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HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
This book contains three stories, several mysterious murders and dozens of fiendish puzzles.
But the Murder Puzzle Mysteries are unlike other books. You can’t simply read them from one chapter to the next.
Instead, you must solve the puzzles. How you solve them will determine where you turn next. Along the way, you’ll discover clues, find pieces of evidence and uncover the truths lurking behind the mysteries. You might even catch a killer!
But be careful: the path you take through a maze, the differences you spot, the wire you cut to defuse a bomb – each puzzle you succeed with will take you closer to catching the killer, or you could find your way to an unfortunate fate!
Don’t be afraid, though. Everything you need to guide you is contained within the pages of the story. The objective of each puzzle and what you need to do will be explained. Some puzzles are straightforward,
while others rely on clues within the story and might require some deduction – it wouldn’t be a detective story without a bit of deduction, now, would it?
So read everything carefully and keep a close eye on the details. If something doesn’t make sense, don’t worry – I assure you all the information you need is right there. And you can always check your answers against the solutions at the back.
Your goal is to find your way to the star endings. But if the worst happens and you come to a dead end, simply go back to a puzzle and try again.
Whatever you do, don’t give up . . . or let the murderers get away!
INTRODUCTION
Arlo Banks rose to prominence as a truly amazing puzzle-solver. His adventures across the world led him to catching several ruthless murderers and cracking cases that outfoxed some of the smartest experts and boldest criminal masterminds in the world.
Arlo’s success was so exemplary he was eventually invited to join the British Secret Intelligence Service – SIS – by the formidable Madame Silvana, who recognized his tenacious talent and driven desire to solve even the most fiendish of puzzles.
Since Arlo is still a young boy, it will be several years before he is promoted to the position of being an SIS agent. So, in the meantime, he has enrolled in their training programme, under the agreement that he can be called upon whenever a case arises that needs his particularly unique puzzle-solving skills.
Dear Arlo,
Sorry I couldn’t meet you in person. The situation in Turkey is demanding more of my attention.
We’re going to have to cut short your SIS training. A sensitive situation has arisen across the pond and the American ambassador has personally requested that you fly to LA. He believes your puzzle-solving skills will be a huge asset to the local police.
The film star Jimmy Winnski was found dead in his hotel room yesterday. As I’m sure you know, Winnski has starred in several highly successful movies and is one of the most valuable actors in Hollywood.
Winnski was due to attend the premier of his latest movie, The Kiss of Death, but its release has now been delayed ‘out of respect for his fans and family’ – although I’m far from alone in suspecting this is just a ploy to build interest in the film so the producers can make a killing at the box office.
The circumstances surrounding Jimmy Winnski’s life and death are most puzzling, and it will take all of your puzzle-solving skills to crack this case. The enclosed article from The Hollywood Spotlight will give you the more lurid details. They’re second to none when it comes to digging for dirt and exposing secrets.
The top line for your mission is this: Hollywood is more than just a movie-andmoney-making industry. It keeps the world entertained, and when people are happy, social unrest is reduced, economies stabilize and wars are averted. So when this murderer is caught, order will be restored.
I wish you luck, Arlo. Hollywood is full of movers and shakers, phoneys and fakers, so watch your back, keep your wits about you and don’t get distracted by the glamour of Tinseltown.
Yours,
Madame Silvana
P.S. Bennet has put together an agent’s kit for you, which may prove helpful.
ARLO’S DETECTIVE’S KIT
Swiss Army knife
A magnifying glass and compass A fingerprinting kit
Evidence bags
Passport, complete with international visas
Arlo’s detective’s journal
A box of matches
Solutiontesting kit
Pens and pencils
JIMMY WINNSKI MURDERED?
The Kiss of Death was anything but suite
Hollywood was in shock last night as news of Jimmy Winnski’s death swept the town.
The movie superstar was found dead at 9:30 a.m. by his personal assistant, Martha Highclair, when she called by his suite in the luxurious five-star Epicure Hotel in Santa Monica.
