Robbery-Homicide Detective Lucinda Jatano stepped inside a cozy bungalow in the exclusive Hollywood Hills neighborhood. A buttery leather couch and matching armchairs formed a seating area on the living room’s russet hardwood floor. Framed movie posters decorated the walls.
Three civilians and the uniformed rookie cop who responded to the 9-1-1 call stood in a kitchen at the rear of the bungalow. Jatano, a tall, lean woman with pitch-black hair and an olive complexion, nodded toward the uniformed rookie as he approached. Jatano would be the only detective working the case, which suited her fine.
“The dead woman’s name is Cecilia Chadwicke,” the rookie told Jatano. “I found her body in the backyard. The coroner said it’s obvious someone poisoned her. I saw three coffee cups on the confere
