Finding Forever (46 page)

Lifting his chin to the guard, Evan flashed Brooklyn a knowing wink. “She knows the real story. Right, Brooklyn?” He smiled.

“Yes,” she affirmed. “Thanks for setting the record straight.”

The bodyguard led Brooklyn out of the room and down the hall back to the elevators. “Enjoy your evening,” he said.

“Oh, I will. It's been a real revelation.”

The elevator bell pinged and the “down” light illuminated. “Bye!” Brooklyn waved as the doors closed. She immediately dug out the piece of paper and read the scrawled message: “Coachella Valley Vista Point—This Friday @ sunset.”

As the doors opened, Brooklyn folded the paper back up and texted Holden.

                      
Let's go. Now!

What? Whyyyyy?

                      
Breaking news!!!! I'll explain ltr, lets go.

She sunk into a soft chair in the lobby and checked her email. The newest one had come within the hour from Uncle Don.

                 
From: Donald Gomez

                 
To: Brooklyn Brant

                 
Date: August 14 at 5:33:58 PM PDT

                 
Subject: URGENT CALL ME

                 
Dear Brooklyn,

                 
Ran the plate. Registered owner of vehicle is Kensington Solutions, a non-profit organization founded by a Peter Kensington. I ran a few searches for you. Some interesting and, frankly, disturbing results. I think we should chat after you read the report. CALL me, sweetie.—Uncle Don

“My child.” Peter stuck his head into the upstairs bedroom where Taylor lay reading the “Forever Young” treatment in preparation for their video shoot. “Evan's speech is on the live stream.”

Growing up, Wednesday evenings were when Taylor, her sister, and her parents would cuddle on the couch to watch reruns of
America's Funniest Home Videos
. Her dad said it was the best cure for the “hump day blues.” As she followed Peter downstairs, all Taylor could think of was how she would have done anything to be back in Arizona laughing with her family at something as mundane as corny videos clips.

Peter led Taylor to the parlor, where he settled into a black leather chair. He gestured for Taylor to take a seat on the sofa beside him.

“Big night,” he said. “His coming out!”

Taylor bit down on her lower lip, a nervous habit that directors always tried—and failed—to make her break. Good thing, as it became her trademark expression. Fans had dedicated memes to her infamous lip-biting pose.

Fans.

What had her fans thought of her dropping off the face of the Earth?

“Do my fans know where I am?” she asked.

“A statement was released saying you are receiving treatment and soon will be back and better than ever.”

“Can I see the statement?”

“Yes, you can,” he said. “In due time. Now it is time to focus on the Work.”

“Do you have any children?”

“No, I don't. I don't want to bring children into this world, at least not until it is a healthier place to live, until we rid the world of its toxic lifestyles and damaging dogmas.” Peter turned up a smile. “Until then, you and Evan—and the rest who you will inspire to join our movement—will be my children.”

Peter picked up the remote control and clicked on the giant TV screen. It lit up with a live shot of the Beverly Hilton ballroom. A minute later, a woman in a black satin ball gown took the stage: Emily Lamont,
STARSTALK
's Executive Editor.

“As a journalist covering Hollywood, we must often report on the unfortunate, yet inevitable, foibles of the rich and famous. The young man I am about to introduce to you is no stranger to
STARSTALK
. He is a young man who was arrested earlier this year for a DUI and was found to be in possession of illegal drugs. But his story has a happy ending. Rather than becoming yet another celebrity stuck in the revolving rehab door, this young man got real help. And it may never have happened if it weren't for the intervention of our friends in the Los Angeles police community. This young man has not only turned himself around, but he has also decided to publicly thank the men and women in this room who helped scare him straight. Ladies and gentlemen, receiving tonight's Hollywood Leadership Award, actor Mr. Evan Ryan.”

Evan took the stage to a round of applause, accepting a plaque from Lamont. “I'm here tonight to share something very important,” he read from a prompter. “I want to share a secret. It is something that I have never said in public. It is that I am an addict. I have demons that, if not treated, control me. But unlike the person I was just a few months ago, I am now freed from those demons. They no longer torture me. That's because I got help. And part of my recovery—a very big part—is a result of the law enforcement community.