by Robyn Nyx
Al left the room and everyone but Lela drifted off to their evenings.
“Your director has a very interesting turn of phrase.”
Elodie recognized the voice, turned toward it, and laughed. “That’s rich, coming from someone with a mouth like yours.” She embraced the woman hard. “Thanks for coming to the set, Ice.”
“Fuck that. Anything for you, babe.”
“Are you going to introduce us?” Lela asked.
Elodie knew from the tone of her voice that her interest was sexual. Ice stood out in this environment, and Lela had a thing for tall, dark strangers. Unlike Elodie, who’d reduced her musculature when she came out of the Marines, Ice had maintained hers, and she was stocky and muscular in a way that meant business. She scared the shit out of Elodie’s bodyguards, and they weren’t exactly meek. She’d shown up in her civvies, her off-duty uniform of fucked-up jeans and a battered leather jacket, with her firearm barely concealed. Her long, dark hair fell around her shoulders, and it softened her dark eyes somewhat. She was exactly Lela’s type. Breathing.
Ice held out her hand, and Elodie saw the look of excitement and surprise when Lela saw the gun on Ice’s hip.
“I’m Ice, Elodie’s buddy from her days in the Corps.”
“Well, I bet you’ve got some fabulous stories. Care to share them with me some time?”
“Maybe. If you share your movie stories with me.”
Ice was still holding Lela’s hand, and Elodie coughed indiscreetly. Ice raised her eyebrows questioningly.
“There’ll be no story sharing, thank you.”
“We could all go out and share.”
Elodie and Ice laughed at Lela’s thinly veiled invitation for a threesome.
“It’s been a long time since we shared, Dee.”
Ice smiled mischievously, and Elodie recalled the many instances they’d cruised and scored together. There wasn’t much they hadn’t shared in their previous life, but Elodie wasn’t interested in picking up where they’d left off. Her concern at the moment was very much centered around Madison and her investigation.
“Not tonight, Ice. I need to talk to you about something.” Elodie felt a little conspiratorial and was glad the other actors had left the room. All she had to do now was get rid of Lela, who’d made it clear after they’d slept together again that she was available whenever Elodie was interested. But after the time she’d spent with Madison, she found her thoughts turning more to her than further meaningless encounters with Lela.
Ice pulled out her card and handed it to Lela. “I’m in town for a few weeks. Feel free to call me some time.”
Lela took the card and deliberately caressed Ice’s fingers as she did. “Is it true the Marines have the filthiest minds of all our services?”
Ice smirked. “Call me, and you’ll find out.”
“I’ll call you. Count on it.” Lela picked up her bag and headed to the door, while Ice unashamedly watched her ass.
“You’re a dirty dog, Ice. Isn’t old age doing anything to calm you down?”
“What’s that saying about stones and glass houses?”
“How’s work?” It wasn’t a subtle change of topic, but they’d known each other long enough that Ice wasn’t about to make a big deal of it.
“Dee, you know I appreciate the thought, babe, but if I tell you that, I’ll have to kill you. What’s up with you? What you need, let’s start with that.”
Ice’s blunt approach to conversation was vastly different from anyone else in Elodie’s circle. She had no use for idle chat. She had important shit to do and never enough time to do it.
“Let’s go to my place. This isn’t something I want to talk about where people might overhear.”
Ice adopted a more serious look. “Okay. I’ll follow you.”
“Thanks, buddy.”
*
On the drive home, Elodie found herself thinking about last night with Madison. Being in her company was so easy. After she’d given Madison the tour of her library, she’d ordered some Thai food and they’d talked for hours about their careers, interests, and eventually their love lives. Madison was reticent in sharing details of her own, and it struck Elodie that there was a past Madison wasn’t yet prepared to divulge.
As she parked her Aston Martin between the Audi Spyder and the BMW I9, she wished she’d made a move as they’d parted on her doorstep. The good-byes had been said, but Madison briefly paused and Elodie couldn’t decide whether or not to lean in for a kiss. The moment passed quickly, and Madison hurried to her car.
Elodie couldn’t deny Madison was attractive and her intellect made her even more so. She got out of the car and resolved to invite Madison on a date. She needed to make it clear that she was interested in something more than the growing friendship and see how Madison reacted. If she knocked her back, Elodie was sure they could still remain friends.
Ice pulled up in her black pickup truck and jumped out onto the graveled yard. She grabbed Elodie by the shoulder and pulled her toward the house.
“Come on, hotshot movie star. Time to feed me while you tell me all your troubles.”
Once inside, Elodie instructed her chef to rustle up a stir fry for her and a burger and fries for Ice. They downed a couple of beers and chatted about a few past missions before the chef served them and left for the night. Now that they were alone, Elodie felt ready to talk to Ice about Madison.
“I’ve got a friend.”
Ice’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Fuck off. Other than me, you don’t really do friends, Dee. Has someone finally got through to you?”
Ice was one of the only people on the planet who spoke to Elodie so brusquely. It was one of the things she appreciated most about her and one of the things she treasured about their friendship. It was real. “What’re you talking about, ‘got through to me’?”
