Murder Mystery
She Cradled the Smoking Gun: Ch 14
Lisa sees her sprawling home as a death trap and escapes its clutches
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Lisa Kaye had never felt so relieved to be in Santa Barbara and away from her home. It was too easy for Joel Burman or a deranged stranger to drive up and hop out of his car. Anyone could show up and chase her through the house. There was no way she’d be able to sleep peacefully in her home ever again.
She arrived at Selena’s, grabbed her bag, and hurried to the door.
Selena opened. “Oh, Lisa. Come on in. I’ve been so worried about you.”
“Thanks. I couldn’t stay around there.”
“Don’t worry at all, hon. Come in.” Selena stepped aside. “Anything else you need me to bring in?”
“No. I’ve got everything. Just about enough to stay for a week.”
“If you need to, then by all means please do.” Selena hugged Lisa. “It means a lot to me that I can be here for you.”
“Thanks.” Lisa plopped onto the sofa. “You’re a lifesaver. Or at least you lessen my anxiety.”
“That’s good to hear. How about a glass of wine?”
“I’d love one.”
Selena headed to the kitchen while Lisa stretched her legs, leaned her head back, and looked up at the ceiling. “This whole thing is surreal and bizarre.”
“How so, hon?” Selena grabbed two wine glasses.
“This is something you read about that happens to others. You never think it’s going to happen to you.”
“True.”
“Is that how you felt? When you got divorced?”
“What do you mean,?”
“You and Albert had seemed happy and content. Did you ever think you’d end up getting divorced?”
“That’s not important now. All that matters to me is you and your well-being.”
Lisa began processing. “My whole world is shaken, and nothing seems real anymore.”
Selena returned with the wine and set Lisa’s glass on the coffee table before settling in a chair opposite her. “Makes sense. It takes time to get your bearings. Be patient. You’ve gone through tremendous upheaval.”
“Especially when the entire LAPD considers me a suspect. I was trying to hold it together. Look and act professionally. And I did. For so long. But I was scared.” Lisa began crying again. “What if they had arrested me? What if they really think it’s me?” The tears were flowing more easily than she ever thought possible.
“No, nobody’s going to arrest you… You just need to get your mind off it.”
“I loved Paul. I really loved him.”
“Drink your wine. I have a brand new bottle opened. Your favorite. Right now, you’re still in shock and you don’t realize it.”
“Could be.” Lisa glanced around. “Maybe I shouldn’t be here.”
“Why?”
“I just can’t give up my home and run away.”
“You’re not running away from anything, Lisa. That’s not you. You’re doing what’s best for yourself at the moment, until all this settles down.”
“And until they get a suspect. I wonder if they ever will.”
“You can’t control that. Half of all murders in LA County go unsolved.”
Lisa was taken aback.
“I’m sorry, that was insensitive of me. But you need to start looking to the future. And no worries. I’ll be right here with you as you do.”
“How do you know that?”
“What?”
“About the number of unsolved murders.”
“It’s a widely known fact. I did research for those cop shows, too. I’ve not checked in a few years so maybe it’s improved but I don’t think so.” Selena sipped her wine. “Oh, is Detective Stone keeping you informed of any progress?”
“There’s no progress.” Lisa was puzzled. “What did you mean that I’m in shock?”
“Well, you likely are.”
“I guess so. I just feel numb. It’s been horrible. But I loved Paul and I miss him so much.”
“Of course. You probably feel like you love him more now than you did during the last few years.”
“Exactly.”
“But only because he’s gone and you’re reacting to that.” Selena moved to the sofa. “If he was still here, still puttering about in the house, or still with Morgan then how would you feel?” She put an arm on Lisa’s shoulder.
The truth was that loving Paul would be hard. Lisa wondered why it took death, and worse, murder, for her to feel the love for her husband?
Her swirling mind opened the door to fatigue. “I need to lie down.”
“Of course,” said Selena. “I’ve emptied all the drawers in the bureau so help yourself and then I’ll come wake you for dinner.”
Lisa got up and headed into the bedroom with her bags, appreciating the familiar surroundings more than ever. Unpacking her bag, putting things into a drawer, and not having to worry about being alone gave her security. Having a caring friend was a gift.
The wine was taking effect. She laid down, closed her eyes, and every muscle relaxed so completely that she was startled when Selena was gently shaking her.
“Wake up, sleepy head.”
Lisa yawned and stretched. “Oh, wow. How long was I out?”
“Long enough. I figured I should get you up so you wouldn’t be awake all night. I’m tired, too, so we can get to bed early.”
“Good idea.” Lisa sat up. “What’s for dinner?”[ds1]
“Thai. And it should be here soon.” Selena leaned, hugged Lisa, and stood. “Get freshened up and I’ll set the table.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Selena stepped out and Lisa got up, looked in her bag, and had one more dress that she decided should be hung in the closet. She opened the door, grabbed a hangar, and slid it through her dress. She turned and knocked a small-framed photo off the dresser. She hung up the dress, picked up the picture, and saw the frame had broken.
She felt embarrassed but stopped when she saw it was a photo from a year earlier when Selena and Lisa were on the beach and Paul had joined them. The ladies had smiles but the portion with Paul had been folded behind.
The beach trip was still fresh in Lisa’s mind. She and Paul had planned the outing to talk and try to understand why and where they had drifted apart. Timing is everything and about an hour before they left Morgan called. She had been trying on dresses at a boutique on Ventura Boulevard in Encino and wanted to know if Paul could give her advice on a project she was developing. He said they were getting ready to step out but that she could swing by the house and he could answer some questions.
Lisa was furious and wanted some moments without entertainment talk anywhere near her mind. Out of frustration, she told Paul to stay home and instead called Selena who agreed to drive down the 101 and join her at the beach in Ventura. Lisa took off, arrived at the beach, and found Selena where they settled on a blanket and chatted away. About an hour later Paul showed up.
Selena saw the tension between them, joked that life-work balance sometimes meant one person is holding down the see-saw, and suggested they take a picture with the harbor in the background.
She took out her iPhone and Lisa stood close. Paul joined, leaning into the photo just before Selena pressed the button.
Lisa gazed at the photo and wondered why it had been folded. Paul had been taken out of her life in more ways than one.
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