‘Lina? You mean the Lina from the fashion mags and the runway shows, and every gossip column in the world? Isn’t she in bed with Charlie Dollar?’
‘She sure as hell ain’t in bed with him now,’ Lucky said. ‘She’s sharing living quarters with Steven, and from what she says, they’ve settled into domestic bliss.’
‘You’ve gotta be kidding me!’ Venus said.
‘I think it’s great,’ Lucky said. ‘I mean, if you think about it, who’s he going to find? Some little bimbo who’ll be in Mary Lou’s shadow for the rest of her life? Lina has it going for her. She’s her own woman.’
‘Good for him,’ Venus said enthusiastically. ‘Does Charlie know?’
‘What does he care? He’s engaged.’
‘Yes, for seven years!’
‘Anyway, I gotta go,’ Lucky said, pulling up at another red light. ‘I’ll keep you informed, and I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow.’
She caught the guy in the car next to her staring. Oh, God, she hoped he wasn’t a journalist. Lately they’d been following her.
As soon as the light changed, she took a few sharp turns at high speed and soon lost him.
Then she set off up Loma Vista to the address Lennie had given her.
* * *
‘Good evening,’ Duke said politely.
It was dusk and, since the sun was just beginning to set, he considered it a most appropriate greeting.
Claudia was exploring the bedroom when Lennie saw him. A medium-height white man with a baby face. But it wasn’t the face Lennie noticed first, it was the gun.
‘You really should learn to lock the door behind you,’ Duke said mildly, standing in the doorway. ‘This is Los Angeles. Shit happens.’
Lennie stared at the gun and the baby-faced gunman, and every bad memory of the night with Mary Lou came back. ‘Don’t hurt anybody,’ he said, very slowly. ‘We’ll do what you want, just don’t hurt anybody. I’ve got a watch, a few hundred dollars, credit cards, and you can take my car. It’s parked right outside.’
‘That’s what I like,’ Duke said cheerfully. ‘A sensible man. Now, both of you continue being sensible and take your clothes off.’
‘What?’ Lennie said.
‘First throw your money and watch over here, and then remove your clothes,’ Duke instructed, savouring every moment.
Claudia was petrified. She gazed at Lennie, seeking protection.
Christ! What was he supposed to do? This was a nightmare. The second time in months he’d had a gun in his face. Fuck! No more Mr Nice Guy Liberal. From now on he was carrying a gun at all times, and shooting back just the way Lucky would.
Oh, God, Lucky! She was going to be here soon. If she walked in on this . . . It didn’t bear thinking about.
‘Listen, man,’ Lennie said urgently, throwing over his money, credit cards and watch. ‘Take the stuff and go. We’re expecting other people.’
‘Really?’ Duke said, like he couldn’t care less. ‘Are you going to do as I tell you?’ he added, waving the gun in Claudia’s direction. ‘Or perhaps I should shoot her. What do you think, Mr Golden?’
‘Take off your dress, Claudia,’ Lennie said, in a strained voice, trying to figure out how the gunman knew his name.
She looked at him questioningly. ‘What?’
‘Take it off,’ he repeated. ‘He doesn’t want us running for help, that’s why.’
‘Good,’ Duke said expansively, as Lennie started removing his shirt. ‘You understand me. Sometimes people don’t. And then it can get most unfortunate.’
Tentatively Claudia began unbuttoning her dress.
‘Step out of it, that’s the way,’ Duke said encouragingly.
Once again she looked at Lennie. He nodded. She stepped out of her dress.
‘Pants off,’ Duke said to Lennie.
‘You’ve got what you came for,’ Lennie said, wanting to kill him. ‘It’s not necessary to humiliate us this way.’
‘Brave man without a gun,’ Duke said. ‘I have to admire that, but you’d better watch the way you speak to me because I’m in charge here. Now get your pants off, and tell her to lose her underwear.’
‘Do as he says, Claudia,’ Lennie said, his voice even more strained.
‘But, Lennie—’ she began.
‘Do it!’ he repeated, remembering saying the same words to Mary Lou, who’d ignored him, and look where it had got her. ‘Quickly, Claudia.’
