by Force, Marie
With my security detail following close behind, I head into the office, which is abuzz with activity. Everyone is still ecstatic about the SAG Awards as well as the Oscar nominations for Camouflage, especially after all the campaigning that was done to ensure the film got the recognition it deserves from the Academy. For the most part, I’ve stayed out of that fray, letting others do the heavy lifting. The idea of campaigning for awards has never sat well with me, but it’s a necessary evil in our world.
After accepting congratulations for the SAGs from everyone I see along the way, I head for Hayden’s office, where I’m told he’s in the editing room. I take the elevator up one floor. I find him in the dark, staring at two huge monitors, headphones on. I tap his shoulder to get his attention.
He pauses the video and removes the headphones. “Look what the cat dragged in. It’s my long-lost partner in crime who is now an Oscar nominee. Congrats again.”
“Same to you, and I apologize for everything I’ve done to piss you off in the last few weeks.”
“Well, that fixes it. Thanks.”
The sarcasm isn’t lost on me. “I am sorry, Hayden. I know I picked a hell of a time to punch out on you.”
He shrugs. “Shit happens. I get that. Are you back now?”
“Sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I need a break. I need some real time off. I’ve been working nonstop for years, and I’m burned-out.”
After a long pause, he says, “Maybe you could, at the very least, be honest about why you want to take time off. You’re not burned-out. You don’t get burned-out. You want to spend time with your new wife. Why not call a spade a spade?”
“Fine. You’re right. But call me crazy if I’m not willing to talk to you about her when you’ve made your feelings where she’s concerned very clear.”
“I have no bad feelings toward her. I barely know her. My feelings, as you call them, have been toward you, not her.”
Sighing, I take a seat next to him. “I hate having this shit between us.”
“As do I.”
“Look, I know I’ve dropped the ball with work and left you to deal with things on your own, and I’m sorry about that. This whole thing with Natalie… It just… happened. And then it blew up in our faces. I had to be with her during all of that, Hayden.”
“Of course you did, but did you have to marry her?”
“I did that because I wanted to. Not for any other reason.”
“You gotta see this from my side, Flynn. I’ve known you all my life, and I’ve never seen you like this before. It’s… It’s unsettling.”
“It’s love.”
“So you say.”
“I understand that it’s difficult for you to watch me do things that seem out of character to you.”
“Out of character… That’s a good way of putting it.”
“But I can only hope that someday you’ll allow yourself to feel for someone what I feel for her. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I refuse to apologize to anyone, even you, for being happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
“Fair enough,” he says begrudgingly. “So what do you want to do?”
“I want to get away from everything for a while with her. I know we’ve got shit to do, but I can do it from anywhere. I can review the edits and provide feedback. I can make decisions about future projects. I don’t have to be here to do that.”
Hayden scratches at the stubble on his cheek as he thinks it over.
“Where’re you going to be?”
“I don’t know yet. Could be New York or maybe Mexico. Depends on what she decides to do about her job.”
“I thought she lost her job.”
“Apparently, the board has removed the principal who fired her and is preparing to invite Natalie back.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. There was nothing else they could do.”
“Especially after Emmett threatened them with a ten-million-dollar wrongful termination suit.”
Hayden smiles. “That’s awesome.”
“But I don’t think that’s the only reason they buckled. They know it’s the right thing to do.”
“Yeah, it is. So she might be living back in New York?”
“We haven’t decided anything yet.”
“I want you to know… I’m happy for you. I really am. She seems like a very nice person, and the way she held up during all the shit says a lot about who she really is.”
“She’s incredibly courageous. You have no idea just how courageous she is. We could all learn from her.”
“It’s admirable. I mean that sincerely. What she endured at such a young age… To come through it whole and intact… It’s amazing, and I get why you’re so gone over her.”
“Why do I hear a ‘but’ coming?”
“I just worry about you and the sacrifices you’re making to be with her. I worry about my best friend Flynn, who is one of the smartest, savviest people I’ve ever known, getting married without a prenup. That’s not the Flynn Godfrey I know and love. The Flynn I know and love understands the way things work in this world we live in and how the best of situations can go bad in the blink of an eye.”
I don’t want to talk about my relationship with Natalie going bad. That isn’t going to happen. “I hear you, and I appreciate what you’re saying. You should know that Natalie asked me about a prenup and wanted to have one.”
“And you still said no?”
“I still said no.”
“You’re crazy, man. Seriously insane.”
“If the day ever comes when I have to give her half of everything I have, I’m not going to care enough to quibble over that. And let’s face it. I could live in high style for the rest of my life on half of what I have. I wanted to go into this marriage with nothing between us but love. Putting a prenup in front of her would have made it a business thing, and I didn’t want that. I know it’s hard for you to understand, but I really believe it’s the right thing for us not to have one. She needs to be able to have faith in me, and I need to believe she’s not in it for the money.”
