She wanted to get started right away, but Jillian had convinced her to go to the museum first, and she did bring up a good point that they might see Alley at the Fountain of Youth again today. So the two went to the Paul A. Wilkes Natural Museum.
The interior of the museum was interesting to say the least. It didn't have a copious amount of large statues like some museums Kenzie had seen, but there were plaques and other interesting facts about Hidden Springs. The museum also had three levels full of knick knacks and even some old computers and other electronics.
Despite the museum having three levels, it didn't take long to go through the entire thing. When they got back in the car, Kenzie and Jillian headed back toward the hidden garden to see if Alley was there again, using the Fountain of Youth. She wasn't, but since it was now daytime, they could explore the garden better.
"That fountain really does look cool," Jillian said as she peered inside the Fountain of Youth. "And it does look like a little spring, like the brochure said."
"Yeah, I just wish I knew how it got here," Kenzie replied. "But that's a mystery I doubt will ever be solved."
"Good, you're supposed to be having fun, and you want to work on a case that no one's even told you about."
"Hey, this is a five-star celebrity we're talking about. It's very high-profile, and I can't just ignore it. Besides, like I said, think of all the good movies we'd miss out on if something happened to Alley, depending on what those threatening letters say."
"Still, what makes you think she'll even talk to you? She wasn't exactly super friendly at the disco-tech."
"Probably because she was upset. I bet she was there to drink away her problems or something. For her, anyone could have written a threatening letter for any reason. Jealousy, stalkers, whatever."
Jillian just scrutinized the garden as she contemplated this. When she looked back at Kenzie, she said, "Okay, but can I come with you? I'd love to see Alley's house."
Kenzie gave her friend a playful shove. "I suppose so, but let me do all the talking."
"Duh. I'd probably mess something up."
Kenzie chortled and Jillian shoved her back. They agreed to go see Alley later that day, her home being on the Hidden Springs website, complete with address (though Kenzie wondered why she'd do that considering the stalkers she was likely to get despite the big private gate). But first, they explored the beautiful garden some more. There was a bridge stretching over the pond full of water lilies, and fish were visible beneath the smooth water. Kenzie walked across the bridge, pausing to watch the fish jump out of the water and submerge with a splash, while Jillian walked past her, enjoying the quiet serenity of the garden.
At last, they were ready to go to Alley's house. But first, they'd have to stop back at their guest house to check the website so they knew where Alley's house was located. It turned out to be on 7 Ponderosa Avenue. Kenzie wasn't entirely sure where that was, but somehow, she found the house with no difficulties considering it was one of great proportions with a giant privacy gate wrapped around it.
"So this is what a celebrity's house looks like," Kenzie affirmed as she and Jillian stared up at the house in awe. Alley Catraz's house was a contemporary one with a touch of a modern vibe. A garage was out front, and behind it appeared to be a pool with its own fountain jets and a hot tub. There also appeared to be a full outdoor kitchen and a star-shaped fountain. Peonies lined the exterior of the privacy fence and the house appeared to have multiple balconies. There was also a party dance pad complete with a gobo and even a bubble blowing machine that Kenzie had only known to exist in Bridgeport. To say the least, the house was luxuriously extravagant.
Still, while the house did look nice and tempting, Kenzie knew that if she were a celebrity, she wouldn't have such a showy residence. She always swore that even if she had that much money, she still wouldn't buy a house that cost millions of simoleans. Why pay taxes like that when she could have a nice, comfortable little house for herself and be able to buy fun things too?
Kenzie and Jillian stepped out of the car and stared up at the house a little more before Kenzie sidled up to the intercom box next to the locked gate and pushed the button to inform the occupants inside that someone was outside the gate.
The intercom buzzed back and an unfamiliar voice asked, "Yes?"
"Hello," Kenzie responded to the little box, "I'm detective Kenzie Howell. I read about Ms. Catraz's threatening letters in the paper and thought I could offer her some help."