She unhooked her bra and her breasts came tumbling out.
Duke stared at them, licking his lips. ‘Nice,’ he said. ‘Very nice. And all real, huh? You’re not one of those silicone whores.’ She put her hands up to cover herself. ‘Now the panties,’ Duke said.
‘Lennie . . . I – I don’t understand,’ she whimpered, almost in tears. ‘Why he do this to us?’
‘Because I can,’ Duke said. ‘Now hurry up!’
She stepped out of her panties, vulnerable and exposed.
‘You see that bed over there?’ he said. ‘I want you to take off the sheets and tear them into strips, then I want you to tie your boyfriend up. Got it?’
‘Why don’t you just take the goddamn money and go?’ Lennie said. ‘You’ll get caught if you stay. People will be here any minute.’
‘I’m really scared,’ Duke jeered.
Claudia tore up the bed sheets, and Duke instructed her how to tie Lennie up. When she’d completed the task and Lennie was immobilized, Duke ripped the remains of the sheets and strung Lennie with his arms above him to a low ceiling beam so that he was almost suspended, although his feet just about touched the floor.
While he was doing this, Claudia made a vain attempt to attack him. He slapped her away, telling her to sit down and be quiet, or he’d kill her boyfriend.
She did as he asked, fear written all over her face.
When he was sure that Lennie was secure and could not move, he turned his attention back to Claudia. She was definitely a beauty: he planned on taking his time with this one.
He looked around, discovering a sound system built into the wall. He tuned the radio to classical music and turned the volume up loud. Then he sat in a chair and instructed Claudia to dance for him.
She was scared. He could see the fear all over her face and he liked it.
Reluctantly Claudia began to dance.
Duke watched her, soon becoming aroused. She was not skinny, she was rounded and womanly, with large breasts and long legs. He anticipated what he was going to do to her and smiled.
Lennie was watching her too. He had no choice.
‘I thought you were a married man,’ Duke said. ‘Is this your piece on the side? Is she a good lay? Does she come easily? Tell me about her, ’cause I plan to fuck her later. And you’re going to watch.’
‘You’re a sick bastard,’ Lennie muttered. ‘A sick sick bastard.’
‘Thank you,’ Duke said. ‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’
Chapter Ninety-Three
Arriving at the house on Loma Vista, Lucky pulled up and parked behind Lennie’s car. She was glad he was here first. They’d take a quick walk through the house, she’d give it her approval, then the two of them would go out somewhere to talk. She really needed to be with him, living apart was pointless. She knew now that they could work this out.
She got out of her car and walked over to the front door. It was locked. She tried the bell, but it didn’t seem to be working, so after a few minutes she made her way around to the back.
It was almost dark, and she was startled to see the young boy out there by himself. Why was Leonardo here? She was not pleased.
As soon as he saw her, he ran up to her, trying to say something.
‘Hi,’ she said coolly. ‘Is your mom around?’
The boy shook his head frantically, pulling at her jacket.
‘What is it?’ she said, irritated.
He began dragging her down the side of the pool towards the back of the house, where lights blazed from the bedroom and loud classical music
blared. As they approached, she could see everything through the big glass windows.
She could see Claudia, naked and dancing.
‘Oh, my God!’ she gasped.
You bastard! Lennie Golden. This is it! I’ve had it with you.
Without thinking, she turned quickly to leave.
The boy hung on to her jacket, trying to drag her back, making guttural noises in his throat, pointing, desperately attempting to make himself understood.
She turned around, about to tell the stupid kid to leave her alone, when she saw Lennie, almost hanging from a beam, his arms and legs tightly bound.
And she saw the man sitting in a chair, a gun balanced on his knee.
And then she understood.
And she was scared.
And she knew what she had to do.
Grabbing the boy, gesturing for him to be silent, she pulled him along with her as they edged back the way they’d come. At the other end of the pool she pushed him into the bushes. ‘Hide!’ she whispered vehemently. ‘Stay quiet. Muto! Muto!’
The boy crouched down, understanding what she was telling him to do.
Adrenalin pumping, Lucky made it to the front of the house and her car. Reaching for her cellphone, she called 911, summoning help, then reached into the glove compartment and took out her gun.
