The Maserati got him home in record time. He barged into the house, wound up and ready to kick ass.
Leslie was waiting for him. ‘I was worried about you,’ she said, full of wifely concern.
He knew he was treating her badly but he couldn’t help himself. ‘Where’s my delivery?’ were the first words out of his mouth.
Leslie faced him, wide-eyed and sincere. ‘I paid the woman who came here,’ she said tremulously. ‘Your debt is clear.’
‘OK, OK, where’s the stuff?’ He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. He needed to get high. And fast.
She faced him. His lovely wife.
‘I threw it away, Eddie,’ she said quietly. ‘We’re starting a new life.’
* * *
Abigaile hyperventilated all the way to Warner Franklin’s apartment. When she reached the street she drove around the block twice, unsure about where to park. Abigaile had used valet parking for so many years she didn’t know how to manage without it. Finally she left her Mercedes on a red line, walked up to the front of the building, and pressed the buzzer marked Franklin.
A disembodied voice instructed her to come to the third floor.
Heart beating, Abigaile took the elevator. What was she doing here? This was madness.
One look at Warner and her heart almost stopped altogether. This was Mickey’s girlfriend. This was the woman he was having an affair with? This six-foot black giant of a female?
Abigaile experienced serious palpitations. Was this a sick joke?
‘Come in,’ Warner said, facing Mickey’s wife for the first time.
Abigaile was sure she’d made some kind of insane mistake. Clearly she was about to be kidnapped, bundled into the trunk of a Ford Taurus, and driven to a lonely and deserted spot. They would call Mickey for the ransom and he’d refuse to pay. She’d be raped, shot, and thrown over the edge of Mulholland.
‘I don’t think so,’ she said, shrinking away. ‘I’ve made a mistake.’
‘What mistake?’ asked Warner, towering over her.
‘You and my husband. It’s not possible.’
‘Oh, honey, it’s possible all right.’
Abigaile took two steps backwards. ‘No.’
‘Trust me.’
Abigaile never trusted anybody when they said ‘trust me’. Quickly she turned around and scurried back to the elevator. Pressing the call button, she prayed for its imminent arrival before she was brutally attacked.
‘We should talk,’ Warner called out after her.
‘No,’ Abigaile repeated, controlling hysteria. ‘No, we shouldn’t.’
She got in the elevator and pressed the button. When Mickey heard about this he was going to be furious. Anything could have happened.
Reaching the safety of her Mercedes, she slumped weakly over the wheel. Oh God! At least she was safe.
After a few moments of deep breaths she remembered she had to go to the beauty shop. It was the première of Motherfaker that night, followed by a big charity dinner.
In her panic she forgot about phoning Primrose back. She forgot about Abe summoning her sister and brother-in-law to an urgent meeting on Monday morning. She drove straight to Ivana’s and surrendered herself into Saxon’s tender loving hands.
‘You look a little pale, Mrs. S.,’ Saxon commented, tossing his mane of blond hair, strutting around, snug in indecently tight white chinos.
‘I had a nasty experience,’ she confessed.
He caught his reflection in the mirror and checked himself out. ‘Yeah?’
‘Very nasty.’
‘You’ve got to watch yourself, Mrs. S.,’ he said vaguely.
‘I know.’
She did look upset. ‘You want me to call your husband for you?’ he asked casually.
That’s the last thing she wanted. ‘No, no, I’ll be fine,’ she assured him.
He stepped back and narrowed his eyes, viewing her in the mirror. ‘So, how do we want to look tonight?’
‘I don’t care.’
Saxon went to work.
* * *
When Mickey arrived back at the studio refreshed after a relaxing session with a Chinese hooker, Lucky couldn’t wait to give him the good news. ‘Mr. Panther has called a meeting for ten o’clock on Monday morning,’ she informed him. ‘He’ll be here personally, and he’s requested that you and Mrs. Stolli attend. He’s also contacted your brother-in-law, Ben Harrison, and his wife. They’ll be flying in from England. Oh, and a Miss Franklin has called twice. She says it’s urgent.’
