Page 28 of Scripted for Love and Poison (Sol and Luke Mystery #2)

“ I think Sol just forwarded me the list of critics Claudia made,” Luke told Divya as he drove them to Travis Wise’s apartment in Westwood the morning after the party at the Roosevelt Hotel. He handed Divya his phone so she could take a look at it.

Divya skimmed the list, scrolling over it a couple of times. “Simon Smith’s name is there, as well as Jason Zit. But no other name sounds familiar.”

“Can we trust the list, considering Claudia could have a reason to get rid of Simon herself?” Luke asked.

“We’re still working under the assumption she never read the book, right? Not that many people did, really,” Divya continued. “But we should definitely not forget about her.”

“Going back to the list, why did Claudia include the name of an editor there? Jason was an editor, not a critic.”

“Claudia made a note next to Jason’s name: ‘Interested in being a critic again. He thinks his talents aren’t fully used as an editor.’ It’s such a pity Jason Zit is dead!” Divya sighed .

Luke’s gaze flicked to Divya’s face briefly before returning to the road. “I’m afraid to ask, but why?”

“Because he’s perfect as the person behind Simon Smith’s disappearance. Isn’t he? He hated him, and apparently he wanted to do his job. Probably thought he’d do it better. But his death doesn’t look like a suicide by chocolates to me ...”

“Unless ...” Luke said, because he liked where Divya’s thought process was bringing them.

“We’re dealing with two different cases,” Divya finished his thoughts.

“One person who made Simon disappear—and right now that person looks like Jason Zit. And a different one who poisoned Travis by mistake and then killed Jason. It’s unfortunate that we can’t talk to Jason and test our theory about him getting rid of Simon. ”

“Most definitely unfortunate, especially for him, as he’s dead,” said Luke, amused.

“Alright, alright, I get it. But can you really blame me for wanting to sort this mess out? The sooner we’re done with the case?—”

“—the sooner we go back home.” Luke was already daydreaming about the first thing he was going to do when they were back in London. He’d probably have the strongest English breakfast tea, followed by a long walk by the Thames.

“No, mate. The sooner we get paid,” Divya corrected him, bringing him back to reality.

“Is it that bad?” Luke asked.

“We’ve got no office, so at least there’s no rent to worry about there. But unless we get some cash in soon, I’ve no idea how I’m gonna pay the rent on my crap little studio flat.”

“I’ve been so wrapped up in the case and being away that I’ve completely forgotten about the bills and rent.

But I’m skint too,” Luke said, and he marveled at how he’d managed to almost forget about it.

It was as if the change of context and being away from home had made him forget about many details of his daily routine.

Was that why people loved traveling so much, perhaps?

Because it facilitated getting away and forgetting everyday life problems?

“Can you shack up with Sol? In a more permanent way, I mean. I know you sleep there almost every night,” Divya said.

“I’ve been thinking about asking her to officially move in together but don’t know how she’s going to take it.

Everything was so good between the two of us before coming here that I almost want to keep it just the way it was.

And I don’t want her thinking I’m only bringing the subject of moving in together up because I can’t pay the rent,” Luke reasoned.

“So we better solve this case—or cases—soon.”

···

Luke liked Travis Wise. He was a nice man.

Sol had told Luke only good things about her former colleague and all the ways in which he’d mentored her when they’d worked together.

And the poor man had been poisoned just a few days before!

But the detective resented Travis a bit right now, nonetheless.

The critic had been kind enough to see Luke and Divya at his apartment in Westwood to answer their questions.

He’d even offered them tea, since the detectives were British and he thought that was the appropriate treatment.

But was it necessary to serve a lukewarm cup of water heated in the microwave with a powdery tea bag next to it?

Divya gave Luke a glare meant as a warning: He’d better dunk that tea bag in the water and drink whatever light-brown concoction came out of it. They needed Travis to talk to them.

The thing was, the journalist was eager to like Divya and Luke from the start, and he was eager to talk to them.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t see you before,” Travis said. “I wasn’t ready to receive anyone. I looked awful!”

The man was wearing a silk, short dressing gown over elegant wide-legged trousers, all in navy blue.

His curly black-and-white hair was perfectly cropped.

Luke doubted Travis Wise had looked bad a day in his life.

But the detective also understood that the journalist had just undergone a very dramatic experience and hadn’t been ready to talk—until then.

