Lady Boss (68 page)

* * *

Eddie wandered around looking for people he knew. Anyone who would talk to him, in fact. Word spread fast, and it was general knowledge that he was out at Panther.

He bumped into an actor friend.

‘Hey, man, how you doin'?' said his friend.

‘Good.' He nodded, managing to control his twitch.

His friend glanced around before asking, ‘Got any blow?'

What was he? A fucking dealer? Why was this schmuck asking
him!
As a matter of fact he didn't, and if he did he certainly wouldn't share it with this asshole.

He tried to spot Arnie or Frankie, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Mickey was at the bar talking to Zeppo White. Eddie was surprised they were still talking. He'd heard that Zeppo had no intention of quitting Orpheus without a battle. Right now Mickey was out of a job – unless Martin was paying him for doing nothing.

But this was Hollywood, and in Hollywood you put on a good face and hoped for the best. Mickey was a survivor – just like the rest of them.

* * *

A long line of cars approached the driveway.

‘Are you sure we're invited?' Rita asked yet again, anxiously checking her reflection in her compact mirror. ‘What if we're thrown out? I mean, I couldn't stand it, Emilio. I've never been thrown out of anywhere in my life.' Which wasn't strictly true, because Rita had been fired from three jobs and thrown out of a topless bar for refusing to sleep with the owner. This, of course, was in her past, long forgotten. After all, she'd had three speaking roles in movies. She was an actress now.

‘What's the matter, don't you trust me or something?' Emilio snapped. ‘I'm telling you, me and Venus are real tight.'

‘Did she give you her permission to write all those things about her?'

Emilio wished Rita would quit with the nagging. ‘I don't have to ask. She understands. When I get the money I'll probably share it with her.'

‘Oh, like she needs it. Right,' said Rita sarcastically.

‘So I won't give her any. It don't matter. We're family. Will you shut up?'

Rita sighed. ‘If you say so. But what about the new story? All that sex stuff Tony told you? Like how she is in bed, and the first time she did it – all of that?'

Christ! What did he have to do – gag her? ‘Who cares? She won't.'

‘I don't see how they're going to print it anyway,' Rita added, clicking her compact shut.

Emilio wished he could click her mouth shut. She talked too much.

Their car reached the front of the house and valet parkers leaped to attention, opening both doors.

Rita slid from her seat, stood still for a moment, and pulled her dress down over her hips. Two of the valet parkers nearly collided. And then – head held high – she took Emilio's arm and entered the house.

* * *

‘Who the fuck is that?' Ron muttered, watching Rita sashay into his front hall. She looked like a Hollywood Boulevard hooker. At least Madame Loretta's hookers presented themselves like ladies.

Ron groaned inwardly when he noticed Emilio on her arm. This kind of a move took balls – and Emilio didn't have any.

As Ron began to head towards them he was cut off by Antonio. ‘Ah,' said the diminutive photographer, ‘where is your friend? I talk to him about the photo.'

Ron was enraged. Was this midget Italian creep still after Ken? ‘He's not here,' he said disdainfully.

‘Not here? I don't understand,' replied Antonio, confused.

‘Do you have a message?' Ron said. ‘I'll see he gets it.'

Antonio was not to be fobbed off. ‘Ah, no, I promised to talk with him personally.'

Lecherous little brute
. Ron stalked off, forgetting that his purpose had been to throw Emilio and his trampy girlfriend out.

By the time he remembered, they'd vanished into the crowd.

* * *

Rita was hot to cruise. They'd actually gotten into the party, and she wasn't about to hang around with Emilio in his cheap leather outfit. He resembled a Hollywood Boulevard pimp!

‘Get me a drink, honey. I'm going to the powder room,' she purred. ‘I'll meet you at the bar.'

Before he could object she wiggled off.

Heads turned as she passed. She knew she looked outstanding. Why else were they staring? Tonight was the night to make a very big impression. A career impression. Rita was all set to knock 'em on their Hollywood asses!

When Saxon arrived to collect Abigaile Stolli he was faced with a truculent thirteen-year-old girl.

‘Who are
you?
' Tabitha demanded, staring him down.

What a precocious child. ‘Saxon,' he replied.

‘You don't look like any of my mother's friends,' Tabitha said rudely.