Her mind was racing, a million thoughts. Should she wait for the cops?
No. What if by waiting something happened to Lennie? She had to act now.
Fumbling in her purse she found a credit card and approached the front door. Boogie had taught her, long ago, how to break in to anywhere. Within seconds she’d sprung the lock and was inside the house, entering stealthily, although nobody could possibly have heard her because of the music blasting away.
Her heart was in her throat. This was not the kind of deal she cared to get involved in – not with three kids at home and responsibilities. But, fuck it, Lennie was in trouble, he needed her. And goddamnit, she was there.
* * *
Duke was getting bored with the girl’s dancing. She was clumsy, not graceful as he had hoped. His sister was graceful. Quick on her feet and light as air. He felt sorry for Maybelline, locked in a jail cell with the girl with the pointed face and mean expression. He couldn’t wait for her to get out so they could do things together. And once he’d taken care of step-grandma Renee, they could move back into their house and be a real family again.
‘Stop dancing,’ he said to the girl. She stopped, frozen with fear. ‘Go bend over that stool,’ he said, pointing to a chair with no back.
This was the best part, getting them to do whatever he wanted. And today it was even better because he had a reluctant voyeur, trussed up like a Christmas turkey, forced to watch what he didn’t want to see.
‘For God’s sake,’ Lennie yelled, ‘leave her alone.’
‘Why?’ Duke said, quite enjoying the fact that Lennie Golden wasn’t scared to speak up. ‘You saving her for yourself?’
‘You son-of-a-bitch motherfucking coward,’ Lennie shouted.
‘Don’t listen to your boyfriend, dear,’ Duke said, unfazed. ‘Bend over that chair. AND DO IT NOW!’
Claudia jumped to obey him.
‘Jesus Christ!’ Lennie groaned, anticipating what was to come. ‘Don’t do this.’
Duke stood up, unzipped his pants, and took out his erect penis. It was small, but capable of doing what he planned.
Slowly he walked towards the chair and a passive Claudia.
* * *
Lucky moved like a cat along the corridor leading to the bedroom, holding her gun in front of her. The music was still blaring, blurring her concentration. Fuck it. She was going to nail this perverted bastard, whoever he was.
She reached the bedroom door, which was slightly ajar, and with one fast fluid movement, kicked it open.
Lucky saw Claudia first. Claudia was naked, bent over a stool facing the door. Duke was positioned behind her, about to mount her. Lennie was hanging helplessly by his wrists.
As if in slow motion, Duke jumped off Claudia and reached for his gun, lying on the floor beside him.
‘Drop it!’ Lucky commanded.
‘Who? Me?’ Duke said, up for the challenge.
‘Yes, you.’
‘Sorry. No can do.’
She took a long deep breath. Dealing with homicidal maniacs was never her favourite way to spend a day. ‘Do it!’ she said. ‘Or I’ll blow your dumb brains all over this goddamn room.’
He turned his gun towards Lennie. ‘If you’re fast enough,’ he said, his finger tightening on the trigger.
And she knew she had to shoot, because if she hesitated, all would be lost.
She let blast, and so did he.
His bullet, meant for Lennie, connected with Claudia, who threw herself in front of Lennie just as Duke fired.
Lucky’s bullet penetrated Duke’s heart.
He slumped to the ground, a slack smile on his baby face.
It was over.
Chapter Ninety-Four
It was past ten when Maybelline was called from her cell to see the warden.
‘What’s going on?’ Mila asked, waking up.
‘Dunno,’ Maybelline said. She’d decided she hated Mila, they’d been arguing all night.
‘Shit!’ Mila muttered. ‘I hope it’s not about me. You’d better be careful what you say.’
Maybelline stalked off without a word. She returned twenty minutes later.
Mila could see something was wrong. ‘What’s the matter?’ she demanded. ‘Was it about me? You didn’t tell them anything, did you? ’Cause if you did, I’ll fucking kill you!’
‘No,’ Maybelline said. ‘It wasn’t about you.’
‘Then what was it?’ Mila asked. ‘They don’t pull you out of your cell at night to tell you nothing.’
