to me. “This room is amazing.”
I agreed, my heart sinking at the thought of what Kelly had missed. There were gorgeous floral arrangements graced every table, yet, all I felt was empty. The room would have lit up with Kelly’s smile and I imagined what a beautiful bride she would have made.
A young man, whom I later found out would have been Ryan’s best man, approached us. He gave us instructions on where on how we would be running things that day, and soon the event was underway.
There were cameras present as the press wanted to cover the story. The volunteer work was quite easy, essentially, the wait staff at the Mark Hopkins were in charge of everything. All the volunteers had to do was roam and great guest. It was a perfect cover for me to interview some potential suspects.
After what I’d overheard at the funeral, Mrs. Lozano was at the top of my list. I cornered her by one of the exits and asked politely to talk.
“As you probably know, Ms. North has hired me to look into Kelly’s case,” I began. “And after what I overheard you saying at Kelly’s funeral, I have some concerns I would like to address.”
Mrs. Lozano’s face flushed. “Yes, well, what exactly did you hear me saying?”
I’d caught her off guard. That was a good thing.
“You made one comment at the funeral home about dumping the tramp into a hole, and it was evident you were speaking of Kelly. Your friend asked you if you felt relieved, so I presume you didn’t care to much for her.
Mrs. Lozano let loose a long sigh. “Okay, you’re right. I never liked Kelly. I always thought my son could do better. But honestly, what mother does not think that about every woman her son brings home? But I assure you that if my son was happy, then so was I. Kelly made Ryan happy. In the end, that’s really all that matters to me. I probably would have chosen someone else for my son, but that is not up to me. I certainly did not want this for my son. He is devastated. I should not have said what you heard me say at Kelly’s funeral. It was insensitive of me. I have always been uncomfortable at funerals, and making light of the situation just made me feel better about the whole ordeal. Honestly, I’m just hoping you’re the only one who heard me speaking that way. I would be mortified if my son or one of Kelly’s parents had heard me jabbering like that.”
She seemed sincere, but McNearny was right when he had told me to not let myself write anyone off.
“Mrs. Lozano...” I hesitated with my next question, but I knew it needed to be asked. “Were you aware that Ryan has been having an affair with Merida?”
Whoa!
Based on her reaction, I shouldn’t have asked.
Her face turned beat red and it looked as if smoke were about to come out of her ears. Her lips became an angry red line, and she marched past me.
I followed.
Ryan was serving a table when Mrs. Lozano reached him, yanking him back by his ear with such force that he dropped the plate he was carrying. I followed them out into the hall and proceeded to act as a witness to what would have been considered child abuse if Ryan had not been a grown man.
Pretty sure at this point it would just be called an assault.
She screamed at him in Italian, and every time he dared to open his mouth she popped him in the jaw with an open palm.
And I thought my mother was crazy.
“Why would you cheat on that sweet girl?” Mrs. Lozano said, at last shouted something in English.
“I didn’t cheat on her!” Ryan yelped. “I was just lost control at the funeral,” he sobbed.
Once Mrs. Lozano settled down, she told her son to return to the event and that they would discuss his behavior later. He returned to the ballroom like a dog who had just received a beating with a newspaper.
“Ryan has no idea you didn’t like Kelly, does he?” I asked.
“No, he does not,” she said. “I already told you. If Ryan was happy, then so was I.”
