Page 57 (1/1)

But what about Tania? She was the one--along with Cartwright Records Television--as supposed to be responsible for keeping these girls busy during their stay at her camp

"Perfect," I say "This is just perfect" Stephanie will be thrilled that her plan to turn three talented vocalists into backstabbing little divas is turning out so nicely

"There are also," Jaistration cards They’re the cards residents sign upon checking in, noting that they’ve received their key All ten have keys taped to thenatures under the checkout line

"They checked out?" I ask, bewildered, even though it’s obvious

"Yeah," Jauess Tania Trace Rock Caot ht here in the building"

I can feelinto a thin line "That isn’t exactly how it happened--"

"Well," Ja it on the news A few of the girls’ parents heard about it and freaked Sohters One dad drove all the way frohter The roouess they’ll be flying home today Lisa dealt with it I’m sure you’ll hear all about it"

I’m sure I will

"Thanks, Ja as if shethe e’d hoped Oh, and none of us is quite sure what to do about the stuff in the package rooe room?" I ask, perplexed

She hands me the key I walk over to the door, unlock it, and can barely believe the sight that meets my eyes The entire room is filled with deliveries Not just roses, but every conceivable kind of flower, including lilies and carnations and huge sunbursts of gerbera daisies, bunches of balloons, teddy bears, candles, fruit baskets, store-bought cards, and handmade cards, some three feet tall Most of them are addressed to Tania, but some are addressed to Jared, or "In Me by with this stuff last night, and it’s been co ever since," Jamie says "I’m not sure why Tania’s not the one who died But I think they figured out that the cupcakes were for her and that so so much they could hardly talk We didn’t really knohat to do with it all, so Gavin started locking everything into the package rooh"

My eyes inexplicably fill with tears, looking at all the teddy bears holding signs that say, GOD BLESS YOU! and the handmade cards--some of them in Spanish--that say, WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU Taniaabout her hich people really see that if people knew the truth about the hardships she’s had to overcome--the real hardships, the ones she’s too asha to hide--they’d love her eventhe key back to her "I’ll talk to the network and see if they can send so whatever people bring--unless it’s food, of course Tell people you’re not allowed to accept any food And if a creepy-looking ed ed ’ irls’ dads have been by, and they’re a little creepy-looking--"

I realize I’ve jue for Detective Canavan the night before, asking hiued that this would betray Tania’s trust

"She told me to tell no one," I’d said to hi to tell the police--"

"Theto need to stop worrying so et real It’s all going to come out, one way or another"

"It isn’t the bad PR she’s worried about," I’d said "It’s that he’s going to hurt her baby"

"Well, his chances of doing that are going to be a lot slimmer once he’s locked up in Rikers," Cooper said

It was hard to argue with that line of reasoning When Detective Canavan called back early this , I was the one who picked up the phone He’d listened to everything I’d had to say about Tania’s for only to say the occasional sord When I’d finished, he’d said, in his reat, Wells This is just fantastic We got a homicidal maniac on the loose, and you tell me I have to keep it to ot news for you This ain’t a Lifetime special, and I ain’t John Sta that it was hardly likely that Lifeti as John Sta you in the loop as a courtesy," I said, "because you’re a friend"

Cooper winced when I said this At the time I hadn’t realized whyuntil the detective blew up

"I’m not your friend!" he shouted into the phone "I’ood friend Tania Trace--lied under questioning, not once but twice As a citizen of this city, she had a duty to reveal what she knew"

"She’s scared," I said "She went to the police before for help, and they didn’t offer her any Isn’t there a statute or so bed defense?" I’d actually seen abed, uy in his bed That’d save ht? Questioning hippie vegetarian cupcake bakers, trying to figure out if anyone at that Pattycakes place luten-free jiummy whatevers to anyone who mentioned Tania Trace, or if any of theuess what? Lab results actually cae, and it turns out those things weren’t vegan or vegetarian or whatever the hell they were supposed to be at all They didn’t even come from Pattycakes Guy only used a Pattycakes box He made the damned cupcakes himself out of a mix, which, if you ask me, is how the hell you’re supposed to make a cake in the first place Quite the artist he was too, with the icing Bought the little violets, though He didn’t make those"