Afterburn: A Kenzie Gilmore Thriller Read online

  They didn’t have to wait long.

  Bella glided into the room wearing a floor-length white dress which complemented her golden tan. Her strawberry blond hair had just the right amount of blond streaks to look natural and her nails were painted a warm coral. She wasn’t as beautiful as Natalia Cruz, but there was a sensuality to her that was hard to ignore.

  “Bella, thank you for seeing us.” Kenzie got to her feet. She smelled a warm, exotic fragrance. “Please, won’t you sit down?”

  Bella sat, crossing her long legs in front of her. The white dress, which was buttoned all the way down the front, slid open displaying a delicate ankle and a smooth calf. “What is it you want to know?”

  So gracious and cordial, but then again, she thought this was a piece on her.

  “We’d like to get your take on Natalia Cruz’s murder,” began Kenzie. They’d agreed on the way here that she’d take the lead in the questioning, and he’d step in only after she’d established a rapport.

  “I was shocked when I found out.” She lowered her voice. “It was no secret we’d fallen out, but I wouldn’t wish her dead.”

  “You were best friends, weren’t you?” Kenzie probed gently.

  Bella glanced down at her hands. “We were, once. We went to school together. Things were much simpler in those days, before…” She petered off.

  “Before you met Eric?”

  A nod. She glanced up. “Yes. I was with Eric for four years, long before he became famous.”

  “It must have been a blow when he began dating your best friend?”

  She stiffened. “It was. The worst part was I introduced them. I could kick myself for that.” She shook her head. “But I had no idea he’d ditch me for her.”

  There was venom in her words. The pain still raw, even though her adversary was dead.

  “What about now?” asked Kenzie. “Have you been in touch with Eric? Is there any chance of a reconciliation?”

  She pursed her lips, her eyes sad. “I doubt it. I did extend my condolences, but too much has happened to go back. Too many hurtful things have been said.”

  “I understand,” murmured Kenzie. “You were at his launch party, weren’t you?”

  She seemed surprised at the question. “Yes, I went to offer my congratulations. I bear Eric no ill will.”

  “Did you speak to Natalia?”

  Her head snapped up. “Why do you ask?”

  “Only because a guest saw you two arguing.”

  “That was my fault.” She hung her head. “I find it hard to keep my animosity in check, particularly after I’ve had a few. I tried to be understanding, but she hurt me very badly.”

  Kenzie gave a sympathetic nod. “Did you leave after the exchange with Natalia?”

  “Yes. Dave—my date—took me home. I’m ashamed to say I would probably have created a scene if he hadn’t.”

  “Did you go straight home?” cut in Reid.

  Her gaze turned to him. “Oh, er, yes. Dave drove me home and I went straight to bed.”

  “Did he stay with you?”

  Another shake of the head. “No, not that night. I was too upset.”

  “Can anyone vouch for you?” Reid cut to the chase.

  “I–I don’t understand.” Bella glanced from him to Kenzie and back again. “Are you asking for my alibi?”

  “We just want to know if anyone can confirm you were at home after the party?” said Kenzie, more softly.

  “Well, Dave, but he left after dropping me off.”

  “No one else? Not a housekeeper, a neighbor?”

  “No. Why are you asking me this?” Her back straightened and she squared her shoulders. “Am I a suspect now?”

  “Natalia was abducted from her hotel suite at some point after you left. We’re looking into what happened and would very much like to rule you out.” Kenzie kept her tone even.

  “I thought this was an article on me?”

  “Oh, I apologize if you got the wrong idea. I’m an investigative reporter looking into Natalia Cruz’s death.”

  Bella stood up. “I think this interview is over.”

  “Sit down, Miss Montague.” Reid’s voice didn’t warrant arguing with. She glanced at him, then sank back into her chair. “Who are you? I know you’re not a reporter.”

  “Detective Reid Garrett. Miami PD.” He showed her his badge. “Miss Gilmore is assisting us with our inquiries.”

  Her green eyes darted back to Kenzie. “You tricked me.”