The exact details of the scene and circumstances surrounding the actor’s death are being kept under wraps by the LAPD, since their investigation is ongoing. A press conference was held last night where Detective Paxton, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that,
‘As yet, we are ruling nothing out.’
MURDER?
A source close to the investigation was, however, prepared to speak off the record. They revealed that the limelight-loving star was, in fact, found dead in the suite’s sunken hot tub, surrounded by signs of a struggle. Winnski is not believed to have drowned, and the police are looking for any alternative lines of enquiry.
Winnski was seen checking into the Epicure’s exclusive Sweet Kiss Suite at around 4 p.m. the day before, accompanied by Highclair,
ahead of the premier of his new film, The Kiss of Death, which was due for release this weekend. In response to Winnski’s sudden death, Hollywood kingpin Milton Forechild – chairman of Sonorous Pictures, the studio behind Winnski’s most recent successes – announced that, ‘Out of respect for Winnski’s fans and family, [we will be] delaying the film’s release to give the world and the wider Hollywood community time to mourn.’
SUSPICIONS
According to the hotel guest book, Winnski was visited by two people associated with his recent film –Breton Longcon Jr., the film’s director, and Martin Giancarlo, a young actor who, until recently, had only appeared in the background on TV shows, and co-stars with Winnski in the new film’s opening scene. There’s
also an intriguing report that members of the hotel staff overheard an argument between Winnski and an unknown person late last night. When he was asked why the argument was not investigated, a senior manager at the hotel replied swiftly with: ‘It’s hotel policy that our staff assist but do not interfere with our guests.’
SILENCE
So it appears Hollywood is imposing its code of silence upon another puzzling story. Which leaves this reporter wondering: if the hot tub was cold when Jimmy Winnski was found, was he was in hot water with the studio? His director? His co-star? His assistant? Or is there someone else behind the kiss of death?
Maxwell Hubbard, Senior Showbiz Editor
LANDING IN LAX
Within twenty-four hours of receiving Madame Silvana’s letter, your flight to Los Angeles touches down at LAX. As soon as your passport is stamped and you’ve cleared airport customs, a pair of automatic doors slide open, revealing a tall man with dark brown hair and a moustache. He’s leaning against a barrier and wearing a plaid shirt with a thin black tie. He’s also holding a sign with your name written on it.
He looks you up and down as you introduce yourself and says, ‘Get outta here, kid. Go on, scram.’
Arlo Banks
‘No, I’m Arlo Banks,’ you tell him, and open your passport to show him your name and photograph.
The man frowns at the booklet in your hand. Then he looks at you for a moment, before letting out a laugh of disbelief. ‘Sorry, kid. I was expecting someone a little older.’
‘I get that a lot,’ you reply.
‘I’m Detective Jim Paxton,’ he says, and shakes your hand. ‘So you’re gonna help me catch Jimmy Winnski’s killer?’ he asks as he leads you out of the airport.
‘I’ll do my best,’ you tell him.
‘Well, even your best might not be enough.’ He sighs. ‘Don’t get me wrong – I read your file, it’s very impressive. But I can’t remember the last time I saw a case this puzzling. The brass want answers, too, and if I don’t get them I’ll lose my badge.’
You smile. ‘Don’t worry. Puzzle-solving is what I do.’
‘Confidence! I like that,’ he says, and stops by a gleaming, candy-apple-red Mustang. ‘This is us,’ he says and opens the door for you.
You stare at the car. It’s like nothing else you’ve seen before!
Paxton clocks your expression and smiles. ‘You like the car?’
‘Yeah!’ you reply. ‘Do you drive around on racetracks?’
‘Don’t let Highway Patrol hear you say that,’ he says with a wry smile. You smile too. ‘Seriously, though, everyone drives in LA, so why not do it in style? Jump in.’