Thank God for that
, Saxon thought to himself. ‘Is your mother around?' he asked. ‘I'm supposed to be taking her to a party.'

Tabitha laughed aloud. ‘
You're
taking Mommy to a party? Huh! Wait till Daddy hears about
this
.'

‘Aren't your parents separated?' Saxon remarked.

‘None of your business,' Tabitha sneered.

Fortunately Abigaile chose that moment to appear, quickly waving Tabitha away.

But Tabitha was having none of it. She glared at her mother. ‘You look stupid,' she said. ‘Why've you got all that makeup on? It doesn't suit you. It's gross. Ugh!'

‘Goodnight, dear,' Abigaile said through clenched teeth.

In the car she apologized for her daughter's behaviour. ‘Tabitha's upset. It's been a most embarrassing time for all of us. I'm sure you heard about my husband's… indiscretion.'

Heard! The entire salon had talked of nothing else for days! He shrugged. ‘These things happen.'

Abigaile was wearing a chic Valentino suit, lots of real jewellery, and an abundance of Joy.

‘You smell good, Mrs. S.,' Saxon said, sniffing the air.

‘Thank you.' She stared straight ahead. It wouldn't do to encourage him too much. After all, he was merely her escort for the evening, nothing more.

When they arrived she noticed a few heads turn. Saxon was tall, good-looking, and hardly the man anybody would have expected to replace Mickey.

Abigaile revelled in the attention.

Spotting Zeppo and Ida White, she took Saxon by the hand and dragged him over.

Ida's lecherous eyes checked him out. Then she drew Abigaile to one side and whispered in her ear, ‘You came with your
hairdresser?
It's not on, darling, don't do it again. I know you must be desperate to get back at Mickey – but this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.'

Abigaile bristled. How dare Ida White give her advice? The permanently stoned old cow!

‘He's not my hairdresser, he's my lover,' she spat.

Ida's eyebrows shot up. She was shocked. ‘I'm sorry, I… I didn't realize,' she stuttered.

Abigaile smiled. ‘Why do you think Mickey had to go to a whorehouse?
I
haven't slept with him in months. Saxon and I are
very
close.' She leaned towards Saxon and gave him an intimate squeeze.

Saxon was as surprised as Ida.

‘Come along, darling.' Clinging to his arm she led him away, leaving an open-mouthed Ida behind.

* * *

It was almost time for Venus Maria to arrive. Ron checked out the guests. Everybody appeared to be having a good time, and most people seemed to have arrived. The only person missing was Martin, but Ken would be bringing him from the airport in time to surprise Venus Maria.

Ron knew Cooper had the plan down pat. He was to collect Venus Maria, make out they were going to dinner, and in the car, say, ‘I have a surprise for you,' blindfold her, and bring her straight to the house.

Venus Maria would go for it. She loved intrigue.

Ron had instructed everyone to be quiet when she arrived. He planned to take her into the middle of the room, whip off the blindfold, and have everybody scream, ‘Surprise!'

He made a little announcement to that effect. There was a smattering of applause and some laughter. But they would go along with it. This was Hollywood, after all. And Venus Maria was a superstar.

* * *

Warner held tightly onto Johnny Romano's arm as he made his usual flamboyant entrance. Heads turned. What a couple!

Warner wished her family in Watts could see her now, strolling into a big Hollywood party on the arm of a movie star. And not just any old movie star. Johnny Romano! The King!

She wondered how many people in the room she'd given parking tickets to when she was a traffic cop. This was something. This was
really
something.

Warner Franklin and Johnny Romano!

Johnny had a big smile on his face. Tonight was an important night for him. It was the first time he'd been out in public since the
Motherfaker
receipts had dropped so disastrously at the box-office.

Gotta put on a face.

Gotta show them that he didn't give a flying fuck.

And with Warner by his side he felt pretty damn good. She wasn't just another Hollywood bimbo. She was a woman. All woman. Six foot of woman.

The first person they ran into after Ron greeted them was Mickey Stolli.

Mickey was shocked.

Warner was delighted.

After saying hello, Mickey was about to make an excuse and escape, when who should come up behind them but Abigaile, dragging some long-haired hunk behind her.

