“His promiscuity didn’t bother you.”

“In the beginning—when we started out—it sure as hell did. But later? Just the opposite. Kept him out of my hair. But did I suspect he’d knocked her up? Never, because that had never happened before. And she never got that look they always get.”

“Expectant mothers.”

“No, no,” she snapped. “Freelance vaginas thinking they’ve snagged him. When that happens they get a certain smile, a smug smile. I’ve fired assistants, cooks, maids. Not because I’m jealous. But don’t think you can collect a paycheck from me and give me that smile.”

Milo said, “The baby’s mother didn’t have the smile.”

“She had a nice smile, the way a woman gets when she’s productive. It’s a special thing for women, Lieutenant.”

Her hand grazed her belly. Tears filled her eyes. “Or so I’ve been told—no, no, scratch that, no playing the pity card, I’ve got my tribe, they’re gems, just as precious as if I’d carried them myself.”

She bounded up, hurried to the door, flung it open, ran out.

No footsteps from the terrace.

Milo glanced at me. I held up a restraining palm.

A minute later, she returned. Positioned herself between us.

Center stage.

Milo said, “Please,” and pointed to the sofa.

She said, “I know you guys are just doing your job but this is cutting the guts out of me.”

CHAPTER
51

The police detective strode to the movie star’s side, placed his arm around her, guided her back to the sofa.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Moon, I really am. If it makes you feel any better, you’re helping achieve justice. For that baby and others.”

Prema didn’t answer. Milo relocated to a closer chair. Pulled it even nearer.

She said, “Mr. Fuck-everything-that-moves. Another collection. That’s why my estate manager is—was a man. That’s why the maids I have are Church Ladies in their sixties.”

“You think Donny Rader killed the baby.”

“I never would have thought him capable. I mean I know he couldn’t care less about kids. But … I guess he’s capable of anything if it’s in his best interests. She probably became an inconvenience—pressured him.”

“For money?”

“Money or emotional commitment—wanting him to step up to the plate. I will tell you one thing: Giving her serious money would definitely be a problem for him. Because he has no control over the finances. Gets an allowance because he’s an idiot.”

“What’s serious money?”

“Anything more than ten thousand dollars a month. If he needed to come up with something like that, he’d have to ask me. Or else start selling his crap.”

She turned to Milo. “That’s probably the motive, Lieutenant. She got greedy, put him in a bind.” She sagged. “But that poor baby. How did it die?”

“That’s unclear.”

“What do you mean?”