The Ultrasound Photo

Chapter 3 Waiting for the Ghost Billionaire

The West Hollywood Sheriff's Station smelled of stale coffee and disinfectant. Chloe and Mia sat handcuffed on a bench in the silk pajamas they had chosen for their triumphant livestream. One sleeve of Chloe's set was torn from fighting the front door. She was busy shouting at a deputy.

"You'll all be fired! My fiancé is Arthur Vance. He'll buy this building, turn it into a dog shelter, and make you clean the kennels."

Across from them, Marcos and I had chairs an officer brought from the interview room and fresh espresso from the cafe next door. The broken champagne seal sat in an evidence bag on the deputy's desk. I watched Chloe over the rim of my cup.

Marcos kept his voice down. "Mrs. Vance, we already have breaking and entering, trespassing and theft of the champagne. We can press charges now."

"Wait. I want whoever gave her the key."

The station door opened. A man hurried in wearing a pilled wool sweater and jeans too large for him. L.A. drizzle had flattened his hair against his forehead.

Arthur had never owned clothes like those.

I recognized Leo Guzman, a junior assistant from the third-party estate management company we hired three years ago. He had inventoried and packed Arthur's less personal effects, mostly office papers, clothes and old magazines.

Leo found Chloe first. Then he saw me.

He stopped so abruptly that the door swung into his shoulder. He held the handle behind him and stared at me. His mouth opened, but no sound came out, and rainwater dripped from his hair onto the cheap sweater.

Chloe mistook his silence for confidence.

"Arthur, darling!" She hurried as far as the cuffs allowed and hooked her arm through his. "Look at this disgusting hag. She had us arrested. Can you believe it?"

Leo swallowed and kept staring at me.

"See?" Chloe told Mia. "He's too furious to speak." Mia had gone quiet and was studying Leo's loose jeans. Chloe lifted her chin at me. "Tomorrow night, Aurelia. Arthur will book the private room. You can watch how a real billionaire lives before everyone forgets you."

Marcos turned toward me, ready to end it.

I raised one hand. He sat back.

Leo's sweater sleeve trembled where Chloe held it. He knew I remembered him, and he knew the estate file was open on Marcos's lap. I set down my espresso.

"Aurelia," I said. "I'll be there."

Leo shut his eyes. Chloe smiled and began telling Mia what she planned to order.