Hollywood Murder Read Online Free

him.
    He remembered a conversation he’d had with Henry shortly after he’d married Allison. They’d just returned from their honeymoon when Henry had invited him to play a round of golf at the Wilshire Country Club. The day hadn’t gone well. After they were joined by a couple of Henry’s elitist friends, Vince had embarrassed himself by playing one of the worst rounds in his life. He’d spent much of the day pretending not to be bothered by their laughter and comments about his game.
    “Let it go, Marsh,” Henry had said over drinks after his friends had left later that day. He laughed. “Maybe you should consider the entire round your Mulligan. Just forget it ever happened.”
    Vince had chuckled and tried to play it off by saying, “Next time let’s put a little wager on the game. I always play better under pressure.”
    Henry’s dark eyes had held on him. His face was solemn. “That’s not what I hear.”
    Vince sipped his Mendelson Ninety-Nine, a craft beer he was fond of. “What do you mean?”
    “Maybe you’ve forgotten, but Ben Harrington and Randall Duffy are friends of mine.”
    Vince released a breath. He’d been with the law firm less than a year, and already knew he hadn’t made much of an impression. “I’m still adjusting to their style. I realize I have a lot to learn.”
    Henry’s smile had been just short of a sneer. “Just so you know, what you’re after isn’t going to happen.”
    Vince had set his beer aside. “I’m sorry?”
    “You think because you married Allison, you’re set for life. That’s not going to be the case.”
    “I don’t expect…”
    Henry had cut him off. “Here’s what I expect. I expect that you will become one of the best lawyers in the firm of Harrington and Duffy. I expect that you will eventually become a full partner. And, I expect that you will give my daughter everything she ever wanted—without any help from me.”
    Vince had tried to hide the disappointment in his voice. It was only as he spoke that he realized the double meaning to what he said. “I’ll make sure Allison gets everything she has coming to her.”
    Montreal had slapped him on the back and ordered another round of drinks. “That’s what I expected you’d say.”
    In the years that followed, his relationship with Henry Montreal hadn’t changed. His father-in-law had made good on his pledge not to give one cent to help out him or his family. And, while he’d eventually made partner in the law firm, Allison had spent nearly every cent he’d made. They were heavily in debt and had even considered filing bankruptcy. He pushed the thoughts away, knowing all that was going to end—tonight.
    After a twenty-minute drive, Vince pulled into the parking garage beneath the high rise where he worked in downtown Los Angeles. He pulled a burner phone out of the glove compartment and called Frank Dyer. When he got the private investigator on the line, he wasted no time making his expectations clear.
    “They will be in the house alone all night, but the housekeeper leaves at ten. Everything needs to be taken care of before that. You already have the security code. After…” He paused, taking a breath. “When you’re finished and the package is delivered, I want to know right away.”
    Dyer’s voice was low and raspy. “Consider it done.”
    The former soldier had told him that he’d been injured in the Iraq War, during the initial invasion of the country. Dyer said he’d been shot, the bullet nicking his vocal cords. The PI claimed it had taken several surgeries before he could speak again.
    Dyer’s reedy voice came back on the line. “What about my payment?”
    “It will be wire-transferred to your offshore account. You’ll get the remainder that we agreed upon after the job is finished.”
    Dyer didn’t respond immediately. Vince thought he’d ended the call, but heard the PI’s wavering voice again. “Have a pleasant evening.”
    Vince put the TracFone away and took