Thrill! (56 page)

She leaned back, desperately trying to shut out the jumbled memories that in times of stress always came flooding back.

There was so much of her past she'd never revealed to anyone. So many secrets . . .

One day she'd hoped to share them with Joey. Now it was not to be.

And that thought made her very desolate.

# # &

Anyone seen Lara?"

Nikki asked hopefully, although she knew it was highly unlikely Lara would show.

"Saw plenty of her in Truth and Fact,'"

one of the grips sniggered.

395 Nikki threw him a disgusted look. She spotted Linden, and stopped him as he walked past.

"Is Lara coming?"

Linden shrugged.

"Don't know, Nikki. Sorry."

The cast and crew were gathered on Sound Stage Four. A rock and roll band blared fifties classics, while everyone tried not to look self-conscious in their fifties outfits and bouffant hairstyles. The fifties theme was Mick's idea - he was very into that period.

Clad in black stove-pipe jeans that made his skinny legs even skinnier, and a Marlon-in-his-thin-days white T-shirt, Mick made the rounds, dancing with everyone from the nineteen-year-old prop girl to the sixty-year-old accountant.

"I'm pissed at Lara,"

he said, sweeping Nikki into a quick jive.

"She should be here."

"She's upset about the photos,"

Nikki explained, as he swung her in a wide circle.

"So am I."

"Shit happens,"

Mick said totally unconcerned.

"Tell her to move on, and get her fine movie star ass down here. The crew's disappointed."

"Maybe I'll call her, see what I can do,"

Nikki gasped, as he somehow or other lowered her between his legs, then pulled her up in an elaborate arc. She spotted Aiden watching her with an edgy grin. Fuck it! He was making fun of her.

"Bye, Mick,"

she said, managing a quick escape.

"I'm not in a dancing mood."

As she hurried toward Aiden, one of the production assistants came at her with a cellphone.

"It's a Mr Weston calling from Chicago. Says it's urgent."

Like she didn't have enough problems. She grabbed the phone.

"Yes?"

Sheldon's voice sounded indistinct and panicky, unlike his usual in-control self.

"Is she with you?"

he demanded.

"Is ivfeowith me?"

"Summer."

"What are you talking about, Sheldon? She's in Chicago with you."

"No, she's gone. Vanished. Please tell me she's with you."

"No,"

she said, her stomach dropping.

"She's not here, Sheldon. So where the hell is she?"

^^^^^J|| THE THRILL of the chase had always appealed ^^Aftf^* to Alison Scwell. She'd followed movie stars home on many occasions, right up to the point where they shut their great big gates in her face. However, following someone who was unaware they were being tracked was even more of a kick. It was a cat and mouse game. Alison considered herself the big powerful cat and Lara the poor little mouse.

Alison had been trailing Lara all day. She'd followed her from her house in the morning, then sat in the parking lot near the location, watching as they shot the last day of Revenge. She'd had a perfect view of Lara's trailer - popping off roll after roll of film as Lara came and went.

Miz Ivory looked upset. And so she should. Truth and Fact had done Alison's pictures proud. Her photographs were on the cover, and, as if that wasn't enough, there was a double-page spread inside.

That would teach Lara Ivory to mess with Alison Sewell, spurn their friendship and haul her up in court like a common criminal. Who exactly did the bitch think she was?

Late in the day when Cassie arrived to pick Lara up, Alison was surprised. Usually the big movie star sat in the back of her chauffeur-driven car and was taken home that way. But not tonight, ionight her driver was sitting across the street reading a Frederick ^orsyth paperback behind the wheel of his car, unaware his star was leaving by other means.

Hmm ... Alison thought. Something's up.

397 She drew out of her parking place and slid her station wagon behind Cassie's Saab as it left the location.

I would have been the perfect assistant for Lara, Alison thought. I could have protected her better than anyone. Certainly better than that one-armed stupid publicist, or that dumb handsome boyfriend. All she needs is me.

When Cassie's car hit Sunset, Alison was right on her tail. Earlier she'd managed to have a conversation with one of the grips, acting real casual, as if she was a fan. He'd let slip that tonight was the wrap party. Surely the party wasn't at the beach, which is where Cassie seemed to be heading?

Alison hummed softly under her breath. She got a charge following the car, sure that she was the only person who knew Lara Ivory was in it. There were no other photographers around to bother her. No stupid men to deal with.

Truth was she was smarter than all of them. And the proof was that she'd made a fortune in the last week. Now she was rich, and could do whatever she liked. She'd made more money than Uncle Cyril ever did.

She switched on her windshield wipers to clear the sudden rain, so unexpected in sunny California. Then she reached in the glove compartment for a Snickers bar.

Unfortunately she now had a criminal record, thanks to Miz Ivory.

It didn't matter. She was rich. And she planned on getting even richer.

How much would pictures of Lara Ivory dead be worth?

How much could she score for pictures of a beautiful corpse?

*QR

^^^^.Jf^ TINA AND Summer walked back from the res^^Jfj^fL^ taurant, laughing about the guys who'd tried to come on to them.

"Bunch of pathetic dogs,"

Tina sneered.

"Now do you see why it's so stupid to go out with somebody and not get paid? These dudes are only looking to get into your pants. The ones that pay are like raj/men."

"Doesn't getting paid mean we're prostitutes?"

Summer asked, trying not to yawn.

"Prostitutes?"

Tina shrieked.

"What kind of an oldfashioned word is that'? We're . . . service givers. Very expensive service givers. Being a prostitute is like grabbing a Big Mac. What we do is like dining out in the coolest restaurant in town. Get it?"