She ignored Mickey altogether. ‘Warner, dear!' she exclaimed, as if they were the oldest of friends. ‘How
are
you? And Johnny, you're looking handsome as usual.'

Mickey could hardly believe this little scene. When had this group gotten all pally?

He threw Abigaile a low aside: ‘What are
you
doing here? And who's the creep?'

‘Creep?' She looked puzzled. ‘I've no idea
what
you are talking about.'

‘The jerk with the heavy-metal hairstyle?'

‘Oh, do you mean Saxon? Haven't I ever mentioned him to you before? Saxon owns that wonderful salon on Sunset. Ivana's. Are you
sure
I haven't mentioned him, Mickey?' At which point she grabbed Saxon's hand and squeezed it. ‘Darling, meet my soon-to-be ex-husband, Mickey Stolli.'

Saxon towered over Mickey, as did Warner. ‘Hey, man, nice to meet you,' he said. ‘Heard a lot of things about you.'

‘Come on, Saxon,' Abigaile said gaily. ‘We have to circulate.' She favoured Mickey with a triumphant smile and swept off.

He didn't believe what was going on. Abigaile? Enjoying a party? Smiling? Dragging some guy around?

Abigaile was supposed to be sitting in her Hollywood mansion sulking.

Mickey Stolli decided this wasn't his night.

* * *

Rita caught Mickey on the rebound. ‘I know you,' she said, excitedly pouncing. ‘I saw your picture in the paper. You're… you're Mickey Sully. Yes?'

‘Stolli.' He stared at the cheap-looking girl in the red dress. Too tight. Too much makeup. Too much hair. ‘Who are you?'

‘I'm Rita.'

‘Rita who?'

‘Rita, the girl who's gonna be the next Venus Maria,' she said, taking a random shot. ‘I dance, I sing. In fact' – she moved in a little closer – ‘anything you want, I do.' In case he didn't get the message she added, ‘And I mean
anything.'

Before Mickey could reply, Emilio marched over and yanked her away. ‘I was waitin' for you at the bar,' he said accusingly. ‘Where were you?'

Rita looked at Mickey apologetically. ‘My friend – he's a little uptight,' she tried to explain.

‘Who the fuck's uptight?' exploded Emilio.

‘Please excuse us, Mr. Scully.' She hesitated. ‘Uh… are you casting? 'Cause if you are I'd appreciate it if you'd think about me. Rita. I sing, I dance, I—'

Emilio dragged her off.

* * *

In the car heading towards Ron's house, Cooper suddenly pulled over to the side of the road.

‘Oh, no!' Venus Maria mocked. ‘Remember what happened last time we pulled over?'

He began to laugh. ‘This is different.'

She put on her businesslike voice. ‘OK, what is it this time?'

‘I want you to do something for me.'

Now she was back to teasing him. ‘A blow-job is out of the question, Cooper.'

‘Will you shut up?'

‘Why?'

‘Just shut up and put on this blindfold. I've got a surprise for you.'

‘Ooooh,
' she squealed with delight. ‘I get
off
on surprises.'

‘I know. So be a good girl and do as you're told.'

‘I love it when you're firm with me, Cooper.'

He took a silk scarf from the glove compartment and tied it over her eyes.

‘This is sexy,' she said. ‘I'll have to remember this one. Where will I end up, Cooper? Naked in your bed?'

‘You're such a flirt, you really are. And another thing – you're all mouth.'

She was amused. ‘Hmmm, don't you wish?'

‘Can I concentrate on my driving?'

‘Can you?' she teased. ‘Just thinking about me naked in your bed—'

‘Enough,' he said sternly.

‘Tell me where we're going.'

‘And spoil the surprise? Forget it.'

* * *

Deena drove down Sunset. The doors of her car were locked. She'd studied a street map of L.A. and Beverly Hills and knew exactly where she was going.

When she reached Doheny Road she turned left and drove up into the hills.

Very soon she would be outside Venus Maria's house.

Lucky thought about telling Gino of Carlo Bonnatti's threat, then decided against it. Why worry him? She could handle Carlo. She could handle anything that came her way.

In her evening purse she carried a small gun for protection. It was a habit she'd acquired, and it certainly made her feel more secure. Especially now.