Murder

  “I don’t care what you do. Your lifestyle doesn’t bother me.”

  “Liar! You wish I was straight.”

  “Can you two quit fighting,” Madison said, placing her hands on her slender hips, wishing she could get out of tonight’s date with Jake.

  Too late. The doorbell rang, and both Cole and Natalie began shoving her toward the door.

  No backing out now.

  chapter 11

  “WHAT ARE YOU IN such a bad mood about?” Freddie asked irritably.

  “I’m not,” Diana replied, although she obviously was.

  “And where were you this morning?” he added, annoyed that she hadn’t been around to tend to his every need.

  “Why do you care?” Diana said, her face flushed. “I didn’t ask where you were last night.”

  He threw her a warning look. “Don’t get pissy with me, Diana.”

  “Why did you leave?” she continued, determined not to be intimidated. “You know I’m not happy alone in the house.”

  “You weren’t alone. You had dozens of caterers around.”

  “Oh, please.”

  “Do you have any idea how much these dinner parties of yours cost me?”

  “As if you care,” Diana said, exasperated. “It’s all tax deductible.” She stalked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. It was difficult for her to get over the shock of Max’s engagement. Unbearable timing, yet she still couldn’t stop thinking about him. Freddie followed her into the kitchen. She turned and faced him. “What are you doing about Max?” she demanded.

  “Breaking all ties with him as soon as possible,” Freddie answered, as unemotional as ever. “I’ll buy him out.”

  “You can’t do that. He’s your partner,” she said, reminding him of something he knew only too well.

  “True. However, I have fifty-one percent, he has forty-nine. He’s history.”

  “You might be making a mistake.”

  “How many times have I told you not to interfere in my business?”

  “You’re so insulting,” she said, her face reddening. “Who was right beside you when you were building the business up? Who went out with boring movie stars and made them feel like a million dollars so they’d sign with you? I was with you every step, and don’t you forget it.”

  “What the hell’s gotten into you today?” he asked, his voice rising.

  She took a gulp of coffee and let her frustration rip. “When was the last time you touched me, Freddie?”

  “Oh, God!” he groaned. “Not that again.”

  “You don’t care, do you?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “No, Freddie, you never liked sex much anyway, and now in the last few years …” She trailed off.

  “Enough of this nonsense,” Freddie said harshly. “I have more important matters to deal with.”

  Diana’s anger and frustration continued to surface. “I want a man who loves me,” she blurted. “In every way.”

  Freddie’s response was completely devoid of emotion. “What are you after, a divorce?” he asked coldly.

  She shook her head, frightened to tell him that yes—that’s exactly what she wanted. “I… I don’t know,” she stammered.

  “Pull yourself together, Diana,” he said, leaving the kitchen.

  She trailed him into the library. “Are you aware that Max got engaged?”

  “What are you going on about now?”

  “He’s engaged.”

  “To the model who stood him up last night?”

  “No, to someone called Kristin—I have no idea who she is.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Max phoned this morning.”

  “Oh, did he? Abject with apology no doubt. Dying to slither back into my good graces.”

  “He merely told me he was engaged.”

  “Why didn’t he announce it last night?”

  “He hardly had an opportunity, the way you and Ariel ganged up on him.”

  “I don’t intend to keep repeating myself, Diana—stay out of my business.”

  She glared at him. “If that’s the way you want it. And by the way, if I do decide to divorce you, Freddie—how would you feel?”

  He looked at her in astonishment that she would consider such a rash move. “Don’t even think about it. We’re perfectly happy. Everyone knows that.”

  She stomped out of the room. Freddie shook his head. What the hell was going on with her? She must be going through the change of life early. God! Poor hard-done-by Diana. Didn’t she realize how lucky she was? After all, she was married to one of the most important men in town.

  chapter 12

  MAX PROWLED AROUND his house with plenty of time to spare before Kristin arrived. He didn’t want to waste it doing nothing, so he called Howie to see if he was around. Howie’s service picked up. Max left his name, and then decided to take a swim in his luxurious pool and maybe work on his tan for an hour or so. Might as well catch some rays, he thought, grimly acknowledging that he had nothing else to do.

