Sophia found herself on a penthouse condo patio high above the city. Far below her, short-term renters wheeled travel luggage through the marble lobby. The detective’s mood had transformed from calm to frustrated as she watched Zelda meditate for thirty minutes.
Sophia’s police visit began when a teenage girl on her phone opened the front door and walked away without speaking. The detective took the snub as an invitation and entered the condo and wandered around until she found a naked Zelda meditating on the outdoor terrace.
Police procedure dictated she interview the people close to Whitly the past few weeks and Zelda was the first suspect.
“Excuse me?” Sophia tried again to get a response.
The session finally stopped followed by a brief period of chanting.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” Zelda said while performing cool down yoga poses.
“In case you are wondering a young girl let me in,” Sophia said.
“Oh, that’s Lokia, my adopted daughter. She is Tibetan. They are a very spiritual people.”
That was a lie. If Sophia knew one thing for certain, it was all teenage girls, wherever they were born on the planet, were a giant pain in the ass. She knew this because she was once a teenage girl.
“Could I please ask you to put on clothes?”
“I prefer not. I find nudity liberating.”
Sophia felt awkward but had to admit Zelda was in good shape for a woman her age.
“Fine, I am here to ask you a few questions about Whitly Noble’s murder.”
“I heard. How sad. Poor man.” Zelda said trying to sound sincere.
“Everyone is a suspect. I need to ask you a few questions. First, where were you last night?”
“I was on a spiritual retreat in the country.”
“Was there anyone else there?”
“Yes, twenty-five other women. We were attending the Incarnating the Goddess workshop. We had a wonderful drum circle, then an Ayahuasca ceremony.”
“Ayahuasca?” Sophia asked puzzled.
“It’s a psychedelic drug made by the indigenous people in the Amazon.”
The drink was used for divination and healing purposes. Zelda used the hallucinogen for talking to her spirit guides and quick weight loss. She even considered writing a self-help book entitled The Healthy Shaman Diet based on the brew’s dual qualities.
“Whatever. Please…can you get dressed?”
Zelda finally stopped stretching, and pulled on a bathrobe, “Oh, don’t worry about this…it’s medicinal.” She lit a joint hidden and said, “I never expected Satan to be a prude.”
“What? Did you say Satan?”
“Relax, Whitly told me all about you.”
“What?”
“He said he made a deal with Mayor Ham, and you became the new Satan after he was murdered.” She took a long drag on the joint. “He told all of us.”
“And you believed him?”
“Sure. Why not? He was proud of the deal and claimed he kicked the Devil’s ass. He said he only had to give up his soul.”
“A deal with a dead man can be transferred?”
“According to Whit, yes. He said he totally screwed Satan. The deal was the pinnacle of his business life. Sorry, his words, not mine,” Zelda said and inhaled deeply.
“Listen, this is nonsense.” Sophia was not surprised Whit reneged on his nondisclosure promise, but just how many people had he told? She hoped Zelda’s was lying and resumed her questioning, “Do you know anyone who might want to kill Whitly?”
“Besides Patrick—everyone.”
“Well, did he mention anyone recently?”
Zelda stifled inhaled smoke and said. “I know he was very angry with Martin over an artificial intelligence project, but the technical bullshit was way over my head.”
“How do you know that?”
“Martin told me. He wanted my advice on how to handle Whit.” Zelda finally put on her robe. “You know I am thrilled for you.”
“Why?”
“Becoming Satan. About time it was a woman. There is so much catching up to do. It is about time we take back power.”
“It’s not about revenge?”
“No, of course not, but think of all the sexist bullshit women endure every day. An attractive woman like you—you must know what I am talking about.”
Sophia’s intense demonic energy had sent Zelda’s mind reeling. The new ager was becoming more attracted to Sophia with each passing minute. Ever the opportunist, Zelda was already plotting how to leverage Sophia’s supernatural power for personal gain. Her devious plan was short on details but began with a sexual affair with Sophia and ended with Zelda taking control of the OmniXor corporation. The hard part would be gaining Sophia’s trust.
Zelda moved closer. “I must admit, this wicked thing you have going on, really suits you. Your presence is very exciting. I can appreciate what the Devil saw in you. And you totally have the cheekbones for the job.” She said suggestively, “I’m getting a fresh but fierce vibe.”
Sophia backed away slowly.
“Why so tense? Let me help you relax. I am a licensed masseuse.” Zelda subtly opened her robe as she reached for Sophia’s hand.
“I think I have enough info for now. I need to go.” Sophia turned and knocked over a sculpture of Shiva on a hall table.
“Are you sure? Oh, hold on, before you go, I want to take a selfie of us together for my social media accounts.”
Sophia rushed to the front door as Zelda went to find her phone. Sophia exited the condo shouting, “Someone from the police will contact you if we need further information.”
On the elevator down, Sophia prayed the other interviews would go better. Later that day, she logged onto her police email account and found seven text messages from Zelda.
I am so glad we had a chance to meet again. Please feel free to contact me. ANYTIME!
I wanted to commend you on your professionalism. I apologize if I made a fool of myself. I was a little distracted.
I have to share my feelings…I am obsessed with you.
Is it me, or did something happen between us today?
I know it is wrong, but it feels so right. TEXT ME…PLEASE!
I am so confused and excited. Is this what pure evil feels like?
Question, do I need a special costume?
Later that same day.
“It was an unprecedented year for our media division. We achieved historic results and delivered double-digit growth across the board: movies, music, social media, and television. Not only did we win—we dominated. We owe our good results to a vision. A vision of a connected world. A world where people get what they want across all media. Not in the future, but now.