The car starts with a roar and you make your way through a maze of winding ramps to the freeway.
The early morning sun is rising in the distance, but your jetlag is making you think it’s midafternoon. ‘First time in Hollywood?’ Paxton asks as you cruise along.
‘Yeah,’ you reply.
‘They call it the land of dreams,’ he says. ‘People come here from all over the world, hoping to make it as a movie star.’ He peers over his sunglasses. ‘Most of them wind up waiting tables. Or worse . . .’
‘Worse?’ you ask. ‘Like Jimmy Winnski?’
The detective laughs. ‘No, Jimmy Winnski had the kind of success they’re all dreaming of. Starring roles, lavish hotels, huge premiers, box-office successes – he had it all.’
Detective Paxton steers the Mustang around a sweeping ramp and you join Interstate 405, the main artery through LA. ‘Our guys combed Winnski’s hotel suite. I can take you there and bring you up to speed, if you want. Or we can follow up a couple of other leads I’ve found?’
The detective gestures for you to open the car’s glove box. Along with some maps, a plastic bag, an
evidence envelope, some rubber gloves and a siren, there’s a gun and some boxes of ammunition.
Your eyes open wide. ‘Jimmy Winnski had a gun?’
‘No! The gun’s mine,’ Paxton replies. Keeping his eyes on the road, he points to an evidence bag. ‘We found three keys at the scene. One is for Winnski’s suite. The Epicure Hotel is a lavish place, named after ‘people who take particular pleasure in food and wine’. The other two could be something, although my hunch is they’re nothing. One is for 1011 Clearview – a fancy house in the Hollywood hills just off Mulholland Drive. The other opens an office on the studio lot at Sonorous Pictures. So, kid, where would you like to start?’ he asks.
Sweet Kissx
If you decide to visit:
• 1011 Clearview, turn to chapter 2
• The Sweet Kiss Suite at the Epicure Hotel, turn to chapter 5
• Office 54B on the Studio Lot, turn to chapter 7
1011 CLEARVIEW
The Mustang turns off Mulholland Drive and follows a winding road into the hills overlooking Hollywood. ‘This is the outskirts of town,’ Paxton explains. ‘But don’t be fooled – a lot of action happens out here.’
Pulling up at the gates, he presses the intercom.
‘Yes?’ says a crackling voice from inside.
‘Good morning. I’m Detective Paxton – LAPD. This is my associate, Arlo Banks. We’re investigating the death of Jimmy Winnski. Does the homeowner have time to answer some questions?’
‘Wait there, please,’ replies the crackling voice.
‘Isn’t this Jimmy Winnski’s house?’ you ask.
Paxton shakes his head. ‘He lived over in Beverly Hills. This place belongs to a Mr Hugo Greenling. I’ve never met him, just heard of him. He stumps up the money people use to make movies. No one knows where the money comes from. And no one asks.’
‘So why’s his front door key in a dead actor’s hotel suite?’ you ask.
Paxton shrugs. ‘That’s what we’re here to find out.’
A few minutes later, a side gate opens. ‘Hardly a red carpet, but it’ll do,’ Paxton says. He opens the car door and the pair of you venture inside.
The house is a white-walled villa, with arches and terracotta tiles. Steps weave through manicured grounds filled with olive trees and flowering cacti. As you approach the front door, Paxton takes out the key he found in Jimmy Winnski’s suite.
The door opens on to a large living room. Every inch of it is draped in clear plastic sheets. They’re covering the floor, the walls, the sofas, even the staircase. You immediately wonder what you’ve walked in on.
Paxton draws his gun and takes a cautious step inside.
‘Detective Paxton,’ says a voice from behind the sheets, ‘I hope you have a warrant.’
‘You don’t need one when you get an invitation,’ he replies, and peels apart the plastic sheets. You both step through.
The voice laughs. ‘I believe my security guard asked you to wait at the gate. That makes you
intruders. So I have the right to defend my property.’