  Tomorrow he would face Freddie; no way was he dealing with that little problem today. He knew Freddie too well. In fact, he knew him better than anyone—which, he realized, wasn’t saying a lot because nobody really knew Freddie. He was a man of mystery—impossible to bond with on a man-to-man level. He wasn’t into ball games, poker, horses or women. Just work.

  Max wandered outside, stripped off his shirt and pants and dropped into a lounge chair. He was happy in his brief white Calvins—the snug style—which emphasized his considerable assets.

  As he stretched out, his mind drifted briefly to Inga Cruelle, the woman who’d stood him up last night. Supermodel bitch! She’d dumped him to go on a date with Howie Powers, whom she’d picked up at a cocktail party. How dumb could a girl get? Howie was his friend, but everyone knew the man was an idiot, a rich playboy with nothing going for him except his father’s money.

  Yes, Inga had really blown it. No way would he help her with her so-called movie career now; she could find herself another agent.

  When he’d had enough sun, he jumped in the pool and swam, as usual overdoing it. Max never did things by halves, he always had to excel—probably because when he was a kid, his father beat the crap out of him if he wasn’t the best at everything he tried. After swimming, he decided he had an appetite. Lunch at The Ivy didn’t seem like a bad idea; the only problem was that eating alone was not on his agenda—too loser-like.

  Maybe he’d give Inga one last chance.

  No, he decided. Screw her! Nobody dumped on Max Steele and got away with it.

  Of course, there was a long list of other lovelies he could call, but he wasn’t in the mood to make conversation, and all most of them talked about were their careers.

  Actresses. He’d had it with actresses. How nice it would be to have Kristin in his life. A natural beauty with no ambitions. And no more clients except him.

  Idly he wondered how much it would cost a week to keep her. Hmm … she probably didn’t come cheap. But what did he care? He owned half of I.A.A. and whatever happened between him and Freddie, he’d still end up with a bundle of money.

  Instead of lunch he decided to go to Jhama Juice and grab a health drink. Jumping in his Maserati, he set off. The sun was shining; things weren’t so bad; tomorrow he’d make everything okay with Freddie.

  As he drove along San Vicente he thought about Diana Leon and how bizarre it was that she had come on to him. If Freddie ever found out, he’d choke on his own surprise.

  Depending on what happened between him and Freddie, he wondered if maybe he should have an affair with Diana, simply to keep her on his side.

  No, she was too old. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a girl over thirty. Did they even exist in L.A.? Not in his mind.

  He parked in the underground structure below the health-juice bar, locked his car and began walking out of the tunnel-like structure.

  “Gimme your fuckin’ money, mothafu
cker.”

  Oh, Jesus! Before he could spin around he felt a gun sticking in his back. Oh, Jesus!

  “An’ take that fuckin’ Rolex off, or I’ll blow your mothafuckin’ head off.”

  chapter 13

  VAN MORRISON WAS SINGING “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.” As Kristin listened to the touching lyrics she felt like bursting into tears. Whenever she left Cherie, she was always in a highly emotional state. The doctor who looked in on Cherie a couple of times a week had long ago told her she should pull the plug, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. While her sister was still breathing, there was always the possibility of a miracle.

  Deep down, however, she knew it wasn’t realistic. Deep down she knew her precious sister already was dead.

  The heartfelt lyrics enveloped her as she raced her car along the freeway. Should she tell Max about Cherie? That was the question. Maybe if he knew, he wouldn’t want her. Too bad. She had a new policy—the truth above all else. If she’d been truthful with Jake she wouldn’t be so miserable now.