“How do you know she isn’t?”
“Because she got totally pissed when I bought her a diamond bracelet after she told me not to buy her any more jewelry. She’s not into all that. After the show last night, we sat in your living room and ate In-N-Out burgers and fries. You know what she said to me?”
“What?”
“‘Is this what happy feels like?’”
Hayden looks down at the control board and fiddles with some knobs.
“Most of the women we know would’ve been pissed to miss out on the parties and the photo ops. Natalie was perfectly content to go home and eat fast food and dip her fries in ketchup. That’s all she needs to be happy, Hayden. Do you know how refreshing that is?”
“I can definitely see the appeal.”
“And yet you’re still not convinced?”
“What about the other side of the equation?”
“Are you actually asking me how the sex is with my wife?”
“Yes, I’m asking you that! I know how you like it, and I can’t for the life of me see you behaving that way with a woman who’s been through what she has.”
“I can’t see it either, but the sex with her is still incredible. There’s a connection with her that I’ve never had with anyone else. It’s always been mechanical. With her it’s… Divine.”
He’s quiet again, but I can see his wheels turning.
“What? Just say it so we can clear the air.”
“Don’t shoot me for playing devil’s advocate, but you felt that way about Valerie at first, too.”
“I never felt for Valerie what I feel for Natalie. Ever.”
“Okay, but you were really into her at first, and after a while you found it difficult to deny yourself the things you wanted from her. And we all know how she felt about what you wanted. All I’m saying is it was hard to watch that happen and to
see you crushed in the aftermath. It affected everything for a long time, including the work. I don’t want to see that happen again. None of us does.”
“That’s not going to happen.” As I say the words, a tingle of anxiety works its way down my spine.
“You’ve convinced yourself that you’d rather live without the lifestyle than without her. Am I right?”
“Something like that.”
“Believe it or not, I almost understand. You’ve tuned in to my… affection, I guess you’d call it, for Addie.”
“Yeah, and I’m hoping you’re going to do something about that one of these days. I’m sure she is, too.”
“I’m never going to do anything about it, because I know myself and what I can live without—and what I can’t. There’s no way I’d put either of us through that kind of hell. And that’s what it would be as soon as the blush wore off the rose and I accepted that I had to spend the rest of my life denying who and what I am. If you can do that, I give you credit. I can’t.”
Hayden’s words hit me in the chest like an arrow, filling me with irrational fear. What if I can’t either? What will become of us if my inner Dom tries to break loose with her? Remembering the panic in her eyes after I pinned down her hands makes me break out in a cold sweat.
Addie knocks and pokes her head in. “Flynn.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you, um, can you come here, please?”
My first thought is of Natalie. Has something happened? “What’s wrong?”
“There’s an FBI agent here to see you.”
Hayden and I look at each other and then at her. “To see me? Why?”
“He didn’t say. He’s waiting in your office.”
“Did you call Emmett?”
“He and the rest of the legal team are off-site today at a training session,” Addie says. “I can call him, if you think we need him.”
“Let’s see what he wants with me first.”
No words are spoken as Hayden gets up to come with me. The three of us are silent in the elevator that delivers us to the floor where our offices are housed. We step into my office, where a man in a suit is standing at the window, admiring the view. He turns when he hears us come in.
“Mr. Godfrey, I’m FBI Special Agent Vickers.”
I shake his hand. “My business partner, Hayden Roth.”
“Good to meet you. I admire your work. Both of you.”
“Thank you.” I’m anxious to dispense with the small talk. “What can we do for you?”
“A lawyer named David Rogers in Lincoln, Nebraska, was found murdered in his office this morning. Does that name ring a bell with you?”
I know a moment of pure, unmitigated joy at hearing the man who screwed Natalie over so badly is now dead. “As you and everyone else in America is aware, I know exactly who he is. What does it have to do with me?”
“On the Carolyn Justice show, you made a statement that has sparked the interest of law enforcement.” He consults a notebook he withdraws from his pocket. “You said, ‘I’ve never thought I was capable of murder, but in this case…’”
“Are you inferring that I killed him?”
“I’m inferring that you said you’d like to.”
“Yes, I did, but I didn’t actually do it.”
“Did you get someone else to do it?”
“No, I didn’t. I haven’t given that guy a thought in days other than to keep tabs on the efforts of my attorneys to ensure that he never had a chance to do to anyone else what he did to my wife.”
“By having him killed?”
“No, by having him disbarred. I’m not a murderer, Mr. Vickers.”
“That’s Special Agent Vickers.”
The guy is full of his own importance.
“We can put a halt to this immediately,” Addie says. “Mr. Godfrey has been surrounded by security personnel for days. He hasn’t left the state of California since he returned from New York two weeks ago this coming Wednesday.”
“That would rule him out,” Vickers said, “but it wouldn’t rule out a contract job.”