‘And the right to remain silent.’ Paxton cocks his gun and slowly sweeps the room. ‘Do you want to tell me why your front door key was lying beside Jimmy Winnski’s body?’
‘I don’t want to tell you anything,’ replies the voice.
Your instincts tell you to get out of there. But before you can escape, the entire house explodes. Every shred of evidence that proves you were here and what they were up to is incinerated by the almighty inferno. The blast echoes across the Hollywood Hills. None of the passing motorists pay it any attention; they just assume someone is making another movie.
THE END
It looks like you forgot Madame Silvana’s advice to watch your back and keep your wits about you – and this time it’s cost you your life.
Try again, and this time don’t get distracted by the allure of a fancy house in the Hollywood Hills. Behind the glamour of Tinseltown lies a world of danger.
Sweet Kissx
If you decide to visit:
• The Sweet Kiss Suite at the Epicure Hotel, turn to chapter 5
• Office 54B on the Studio Lot , turn to chapter 7
THE GUN
‘There! He’s got a gun,’ you say, pointing at Pedro’s pocket.
‘Yes. And that’s exactly why it must be re-edited!’
Breton says. ‘If Pedro is armed, Jimmy will be shooting him in self-defence. And I want the audience to believe Jimmy is ruthless!
‘Worse than that,’ he continues, ‘Pedro’s gun is obviously a prop, so it makes him look ridiculous. Anyone can see that! Just look at the handle,’ the director insists. ‘The paint on it is chipped!’
‘I didn’t spot that,’ you admit.
‘Well, thank you for the lesson in filmmaking,’ Paxton says and shuts his notebook. ‘We’d better call it a day.’
As you get back in the Mustang and shut the door, Paxton turns to you with a cold look in his eye. ‘Arlo, if you can’t spot that someone, even in a film, is carrying a rubber gun, you’re not going to be much use to a murder investigation.’
‘I’m so sorry. I’ll do better next time,’ you reply, but Paxton shakes his head.
‘I’m
sorry too,’ he says. ‘But this case is too important for there to be a next time. Come on, I’ll drop you at the airport.’
THE END
QUESTIONING MARTIN GIANCARLO
‘Martin’s an out-of-work actor, so he has a couple of part-time jobs. One’s at a ranch up by the Hollywood sign. The other’s at a stonemason’s – the guy makes a living breaking rocks,’ Paxton explains.
After a couple of phone calls, you find out he’s at Grazer Stonework Ltd. When you arrive, Martin is pacing in a circle in the car park. He’s dressed in overalls and heavy boots, and looks agitated.
As you both get out of the Mustang, Paxton flashes his badge and Martin freezes. ‘I’m Detective Paxton. This is my associate, Arlo Banks. We’re investigating the death of Jimmy Winnski. Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions?’
Martin’s eyes dart nervously around the car park. ‘I’m not saying no,’ he begins, ‘but I’m in a bad situation. If I don’t get it straightened out before my boss returns, I’m dead.’
‘Your boss is going to kill you?’ Paxton asks, his eyes narrowing.
‘No, no!’ Martin says. ‘But he’s just gonna be real mad at me.’
Paxton relaxes.
‘OK. What’s the problem?’ you say. ‘I might be able to help.’
Martin shrugs. ‘I doubt it, but you can try.’
He shows you inside to the workshop. Machinery and benches fill the place. ‘Watch yourselves,’ Martin advises as he leads you past the pillar drills and lathes. He stops at a bench covered in broken pieces of stone. Some of them have sharp points and a few have brass letters in them.
You cast your eyes over the broken pieces. The heat from the nearby furnace is making you all sweat.
‘A few years back, my boss scored a big job. He’s convinced it’ll make him rich,’ Martin explains. ‘He says these things are gonna be laid in sidewalks all over Hollywood. But the project’s been delayed so many times he’s down to his last few bucks.’
‘What is it?’ you ask.
