At Marlie’s insistence they met for lunch at her Malibu beach house which gave them the benefit of privacy and an excellent meal prepared by the hostess herself. A little before noon the door bell rang signaling the arrival of Persephone Andreadis.
Joey formed her impression of the singing sensation and guitarist solely by having seen her on a music awards show. On TV she appeared in torn jeans and a tight tank top, her long blond mane raked into something wild that she tossed around with abandon. In person the twenty year old had her hair pulled back with a bright green ribbon and was neatly turned out in a short skirt and silk shirt Joey had seen in Saks Fifth Avenue.
“Persephone, I’d like you to meet my good friend, Joey Beretta.”
Joey held out her hand but the younger woman stood still and eyed her suspiciously.
“Marlie, who is this?”
“This is Joey Beretta.” Marlie smiled knowingly.
“Unbelievable! Bloody unbelievable!” Persephone took another moment before stepping forward to grasp Joey’s hand, laughing aloud as she did.
“Jemima Burck?” Joey asked. She attempted a smile even though the whole "Jemima” thing was wearing thin.
“Precisely! I saw Jem and Brian on the beach yesterday and we talked for quite awhile. My god, you two must be twins separated at birth.” The girl’s British accent seemed to intensify with her excitement.
Marlie turned toward her good friend with a "toldjaso" smile. “Looks like you can even fool Jemima’s friends.”
“Wonderful.”
With the introduction out of the way Marlie escorted her guests to an elegant round table overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The conversation got straight to the point.
“I guess this all started over a guy. He’s a computer geek from San Francisco. A mutual friend introduced us months ago. He and his brother create video games although I think Ivan, that’s his name, doesn’t work as hard as his brother.”
“How so?”
“We only went out three or four times, but he was always talking about traveling and spending a lot of time in places like Las Vegas gambling. He liked to party and hit all the high profile places. That was my biggest problem with him.”
“Why?”
“I know my shows seem pretty wild, but I don’t do the club thing often. I’m happy at home with a few good friends. I thought when he realized what I was like things would naturally come to an end.”
“They didn't?”
“No.” Persephone took a bite of the crab cakes Marlie had prepared and looked out across the shoreline.
“Has he harassed you?”
The girl laughed before she answered. “No, but he keeps sending me things.”
“Such as?”
“Sometimes gifts too expensive to keep like a Cartier watch. Mostly he’s sent flowers and bottles of wine. In a way he's been sort of sweet, but I don’t want to encourage the guy.”
Marlie Stevens frowned at the comment but said nothing.
“How long has this been going on?”
“A few months: maybe a little longer.”
“Has he called or tried to see you?”
“No, but he keeps sending me emails. Joey, that’s the creepy thing. No matter how often I change my personal account he finds me and sends me more notes. I gave him my home phone number but he only called once.”
“Now that does seem odd.”
“I feel as though he's saying "I can find you wherever you are." Do you know what I mean?"
Joey nodded in the affirmative.
“So he hasn’t done anything to really frighten you?"
“No, just the gifts and the creepy thing about the emails.”
“So far, Joey, but we don’t know what he might do next.” Marlie was being the mother hen though Joey knew she had the girl’s best interests at heart. She’d been the victim of several stalkers early in her career and tended to be a little paranoid about “admirers”.
“Persephone, what do the emails say?” Joey was asking for Marlie’s benefit.
“Not much. They’re short, ordinary notes like you’d send to a friend every now and then to say “hello” or ask “what’s up.” Not provocative.”
“Something seems a bit off, but I don't think you should worry about it.” Marlie frowned again. Joey continued, “Even so, I’d be pleased to send you a proposal for our services. I understand you’re going on an extended tour soon and I know S3 can help you with that. I’ll get our LA office to deliver an agreement to your manager by tomorrow afternoon.”
Marlie smiled and Persephone said, “Excellent.” She handed Joey cards with her agent's and manager’s contact information.
With the business completed the three women finished their lunch and Joey took the opportunity to get to know her new client a little better. The young Brit came from a good working class family and was well grounded and thoroughly likeable. Joey felt like she was making a new friend. She had the same feeling when she met Marlie for the first time.
