Don Scribner’s Blog Actor, Screenwriter, Songwriter, Singer

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“Well, Sam said that according to her husband she double parked right here, went inside and told him she was going to get her nails done… a mani and a pedi. So, someone knew. The manicure place did. She had a weekly appointment there. Harris set it up as a gift to her right after they met. So she’s been there a half dozen times and you can bet your ass someone else knew it too. And, the cops are thinking the same thing. Sam said that three more men were assigned to him today and headquarters wants this solved as of now. It is officially no longer a car jacking. And, let’s not forget that her home is just blocks away. The cops canvassed that area talked to every neighbor or whoever and nobody recalled seeing a parked car or a stranger that seemed out of place. They said that Rodeo Drive lookie-loos, is that a word… park on their streets constantly.
We drove in silence for a minute or two and Whitey turned onto Beverly Drive and headed north. He made a sharp left to go over the hill on Coldwater Drive. We still hadn’t spoken, but our thoughts were evident as our attention was obviously not on the road in front of us, but the path we were taking. Traffic was not heavy and five minutes later we were coming to Ventura Boulevard, crossed it and continued to Magnolia.
Whitey finally spoke. “You ever see a cop on the stretch of Coldwater coming over the hill?
That was something that never entered my mind. “Not unless there’s been an accident. I don’t think it’s profitable for them. What’re they going to do, sit on a curve and radar speeders coming round the bend?” I thought about his question. “I see your point. But, it’s the same on Laurel Canyon. Except one time I was stopped in a DUI checkpoint.”
Whitey turned right on Magnolia. “It’s a tough drive on either. You have to pay attention… constant curves. How’d he do that with her probably hysterical or… something. She had to know him “
“Jesus Christ Whitey did you forget about fear? She had to be terrified. She wasn’t tough at all. She probably curled up like a baby.”
Whitey just nodded in agreement and continued to drive and all the while I was watching him think. I realize that doesn’t sound possible, but I could see him think. He had stopped turning his head to look at the surroundings and was like an arrow heading forward… making the lights at Laurel Canyon, Colfax and finally having to stop at Tujunga, but not moving his head. He started again, turned left at Bakman and eventually parked where Teri’s car was located. “She was dead. He shot her as soon as he pushed her in the car. Autopsy indicated the one to the head killed her and probably was the first shot. The remaining five were making a point and I’ll bet they were immediately after. Pow. Pow, pow, pow, pow pow. It was a statement of control, which I’d say is fucking personal.”
We sat for several minutes until Whitey broke the silence. “Leslie had her nails done at that joint tonight. She said they make stock comments such as ‘Next week. See you next Tuesday.’ Little chit-chats like that. Someone could have heard her confirm her following appointment.”
“Which would make it possibly a woman.”
“Possibly. But, she did say there was a guy there. Remember, this is Beverly Hills. Ah hell, I’ve had a couple of manicures. How about you?”
The thought of Whitey sitting and getting his nails done was worth a smile as I shook my head no. “But, I always had a file on me when I was playing the guitar.” Suddenly I felt good. “Thanks for bringing it out. It was about time.”
Whitey started driving again. “Yeah, well, I’m going to drop you off. I’m going to catch up with Sam. You know, I’m spending money on this case and I feel so goddamn good about it. Except I wish it wasn’t happening. I really liked that broad.”
“So did I.”
He turned right on Magnolia. “The older one’s better for you.” He played off my ‘get off it’ facial expression. “Angel Eyes. I like that broad.” He bobbed his head as he crossed Tujunga. “Yeah, I like that broad.”
I wanted to comment ‘So do I’ but didn’t.