  “No, Bella. We do want your take on what happened. I told Detective Garrett that you’d cooperate because you had nothing to hide. That is true, isn’t it?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “Of course I don’t have anything to hide. I’m sorry, I thought you were accusing me of having something to do with Natalia’s death.”

  “No, we’re merely trying to establish the truth,” said Kenzie.

  Reid leaned forward. “Now, can anyone confirm you were at home?”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I went inside and straight to bed. Dave didn’t even come in.”

  “Can you think of anyone who would want to harm Natalia?” asked Kenzie.

  Bella frowned. “I thought it was that serial murderer, the Swamp Strangler, who killed her.”

  “It’s one of several lines of inquiry,” said Reid.

  She gave a tentative nod. “Oh, I see. Natalia and I hadn’t been close for a long time, so I don’t know what else was going on in her personal life. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”

  “Okay, thank you Miss Montague.” Reid got to his feet.

  “That’s it?” Bella got up too.

  “For now, yes. If we have any more questions, we’ll be in touch.”

  Once outside, Kenzie asked, “What do you think?”

  “I’m not sure. I couldn’t get a read on her. I think she’s hiding something, but does it have anything to do with Natalia’s disappearance?”

  “Yeah, she did seem a little cagey, I agree.”

  “One thing I know for sure,” said Reid, “is that she doesn’t have an alibi for the time Natalia disappeared.”

  “So, she’s still a suspect,” summed up Kenzie.

  “Very much so.”

  9

  Reid couldn’t get rid of the feeling that he was missing something. After dropping Kenzie back at her apartment, he drove home, grateful for the air conditioning in the car. The different aspects of the case rolled around in his mind, but nothing took hold.

  Back at the cabin it was stifling. The air seemed to stand still around him.

  He stood on the deck and stared over the water to where it had all begun. Where was the Swamp Strangler now? Was he, at this very moment, stalking his next victim? Somehow, Reid had veered off the path of the serial killer and onto finding out who murdered Natalia Cruz.

  After the autopsy report, he was convinced the two cases were separate, unlike Pérez who’d sourced a detective from Miami-Dade to lead the task force. Jonny had texted him an update earlier today. Other than the lieutenant, only his old teammate and the rookie, Detective Ryan, knew he was involved. He was hoping it would stay that way.

  In the background, the television showed scenes of the most recent spate of gang shootings in Miami. A gang banger had been murdered in his car by a group of four men, armed with fully automatic weapons. Reid looked over his shoulder. The car resembled Swiss cheese. He dreaded to think what the occupant looked like.

  Ortega had his hands full with that. If anything, the violence was escalating. They needed to take drastic measures to get it under control. The police were dealing with a full-out gang war.

  There was brief mention of the ongoing investigation into the Swamp Strangler, with Natalia Cruz suspected as his third victim. A police task force had been formed to hunt down the killer, and Captain Reynolds from the Miami Police Department was confident they’d have the man in cuffs before long.

  Reid snorted. Good luck with that. With absolutely noth
ing to go on, things weren’t looking very good for the hastily assembled task force.

  It was too hot to sit indoors, so Reid took his beaten-up laptop outside where there was a slight breeze and replayed the video of the launch party. Heavy clouds dotted the horizon. It would rain soon. They needed it to break the humidity.

  He went through the video frame by frame, looking for anything to explain Natalia’s spiked drink. After finding nothing, he went through it a second time, looking for anyone leaving the party shortly after Natalia.

  He rubbed his eyes. Other than Bella’s boyfriend escorting her out, nothing jumped out at him. During the third run-through, he spotted it. The PR woman, what was her name again?

  After her altercation with Natalia by the swimming pool, she retreated to the other end of the bar, where she ordered a drink and knocked it back. Clearly agitated, she took a few deep breaths and was then joined by another couple. They talked for a few minutes and then moved to the far end of the swimming pool.

  The camera above the bar covered the length of the pool, so Reid could see her in her emerald-green dress, talking and laughing, the argument with Natalia seemingly forgotten.