‘It’s a star,’ Martin says. ‘They’re gonna call them the Walk of Fame.’
‘Yeah, I’ve read about them,’ Paxton says. ‘Each one’s going to have the names of the biggest stars, to immortalize them.’
‘Not if I don’t get this thing back together,’ Martin says. ‘It’s a sample; the Chamber of Commerce want to see another seven. If my boss sees I’ve broken it, the whole job could get canned and I’ll get fired. Seriously, you’ve gotta help me. I don’t get nearly enough acting work to pay my rent.’
Martin looks desperate, but Paxton smiles and pats him on the shoulder. ‘Don’t worry. Today is your lucky day! Arlo is a puzzle expert.’
You smile and start studying the pieces to see if you can put them back together and make the star’s name.
If you think the star’s name is:
• Joe Annward Wood, turn to chapter 21
• Joanne Woodward, turn to chapter 11
THE SWEET KISS SUITE AT THE EPICURE HOTEL
The red carpet running through the lobby of the Epicure Hotel makes it feel like a glitzy movie premier. Marble pillars stand around like security guards while long ferns wave on the air-conditioned breeze, reaching out like the clamouring hands of photographers and film-lovers.
You approach the reception desk and Paxton flashes his badge. ‘Hi, I’m Detective Paxton –LAPD. This is my associate, Arlo Banks. We’re investigating the death of Jimmy Winnski. We’d like to see the scene.’
‘Of course,’ replies the pretty receptionist. ‘Sign here, please.’
As Paxton fills in the visitors’ log, you look around. The hotel seems very quiet, and nothing suggests that one of the biggest stars in Hollywood
died here only two days ago.
‘Did you meet Jimmy Winnski when he checked in?’ you ask.
The receptionist nods. ‘He was in a foul mood, so his PA took care of the paperwork.’
‘Do you know what he was annoyed about?’ Paxton asks.
‘Everything.’ She laughs. ‘The porters were too slow getting his bags out of the limo . . . The air was too cool . . . The executive elevator wasn’t waiting for him. We’re used to demanding guests, but he was awful. His PA must be a saint.’
The private elevator brings you to the top floor. There’s a fire escape that leads to the roof, a service lift used by room service and housekeepers, and a door marked ‘The Sweet Kiss Suite’. Paxton pulls the key from the evidence bag and unlocks it. The suite has its own lobby, with a shoe rack and a hat stand with a tuxedo hanging on it, along with a crisp white shirt and wrinkled bow-tie in a clear plastic cover. A tag pinned to the lapel of the tuxedo says ‘Mr Lee’s 24/7 Cleaners’.
Beyond the lobby lies the main room. It’s the
shape of a lipstick kiss, and the carpet is a rich, seductive red. Discreet doors lead to the bedrooms and bathrooms, and running along the line of the lower lip is a panoramic view of Hollywood. In the centre of the room is a sunken oval hot tub. The water has long since gone cold and a thin layer of scum lies on the surface.
‘That’s where his PA found him,’ Paxton says as you take out your journal and start sketching the layout of the scene. ‘He was lying on his back with marks round his neck that suggest he was strangled with something thin.’
Closet
Bedroom1Bathroom Lobby
BathroomBedroom2Closet
‘What’s this?’ you ask, pointing to a large box with a lens at the front and two reels on top, which look a bit like bicycle wheels.
‘It’s a film projector,’ Paxton replies, and starts examining it. ‘It’s a new one too. Normally you load the film on the reel at the front, it plays through the projector, and the reel at the back collects the film. But this one has a looping device so the film plays over and over. Can’t have lasted more than ten minutes, though. It must’ve played on repeat until the bulb melted it.’
A loose strip is hanging off the reel. You hold it up to the light, but it’s impossible to see what’s going on without a magnifying glass.
‘When we arrived,’ Paxton continues, ‘there were splash marks all around the hot tub.’
‘Signs of a struggle?’ you ask.
