Thrill! (53 page)

"Are you sure he stole your money?"

Madelaine nodded.

"No doubt about it. When he returned, he gave me back three thousand dollars. The rest I recovered from the cheque he got from his work on The Dreamer.''

Lara's mind was in turmoil. So Joey - her Joey - was nothing more than a cheap opportunist - a thief who used women for what he could get out of them. Her head was spinning.

"I ... I don't know what to say, Ms Francis . . . this is information I'd sooner not have heard. But now that you've told me, I suppose I'll have to deal with it."

"I understand,"

Madelaine said, bobbing her head sympathetically.

"It's not easy. Joey's very charming, he has the knack. And of course he's also an extremely talented lover - as I'm sure you know. When Joey makes love to you, you feel as if you're the only woman in the world."

She chuckled wryly.

"And believe me - at my age, that's quite a feat."

"I'm sure,"

Lara murmured, while her idyllic world spun out of control, crashing around her in tiny fragmented pieces.

# ft #

Early in the morning Summer complained of a stomach ache, staying safely in bed until her father had departed for his office. As soon as she heard his car leave the garage, she leaped out of bed and raced downstairs.

Mrs Stern, their housekeeper, regarded her in surprise.

"I thought you weren't feeling well, missy,"

she said accusingly.

"I'm much better now,"

Summer said, all blond innocence.

"Gotta get to school. Major test today."

"Shall I prepare your breakfast?"

"No, thanks, Mrs Stern."

"If you're sure . . ."

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"Absolutely."

A very brief pause, then

"I think I left some of my school work in Daddy's study. I'd better go take a look."

She dashed into his private domain, slamming the door behind her. As soon as she was sure Mrs Stern wasn't about to follow her, she began searching his desk. Tina had the right idea, find money and run. And if she did find some, she planned on running all the way to LA because there was no way she was staying around for any more nocturnal visits.

One by one she frantically ransacked his desk drawers, until hidden under a pile of matching folders in the bottom left-hand drawer she discovered a large manila envelope containing a stack of pornographic pictures - most of them featuring young schoolgirls. What a stinking pervert! Why had Nikki left her with him? Why hadn't she cared enough to take her along?

On impulse she grabbed the envelope and ran upstairs, where she went straight to his closet, rifling through the pockets of his suits, remembering that when she was a kid that's where he'd kept his money. Her eager hands dived in and out of various inside pockets, finally coming across two thousand dollars secured with a rubber band.

She couldn't believe her luck. That much money should easily buy her a cheap ticket to LA.

Not wishing to alert Mrs Stern, she hurried into her room, quickly putting on her school clothes. Then she stuffed as much as she could into a large duffel bag, which she managed to smuggle out of the house before Mrs Stern noticed.

She lugged the heavy duffel bag to the corner of the street, hopping a bus into the centre of town. From there she hailed a cab to the airport.

LA - here I cornel she thought. And not a moment too soon.

iZ iX & :

"So Lara was really pissed with you?"

Aiden asked, scratching the light stubble on his chin.

"Yes,"

Nikki replied ruefully, as they stood by the Kraft service stand picking at a bowl of fruit.

"Then Richard turned up."

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Aiden bit into an apple.

"What did he want?"

"I told you, he's obsessed with Lara,"

Nikki said, shaking her head.

"I must've been crazy to marry him. I didn't even see it. Although I do remember that on the South of France location he was always worried about where she was and what she was doing. Silly me - I thought he was merely being nice - y'know, the concerned ex."

"Fuck Richard. Who needs him?"

Aiden said, leading her over to a couple of high-backed canvas director's chairs.

"Let's talk about

us."

"What about us?"

she asked, slightly breathless.

"I was kinda wondering,"

he said, scratching his chin again.

"What happens after the movie? You and I gonna hang out? Be friends? Lovers? What's the deal here, Nik?"

Even though she liked him a lot, she wasn't in the mood to be pressured, everything was happening too fast and she needed time to think.

"Uh . . . well ... I'll be shut away in the editing rooms for the next six weeks, trying to put this movie together with Mick."

"Sounds like an experience,"

he said drily.

"I'm looking forward to it,"

she said.

"If Revenge is successful, I hope I get a chance to do it again."

"You're really into this whole producing deal."

"It's exciting - in spite of the setbacks."

"Guess it beats sittin"

around."

"Aiden, I've been meaning to thank you'

"For what?"

"For giving such a brilliant performance."

"Hey,"

he smiled faintly, pleased with her praise,

"it's what I do. And y'know something - Lara was pretty good, too. Surprised everyone."

"She did, didn't she?"

"This movie's gonna get a lot of attention."

"Do you think so?"

"Two thumbs up everyone's ass."

She laughed, suddenly realizing she was going to miss him.

"So,"

she said tentatively,

"what are your future plans?"

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He shragged like it didn't much matter.

"If anybody'll insure me, there's a few independents who're willing to take a chance. Course, once you're a known druggie, it's a bitch gettin"

work."

She watched him carefully.

"Tell me the truth, Aiden. Are you really straight now?"

"I take it day to day,"

he answered restlessly.

"Course, it ain't easy, on account of the fact temptation's in my face every single minute. There's a shitload of actors into heroin - an"

coke is like Sweet

"n"

Low - you want a little snort with your breakfast - no freakin"

problem. It's everywhere I go."

"That must be difficult."

A cynical grin.

"You could say that."

"I do want to see you,"

she said shyly.

"But first I need time for myself."

