‘Where is your gun?’
‘Like you don’t know,’ Price sneered. ‘You know where I keep everythin’, from my grass to my rubbers. You know more about what goes on in this fuckin’ house than I do. Now go check an’ see if my gun is where it should be.’
Irena let out a long, deep sigh. ‘I already have,’ she said. ‘It is not there.’
‘Jesus!’ Price yelled, punching his fist in the air.
‘Mila could not have taken it. I do not allow her free access to the main house.’
‘Mila has all the access she wants. She wanders around here whenever I’m out. I know she’s been in my bedroom.’
‘I would never let Mila do that.’
‘This is shit!’ Price said, thinking aloud. ‘An’ it’ll affect me ’cause it’ll be all over the fuckin’ tabloids. An’ it won’t be about Teddy or Mila, it’ll be about me, Price Washington, the black superstar with the big bad drug habit.’ He marched back to the bar and poured himself another shot. ‘Thank God Mary Lou was black,’ he said, still thinking aloud. ‘If she’d bin a white chick, Teddy’s black ass would be fuckin’ lynched!’
‘What about Mila?’ Irena said. ‘She needs a lawyer.’
‘Fuck Mila,’ Price snapped. ‘I gotta speak to Teddy. Go to the school an’ bring the fool home. We’ll talk about Mila later, after I’ve heard Teddy’s story.’
* * *
Teddy arrived back at the house with a lead weight in his stomach – or, at least, that’s how it felt. Price was home, so he knew he could expect the worst.
The sad truth was that Mila had betrayed him. Not only had she betrayed him, but she was coming out with a bunch of damaging lies. He was confused and frightened. How was he going to convince people that she was the killer, not him?
Howard Greenspan had warned him to talk to no one about the case, so he hadn’t. Now he was forced to face his father alone.
Price was in the living room drinking a large tumbler of Scotch, which Teddy knew was a bad sign: since cleaning up his drug addiction, Price rarely drank unless he was under pressure.
‘Hi, Dad,’ Teddy managed, as he sidled into the room.
Price greeted his son calmly. ‘Sit down, Teddy,’ he said.
‘Yes, Dad,’ he muttered, finding a place on the couch.
There was an uncomfortable silence, finally broken by Price who stood in front of his son, glaring at him accusingly. ‘Now I want you t’ give it to me straight, boy,’ Price said. ‘An’ don’tcha go handin’ me no bullshit story. You understand what I’m sayin’ here?’
Teddy was flooded with shame. His dad had trusted him and he’d let him down. ‘Mila did it,’ he blurted. ‘I didn’t do nothin’. It was horrible, Dad.’
‘So horrible you couldn’t go to the cops an’ tell ’em everything?’ Price demanded. ‘’Cause if you’d done that, you wouldn’t be in this mess today.’
‘I know,’ Teddy muttered.
‘You’d better tell me, boy, what the fuck happened here?’
Teddy began to relate his miserable story. All about how he and Mila had gone for a drive, stolen CDs, drunk beer, snorted coke. And when he came to the bit about Mary Lou, he suddenly lost it and could barely speak.
Price turned away from him. ‘Mila grabbed her jewellery, an’ you put it in your pocket,’ he said, in a low, angry voice. ‘Is that what I’m hearin’?’
Teddy nodded, too ashamed to look his father in the eye.
‘Where’s the jewellery now?’
‘Mila’s got it.’
‘And where the fuck’s my gun?’
‘Didn’t know it was your gun,’ Teddy mumbled. ‘She must’ve taken it.’
‘Jesus!’ Price said. ‘This is a tough one.’ A long beat. ‘I’m gonna believe you, ’cause I know what kinda girl Mila is. But whaddya think the jury’s gonna do, you bein’ a black boy an’ all, an’ she bein’ a white girl? That’s one big mark against you. An’ if Mila gets herself a smart lawyer, they’ll dress her up like Little Mary Sunshine, an’ make you out to be this bad mother-fuckin’ black asshole influencing this innocent white girl – feedin’ her drugs an’ shit. Rapin’ her. You do know that’s what she’s sayin’?’
Teddy’s eyes bugged. ‘That I raped her?’
‘Right on.’
‘No way, Dad,’ he shouted indignantly. ‘She wanted me to do it to her. She was all over me.’
‘So ’cause she was comin’ on to you, you couldn’t help fuckin’ the little bitch? That your story?’
Teddy nodded miserably.
‘Oh, I get it,’ Price said sarcastically. ‘You go out with her, she screws with your head, shoots somebody. Then later you find you gotta fuck her for good measure. That the way this went down?’
Teddy stared at the floor. ‘I . . . I . . . thought she liked me,’ he muttered. ‘Didn’t know it was gonna turn into this.’