"I guess so,"

Summer said, thinking how ready she was to crawl into bed and sleep.

Tina was in an ebullient mood. Til tell you what we're gonna do,"

she said, breaking into a jog as it began to lightly rain.

"What?"

Summer asked, hoping it was bed time.

"We're gonna call Norman,"

Tina said, as they reached her nearby apartment.

"Now?

"Yeah, why wait till tomorrow?"

"I thought you said we shouldn't rush into anything."

"Who's rushing? He doesn't even know you're here. It's definitely time we told him."

"OK. . ."

Summer said unsurely.

399 Tm asking for big bucks,"

Tina said excitedly, her eyes gleaming. Tm gonna tell him you don't put out any more. Only for special Johns."

"Can I listen in?"

Summer asked, anxious to hear the sound of his voice.

"Yeah, pick up the second line,"

Tina said, dialling his number. She got right through.

"Hi, Norman,"

she said, putting on a low, sexy voice.

"Remember me? Tina? I was over at your place a few weeks ago with Summer, that gorgeous blond you were so wild about. Darlene sent us, remember?"

"Sure do,"

Norman answered, sounding stoned.

"You were really into Summer,"

Tina continued.

"Kept asking Darlene when she'd be back. But you know what? Bad news. Summer gave up the business, and she'll only do it for very special clients. Now the good news - you happen to be extra special."

"Whyn'tyou come over,"

Norman said.

"Both of you."

"Well . . ."

Tina said, pretending to hesitate,

"if we do, you'll have to pay us direct, and not mention a word to Darlene,

"cause like I told you - Summer's no longer in the business. So you'll be dealing directly with me. OK?"

"I can do that, cutie."

"Oh, and it has to be cash. And it'll cost more'cause, like I just said'

"I know, I know"

he interrupted, with a jolly chuckle.

"Your friend's not in the business. So quit with the talking and get your cutie-pie asses over here."

"We'll be right there,"

Tina said, hanging up the phone with a triumphant grin.

"See? Easy pickings."

"It's past ten,"

Summer said, yawning again. Tm kinda beat, what with the flight and all."

Tina was already at the mirror fluffing up her hair.

"Too beat to I have fun with Norman?"

I

"I was like thinking maybe tomorrow."

"Don't sweat it,"

Tina said, picking up her shoulder bag, | reaching inside and producing a small white pill.

"Take this. It'll rev 1 you up."

1

"What is it?"

400

"Nothing serious. See,"

she said, reaching in her purse again Tm taking one, too."

Not wanting to look like a baby, Summer quickly swallowed the innocuous-looking pill.

"Good girl,"

Tina said.

"It'll make you feel seriously better."

"Uh . . . another thing,"

Summer ventured.

"Yes?"

"Shouldn't it be Norman and me alone together?"

"I didn't notice him saying, "Just send the blond,""

Tina retorted huffily.

"Are you up for it or not?"

Summer nodded. She knew that once he saw her again, he'd realize how much he'd missed her, send Tina home, and from then on everything would work out just fine.

# # #

The first thing Nikki did was have Aiden drive her to the Malibu house to check if Summer was there.

"Do you think she's in LA?"

she kept asking him.

"I hardly know her,"

he answered.

"But from what I've seen she can look after herself

"She's fifteen, Aiden,"

Nikki fretted.

"Fifteen:

"What can I tell you? She's your kid:

"What if she's not here?"

"Could be she's staying with a girlfriend in Chicago. Your ex check into that?"

"Knowing Sheldon, he checked into everything. He's on a plane right now. You'll get to meet him, he's a real treat."

"She leave a note?"

"No The housekeeper told Sheldon she left late for school this morning, and that some of her clothes are gone. Oh, and aPparently there's money missing."

Shit!"

Aiden exclaimed, swerving to avoid another car that had sfedded across the road.

Nikki put on her seatbelt.

"Please drive carefully. I would like to get there."

She have a boyfriend?"

Aiden asked, slowing down.

401 "Not that I know of. Sheldon spoke to the boy who took her to a movie last night - Stuart something or other. He didn't know anything."

She let out a long, weary sigh.

"Oh, God, Aiden. I can only hope she's at the house."

"I don't get it. If she was coming back here - why wouldn't she call first?"

"How do I know?"

Nikki said irritably.

"Don't get pissed. You're gonna find her."

"Maybe Richard knows something. They were kind of close when she was here."

"Call him."

She took out her cellphone and punched out his numberi*lt's Nikki,"

she said when he answered.

"How come you're not at the party?"

Richard said.

"I'm going there now. Lara told me to drop by."

"Why would she tell you to do that?"

Nikki said, before she could help herself.

"Guess she wants to see me,"

Richard replied, purposely needling her.

"You're out of luck, Richard, Lara's not there."

"How do you know?"

"She's not, OK?"

"No need to get bitchy."

She refused to let him get to her. Some other time, but not now.

"Sheldon called from Chicago,"

she said brusquely.

"Summer's missing."

"What do you mean, missing

"It's pretty clear, isn't it? She's taken off, run away."

"So . . . what do you want from me?"

"Thanks for your concern, Richard."

"No, I mean if there's anything I can do'

"Do you have any idea where she might go?"

"No."

"She hasn't called your

"If she does, I'll let you know."

Tm on my way to Malibu. She could be there."

"Then I guess I won't see you later."

402

"You won't see anybody later. I told you - Lara's not a^

, r the

party-

"Where is she?"

"How would I know? If you hear anything call me."