Hollywood Murder Read Free Page B

looked at Natalie. “I’m afraid to ask.”
    “I’d tell you what’s in it, but then I’d have to kill you.” She chuckled and punched me on the shoulder. “All I can say is the drink is like great sex. It starts out real smooth, sneaks up on you, and then makes you start begging for more.”
    I laughed. “I think I’ll pass on the Harriett, but I’ll try to stop by tomorrow night.”

FIVE
     
    “I’m going to have to work late tonight,” Vince Marsh told his wife.
    It was a little before six and the handsome attorney had already had a long day. He went over, held his bride of seven years in his arms and kissed her. He turned in time to see the kids playing in the living room. Jenna was six and, as usual, seemed lost in her own world. She’d been diagnosed with autism when she was four and didn’t talk. Bobby had just turned four and was her opposite. He was your typical boy; loud and full of energy. Vince and Allison publicly referred to the children as their little darlings. Privately, Vince called them the little monsters.
    “Daddy!” Bobby said, running over and leaping into his arms. “Did you bring me a treat? I want candy.”
    Vince contemplated squashing the whiny little boy like a bug, but said, “After dinner mommy will get you and your sister something special.” He looked at Allison, raising his brows.
    After a five minute whining session, Bobby finally wandered off, satisfied that his mother would give him a cupcake if he ate his dinner.
    After Bobby was gone, Vince knew his wife was still upset over his earlier comment about working late. He smiled and lied through his perfect white teeth. “Sorry about having to go back to the office. It’s that Johansen case. If all goes as planned, we’re expecting the jury will award a large settlement in a few weeks.”
    Allison turned away from him and scowled. “Gosh, where have I heard that before?”
    Vince went over and took her in his arms again. Allison Montreal was thirty-one, tall and blonde, with the lithe figure of a dancer. Vince had known that she’d had her choice of suitors when they’d first gotten together. It had taken him months to finally win her over and get her to agree to marry him. Even then, he knew Allison was high maintenance. Now, he despised her existence.
    After lots of reassurance that his late hours would finally pay off, Allison gave him a pouty look and said, “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were having an affair.”
    Vince forced himself to laugh. If you only knew the real story. “Why would I cheat on the most beautiful woman in the world?”
    She brushed her lips against his. “You always were the charmer.”
    “Tell you what, I’ll make it up to you tomorrow night. I’ll make sure Maria can stay late and watch the kids. We’ll have dinner at the harbor and then…” He laughed. “Like I said, I’ll make it up to you.”
    Allison laughed, breaking the tension. “I’ll make sure you keep your promise.” She cut her eyes to the kitchen. “You’d better check with Maria before you leave. She said something about meeting her sister after work tomorrow night.”
    Vince did as she suggested, only for appearances. The dinner and their evening together would never happen. By tomorrow night, his wife and children would be gone—hopefully for good.
    After getting the housekeeper’s promise to change her plans and work late, Vince kissed his wife and children goodnight, and headed back to his office. As he drove, he was happy about one thing in particular. He would never again have to make love to his complaining bitch of a wife.
    Allison’s father was none other than Henry Montreal, a wealthy investment broker who headed his namesake company, Montreal Investments. He was one of the richest men in the country, not that you’d know it from Vince’s point of view. His father-in-law was a miserly old bastard who had made it clear to him that he had no plans to share his immense fortune with