  Reid forwarded the video slowly, keeping his eyes pinned on the green dress.

  There.

  At eleven twenty-two, she was gone. No green dress.

  He rewound it and watched for the moment the PR woman walked out of the frame. Eleven twenty-one she moved off to the side and out of the camera’s line of sight. It was a subtle movement. Nothing sudden, nothing to catch the eye. She simply melted into the shadows and disappeared.

  Heart pounding, Reid flicked to the footage of the hotel lobby. It was as he’d thought, she didn’t pass reception. Not at eleven twenty-two or anytime afterwards. Back at the party, the green dress was gone.

  He forwarded the video to the end of the night just to be sure, but she didn’t come back. She’d disappeared in the direction of the beach.

  Kenzie curled up on the couch with her laptop. Her mission was to delve into Natalia Cruz’s background and find out all she could about the woman who had stolen DJ Snake’s heart.

  Natalia was born into money. By the time she came along, her father was already a multi-millionaire. He’d married a local stunner called Silvana who he’d met at the country club. Her father had been one of Cuba’s richest businessmen before he’d fled the country of his birth to come to America.

  But Silvana was too beautiful and, in the end, had been enticed away by a wealthy Texan oil baron. She died a few years later in a gas explosion at the family ranch. According to the photographs Kenzie could find, Natalia was the spitting image of her mother.

  Heart-shaped face, long glossy brown hair, expressive eyes, and full, luscious lips. She was sexy too, with an hourglass figure, a slim waistline, and impressive cleavage. No wonder Snake fell so hard for her.

  But what was she like?

  Kenzie looked up some blog posts and articles written by reporters she knew and spent the evening calling them. She asked the same question every time. What did you think of Natalia Cruz?

  “Vacant.”

  “Not to speak ill of the dead, but she was a complete airhead.”

  “Sweet, but not the brightest candle on the cake.”

  “Beautiful, but not much there.”

  “Spoiled and entitled. Not much going on upstairs.”

  Kenzie poured herself a glass of sparkling water and went back to her laptop to write up her notes. The consensus was the same. Natalia was spoiled, beautiful, but lacking in the intelligence department.

  That was interesting. A person like that would need someone to handle their financial affairs, and someone as wealthy as Natalia would need it more than most. Did she have a trust fund? Did her father control her finances? It wasn't a question they’d thought to ask him.

  Her husband would inherit her fortune since she hadn’t made a will, so he had the most to gain by her death. Except he was the one person they’d cleared. It couldn’t have been him.

  It was after ten when her cell phone buzzed. She didn’t recognize the number.

  “Hello?”

  “Miss Gilmore, it's Rhys Arnold here. You asked me if I knew of anyone who’d want to hurt Natalia.”

  “Yes,” she breathed.

  “Well, I’ve thought of someone.”

  “Who is it, Mr. Arnold?”

  “When Natalia was last here, she mentioned she was going to fire her PR agent.”

  “Fire? Are you sure?” A visual of a woman with a short, dark bob in a sleeveless black dress sprung to mind.

  “Yes, I’m certain. I remembered this afternoon. Natalia said she thought her PR agent was stealing from her.”

  “Really? Did she say how?”

  “No, I’m sorry. I suspect she was overcharging for her services, they all do. And possibly skimming off the top. I suggested she get an auditor in, but Natalia wasn’t like that. She didn’t enjoy confrontation. She said it would be easier for all concerned if she just got rid of her. No drama.”

  Except there had been drama at the launch party. Gabriella had been livid with Natalia and confronted her. Natalia had gone running to her husband’s side, only to be ambushed by Bella, who’d had too much to drink. So she’d taken refuge in her room.

  Kenzie thanked Natalia’s father, then hung up. She stared at her notes, thinking. Gabriella had a motive. If she was scamming Natalia, she wouldn’t want that coming out. It would affect her reputation, her business. It might even land her with a court case.

  She sent Reid a text message.