‘You didn’t know, huh?’ Price said harshly. ‘You were with her when she killed somebody, boy. You stood back and watched it happen. An’ you never came to me, never went to the cops. Are you fuckin’ insane?’ He marched back to the bar and refilled his glass. Then he came back and stood in front of Teddy, his eyes glittering with anger. ‘I raised you to be a good upstandin’ citizen, an’ whaddya do? You shit all over everythin’ I taught you. Fool!’ He shook his bald head disparagingly. ‘I can’t save you, Teddy. I’ll get you the best lawyers I can, but I can’t save you. An’ don’t think I’m not gonna be dragged through the mud. Oh, yeah, they’re gonna rake it up about me – Price Washington, ex drug addict. Let’s hope it don’t reflect on my career. Let’s get down an’ pray you haven’t fucked that up, too.’
‘I’m sorry, Dad . . .’
‘“Sorry” don’t cut it, boy. You’d better get your black ass up to your room an’ stay there, ’cause I can’t stomach lookin’ at you no more.’
‘I gotta talk to Mila,’ Teddy said desperately. ‘I know I can get her to tell the truth.’
Price gave a hollow laugh. ‘Stupid, too, huh?’
Irena, who’d been listening outside the door, took a step back. She felt the same way Price did. She’d given Mila everything she could, and the girl had betrayed her. Mila was a bad girl, she’d bring Irena down, for how could Mr Washington keep her as his housekeeper if Mila and Teddy were up against each other?
If only she could persuade Price to bail her daughter out, then maybe she could talk some sense into her, because if Mila confessed everything, then Teddy would be free.
Irena waited until Teddy pushed past her and ran upstairs to his room, then she knocked tentatively on the door. Price did not answer.
Very slowly she opened the door and peered inside.
Price was sitting at the table, his head buried in his hands. She could be mistaken, but she thought he might be sobbing.
This was no time to disturb him. Very slowly she backed out of the room and closed the door.
Tomorrow she would ask him about Mila.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Lucky suggested to Brigette that they get together before the party, but her goddaughter demurred, saying she had a thousand things to take care of. Lucky had asked her whom she wanted invited, and all Brigette said was, ‘I’d love to see Gino and the kids, I don’t care about anybody else.’
‘Fine,’ Lucky said. ‘I’ll put together a list of interesting people.’ She didn’t mention that Lina was in town; she thought it would be a nice surprise.
Lucky fervently hoped she was wrong about Brigette’s new husband, that maybe he’d turn out to be a great guy. She reasoned that if he was making Brigette happy, that was all that mattered. Although, when she’d spoken to Brigette’s lawyers in New York, they’d seemed to think that Carlo was on a mission to take control of Brigette’s fortune, and they were quite disturbed. ‘As you know, Lucky,’ one of the lawyers had told her, ‘the way things are set up, nobody can touch the bulk of Brigette’s inheritance until she’s thirty. That means it’s secure for another five years.’
‘Perfect,’ Lucky had said. ‘Because if the marriage lasts five years, then it proves she’s really in love. And if it doesn’t she’ll be well rid of him.’
After she’d finished dressing for the party, Lucky had the barman fix her a vodka martini before she strolled casually into Lennie’s study. She’d decided that now was as good a time as any to tell him she was producing a movie with Alex. Although he knew she’d been reading scripts, he wasn’t aware of where they’d been coming from.
‘Hey, babe,’ she said, standing behind him, ‘time to get dressed. Guests will be arriving soon.’
He was barely able to drag his eyes away from his computer, but eventually he did. ‘Don’t you look beautiful?’ he said, letting out a long, low whistle as he checked her out. ‘Love your hair that way.’
She’d worn her hair long and wild and curly, the way she knew he preferred it. And she’d slithered into a long red dress, his favourite colour.
‘Sweetheart,’ she said, massaging his shoulders, ‘remember I told you I’m looking to produce a movie?’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Well . . . I think I’ve found the right property,’ she said, continuing to knead his back. ‘And here’s the good news. I’ve got my co-producer, my director, and my star. So I’m considering making an announcement in the trades next week. Naturally I wanted you to hear it first.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ he said. ‘How come you haven’t mentioned it before?’
She stopped massaging his shoulders and perched on the edge of his desk. ‘Because you’ve been so totally immersed in your script that I didn’t want to disturb you.’
‘Yeah, I do get kinda carried away,’ he said, smiling ruefully. ‘I like what I’m working on. It’s a different deal from anything I’ve done before. Of course, I’ll probably never get a studio to put up the money. And since you’re not at Panther any more . . .’ A big grin. ‘Hey, maybe you can slide in a good word for me.’
‘If you’re very nice to me, maybe I will,’ she said, smiling back at him.
‘So,’ he said, switching off his computer. ‘Tell me about your movie. What’s the story?’
‘It’s kind of an edgy black comedy with a feminist twist. And, uh . . . Venus has agreed to star in it.’
‘Venus, huh? The two of you together will be a trip. Who’s the brave man who’s agreed to direct this project?’
A short pause before she gave him the zinger. ‘Alex,’ she said casually.
‘Alex,’ he repeated, the smile sliding from his face.