“I’m so glad you folks are looking into this,” he said while his trembling fingers stirred the milk in his tea. “But I’m afraid I’m not sure I’ll be able to be of much help.”

“Why don’t you tell us what you remember from that night,” Divya started, and Luke saw that his partner’s easy manners put Travis at ease.

“A very boring, very long show,” Travis said. “Every year we complain that awards ceremonies are tedious, and every year we keep producing the same overinflated show. Fortunately, I wasn’t reviewing the ceremony because I would have given it two out of five stars.”

As Luke had taken out his notebook to start jotting things down, he thought it looked like all entertainment journalists tended to live in their heads and pretend the world of Hollywood was of the utmost importance to everyone—not just Sol.

“Did you eat or drink anything while you were at the show?” Divya asked.

“Lots and lots of bottled water, but no booze for me. I had an early spin class the following morning and wanted to be fresh for that. Been trying to lose a couple of pounds,” Travis said, patting his waist. “Who knew what I needed wasn’t a membership to SoulCycle and an iron will to achieve that but to be poisoned! ”

Travis laughed nervously, and Luke decided to let Divya continue with the questions. He didn’t want to add to the journalist’s discomfort.

“Was that why you barely touched the food on your plate?” Divya asked.

“Yes, that, and I have a severe nut allergy. Not your typical Californian being picky with their food just to be difficult. But an actual allergy. My eyes get watery and itchy, my lips get puffy ... I’d been reassured my food was carefully prepared and hadn’t been in contact with any nuts.

After two hours of the ceremony, I felt hungry and nibbled on some hummus and grapes,” explained Travis.

“Of course, I didn’t have to worry about nuts, but cyanide! ”

“And you didn’t notice anyone approaching the table and adding some stuff in your food before you ate it?”

“I’d have noticed if someone did,” Travis said with a reassurance that Luke couldn’t help but question. In the chaos of a packed, hectic event like the awards show, it was easy to miss many things—even someone, stranger or not, slipping a few drops of poison into your food.

“Did you see anyone who may have been suspicious or out of place?” Divya asked.

“Everyone was either in black-tie and one of the guests or strictly dressed in black and working. But anyone dressed the right way could have easily sneaked in, I think,” Travis said.

“I thought the security was a bit lax,” Luke contributed, nodding in agreement with Travis. “Can I ask you about Victor Lago? He was seated at our table. ”

“He was, but I didn’t see him anywhere next to my plate with nefarious intentions, if that’s what you’re asking.” Travis laughed nervously again.

“And you have a good relationship with him? Never reviewed one of his projects negatively?”

“I doubt he even knows who I am, as I’m a lowly television critic and he’s been very vocal about the superiority of cinema,” Travis said, a bit dismissive.

“Doesn’t Abbie Domingo work on TV?” asked Divya, confused.

“As if that would stop him from being a total snob. But I hear Abbie has finally kicked his ass to the curve and moved on. She deserves much better,” Travis said.

“She does,” Divya and Luke agreed in unison.

“I think Sol told me your review of Slowing Down was quite positive, but have you ever reviewed one of Abbie’s other shows negatively?”

“Not that I can recall ... She’s one of my favorite showrunners. Why do you ask?”

“We believe you weren’t the intended victim for the poisoning but are trying to tie all the loose ends,” explained Luke.

“They didn’t try to kill me ?” said Travis. He stopped his teacup midair to his lips and spilled its contents all over his gown. He didn’t seem to care—even if Travis Wise didn’t look like a man who walked around with stains all over his clothes.

“We’re quite certain you got handed the poisoned food by mistake, and someone else was the target,” said Divya.

“You may think I’m crazy and completely selfish, but that would be such a relief!

” said Travis, visibly shaken. He left the teacup on top of his coffee table, stood from the sofa where all of them had been seated, and started pacing up and down his living room.

“I think I need a drink, and to hell with the fucking diet! Anyone else feel like a bourbon?”

Both Divya and Luke politely declined as Travis poured himself a generous shot.

“Here’s to not being wanted dead,” Travis said, and he downed the liquor in one swallow, then served himself a second glass. “Who was the poisoner trying to get, then?”

“Jason Zit,” answered Luke.

Travis immediately drank the second shot when he heard that name, and he ended up coughing nervously.