"Ms. Catraz isn't seeing anyone right now," the voice replied.
"I understand, but we actually met at a dance club the other night, and she knows me. She gave me her autograph."
"One moment, please."
Kenzie waited with Jillian until the owner of the voice said, "I'll be right outside."
"Thank you," Kenzie said back into the speaker.
A few moments later, a young woman in a maid's uniform came outside and unlocked the gate.
"There are two of you?" she asked. Kenzie recognized her voice as the one that had answered the intercom.
"This is my best friend, Jillian," Kenzie explained. "Ms. Catraz met us both at the dance club."
The maid sighed. "Well, you match the description of the Kenzie Ms. Catraz said she met at the disco-tech. I'm tired of running back and forth, so come on in."
Kenzie exchanged a quick glance with Jillian before they both followed the maid through the gate. She closed and locked it behind them, then led them both inside.
The interior of Alley's house was just as incredible as the exterior. And they were only in the foyer.
A large area rug greeted them and in the center of it was a fountain with a statue inside. It closely resembled Alley, so it was apparent that she'd had it made specially.
The maid turned to face the two young women and said quietly, "I should warn you, Ms. Catraz isn't feeling very well. You'll most likely be surprised when you see her."
"Surprised that she's sick?" Kenzie asked skeptically.
"No, surprised that...well, you'll see soon enough. And also, you should know that she isn't too happy to have uninvited guests, especially fans that she met at a club, and who already have her autograph."
"Did you explain to her that I'm only here to help?"
"Of course, but it's like talking to a brick wall. I was hired on to keep her house neat and tidy, but now I have to act as her secretary too. If I was handy, I'd also have to be her mechanic and electrician, or even her plumber."
Kenzie followed the maid up a winding staircase, Jillian at her heels. Alley's maid didn't seem too happy with her employer, or having to do practically everything. She'd certainly have a motive for sending Alley threatening letters.
But what was more puzzling at the moment was what the maid meant when she'd said she and Jillian would be surprised when they saw Alley. Just because she wasn't feeling well, she'd look different? Sure, she wouldn't feel that great, but still.
Of course, that was before she rounded the corner in the upstairs living room and saw Alley lying on the couch with a hand over her face, looking severely depressed.
Kenzie could tell right away that something was wrong with Alley. The maid had been right - she looked different. In fact, she was almost certain that she saw tints of gray in her hair.
"Ms. Catraz?" she asked as she approached. Alley's response was to roll over, but she kept a hand over her face. Still, she seemed to be listening, perhaps only to appear like she cared.
"Ms. Catraz," Kenzie began again as she walked even closer, "I'm here to help you." She was surprised the maid didn't scurry away in fear. What was going on?
"You remember me, don't you? We met at the disco-tech the other night. Jillian's here with me. We're both worried about you. I'm a detective, and I'd like to get to the bottom of those letters I read about in the paper."
By this time, Kenzie had covered the distance between the stairs and the couch, and she knelt down in front of the couch to try to console the celebrity. She did indeed have gray in her hair. That made no sense; she was only 26 years old. And she hadn't had those gray hairs last night, or the night at the disco-tech. They couldn't have just sprung out of nowhere, and hair dye wouldn't wear off that fast. At least, not an expensive kind a celebrity like Alley would use.
"You may not have heard of me," Kenzie continued, "but I'm a very well-respected detective, and not to brag, but one of the best. You might have seen me in the papers. But that's beside the point. I want to help you. Do you still have the letters?"
At this point, Alley finally uncovered her face and sat up...
...causing Kenzie to nearly topple over. The problem with Alley wasn't that she wasn't feeling well - it was that she wasn't looking well. Kenzie and Jillian had seen her just yesterday, at the Fountain of Youth of all places, yet she appeared to be at least ten years older than her 26 years. Wrinkles lined her delicate face and her eyes held a sadness that was never portrayed on the screen. Even her makeup and young clothes couldn't conceal that Alley had somehow gone from looking like the perfect star to an ordinary woman.