‘Our guys dusted for fingerprints, but couldn’t find any that didn’t belong to Jimmy Winnski, his visitors or the hotel staff.’
You nod as you note all this down. ‘Do you have a timeline?’
‘It went like this,’ Paxton says as he pulls out his notebook and hands it to you.
Timeline
4:00 p.m. Jimmy Winnski and his PA, Martha Highclair, arrive and check into the Epicure Hotel.
4:30 p.m. Hotel porters deliver bags to the suite. PA tips them while Winnski admires the view and declares, ‘I own this town!’
5:10 p.m.
Breton Longcon Jr. visits suite.
5:25 p.m. PA visits hotel kitchen to make sure Winnski’s evening meal is served exactly the way he wants it.
5:53–5:56 p.m. Winnski makes a phone call to Sonorous Pictures (who he spoke to is unconfirmed).
6:10 p.m. PA leaves the hotel to run an errand.
6:25–6:29 p.m. Winnski receives a phone call from Milton Forechild at Sonorous Pictures.
6:30 p.m.
Breton Longcon Jr. leaves hotel.
7:00 p.m.
Evening meal served, as instructed. Winnski is wet, presumably from the hot tub, and furious at the intrusion. Other voices are heard in the suite.
7:10 p.m. PA returns to the hotel suite with Jimmy’s suit and leaves it hanging in the lobby.
7:15 p.m.
Martin Giancarlo tries to blag his way to see Jimmy Winnski but is turned away by the receptionist.
7:20 p.m. PA leaves hotel to go home.
8:10 p.m.
A housekeeper overhears Jimmy Winnski shouting, ‘You can’t tell me what to do, Pedro! I own this town!’
9:00 a.m. PA arrives and finds Winnski dead in the hot tub.
‘That gives us a list of suspects we should question – Martha Highclair, Breton Longcon Jr. and Martin Giancarlo. We can add Milton Forechild too. He practically runs this town and knows a lot of shady people.’ You hand Paxton his notebook. ‘I ran their names through the police database – everyone gets pulled in for something at one time or another. But it appears that not one of our suspects is who they say they are. They must’ve all rocked up in town with new names and appearances, you know, reinventing themselves to make it in Hollywood.’ He sighs. ‘Honestly, kid – out here you can be whoever you want to be, but it’s a pain in the ass when we want to run a background check.’ He hands you the police record sheets along with a sheet of the suspects. ‘These are the four closest profiles to our suspects. They might’ve changed the colour of their hair and eyes, but they can’t have grown more than an inch.’
Paxton shrugs.
You glance over the suspects. ‘OK. Let me try and pair up our suspects with the profiles from the database; we might find a lead that’s worth looking into.’
Paxton nods. ‘Be my guest.’
Martha Highclair
32 yrs.
5’ 8”
Blond hair
Green eyes
Breton Longcon Jr. Martin Giancarlo
Milton Forechild
Angel Reins
19 yrs.
5’ 8”
Black hair
Brown eyes
46 yrs. 6’ 2”
Grey hair & beard
Grey eyes
Bret Anglin
22 yrs. 6’ 2”
Black hair
Grey eyes
22 yrs. 5’ 10”
Black hair
Brown eyes
Moyra Sinclair
16 yrs. 5’ 7”
Brown hair
Blue eyes
54 yrs. 5’ 8”
Black hair & moustache
Brown eyes
Matthew Johnson
18 yrs. 5’ 9”
Black hair
Brown eyes
You finish pairing up the profiles and Paxton looks impressed. ‘That’s great, kid. It may not have given us a lead, but I’m sure it’ll prove to be useful.’ He smiles. ‘Since we’re short on time, I suggest start with Martha, the PA, then question the others. Unless you have a better idea?’