Mickey stared at his secretary. Luce. This mousy woman. This harridan.
‘Fuck!’ he snarled, before slamming his way into his office.
Mickey Stolli was not having a good day.
Chapter 46
The photographers gathered outside Spago went into a feeding frenzy when they spotted Cooper Turner arriving with Venus Maria. This was the break they’d been waiting for. The magic couple. A picture capable of making them thousands of dollars.
Venus and Cooper refused to pose. On the other hand they didn’t duck in the back way. They walked down the little hill to the entrance, holding hands, giving the photographers plenty of excellent photo opportunities.
At the front desk Bernard greeted them with a friendly handshake, and Jannis ushered them to a window table.
Venus immediately ordered a frozen margarita and one of Wolfgang’s famous smoked salmon pizzas with cream cheese.
Cooper was amused. ‘I thought you were one of those strong-willed women. Y’know, the kind who never puts anything between her lips if it’s fattening.’
‘Tonight, I’m doing exactly what pleases me,’ she replied recklessly.
He nodded agreeably. ‘Does that mean we’ll have sex?’
She burst out laughing. ‘Cooper! You’re Martin’s best friend. Behave like it. Anyway, you promised.’
‘You know I’m only joking,’ he said, waving at Ida and Zeppo White, who were dining with Susie Rush and her husband.
She smiled. ‘Yeah, sure.’
Cooper was forty-five years old, the same age as Martin, and yet he had a little-boy quality she loved. He might be the famous Cooper Turner, but to her he was a friend, and a good one.
‘How well do you know Martin’s wife?’ she asked, trying to sound casual.
‘Deena? I’ve known her as long as Martin has. I met her before they were married.’
‘What’s she like?’
‘Deena’s an interesting woman.’
‘In what way?’
‘She’s got balls.’
‘Like me?’
‘Nobody’s got your balls.’
The pizza arrived and Venus Maria dug in. ‘Does she know about me?’ she asked, chewing ravenously.
‘Look, Martin’s never been the faithful husband type. I told you before. A lot of beautiful women have passed through his life. I’m sure Deena knows what goes on. She chooses to ignore it.’
‘I’m not just another woman,’ Venus Maria said vehemently.
‘I know that.’
‘Are you sure you know it? Has he told you?’ she pressed, gulping her margarita.
‘No. But you couldn’t be just another woman in anybody’s life. You’re special, kiddo.’
Cooper made her feel good. ‘You think so, huh?’
‘I know so.’ He picked up his glass and toasted her. ‘You’re an original.’
‘Thank you, Cooper. Coming from you I appreciate it.’
Their waiter interrupted to recite the specials. Venus Maria ordered duck with a rich plum sauce, while Cooper settled for thinly sliced steak.
‘By the way,’ he said, once they’d both ordered, ‘I’ve been meaning to tell you.’
‘What?’ she asked eagerly.
‘I have to admit it – you’re really something in the dailies. I know I tried to tone down your performance, but whatever you were doing up there, it works. You’ve got it, kiddo. Whatever it might be.’
His praise delight
ed her. ‘That’s because I was in the hands of a good director.’
‘You sure know how to flatter a guy, huh?’
‘I know how to do a lot of things,’ she replied provocatively.
He nodded knowingly. ‘Yup.’
She leaned across the table, an intent expression on her face. ‘Cooper?’
‘What?’
‘Do you think Martin will ever leave Deena?’
He looked at her quizzically. ‘Are we back to that?’
‘Sorry!’
He sighed. ‘Do you want him to?’
She looked unsure. ‘Sometimes I think it’s what I want more than anything else in the world, and other times I’m not so sure.’
‘You’d better make up your mind, because whatever he does depends on what you do.’
He was telling her what she already knew. ‘I guess you’re right.’
‘But I’ll tell you this,’ he added. ‘If he does decide to leave Deena, it won’t be easy. She’s a tough lady.’
Venus Maria sat up straighter. ‘I’m tough, too.’
‘Sweetheart, next to Deena you’re a cupcake.’