‘It’s my brother,’ Maybelline said flatly. ‘It’s Duke.’
‘What about him? Did he get Lennie Golden for me today? Is that what happened? Did he hit Lennie and get his sorry ass caught?’
Maybelline looked at her with dead eyes. ‘He got killed – that’s what happened.’
‘Killed?’ Mila said blankly. ‘How could he get killed?’
‘He was in a house. Lennie Golden was there. And someone shot Duke.’
‘Was it the cops?’
‘I feel like my heart has been ripped from my body,’ Maybelline said, as if speaking to herself. ‘Duke was everything good.’ She turned on Mila, her expression fierce. ‘If it wasn’t for you, he’d never have been there.’
‘Don’t blame me,’ Mila said.
‘Ever since you came into this cell I’ve had nothing but trouble,’ Maybelline said. ‘And now you’ve taken away my only reason for living.’
‘What did he do with my gun?’
‘Your gun?’ Maybelline said. ‘My brother is dead, and you’re asking about your gun.’
‘I’m going to sleep,’ Mila said. ‘I have to be in court again in the morning. I have to sit there while those dumb lawyers go, “We will prove to you that Mila Kopistani planned this crime, and set out to murder Mary Lou stupid fucking Berkeley.”’
‘You’re the dregs,’ Maybelline said. ‘If Duke was here now, he’d punish you for your sins.’
‘I’m sorry about your brother, but he’s left me in the shit. How am I going to get my gun now?’
‘If Duke can’t punish you, then God surely can,’ Maybelline said, her voice rising. ‘You are a bitch from hell. My brother is dead because of you!’ And with that she reached under her bunk, and produced her one prized possession: a lethal shard of glass.
Maybelline struck out, slitting Mila’s throat with one fell swoop.
Mila didn’t even see it coming. She fell on to the floor of the cell with a horrifying gurgling sound.
‘See how you like it,’ Maybelline said. ‘See how concerned I am about you.’
She got into her bunk and tried to sleep, while Mila bled to death on the cell flo
or.
* * *
Price was reading the LA Times in the living room when Irena came in and asked if she might talk to him for a moment.
‘Does it have to be now?’ he said. ‘I’m not feelin’ great.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, ‘but I must explain something to you. You see, I feel that everything that’s happened over these last few months is my fault.’
Christ! He wasn’t in the mood. ‘Huh?’ he said.
‘I never treated Mila in the way she expected a mother to treat a daughter,’ Irena said. ‘I was always cold towards her.’
‘What’re you talking about?’ he said, frowning.
‘I resented her from the moment I gave birth,’ Irena said, rambling on. ‘She – she changed things for me. She came between you and me.’
‘Came between us?’ His eyebrows rose in surprise. ‘Hey, Irena, I know we’ve had our moments, but I never led you on, never told you anythin’ was gonna happen between us.’
‘There’s something I must tell you.’
‘What now?’ he said impatiently. The last thing he needed was true confessions from Irena.
‘Well, you see, this is the way it happened—’
And just as she was about to tell him the real truth, the phone rang.
Relieved, he grabbed it. ‘Yeah? Uh-huh.’ He listened carefully for a few minutes. ‘Oh, shit! Well, what’s gonna happen? I – I’ll tell her myself. Yeah, I will.’ He put the phone down, stood up and held out his arms. ‘Come here,’ he said.
She walked over to him. ‘What?’
He enclosed her in a tight embrace. ‘I have kind of . . . shocking news.’
‘What is it?’
‘It’s Mila. She was attacked by another inmate. I’m sorry to tell you this, Irena, she’s . . . dead.’
Epilogue
Six Months Later
‘Good morning,’ Lucky said, as Lennie, accompanied by little Gino, Maria and Leonardo, came bounding up the wooden steps from the beach, all four of them wet and sandy, their faces covered in smiles.
She had breakfast laid out on the deck overlooking the ocean. Muffins, fresh fruit, yogurt, French toast and bacon. ‘Who’s hungry?’
‘Me, please!’ said Leonardo. Since the successful operation to restore his hearing, he was learning to speak at an alarming rate, picking up all kinds of expressions from little Gino and Maria.