Afterwards, Marlie drove Joey to the Legacy Aviation FBO at the Burbank Airport. She’d decided to splurge and take a charter flight back to Florida. She wasn’t in the mood for anymore of the distractions caused by mistaken identity. Perhaps one day soon she’d get the chance to meet Jemima Burck. In a way she wondered how she might feel seeing her “twin” face to face.
Marlie pulled her Jag through the gated private entrance and parked next to the hangar.
“So, what do you think?”
“I liked her a lot. Do her fans know she’s a lot different than what they see on TV?”
“Costuming is the only difference between the girl you met today and the one on stage. The rest is choreography and perception."
“Costuming? I never thought of it quite that way.”
“That’s Hollywood, sweetie.”
“Sure is.” For better or worse Joey was fast becoming a member of the showbiz community and getting more deeply rooted every day.
“Cheer up, Joey. I’m just doing my part to send you good clients.”
“Frank says I should start paying you a commission.”
“Tell him it’s a deal.”
“Commissions are paid out of my budget. We’ll need to negotiate.”
“No need. I just appreciate knowing my friends are well taken care of.”
“You can count on S3.”
Joey pulled her carry on bag and purse out of the car. She self consciously turned the sides with the “JB” monogram inward. Displaying her Legacy Platinum Club card Joey checked in at the front desk and a cheerful receptionist to her the operations director wanted to speak with her.
“I’m sure it isn’t a problem.” The girl said with a pert smile.
Tyler Marks appeared and behind the counter and introduced himself. He still had the swagger of the military pilot he used to be.
“Mrs. Beretta, we scheduled you to fly in a Model 31 Lear. A fuel stop is required, but this is a repositioning flight so the rate is discounted fifty percent. I hope that’s OK.”
The frugal Joey Beretta was happy to save money.
“I'm good with that, Tyler. Thank you.”
“Certainly, Mrs. Beretta. Also, your pilot in command will be Captain Seth Murdoch. Please let me introduce you.”
“Now that's a problem, Tyler. I don’t want that old goat flying me,” she said in a loud voice.
“But Mrs. Murdoch, he’s our most senior pilot.” Before Joey could respond a deep voiced Texan spoke up behind her.
“If I’m not good enough then fly it yourself you ornery little gal!”
To Tyler’s surprise Joey squealed with delight as she spun around to jump up and give the tall man a peck on the cheek.
“Marlie, this is the man who taught me how to fly. I’d like you to meet Seth Murdoch.
Marlie gave Seth a hearty handshake.
“I’m glad to meet you, Captain. I believe you know my husband.”
&nbs
p; “My pleasure, Mrs. Stevens. I’ve flown on your Citation X with your husband quite a few times.”
“He tells me you play polo up at Santa Barbara?”
“Yes ma’am, I do.” In fact, Seth Murdoch, having grown up around horses, was an accomplished professional player who divided his time between the high goal circuit and aviation.
“Of course. I know he enjoyed spending time with you. He loves horses as much as airplanes and he’s been talking about taking up the game of polo ever since. I don’t’ know when he’ll find the time, but I’m glad we got the chance to meet.” Marlie gave him a big movie star smile and the silvery haired pilot actually blushed.
“Yes ma’am. You and Mr. Stevens are welcome at my ranch anytime at all.” Turning to Joey he said, “We’re ready whenever you are.”
Joey turned toward Marlie and gave her a hug as Seth picked up her bags.
“I’ll call you tomorrow. Don’t worry about your friend. We’ll take care of her. I promise.”
“Thanks, Joey. Have a safe flight. We’ll talk soon.”
Marlie headed out of the building the same way they had come in. Captain Murdoch ushered Joey through a security door opening to the tarmac where a gleaming white Lear Jet with black and gold trim was waiting.
“Why don’t you sit up front with me for the takeoff? See what this little rocket is like.”
“I’d love to. Is it legal?”
“I’m rated to fly this bird solo, I’m a Certified Flight Instructor, and you’re the customer. I guess we can do whatever we want.”
“Then let’s go, Captain.”
Fifteen minutes later the little Lear rocketed down the runway and Joey the speed junkie was absorbing the rush of rapid acceleration. For the following five and a half hours plus a fuel stop in Shreveport, she would enjoy the plane, Seth’s company and the cathartic absence of business and clients to worry about. Dave, the co-pilot spent the trip napping on the comfortable divan in the back. He looked like he could get used to being a passenger.
13.