Mavis Kaye - Who Killed Tiffany Jones?

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Ti f fa n y J o n e s?

Who Killed Tiffany Jones? is essentially a puzzle. But, unlike a conven-tional puzzle, in which we are given the correct number of pieces and can expect that each piece will fit neatly into the final solution, in this mystery the reader is sometimes presented with more than one piece that seemingly fits into the same slot. Which is to say that a reader who correctly assesses all the clues and information included in the tale and applies the strictest logic still might not be able to eliminate all erroneous notions about why the victims were killed and who done it.

Part of the fun of constructing and of solving puzzles is that they not be too easy. And Who Killed Tiffany Jones? is filled with enough red herrings and blind alleys to assure that the task is complicated enough to challenge even the most scrupulous Jessica Fletcher or Sherlock Holmes wanna-bes. And, again unlike most murder mysteries, since in this tale many of the clues emerge as much from character and dialogue as from circumstances, the difficulty or fun is further height-ened. The story has been constructed as both entertainment and a puzzle; it requires imagination as well as logic to solve. It is constructed loosely enough so that there are several scenarios that might fit the facts that are presented in the story. Only one, however, in the authors assessment most reasonably corresponds to every nuance of character and event suggested in the story.

Finally, Who Killed Tiffany Jones? is intended as an amusing romp that will challenge the ambitious amateur sleuth. We also hope you thoroughly enjoy the trip and the colorful characters encountered on the way.

(For complete contest rules and details, including eligibility requirements and entry limitations, see page 191.) Tif_FM_w_TOC.qxd 7/12/02 4:31 PM Page ii

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Tif_FM_w_TOC.qxd 7/12/02 4:31 PM Page iii W h o K i l l e d

T i f f a n y J o n e s ?

A Novel

M a v i s K a y e

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ONE

HarlemFriday, July 13, 2001

Tiffa ny J o n es was the headliner. Her name dwarfed those of the other performers on the Apollo Theater marqueea lineup that included Boyz II Men, Juvenile, the British band Soul II Soul, and the up-and-coming young comedian Reggie Stone.

And when Kim Carlyle slithered out of her limo in a skin-tight Donna Karan black sheath, she couldnt help feeling a surge of pride as she glanced at the marquee. Tiffany hadnt appeared as the headline act at the Apollo since the early eighties, when she was the reigning queen of disco and Kim was barely a teenager. But in less than a year, Kim had engineered one of the greatest comebacks in recent show-biz history. As her manager and agent, Kim had guided Tiffany back to the top as pop musics hottest star and one of its most glamorous divas.

On this night, Kim didnt concede much in the glamour department. The form-fitting dress accentuated her athletic, perfectly toned 16470_ch01.qxd 7/12/02 4:33 PM Page 2

W H O K I L L E D T I F FA N Y J O N E S ?

body, and a single strand of pearls set off her smooth caramel skin. Taking the arm of her escort and on-again-off-again lover Rick Dupre, a model and well-known soap actor, she glided toward the lobby through a sea of popping flashbulbs. Ricks molded mannequin smile flashed confidently beneath a glistening, chocolate bald pate, and Kim stalked into the theater with the haughty assurance of Naomi Camp-bell on a fashion catwalk. She seemed more at ease with the attention than her narcissistic escort.

In a sense, she had been thrust into the limelight. A high-school friend had enticed her to take time from her hard-earned position as a twice-decorated New York City detective to check out a Playboy magazine shoot on women in law enforcement. She was intrigued but immediately insisted that nudity was not an option. Still, a persuasive photographer had convinced her that there would be no repercussions if she posed in a tight skirt and a loose-fitting patrolmans jersey. The final photo was, by any standard, modest. But Kims statuesque physique and the oversize uniform top with three buttons opened to reveal just a hint of cleavage was apparently too much for the NYPD

brass. She was suspended the day after the magazine hit the stands.

The media hopped on the story and, of course, the magazine fueled the fire, publicizing the furor and inviting Kim to the L.A. mansion where she hobnobbed with celebs from L.A. and New York. It also provided legal council, and during the two years of litigation that followed she became the darling of the entertainment jet set. After being rein-stated and receiving a settlement worth more than a million dollars, she quit the force. She was ambitious and wanted to move on. The contacts she had made during that time and her earlier two-year flirta-tion with pre-law at NYU made entertainment management a perfect career choice. She had quickly picked up a few promising young clients as well as some seasoned performers, like Tiffany, whose careers were in desperate need of rejuvenation. And, as Tiffanys resurgence demonstrated, Kim was very good at what she did.

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She had hosted a small, catered party for Tiffany at her Upper West Side apartment earlier in the evening for about twenty guests and well-wishers. Most were friends, but a few reporters and two or three people Kim had never seen before had shown up. When Tiffany and the other guests left for the theater, Kim stayed behind to deal with the caterers and servers. She and Rick arrived late for the show, and by the time they moved past the lobbys huge mural with its galaxy of black entertainment legends, slipped up the stairs, and found their reserved seats in a box overlooking the stage, Reggie Stone, the MC and comic, was finishing his act and preparing to introduce the headliner.

... Yeah, somethins definitely wrong. Why is it that a dog is a mans best friendby the way, I see that a few of you fellows brought your best buddies to the show tonightand diamonds are a girls best friend! Shit! Women got it goin on, they always out-thinkin us. If you dont believe me, go down to the pawn shop and see how much they give you for that raggedy-ass mutt when he gets tired and old.

Stone paused, as the crowd chuckled politely.

Anyway, its that timeApollo show time! Are you ready?

After the audience roared its approval, he continued.

Straight from a record-setting European tour and blockbuster appearance on the Oprah show, here she isthe delightful, divine, delicious, and most incomparable, Miss Tiffany Jones. Apollo, can I get a witness! Everybody! Stand up.... Say, Yeah!

As the audience stood and the velvet curtains parted to reveal a tuxedo-clad, sixteen-piece orchestra, the hoots and thunderous applause nearly drowned out the raucous, upbeat version of Satin Doll, Tiffanys theme song. Stone turned toward the stage entrance in anticipation but, after a thirty-second pause, turned back to the audience.

Yall better give it up, he laughed, you know how sensitive these superstars are. Lemme hear it one more time!

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