  What was Max up to anyway? She was anxious to find out. First she had to go home and change and return Darlene’s call. Darlene was probably mad that she hadn’t responded to last night’s phone message. What did she care? She was through worrying what other people thought.

  Her apartment was delightfully cool and welcoming. She’d left the air conditioning on full blast because it was one of those muggy days that L.A. denizens always said screamed earthquake weather. She’d never experienced an earthquake herself, having arrived in L.A. after the big Northridge one of ’94. It seemed impossible that it could be as bad as people said, but all the same she kept a special earthquake cupboard filled with canned goods, bottled water and flashlights. If there was ever another major quake, she’d get in her car and drive straight to the nursing home. It worried her that they probably wouldn’t look after Cherie properly in an emergency situation. That’s why she visited every week, taking the nurses presents and candy, making sure they paid attention.

  The first thing she did when she walked through the door was check her answering machine to see if Jake had called. Not that she expected him to, of course, and quite frankly, she didn’t care if she ever heard from him again.

  So why was her heart beating so fast as she approached her machine? Why was she willing the red message light to be flashing?

  The red light was flashing. One flash. One message.

  Probably Darlene wanting to know why she hadn’t responded regarding Mister X.

  She pressed down the rewind button. “Kristin,” said a muffled male voice, not Jake’s. “Why didn’t you come last night? I do not appreciate being ignored. It is not good for either of us. Tonight. Eight. The end of Santa Monica Pier. I’ll pay you double. Be there.”

  She was shocked. How had Mister X gotten her home number? Had Darlene given it to him? This was absolutely unacceptable.

  In a fury, she picked up the phone to complain to Darlene, but Darlene’s housekeeper informed her she was out. Kristin left a message for a callback and hung up, still outraged. Mister X being in possession of her home number made her feel totally vulnerable and somewhat uneasy. Having her number was only one step away from getting her address. She shivered at the thought.

  Maybe Max’s timing was right on target. At least if she was living with him she’d be protected. The more she thought about it, the more she knew it was the only sensible move.

  Hurrying to her closet, she changed into a simple yellow sundress and high-heeled sandals. Then she applied some makeup and set off to close the deal with Max.

  chapter 14

  AS HE DROVE HIS TRUCK to pick up Madison, Jake had a strong urge to call Kristin. He’d had a few drinks at his father’s wedding and also time to think things over. Why hadn’t he demanded to know what was going on? It was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. What was Kristin doing in bed with him anyway? It wasn’t like she’d asked him for money. What was her motive? And how long had she planned on keeping her profession a secret from him?

  He’d seriously thought they had something together, so when he heard that woman’s voice on her answering machine, he’d gone into shock. As for Kristin, she’d lain there, not saying a word in her defense. God, she must’ve thought he was a gullible fool.

  Now he was depressed and a little bit drunk, and sorry that he’d asked Madison out to dinner. She was an attractive woman, but she wasn’t Kristin. Was he supposed to stop caring about somebody simply because she turned out to be a hooker?

  But how can I care for someone I don’t even know? he asked himself glumly. He’d seen her three times and fallen in love. How dumb was that?

  He parked his truck outside Natalie’s house, got out and walked slowly to the front door. Jimmy had booked him a table at The Palm. “Take her there, order the steak and lobster, get her drunk, fuck her and forget about Kristin,” his brother had told him.

  “Is that all you think about with women? Getting laid?”

  “If you were married to Bunny, that’s all you’d think about. She nags me to death.”

  “She always did. You knew that before you married her.”

  “I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Jimmy had confided. “You do know that I see other women on the side?”

  Jake had no desire to listen to Jimmy’s sexcapades. “What is this, confession time?” he’d said abruptly. “I don’t want to hear about it.”

  “I’m your brother,” Jimmy had said indignantly. “If I can’t tell you, who can I tell?”

  “Dad—he’s the philanderer in the family. At least he marries his conquests.”