It’s simple. We meet people’s needs. That is what we do. Today, more people own smart phones than have access to a working toilet. Think of the global opportunities.” Whit took off his glasses for more emphasis and stared directly at the camera. “Our great company now plays a key role in the convergence of all media platforms. And a new key strategic alliance has emerged to give us a strong foundation for continued growth. We are back, and we are here to stay.”
The video captured Whit’s last public appearance.
Sophia was at Whitly’s lakeside home to interrogate his young wife about the murder. Tall, blonde, and beautiful, Tiffany was the ultimate trophy wife. The marriage to Whit was just business. The goal; acquire real wealth before she was no longer the most fuckable thing in the room.
“I want to say I am sorry for your loss,” said Sophia.
“Thank you. I am still in shock.”
“You understand I must ask you a few questions about your husband’s murder. We are still waiting for the autopsy report on the cause of death.”
“I don’t know if I can be of much help. Unfortunately, I was in Hawaii at the time.”
“Do you have any proof?”
“I was with a friend.”
“And the connection to you?”
“He is a pro athlete…and my lover.”
Sophia looked up from her notebook.
“Whitly and I had an open marriage. The arrangement was part of our pre-nuptial agreement. Extramarital affairs were included in the household budget.”
“That is very modern of you.”
“Whit had been married three times, and monogamy was not his thing. It’s different for alpha males. And I have…let’s just say, been involved in the celebrity world. So, we acted like adults and made a pre-nuptial agreement. The practical solution worked out well until last week.”
“What happened?”
“I caught Whit having sex with Zelda.”
“Zelda Schwartz, really…are you sure?”
“Well, they were naked, and it didn’t look like a business meeting. The truth is, I don’t care who Whit fucks, but that woman is a whore. Her new age act is utter bullshit.”
“But why are you angry?”
“The terms of our deal stipulated: exercise discretion and…never in the house.”
“Were you angry enough to kill Whitly?”
Tiffany laughed and said, “No, I loved Whit even with all his faults. Besides, I get eight million dollars a year if we are still married past year three. Believe me, his death has cost me a lot of money.”
Sophia had no doubts Tiffany would survive. Her mix of beauty and pragmatism guaranteed a happy future.
“One thing bothers me. I noticed the expensive security system when I arrived. Clearly, Whit was very concerned about his safety. What was he doing on the beach that night?”
“I honestly don’t know. Whit was on four heart medications and had two hip replacements. He never went outside alone at night.”
Sophia could see the beach where Whitly was murdered through the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Are there exterior cameras?”
“Yes, I will tell the security firm to send you the videos.”
“Thank you. Before I go, is there anyone you know who might want to kill Whit?”
“No, but I do know he decided to fold Zelda’s company.”
“Did she know that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Thanks for your time. I know this can’t be easy. I will be in touch if we need more information.”
Sophia exited the house dreading another visit with Zelda.
“Thanks for coming to the station.”
Sophia’s request for a second meeting convinced Zelda the two women had a deep mystical bond.
“Anything for you,” Zelda said suggestively.
Sophia made sure the interview was on her own turf. Zelda’s text messages were not a good sign. Plus, she wanted access to the taser hidden under the desktop papers if the situation became awkward.
“I talked with Whitly’s wife, Tiffany, and she told me something you inadvertently failed to mention in our last meeting.”
“Oh, and what was that?”
“You were having an affair with Whit.”
“What? You’re kidding me right. Me and Whit!” Zelda laughed out loud.
“Tiffany saw the two of you having sex.”
“Oh, please! That wasn’t sex. That was tantric yoga.”
“Naked?”
“Yes, naked. How else would you do it? He was very tense and suffering from severe migraines, so I recommended an exercise to help relieve the stress.”
“A sexual exercise?”
“If you must know, sacred sex elevates people to a higher spiritual plane. That is why I am bisexual. It allows me to access the full spectrum of psychosexual forces. You would know that truth if you opened yourself up to the possibilities,” Zelda stared hopefully at Sophia.
“Whatever, you’re both adults, but you also failed to mention a more important item. Whitly was going to fold your company.”
“Not true. The company’s future was just being re-evaluated.”
“Did the sacred sex have anything to do with you trying to convince him to change his mind?”
“How dare you! That question is beneath you. I thought you were a better person than that.”
“Are you going to give me an answer?”
“No! The tantric sex did not have anything to do with Whit’s decision. If you knew anything about Whit, you would know he was a ruthless businessman. Always profit before pleasure!”
“I also took the time to investigate your alibi. Seems you were missing for three hours at the women’s retreat. Enough time for you to drive to Whitly’s house, kill him, and drive back.”
“Wow! You must really hate me. If you must know, Ayahuasca can cause terrible diarrhea and vomiting. I was sick the whole time. I couldn’t leave the washroom, let alone drive a car. I tipped the maids three hundred dollars for the clean-up.”
“A convenient excuse. You do know we will check. Until further notice, you are still under suspicion for murder.”
Zelda reached for Sophia’s hand. “Why do you have to be this way? I can help you with the investigation. I am a very popular influencer. My followers could help you with the case?”
“Solve a murder?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Using two hundred and eighty characters? Good God, you are an idiot!”
“I am only trying to help.”
“Well, don’t.”
“You know it’s hard being your friend.”
“We’re not friends.”
“Why?”
“You really want me to an answer that?”
“Yes I do.”
“Well, first, you are a murder suspect.”
“But…”
“And second, I don’t like you,” Sophia said glaring.
“That’s not true.”
“Tell me, I am confused…have I encouraged your attention in any way?”
“No, but we are meant to be together. Why can’t you see that?”
“Why do I try? The answer is a hard no.” Sophia reached for the hidden taser. “Besides, I have all the help I need right here.”