* * *
Across town, Emilio sat in a small, cramped office with Dennis Walla putting the finishing touches to his tape-recorded story. He’d come up with everything he could think of. Everything from what colour panties Venus Maria wore to how she looked when she got up in the morning.
Dennis was satisfied they had a good story, but he still pushed for more. ‘When are you going to show me the photo you talked about?’ he asked. ‘We need it on the double.’
‘I’m getting it.’
‘I thought you already had it,’ Dennis countered.
‘Yes, I do, it’s somewhere safe,’ Emilio replied, slouching in his chair. ‘You don’t expect me to keep a valuable picture like that hanging around, do you? My apartment could be broken into. Anyone could get hold of it. Besides, we haven’t agreed a price.’
Dennis picked up a can of beer and took a hearty swig. ‘The price depends on the photo. If it’s worth it, you’ll get your money.’
Emilio scratched his head. ‘I’ll have it for you soon,’ he promised.
Dennis rocked back and forth impatiently. ‘Yeah, well, soon better be within the next twenty-four hours if we’re gonna run it.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll have it for you tomorrow,’ Emilio replied, thinking to himself, what the hell was he promising here? He knew there was a photograph, he’d seen it one day when Venus Maria had left her house in a hurry, forgetting to close her safe. When he was staying with her he’d enjoyed taking little exploration trips around the house while she was out. This had been a bonus day. He’d inspected the safe’s contents and spotted the picture of Venus with Martin Swanson. What he should have done was taken it then and there and had it copied. But he hadn’t thought about it at the time.
Now it was a question of getting back into her house, opening the safe, and stealing the photograph.
Clever as he was, Emilio wasn’t quite sure how he was going to manage such a feat.
Dennis stood up, yawned, and stretched. ‘That’s me for tonight, mate. I’ve had it,’ he said, scrunching his empty beer can and tossing it into a trash basket.
Thankfully Emilio nodded. He had a hot date. It was amazing how women’s attitudes changed towards him once they discovered he had money. He’d already leased a decent car and bought himself some new clothes.
His date was a hot little dancer who wouldn’t have second-glanced him two weeks ago. Now she’d purred, ‘Sure, Emilio honey. Love to,’ when he’d called and asked her out. Her name was Rita and she was a bundle of dynamite. Half Puerto Rican, half American, she was the girl of Emilio’s dreams. She looked a little like Venus Maria, but so did half the other would-be video stars in LA.
Dennis and he shook hands. ‘Tomorrow, mate,’ Dennis said, slapping him on the shoulder. ‘I’ll be waiting for your call.’
‘Right,’ agreed Emilio, and they parted company.
* * *
Cooper Turner was a good listener. Better than Ron, because Ron was always too ready with his bitchy little comments. Cooper’s advice was constructive.
‘I understand what you’re going through,’ he said sympathetically. ‘You’re in love with the guy. There’s no way to explain why we fall in love with certain people. You and Martin make a strange couple. You must admit the two of you have absolutely nothing in common. But you love him, and I understand.’
Venus Maria nodded wistfully. ‘I wish I knew why.’
Cooper looked wise. ‘Maybe you’re searching for a father figure. He is twenty years older than you.’
‘So are you, Cooper. And I wouldn’t regard you as a father figure.’
He reached across the table and took her hand. ‘What would you regard me as?’
She smiled. ‘A very attractive man who, if I wasn’t involved, I could quite easily think about being with. Even though your reputation goes before you.’
‘What reputation?’ he asked casually.
She began to laugh. ‘There’s no way you can hide it, Coop, you’re a real tomcat. You’ve been around this town so long there’s not a woman over thirty-five you haven’t had, including the married ones.’
Cooper had a glint in his eye. ‘That was when I was young and didn’t know any better.’
‘What are you now, senile?’
‘Do you want me to talk to Martin?’ he asked, briskly changing the subject. ‘Find out how he really feels?’
Venus tossed her platinum curls. ‘I know he’s crazy about me. But I guess I wouldn’t mind knowing if he sees a future for us.’
