Page 105 of Triggered By Love
“I bet you were cute.”
“I can’t picture you using the word ‘cute.’ Why are you so nice this morning?”
“Are you saying I want something?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re always wanting answers. What did you find out this morning?”
She’d shared a lot of herself with him last night, although he noticed she skirted far around the edges of her personal dealings with the socialites her parents hobnobbed with.
“I spoke to Popo, and it turns out Harvey Leach was friends with her nephew. He was the one who told her Joselito might have drowned in the East River.”
Avery’s face changed color, and she clapped a hand over her mouth. “That’s a horrible way to find out. I feel so bad for Popo.”
“Could Harvey have pushed Joselito into the water? It’s too bad no one questioned him, as far as I know.”
“Harvey isn’t violent,” Avery insisted. “He’s a gossiper, and I’m betting he heard about it. We should talk to him.”
“Can you give him a call?”
She shook her head. “Not until after the private show I do for his father. Larry’s up in arms because I tried to postpone the show. I’m so behind I haven’t even gone to The Garden to get the lay of the land.”
“Are you sure it’s safe to have it at The Garden?”
“There’ll be guards at every entrance. Metal detectors. President’s daughter pulled out though, so no Secret Service.”
“Still, there will be a lot of empty seats where someone can hide something.”
“You’re so paranoid.” She gave him a light shove. “Let’s go over the model lists. I see José Perez was on last year. Last known address is in Brooklyn.”
“Same building as Saul.” He sat shoulder to shoulder with her on the couch and let his nose enjoy her freshly showered fragrance. Too bad he was still grungy. He hadn’t wanted to take advantage of her place and use her shower, soaps, and shampoo. It would feel like an invasion. Besides, he'd rather have her permission and let her participate.
Clearing his thoughts, he said, “Let’s look through your list.”
“I already started before you got here.” Avery pulled up a spreadsheet on her laptop. “None of the male models are repeats, but there’s a female, Tatiana Renzi.”
Jason nodded, taking out one of the pictures from last year’s show. “See Joselito right here? There’s Tatiana, clear as day. Now, I wonder. Why would an anger management therapist be a model in your show?”
“She models occasionally. Isn’t that what you want to do? Do an occasional photoshoot, walk in a show? It’s sort of like extras you hire at the last minute. All photographers have a list of extras in their back pocket in case someone is sick or missing.”
“Or dead,” Jason finished for her. “Larry Leach knows Tatiana. I think he might be dating her.”
“So?”
“I’m thinking out loud.” Jason got up and paced around the room. “Tatiana had a knock-down, drag-out fight with Larry. Remember when Mrs. Bonet called the police?”
“Yes, but what does it have to do with the fashion show?”
“Larry’s father is your mentor in the fashion world. The Leaches are putting on a fundraiser for your dad. Larry knows Tatiana, possibly intimately.”
“Maybe Larry asked Alida to put Tatiana in the show as a favor for him.”
Jason snapped his finger as a light bulb sparked in his mind. “I’m betting Alida assigns models as party guests to Larry’s fundraisers as room decoration.”
“I don’t get why you’re so excited.” Avery shrugged, turning her hands up. “All of these swanky parties have models milling around as beautification. Clubs and restaurants hire models for their grand opening or special events. Especially these days with all of the social media. The guests love taking selfies with beautiful and stylish people.”
“I’m betting they don’t stop at selfies.”
The color drained from Avery’s face. “What are you implying?”
