Not Suspicious in Hollywood: Not in Hollywood Book 5 by Leonie Gant Page A

voice.
Griffin obviously heard it as well because he frowned at his former partner.
    “Some of us are just a little worried about
Trudie.”
    “That would be a full-time job,” muttered
Travis.
    “Hey,” I said. “I’m fine if you insist on
taking pot shots at Griffin here but could we please keep me out of the line of
fire.”
    Travis grinned widely.
    “Don’t try looking innocent with me. I know
you too well for that to work,” I warned.
    Travis shrugged. “So, what were you doing
when you first got to work that morning?”
    “Well, when I got to the mansion I went to
check on Buddy because he’s been causing problems for us lately. I just wanted
to make sure he was contained.”
    Travis looked startled as he followed me
through the house with Griffin trailing behind.
    “Who is Buddy and why exactly does he need
to be contained?”
    “Hasn’t anyone told you about Buddy yet?” I
asked.
    Travis shook his head.
    “Oh, Travis, you are in for a treat.”
    “I really don’t think you mean that in the
way I’m hoping you mean that,” Travis said wryly.
    I laughed as I led the two men to Buddy’s
pen, grateful that, for once, the goat was exactly where he was supposed to be.
    “This is Buddy,” I said with a flourish.
    Buddy glared at me. I wish I knew what I
had done to make this goat hate me so much. It might have to do with the fact
that my job description seemed to be to thwart him at every turn.
    “It’s a goat,” Travis said.
    “Yes, it’s a goat. He’s Vale’s pet.
Unfortunately he is a bit of an escape artist and on the day Jolena died he had
managed to get out of his pen. That’s the reason I was down near the lake. I
had looked through the house and the grounds and I found him there.”
    Travis and Griffin followed me as I headed
to the lake. I was surprised to see Vale there and indicated to the others to
stay back.
    “Are you okay, Vale?” I asked tentatively
as I stood next to him.
    Vale looked startled. “Trudie, I didn’t
know whether you’d be back here. I thought everything that happened might have
scared you away.”
    I shook my head. “It generally takes a lot
more than that to chase me away from a job. I survived the first week with you
guys so I figure that I can pretty much get through anything.”
    Vale gave me a tight smile. “I’m sorry we
were so painful. I should have realized from the start that you didn’t deserve
to be treated like that. I think we were just so annoyed that we were being
locked down like we were that you were the easiest target.”
    “Not the first time it’s happened,” I said.
“Although I have to say it was close. I think I still have the resignation
letter on file that I started. It wasn’t very complimentary to you guys.”
    Vale gave me a half smile. “I’m sure it
wasn’t. I’m also sure that we deserved everything that you said. I’m glad you
decided to stay.”
    ‘Thanks,” I said. “I’m glad I stayed as
well. What are you doing out here?”
    Vale looked sadly across the lake. “Just
seems to be a huge waste. Sometimes I wonder what I’m even doing here. I always
thought that I was going to change the world and leave it a better place. I
don’t quite think that I’m accomplishing that goal.”
    “You’re definitely making an impact on it,”
I said gently. “Have you thought about using the influence that you now have
for a cause you are interested in? You have the opportunity to really make a
difference if that is what you want to do.”
    Vale nodded. “I think you might be right.
We got so caught up in making it as a band that I think we may have lost part
of ourselves.”
    “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
    I wondered where this sudden introspection
was coming from. It looked like the events of the last few days were starting
to take a toll on Vale. There was nothing like a murder to start you
questioning your place in the world.
    “I think you’re right.” Vale paused as if
gathering his thoughts.