“You know I fucking love you, but you don’t connect with people. They think you do, but you don’t, and it’s a rare fucking thing for you to call someone a friend with that tone of voice. Cut the shit and fill me in. You know I’m a busy woman, babe.”
Elodie smiled, but she was uncomfortable and didn’t know why. It seemed Madison had gotten under her skin more than she cared to admit.
Ice took another mouthful of her burger. “This is the best burger I’ve ever had. Maybe I should’ve gone into this business rather than continue to serve our country.” She took a long swallow of her beer. “Let’s start with the basics. What’s her name?”
Elodie didn’t bother to challenge why Ice would assume her friend was female. “Madison Ford. She’s a—”
“World-renowned journalist. I know who Madison fucking Ford is, babe. She’s a cutie. What’s the problem? Don’t tell me she’s immune to your come-fuck-me eyes.”
“It’s nothing like that.” But it might be. “She received a package from a whistle-blower in an organ trafficking gang. Lots of the information checks out, but the woman’s been found dead, and even though she sent the same package to the FBI, there’s been nothing about it in the news, and no one at GTIP has heard anything. The whistle-blower said the gang had insiders at the FBI, and she doesn’t know who to trust. I’m worried about her, Ice. I think she might be in over her head, and you’re the only person I trust to help.”
“I can make some inquiries. But I’ve got a feeling that’s not all you want me to do. What else do you need?”
“You’re on vacation, yes?”
Ice wasn’t a patient woman. “You fucking know I am. What’ve you got in mind?”
“I want you to keep an eye on her. I’ll pay you, whatever you want. And I know you’ve always wanted to stay at the Chateau Marmont—you have a thing for Belushi.”
“I don’t have a thing for Belushi. He was a misogynistic prick.”
Unperturbed, Elodie continued with her bribe. “Well, Lohan then. I can arrange for you to sleep in the same bed she did.”
“Fuck it, Dee, you know I owe you. And if this Ford woman means
this much to you, I’d be happy to help you out.”
Elodie leaned forward and rested her hand on Ice’s knee. In turn, Ice slipped her hand around Elodie’s neck and kissed her forehead.
“I told you you’d never have to repay me for that,” Elodie said gently.
“Still. I owe you my life. I always will until I get to save your ass.”
They disengaged, the moment of vulnerability fleeting. Marines weren’t prone to being particularly emotional.
“I’m already staying with my brother and his wife. They’d be all kinds of pissed if I bailed on them. Maybe you could just introduce me to Lindsay instead. That way, I can get her into my bed for real.”
“You got it.” Elodie fell silent. She felt a need to talk about Madison. She could count on one hand the number of real friends she had, and it was easy to imagine Madison adding to that number. But Elodie’s feelings for her went beyond friendship. As they’d chatted for hours the night before, there was an undeniable connection, but Elodie could practically feel herself being metaphorically held at arm’s length. If she could talk to anyone about her, it was Ice. She was candid and honest. She had a real-world understanding of relationships, something you didn’t customarily experience in Hollywood, where everyone was out for something with anyone they could get their claws into. With a master’s in psychology and the kind of work experience she’d had in places you didn’t want to know about with people you didn’t think existed, Elodie knew that Ice understood people. She needed someone else’s take on her situation, but before she spoke, Ice broke the silence.
“What else?”
Four years living three feet apart had synched the two of them more than they cared to admit. Ice was family. “I need your help. I think I’m even asking for your advice.”
“Are you sweet on your journalist?”
Elodie smiled at Ice’s intrinsic knowledge of her. “Not exactly. Well, sort of. Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Wow, she’s got you so you don’t know which fucking way is up. She cast a spell on you?”
“It feels like it. If I’m honest, she’s all I can think about. We’ve been speaking on the phone every day. It’s all I can do to stop myself from inundating her with gifts and flowers. I’m sure she can feel something too, but it’s like she’s shut that part of herself down, and I don’t know why. She just wants to be friends, but I think there’s more. There’s got to be more.” Elodie surprised herself with her verbalized stream of consciousness. Madison had got in deep without Elodie truly realizing.
“Are you convincing you or me?”
“I’m not trying to convince anyone. I don’t know where I’m going with it. We’re connected. There’s something there, and I know it. She knows it. She just won’t let it happen.”
“What do you expect, babe? You’re one of the most famous women on the planet, and your fucking is as eminent as any role you’ve played. Let’s be fucking frank here, you’re great for a sex-laden weekend, but any woman’d be stupid to fall in love with you and think they could be the one you settle down and adopt five cute African babies with. You’ve never had a serious relationship in your life—and that includes your fucking parents. You wouldn’t know what love was if it smacked you in the face with a wet cunt.”
“Jesus Christ, sugarcoat it for me a little, why don’t you?”
“That’s not what I do for you, babe.”
“What if she is someone I could have a serious relationship with?”
“You’ve got to convince her that’s a possibility…if you’ve even convinced yourself. You’ve gotta be sure this isn’t just about the chase, babe. You’re not used to people saying no to you. Are you absolutely certain that’s not what this is about?”