If you decide to question:
• Martha Highclair, turn to chapter 16
• Breton Longcon Jr., turn to chapter 23
• Martin Giancarlo, turn to chapter 4
• Milton Forechild, turn to chapter 9
CASTING, STUDIO SIX, THEN EDITING
Within ten minutes you’ve delivered all three drinks. You’re so quick, the producers who’ve been making Martha’s life a misery actually thank her!
‘Fantastic,’ Martha says, checking her watch. ‘You’ve saved me half an hour before my next meeting.’ Paxton smiles. ‘So you’ve plenty of time to answer a few questions.’
‘I already gave a statement to the officers at the scene,’ Martha replies.
‘I know – we’ve read it,’ Paxton says. ‘But there’re a few things I’d like to ask you about.’
You open you journal at the timeline.
‘You say you left Jimmy’s suite around 5:25 –’ Paxton begins.
‘Yeah,’ Martha interrupts. ‘He was deep in discussion with Breton and I wanted to make sure the kitchen got his dinner right. Jimmy was very particular about what he ate.’
‘Sounds like he was very particular about everything,’ Paxton says.
‘You have no idea,’ Martha replies. ‘The bigger the star, the bigger their demands.’
Paxton nods. ‘You also left to run an errand?’
Martha nods. ‘I had to collect his tux for the premier. I brought it to the suite, hung it in the lobby and left to go home. I didn’t want to get entangled with another of Jimmy’s demands.’
‘Fair enough.’ Paxton nods and you note everything down.
‘Did you like Jimmy Winnski?’ you ask.
Martha draws a breath. ‘He could be very charming. And infuriating. But, like I said, you can’t quit Hollywood.’
‘Did you want to quit?’ Paxton asks.
‘Most days, sure.’ Martha shrugs. ‘But what could I do? You can’t walk out on a star like Jimmy. It would tarnish his reputation, and no one would touch me after that. PAs need to be discreet – follow the code of silence.’
‘So you were trapped in your job?’ Paxton asks.
‘Not exactly,’ Martha replies. ‘But it could feel like that.’
‘According to the hotel log, Martin Giancarlo tried to see Jimmy,’ Paxton says. ‘What did he want?’
Martha laughs. ‘The same thing they all want. Fame and fortune.’
‘He left only five minutes before you,’ you say, pointing to your notes. ‘Did you see him?’
‘Yes,’ she says, and Paxton raises an eyebrow. ‘He approached me in the hotel reception.’
‘That would’ve been around 7:15?’ you add.
‘If you say so.’ Martha shrugs. ‘He wanted to pitch a film idea to Jimmy and asked if I could get him inside.’
‘Couldn’t he speak to Jimmy at the premier?’ you ask.
Martha shakes her head. ‘No chance. They did one scene together – blink and you’ll miss him. That doesn’t earn you an invite to a premier.’
‘So you couldn’t help him?’ Paxton asks.
‘I could have,’ she admits, ‘but Jimmy would’ve hit the roof. He didn’t help people. He was also pretty awful to Martin on set, so I hailed him a taxi and sent him home.’
• If you think you should question Martin
Giancarlo, turn to chapter 4
• If you’ve already questioned Martin Giancarlo, turn to chapter 32
OFFICE 54B ON THE STUDIO LOT
The security guard at the gates of Sonorous Pictures is sipping coffee and looks like he’s been working all night.
‘Good morning. I’m Detective Paxton – LAPD. This is my associate Arlo Banks. We’re investigating the death of Jimmy Winnski and this key was found at the scene. Would you be kind enough to show us the office it unlocks?’
‘It’s early, gentlemen,’ replies the guard. ‘Whoever works there won’t show up for at least another hour.’
‘Can we wait?’ you ask.
‘This is Hollywood, man – anyone can do anything in this town,’ the guard says with a shrug.
‘I can sign you in, but I’ll need to see some ID.’
Paxton pulls out his badge and you show him your passport. Inside, huge warehouses stand side by side, giving away little besides the glimpses you see through their sliding doors. One is home to a tiered stage for a musical number, another is a vast prairie