‘OK, I’ll do it.’
‘You will?’
‘For you – anything.’
‘Not a hint that we’ve spoken about him, OK? Can you be cool?’ she asked anxiously.
‘Can I be cool?’
‘Well, can you?’ she demanded.
‘Sweetheart, I can do whatever you want me to.’
She was suddenly very serious. ‘I trust you, Cooper.’
He returned her big-brown-eyed gaze. ‘And so you should.’
They drove back to her house. She couldn’t help thinking how simple it would be if it was Cooper she was in love with. But no, it had to be Martin. It had to be Mister New York himself.
‘Am I coming in?’ Cooper asked when they pulled up outside.
‘It depends on what you expect.’
He gave her a wry smile. ‘I expect a cup of coffee.’
‘Then you’d better come in.’
Inside the house she activated her answering machine. There were several messages. Two were business-related, and the third was from Martin. ‘Did you get my payoff?’ his voice said. ‘I always settle my debts.’
The fourth message was from Emilio. ‘Hey, little sis, nice of you to call me, I ’preciate it. I bin workin’ pretty hard. Scored myself some cash. Is it OK if I come by in the morning and put it in your safe? Thanks. I don’t like to leave it lying around the apartment. See you tomorrow.’
‘Who was that?’ Cooper asked.
‘My brother,’ she replied. ‘God knows what he’s done to get himself a stash of cash. And why does he have to bring it here? Why can’t he rent a safe-deposit box?’ She sighed. ‘I tell you, family.’
Cooper nodded sympathetically. ‘I know what you mean.’ He watched her as she flitted around the room. She was making him uncomfortably hot.
‘How about a brandy?’ she asked. ‘I can’t be bothered making coffee.’
Abruptly he stood up. ‘I’ve changed my mind. I’m going home. Early call in the morning.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Listen, if I stay I’m likely to attack you. So I may as well get out of here while we’re still on good terms. Agreed?’
She laughed. ‘The man is honest.’
‘The man is horny!’
‘I’m sorry I can’t do anything about it.’
He looke
d at her ruefully. ‘No you’re not.’
‘You’re right.’
She walked him to the door, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thanks, Cooper. You’ve been a real friend tonight.’
When she was alone she thought about Martin. The trouble with sleeping with a married man was that you couldn’t pick up the phone and call him when you felt like it.
Restlessly she opened the freezer, helped herself to a carton of chocolate chip ice-cream, and curled up in front of the television.
Soon she fell asleep.
The hottest young superstar in America slept alone.
Chapter 47
Abe Panther had dressed up for the meeting. He looked quite dapper for an eighty-eight-year-old man in white pants and shirt, a blue blazer, and a jaunty red scarf tossed casually around his scrawny neck.
Lucky arrived with Morton Sharkey. She’d rushed back to her rented house from the studio, showered, washed her hair, put on makeup, and piled the wig, glasses, and clothes in a bundle on the bathroom floor ready for the burning ceremony she planned to perform before leaving for New York.
Abe greeted her with a hug and a rascally wink. ‘This is it, girlie! This is it!’ he said exuberantly.
She grinned back at him. ‘It sure is, Abe. You look wonderful.’
‘I’m lookin’ forward to Monday mornin’,’ he said. ‘It’s gonna be a real killer!’
Inga appeared. There was actually a pleasant expression on her face. ‘Good evening, Lucky,’ she said.
Good evening, Lucky! Inga acknowledged her existence! Abe must have promised her a bundle!
‘Well, girlie, you ready to take over?’ Abe asked. ‘You got all your plans in place?’
‘I can tell you this, Abe. I’m going to be changing the way Panther does things. No more exploitation films. No more using women. Panther Studios is about to become the equal opportunity studio.’
He cackled. ‘An’ you really think you’ll make money that way?’
She took a beat. ‘Sometimes,’ she replied slowly, ‘standing up for principles is more important than making money.’
Abe cocked his head to one side. ‘You know somethin’, girlie? I wouldn’t mind meetin’ that father of yours. He taught you good.’