Elodie shifted in her seat and straightened her T-shirt like it’d help her find the answer. “No, it’s not. This feels real in a way nothing has before.”
“Wanting it doesn’t make it so, babe. Do you feel it? In here?” Ice shoved Elodie square in the chest, and she rocked back in her chair with the force.
“Easy, Ice. I’m not one of your informants. I’ll push back.”
Ice laughed. “Don’t make me kick your ass just because you need someone to take your sexual frustration out on.”
“It’s too early to be talking about here.” Elodie pressed her fingers to her own heart. “But I do need to explore further. There’s something pulling me closer, and I won’t let that go. I have to see it through, even if it does turn out to be a spectacular failure.”
“I know. No regrets.”
“No regrets.”
Chapter Fourteen
Madison arrived at the offices of Stones and Chase fifteen minutes before her appointment. She stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the petite receptionist behind the glass fronted desk area.
“Can I help you?” Her smile was saccharine sweet false, and there was lipstick on her overly whitened teeth.
Madison smiled as genuinely as she could manage. “I have a meeting with Patrick Powell at eleven thirty.”
“Can I take your name, please?”
“Of course. My name is Meghan Jacks.”
She glanced at the computer screen on her desk and clicked her mouse a few times before nodding. “Ah yes, there you are. If you’d like to take a seat, Mr. Powell’s assistant will collect you shortly.”
Madison thanked her and took the seat farthest away from the desk. She opened her handbag, made sure her Zoom recorder was positioned in the specially designed side pocket below the zip, and set it going. She’d closed it back up as a young man in a half-decent suit sidled up to her.
“Mrs. Jacks? Would you like to follow me?”
He waited for Madison to rise before walking in the opposite direction to where he’d come from. She followed him into a small glass-walled room and sat in one of the comfortable-looking fabric chairs.
“Mr. Powell will be with you in a moment. Would you like something to drink, Mrs. Jacks?”
“I’d love a soy latte.”
“Certainly.”
He retreated from the room but was back quicker than Madison expected. He placed her latte in front of her and a black Americano close by.
“Thank you.”
He nodded, smiled, and left once again. Madison was glad she’d already set her Zoom going because the overweight man she recognized from the firm’s website as Powell entered moments later.
“Mrs. Jacks, it’s good to meet you.”
She shook his extended hand. It was clammy and limp. Why doesn’t anyone shake hands properly anymore? He sat opposite her, placed his iPad on the table, and leaned forward conspiratorially.
“So. Tell me all about this cheating husband of yours, and I’ll work out how we can take him to the cleaners for you.”
Madison moved slightly closer to him. “It’s not my husband I need to talk to you about, Mr. Powell.”
“Patrick, you must call me Patrick. But I’m a little confused. Did my assistant make a mistake when he took your details?”
Madison shook her head before she continued. “No, he didn’t. But if I told him what I really needed to speak to you about, I’m not sure you would’ve seen me.”
Powell tilted his head and pushed his chair back a little, a suspicious look on his chubby face. Madison reached across to him and placed her hand on his knee. “Don’t worry. I still need your help, Patrick. And I’m more than happy to pay whatever you need to make the introduction.” She took her hand away, picked up her latte, and waited for him to digest her words.
“Sorry, Mrs. Jacks, I don’t understand what you need from me.”
“I need an introduction to a very special organization.” Madison looked over his shoulder deliberately to indicate her discomfort with the level of visibility afforded by the glass box they were in.
“Would you like more privacy?”
Clever boy. “Yes…if you wouldn’t mind. This is a very delicate situation.”
He rose and press
ed a button on a wall panel. The clear glass became frosted, and Madison affected a visible relaxation.
“Thank you so much. That’s much better. You simply don’t know who might be able to lip read. This isn’t a discussion I approach lightly, Patrick. It’s taken me many hours of deliberation to get to this point.” Madison liked that Powell looked so confused. She briefly thought of Elodie and wondered what she’d make of her little masquerade. Maybe she could give me some tips.
“Perhaps you could give me a little more information, Meghan.”
The fact that he chose to use her first name indicated his suspicions had abated somewhat.
“It’s my sister. She needs some very specific help, and she can’t get it…legitimately.”
“Are we talking tax breaks? We’re a very discreet firm. I have a colleague who’d be much better qualified for that particular requirement, Meghan.”
Madison shook her head. “No, it’s not that.” He’s hooked. Out with it. “She needs a kidney, preferably two.” Madison took another sip of her drink and watched Powell’s reaction. His body became tense again, and his eyes shifted from left to right as if he were a kid caught stealing from the cookie jar.
“I…I don’t understand why you think I might be able to help you, Meghan. I’m a divorce attorney.”
“Yes, I know that. But I’ve also been told you were in a similar position not so long ago. I was told you were able to find your way out of that predicament quite creatively and not using regular channels of,” she paused for effect, “of healthcare.”
Powell cleared his throat and shifted his weight from ass cheek to ass cheek in his chair. “Who told you these things?”
Madison shook her head. “I’m as discreet as your firm, Patrick. I’d never reveal who told me. I wouldn’t want to put anyone in danger of prosecution, especially when they’re helping me save my sister’s life.”