  I think we need to talk to Gabriella Vincent.

  Her phone buzzed almost immediately.

  Agreed. Can you set it up?

  Sure, I’ll text you the details in the morning.

  He sent her a thumbs up in response.

  Kenzie smiled. Reid didn’t strike her as the sort of man who used emojis, but at least they were on the same page. Gabriella Vincent had just become their number one suspect.

  10

  Gabriella Vincent was a striking woman in her early forties. Her severe bangs hung just below her eyebrows, brushing her eyelashes. How it didn’t annoy her, Reid had no idea. It was annoying him just looking at it.

  “What can I do for you?” she asked once they were seated around a glass table in her office. The air conditioning hummed and there was a jug of coffee on the table in front of her. She didn’t offer them any.

  “We’d like to ask you some questions about your late client, Natalia Cruz,” Reid said. He’d filled Kenzie in on what he’d seen on the video footage, and she’d told him what Rhys Arnold had said.

  Her face fell. “Sad business, that. Tragic.”

  “How long had she been a client?” asked Kenzie, setting the stage. She was good at putting people at ease and lowering their defenses before Reid swooped in for the kill. It was an unconscious strategy they’d adopted, but it worked. He had to admit, they made a good team.

  “About five years.”

  “And what exactly did you do for her?” Kenzie tilted her head to the side. Polite, inquiring, non-threatening.

  Gabriella pursed her lips. “My company managed her publicity. We made sure she was portrayed in a certain light, maximized press opportunities, booked interviews and television appearances, that sort of thing.”

  “I believe she was trying to make a name for herself as a singer?”

  Reid glanced at her in surprise. That was news to him.

  “Yes, that’s right, although to be honest, she wasn’t very good at it. Her husband's influence helped. He wanted to use her in his latest album, although that never happened.”

  “What was your relationship like with Natalia?” Kenzie kept her tone casual.

  “I like to think we were friends. We’d grown close over the years.”

  Kenzie smiled. “Did she ever confide in you?”

  “Sometimes.” Her eyes shifted off Kenzie and onto the table.

  “Did
she ever mention problems in her marriage or with anyone else?”

  “With her husband, no. They were blissfully happy. With her husband's ex, yes. That woman was a menace. Couldn’t get over the fact Natalia had stolen her man. It was getting a bit old, to be honest. I mean come on, we’ve all been there. Time to move on.” She looked at Kenzie like she ought to know what she meant.

  Kenzie gave a tiny nod. Reid wondered if she had been there.

  “We heard a rumor that Natalia was going to fire you,” cut in Reid.

  Shock and then denial spread across her face.

  “I don’t know where you heard that, Detective, but it isn’t true. We had a good working relationship.”

  “She told her father she suspected you were stealing from her.”

  Gabriella sputtered. “That’s ridiculous. He must be mistaken. My company is above reproach.”

  “Then you won’t mind if we have a look at your accounts?” Reid said.

  Her face reddened. “Of course I mind. You can’t come in here and accuse me of fraudulent practices and demand to see my books.”

  “I think you’ll find I can.” Reid handed her the warrant he’d rushed through that morning. Pérez had been skeptical but accommodating. “This is on you,” he’d told Reid. “The department doesn’t have time to sift through this woman’s accounts.”

  Kenzie arched an eyebrow but didn’t comment. She hadn’t known about the warrant.

  Gabriella stared at him.

  Reid slid a card over the table. “Please email a copy of your current financials to that address. Failure to comply will mean obstruction and I’ll have no choice but to arrest you.”

  The shocked expression turned hard. “Why are you so interested in my finances?”

  He folded his arms across his chest. “You can see how it looks. If you were stealing from Natalia and she was about to report you, that would give you a motive to silence her.”

  She gasped. “I didn’t have anything to do with her death. I was at a party when she disappeared.”

  “Actually, you weren’t,” Reid said. “You left the party at twenty past eleven. Maybe you’d like to explain why you walked down to the beach and didn’t leave via the hotel exit?”