“Are you listening to yourself?” Hayden asks, incredulously. “Are you actually accusing Flynn Godfrey of hiring someone to kill a lawyer in Nebraska?”
“I’m not accusing him of anything. I’m simply pointing out that he had both motive and opportunity. He has the resources to procure any service he might need.”
“Well, I didn’t procure the service of murder. I was much more interested in legal ways to make Mr. Rogers suffer for what he did to my wife. We were going to ensure his life was a living hell for the next decade. I’m actually a little disappointed that we won’t get to do that now.”
“If you think he had this guy murdered, you’re going to have to prove it,” Hayden says.
“I’m well aware of that.” He produces a piece of paper from a binder and hands it to me.
“What’s this?”
“A warrant for your phone and computer, just so we can rule you out as a suspect.”
I withdraw the phone from my pocket and hand it to him. “Have at it.” I gesture to the computer on my desk. “I haven’t touched a computer in three weeks, but knock yourselves out.”
“Is this the only cell phone you own?”
“Yep.”
“We may acquire additional warrants for the phones belonging to your employees.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Addie stiffen and have to quell the urge to laugh. The idea of Addie without her phone for even an hour is hilarious. She’d go into convulsions.
“And your wife is where?”
All thoughts of laughter flee as I straighten my spine. “At home. Why?”
“I’d like to speak with her as well.”
“She’s been with me every minute of every day for two weeks. She has neither the desire nor the wherewithal to kill anyone.”
“She certainly had motive.”
“You know, Mr. Vickers,” I say, enjoying the flush that appears on his face when I refuse to use his title, “I’ve found that when someone is a snake like Rogers was, there’s usually more than one person who’s been screwed over by him. I certainly hope you’re looking beyond the obvious here. There’s probably a long list of people who’d like to see him dead.”
“We’re conducting a thorough investigation.”
“When will I get my phone back?”
“Hopefully we can return it to you tomorrow, providing there’s nothing on it that could be used as evidence in this case.”
“I’m leaving for my honeymoon in Mexico in the next few days. I’d like to have it back before I go.” I wait for him to tell me I’m not to leave the country.
“What’s the code?”
I try not to show my relief that he hasn’t objected to me leaving the country, which confirms he’s on a fishing expedition with this visit, and I’m not an actual suspect. “Nine six three two.” And then I remember the photos of Natalie I took on our wedding night, and a feeling of profound dread overtakes me. “There’re very personal photos on that phone that I’d like to remove before you take it.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Everything on here is evidence.”
“Pictures of my wife from our wedding night are not evidence. Give me the phone.”
Vickers stares at me, a mulish expression on his face.
“My father and I are great friends and supporters of the president. Give me the phone, or I’ll have your job.” I hold out my hand and engage in a stare-down with the agent.
He blinks first and puts the phone in my hand.
It pains me to delete the suggestive, sexy photos of Natalie from our wedding night, but there’s no way I’m letting them out of my custody. The phone is backed up to the cloud, so we still have access to them.
“There you go. Was that so hard?”
“People like you are so entitled. You think you’re above it all, even the law.”
“I think our business is finished,
Mr. Vickers. You can find your way out.”
We are quiet until after he leaves, slamming the door behind him.
Addie breaks the silence. “Holy. Shit. Did that really just happen?”
“They’re just ruling you out,” Hayden says. “You haven’t left California, so there’s no way they can pin it on you.”
“Sure there is. There’re all sorts of ways they can pin this on me if they really want to.”
“They’d be foolish to try,” Addie says. “No jury in this world would convict you even if you had done it.”
While I appreciate her support, I’m not so naïve as to believe there aren’t plenty of regular Americans who’d love to see a big-time, self-important movie star knocked off his high horse.
“I need to go home and talk to Natalie. Will you text her and tell her I’m on my way?”
“Sure,” Addie says. “And I’ll get you another phone to hold you over.”
“Don’t bother. You’ve got Natalie’s number if you need to reach me, and I’ll tell my folks.” To Hayden, I say, “Are we good on the plan for the film and the other stuff?”
“Yeah, we’re good. I’ll email you when there’s new footage to view.”
“And I’ll work some part of every day until it’s done.”
“In the meantime, we need a fucking name for this movie.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, too. I’ll send you some suggestions.”
We had what we considered the perfect title until the studio that’s distributing the film rejected it. We’re so married to the original title, we’re having trouble coming up with something else.
“If anyone else hears from the FBI, let me know.”
“We will.”
“By the way,” Hayden says, “there’re your Critics’ Choice awards.”
I hadn’t even noticed the two crystal statues on my desk until he points them out to me. “Thanks for accepting for me.”
“No problem.”
Before I leave the office, I ask for a moment with Addie, gesturing for her to close the door behind Hayden.
“What’s up?”
“I need to get Natalie on all my personal accounts. She needs an ATM card, credit cards, etc. Can you take care of that for me?”