It wasn't that Alley looked bad that caused Kenzie's lack of coordination while kneeling on the floor. It was the fact that what she was witnessing was simply impossible. She'd read magazine articles of what celebrities looked like without their makeup, but that wasn't the case with Alley. No, she looked the way she did now even with her makeup on. Even if she'd lied about her age, she could still use the same makeup tricks used on her in her movies so she didn't look like this, even if she were only at home and not out in public.
"I know, I'm hideous!" Alley exclaimed, on the verge of tears. "This shouldn't have happened! I don't want anyone to see me like this!"
"Ms. Catraz," Kenzie said as she sat down next to Alley. "Jillian and I found the Fountain of Youth. We saw you there last night. Is there anything that could have altered its effects? Or even reversed them? Something you did at home maybe?"
"You...you saw me there? No one is supposed to be able to find it!"
"That's why I'm so good, even if I do say so myself."
"Please, I'm begging you! Don't tell anyone!"
"Your secret is safe with me. What's happened to you may not have anything to do with the fountain."
"But every time I use it, it gets worse!"
"This has happened before? But you seemed fine the other night."
"It wasn't as bad then. I woke up this morning, and I was this!"
Alley indicated her face, the tears threatening to burst in a tirade at any moment. Kenzie needed Alley to stay calm so she could find out what was going on.
Before she could ask any other questions, Alley's tears finally broke free and she wailed, "Someone must have put a spell on that fountain! Those stupid green-skinned freaks that live there did this, I know it! They practice magic and they did this to keep people from finding the fountain!"
Kenzie raised her eyebrows at the celebrity's outburst. Jillian even had to collapse onto a nearby loveseat. The maid had busied herself dusting off the surfaces, but it was clear that she was eavesdropping.
"Ms. Catraz," Kenzie said calmly, "Do you by chance have any enemies? Anyone you know of who might want to do this to you?"
"No, everyone loves me. Even the stalkers love me. They wouldn't want to make me ugly."
Kenzie suppressed a sigh. Typical narcissistic actress. She was so in love with herself she couldn't comprehend why anyone else wouldn't be.
She obviously wasn't aware of her maid's true feelings.
Just then, a shrill noise sounded from somewhere inside the house. Kenzie and Jillian both jumped while Alley rested her head on her hand. The maid hurried to answer the intercom.
"Yes?" she said into the speaker. The intercom system wasn't very close to where Kenzie was sitting, so the person on the other end was indistinguishable. The maid finally said, "Come on in, she's expecting you."
"Clara?" Alley asked the maid, who nodded in response, as though the two shared a secret form of communication.
Kenzie glanced at Alley. "Expecting company?"
"Yeah, which is why with all due respect, I appreciate that you want to help me, but I've already hired a private investigator."
"You have?"
"Yes. I do want to find out who's sending these threatening letters, and what's going on with my appearance. So thanks, but you're too late."
Alley then turned her head smugly away while Kenzie gaped at the floor. She had been looking forward to solving this case. It wasn't because it might make her even more famous, but because she'd get the opportunity to not only help out a celebrity, but one she really enjoyed seeing in her favorite movies.
Even Jillian mouthed, "Harsh," to her before the maid escorted them back downstairs.
But once they reached the bottom of the spiral staircase, Kenzie slowed to a halt, causing Jillian to bump into her from behind.
Because standing there in front of her, obviously on his way upstairs, wearing a pretty casual yet serious outfit that could be construed as a suit, was none other than Patrick.
"What are you two doing here?" he demanded.
"What are you doing here?" Kenzie retorted acidly.
With a sneer, Patrick withdrew a wallet from his pocket, inside which showed an ID with his picture on it.
"I'm Patrick Brookes," he said snidely, as if that explained everything, "private investigator."
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