"Hey"

a sly smile -

"as long as I'm not taken by the time you're ready."

She smiled back.

"You're much nicer than you want people to think."

"That a compliment?"

he asked flippantly.

"I'll leave you to decide."

Lara passed by on her way to the set, her expression grim. Richard probably hasn't made things any better, Nikki thought. He's getting off on the drama. Damn him!

"Need anything?"

she called as Lara rushed past.

"Yes - a new life,"

Lara snapped.

Nikki started to follow her.

"You are coming to the wrap party tonight?"

she asked, hopeful that Lara would say yes.

"I wouldn't count on me if I were you,"

Lara replied, not : stopping. j

Nikki knew when to back off. i

ft ft ft

Lara had no intention of attending the end of filming party. She went to the set, performed her scene, then got on her cellphone to Cassie.

"We're taking a trip,"

she said, her mind still in turmoil.

"Pack me a couple of bags, and meet me at the studio as soon as

376

possible. I'm not coming r home whatever you do> don't mention anything to Joey."

"I take it he won't be earning with us?"

"You've got that right.

"

"Where are we going?"

Cassie asked curiously

"To the house at the be^ach. Not a word to anyone."

"It's done,"

Cassie said.

T^ Lara thought. It's dom_ My Kfe ^Jogy ^ ^

Finished. History.

And she was filled with** an overwhdming seme of sadness and loss.

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"How DID it go?"

Richard asked, when Made^^^P^PL^ laine returned to his hotel as he'd requested.

"I'm sure it went exactly as you planned,"

she responded crisply as he ushered her inside. She was not stupid, she knew the result Richard was after. He wanted his exquisite ex-wife back, and who could blame him?

He was cradling a hefty vodka on the rocks.

"Want one?"

he asked.

"No, thank you,"

she replied, walking over to the couch and sitting down.

He joined her.

"Did you tell Lara everything?"

he asked intently.

"Yes."

He nodded to himself.

"Excellent."

"I also told her about the seven thousand dollars Joey stole from me."

Richard sat up straight. Seven thousand bucks! Jesus! This was better than he'd thought.

"What did she say?"

Madelaine shrugged.

"She didn't have to say anything. It was all in her eyes. Disappointment, betrayal. . ."

"Good,"

he said, before he could stop himself.

Madelaine raised a cynical eyebrow.

"Good?"

she questioned.

"Uh ... I mean it's good she found out the truth before it's too late."

"I suppose so."

"They were planning on getting married, you know."

"Really?"

Madelaine wasn't surprised. What did Joey have to lose by marrying Lara Ivory? Exactly nothing.

378

"Yeah. I'm sure you've persuaded her to change her mind,"

Richard said, taking a hefty swig of vodka.

"When she gets over being hurt she'll thank both of us."

"I'm glad I could be of service,"

Madelaine said.

He jumped up; she'd served her purpose, now he was ready to see her on her way.

It was at that moment Madelaine's memory nudged her into almost remembering where she knew Richard Barry from. The walk, the eyes, something about the voice . . .

"Tell me,"

she asked curiously,

"were you ever an actor?"

"No,"

he said quickly.

"Never."

"There's something so familiar about you . . ."

He prodded her towards the door.

"Actors are treated like cattle,"

he said abruptly.

"I prefer the other side of the camera."

"Well. . ."

she said,

"don't forget to take a look at my actors. I handle some good ones."

Til view your tape tomorrow with my people."

"I shall look forward to hearing from you."

He closed the door on her before she had anything else to say. Why did women always want to talk? Jabber jabber jabber. Their gossipy little mouths going full tilt. Why couldn't they just shut the fuck up?

Were you ever an actor? Was she insane?

ft ft ft

I am Richard Barry, famous director. I have been Richard Barry for almost thirty years. I took the Richard from Mr Burton, and the Barry from a storefront opposite a movie theatre playing Caesar and Cleopatra.

Richard Barry. When I came back to America from my two-year sojourn in Mexico, that's who I was. The name had stature, dignity. The name represented the kind of life I aspired to. No more fucking my way to the bottom. What with the accidental killing of Hadley and my out-of-control drug days, I knew I couldn't sink much lower.

It was 1970. I was thirty years old and determined to make my mark. Since being thrown out by my father at sixteen, I'd fucked

379 around for fifteen years. Now the fucking around was over, and Richard Barry was born.

I re-entered the States with a totally new agenda, plus papers proving who I was, and an attitude geared toward success. I also looked different. Thinner, fitter, with a neat beard and short hair. I did not resemble the stoned hustler who'd fled to Mexico, scared shitless he'd be arrested for murder.

After my married friend returned to America, I stayed in Acapulco -got myself a job working bar in a small place down by the water. The bar was owned by a long-retired film director, Hector Gonzales. Hector was a friendly man who loved to talk - especially to Americans. He owned a fishing boat, and one day he invited me to go out with him. After that first time we'd go fishing every weekend, and during our long hours of idly sitting there, waiting for a fish to bite, he'd regale me with tales about his life. And what a life he'd had. Married five times - twice to beautiful movie stars. Fourteen children. Twenty-six grandchildren. The recipient of many awards. The director of thirty-four movies.

It wasn't long before Hector invited me to his house, where he showed me books of yellowing press clips and photographs from the movies he'd directed. It was fascinating stuff and he was a fascinating character. Although he'd worked in Mexico most of his life, he'd directed one American film, and the tales he had to tell about that experience were quite something.