twenty-four

Detective Brady left almost immediately, but not before he reminded me that I had no business “poking around in this case” and that he was more than capable of solving this without the help of a “bored housewife.” Officers Hax and Kelly followed close behind. It might have been my imagination, but I think Officer Hax gave me a sympathetic smile on her way out.

I called Mandy and asked her if she knew anything about Christina’s stolen Oscar. “No,” she answered with a laugh. “But I doubt it’s actually been stolen. This has happened before. They usually turn up in a few days with a couple of…ah, additions, if you know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t, nor do I want to,” I said.

“Franco probably has it,” Mandy said, “He loves to tweak Christina. I remember him saying something last year about …”

“Franco doesn’t have it,” I said, cutting her off. “The police do.”

“The police?” Mandy repeated. “Why do they have it?”

“We just gave it to them,” I said. “Skippy found it.”

“Skippy? How did he get it?” Mandy asked.

I quickly told her about the break-in and the attack on DeDee. Mandy gave a hiss of surprise. “Dear God,” she said. “You can’t really think that Christina attacked Dee?”

“I have no idea,” I answered. “But I intend to find out. Do you know how I can get in touch with her? I have a few questions I’d like to ask her.”

“Of course. I’ll call her and have her contact you right away,” she said.

“Thanks,” I said. “And, Mandy, in the meantime? All of this is off the record, okay?”

“Of course, Nic. I didn’t hear a word from you.”

Christina called me five minutes after I hung up from Mandy. “Mandy told me what happened,” she said her voice tight with emotion. “I’m horrified to think that my Oscar might have been used to hurt someone. I’d be glad to tell you what little I know, though. Why don’t you and your husband come to my house for lunch this afternoon? Mandy is coming as well,” she said.

“I don’t want to put you out,” I said.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Christina said, “and besides, the paparazzi have been all over me lately. I’d rather not go out.”

I had just agreed when Christina surprised me by adding, “Oh, and Mandy says that you are to bring Skippy, but under no circumstances is Nigel allowed to bring Roscoe, whoever he is.”

I stifled a laugh. “That shouldn’t be a problem. I think Roscoe is in rehab anyway.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Christina said. “Is he a relative?”

“No, he’s a foul-mouthed parrot,” I answered.

“Oh,” she said, slowly. “I see. Well, then I’m really sorry he can’t make it.”