  Jake had not wanted to hear any more about his brother’s extracurricular love life. Bunny might be a pain—but it didn’t seem fair that Jimmy used that as an excuse to be unfaithful.

  He rang the doorbell of Natalie’s house.

  Cole answered. “Hey, man,” he said. “How was the wedding?”

  “Predictable,” Jake answered, entering the small house. “My dad’s sixty-two, his bride’s twenty. I guess that says it all.”

  “You gonna call her Mommy?” Cole joked, leading him into the living room.

  “I’m not going to call her, period,” Jake said dryly. “I went to the wedding; I’ve done my duty for the year.”

  “You and your dad tight?”

  “Is Madison around?” Jake asked, not comfortable with Cole firing questions at him.

  “Yeah, I’ll call her. Hey, Maddie!” Cole yelled. “Your knight in tarnished armor is here.”

  “Very funny,” Jake said. “Can I get some water?”

  “Sure.” Cole left the room, returning moments later with a bottle of Evian, which he handed over.

  “Thanks,” Jake said, swigging from the bottle.

  A few moments later Madison walked in. Jake did a slow double take. He’d known she was an attractive woman, but he hadn’t realized she had such a great body and was so devastatingly beautiful. Her oval face was surrounded by a cloud of dark hair, which up until this time he’d only seen pulled back. Her seductive lips were emphasized with a brownish gold lipstick, matching the subtle shadow above her elongated eyes. She wore a red dress which took his breath away—low-cut, short, with little spaghetti straps. She looked amazing.

  “Hi,” she said, unaware of the effect she was having on him.

  He’d gone back to his hotel after the wedding and changed out of his one and only suit into khaki pants and a denim shirt with no tie. “I feel undepressed,” he said, and then he realized he had said almost the same thing to Kristin on their first date.

  “Shall I go change?” Madison asked. ’7 feel half naked.”

  “You look sensational, and if you’re comfortable like that…”

  “No,” she laughed, delighted to see he hadn’t bothered to dress up. “I’m certainly not Getting all done up was Cole and Natalie’s idea. They were in a make-over mood, and I went along with them. Do you mind if I go change?”

 
“Whatever makes you happy.”

  She smiled. “That’ll make me happy.”

  • • •

  Two hours later they were engrossed in deep conversation. Madison had put on a loose sweater, black jeans and a casual jacket. But she had left her hair down and not removed her makeup. Men’s heads turned. She was a striking woman.

  Jake found her fascinating because he could talk to her in a way he couldn’t talk to most women. She was sharp and savvy and knew everything that was going on, yet she wasn’t a know-it-all. She listened intently to what he had to say and had a throaty laugh he found quite enticing. They’d already discussed politics, religion, the state of the movie industry, publishing, pornography on the Internet and his favorite subject—photography. Madison was a stimulating conversationalist.

  “Where are you from originally?” he asked, taking a bite of one of the best steaks he’d ever tasted.

  “I’m a true New Yorker,” she said. “In fact, my parents still live there. Well actually, they don’t—they moved to Connecticut.”

  “What does your dad do?”

  She was silent for a moment. “Uh … he’s in commodities.”

  “Commodities,” Jake said. “The stock market?”

  “Kind of.”

  “I don’t get the stock market,” Jake said. “It’s like legalized gambling to me.”

  “Have you ever been to Vegas?”

  “Haven’t been. Don’t want to go.”

  “Damn!” Madison said with a low sexy laugh.

  “There goes my plan of taking you there for a long weekend of unbridled lust.”

  Jake sat up very straight. “Huh?”

  “Just joking,” she said with a tantalizing smile.

  He was confused; under virtually any other circumstances he would have found this woman completely irresistible. But he had to be honest with himself and admit that his mind was still on Kristin. All night he kept on wondering what she was doing and if she was thinking about him.

  “Why don’t you tell me about her,” Madison said, leaning forward, her eyes bright with genuine interest. “I’m an excellent listener. In fact, it’s part of my job.”