‘That’s right,’ she said, speaking fast. ‘It was one of the scripts he had in development, and he thought it might be a good vehicle for Venus. So, since he knew I wanted to work with her, he sent it my way.’
‘Alex Woods is going to direct your movie,’ Lennie said slowly. ‘Is that what I’m hearing here?’
‘You don’t sound thrilled.’
‘Should I be?’
‘Why not? If I’m doing this, it has to be with the best, and you know Alex is one of the most talented directors in town.’
‘Alex Woods is a raving egomaniac,’ Lennie said sourly. ‘He does everything his way. You’ll be at each other’s throats before you can turn around.’
‘I think I can handle him,’ she said, annoyed that Lennie didn’t trust her judgement.
‘Yeah,’ Lennie said. ‘I’m sure you can.’
‘What does that mean?’ she said, her black eyes giving forth major danger signals.
‘I’m not happy about you working with Alex.’
‘Why?’
‘Hey – news flash – the man has a gigantic crush on you.’
‘Lennie,’ she said, curbing her anger, ‘Alex was very good to me when you were kidnapped. He was always there for me whenever I needed support. I love him as a friend, nothing more, so please don’t spoil this for me because of some petty jealousy.’
‘What would you do if I said I didn’t want you working with him?’ Lennie said, getting up abruptly.
‘I don’t like people telling me what I can and can’t do.’
‘Uh-huh, that figures,’ he said, walking into their bedroom.
‘Are you mad at me?’ she said, following him.
‘I’d better take a shower or I’ll be late for the party.’
‘I repeat, are you mad at me?’
He headed into his bathroom. ‘I’m not mad, Lucky. You can do what you want. You always have and I guess you always will.’
And before she could say anything else, he slammed the bathroom door in her face.
Why do I have to go through this? she thought, angry and frustrated. I don’t want to have to ask for permission to do anything. I love Lennie. I’m faithful to him. What more can he possibly want?
And yet, deep down, she knew that if the situation was reversed she’d probably be pissed, too.
* * *
Steven stood in front of his bathroom mirror, shaving carefully. He was in a reflective mood. Two people being arrested for Mary Lou’s murder had brought back every detail of that fateful night. And now that they’d caught the perpetrators, there would be a trial ahead, which meant that the publicity machine would start again, wrecking his privacy, bringing back all the painful memories.
It was going to be difficult to forget and move on when the story of Mary Lou’s senseless murder would be all over the news media every day. And, of course, it would be, all the more so because the boy they’d arrested was the son of Price Washington.
Steven was well aware that he would have to be there during the trial, sitting in the front row of the courtroom every day. He’d told Lucky it was important they present a united front along with Mary Lou’s family, who were still totally devastated. Carioca would have to be there too.
God! How could he possibly put his little daughter through such a painful process? Yes, her presence would definitely sway the jury, but there was no way he wanted her to hear the details of that awful night.
Life without Mary Lou did not get any easier. He’d tried to compensate by throwing himself into his heavy caseload of work, but nothing took away the loneliness he felt. At night, in bed, there was nobody lying next to him, nobody to fight over the remote control with; nobody to share a hot dog or a tunafish sandwich with on a Saturday afternoon while he sat in front of the TV watching football. Nobody . . . nobody . . . nobody.
And the sad fact was that he didn’t want anybody. Because there wasn’t a woman in the world who could possibly replace Mary Lou.
‘I’m very, very happy, Daddy,’ Carioca Jade announced, bouncing into his bathroom, all dressed up in her best party dress.
‘Why’s that, honeybunch?’ Steven asked, glancing down at his daughter.
‘I’m happy ’cause we’re going to a party and I’m your date.’ She tilted her head, gazing up at him, her big brown eyes filled with love. ‘Can I always be your date, Daddy?’
‘You always are,’ Steven assured her. ‘You are the most important girl in my life.’
‘I get to spend the night with Maria,’ Carioca said.
‘Yeah, you haven’t done that in a while.’
‘She’s great, Daddy,’ Carioca said seriously. ‘She’s like my sister.’
He finished shaving and put down his razor. ‘She’s your sister all right. And don’t you two girls go getting into any trouble.’
‘CeeCee’s taking us to Disneyland tomorrow,’ Carioca informed him.
‘Disneyland, huh?’ he said, reaching for a clean white shirt.
‘Daddy?’
‘Yes, honey.’
‘Where’s Mommy?’
He felt the pain as he always did whenever she mentioned Mary Lou. ‘You know where she is,’ he said quietly. ‘Mommy’s sleeping with God.’
‘Does God have a very big bed?’
‘Yes, he does. And all his favourite children curl up in it every night.’
‘I wish Mommy could come home now,’ Carioca said, her lower lip trembl
ing. ‘I wish she could sleep in our bed with you.’
‘We’d both like that, but it’s not going to happen. Mommy was taken because she’s so special. You know that, baby, I’ve told you before.’
Carioca gave a big sigh. ‘I know, I know. Sometimes I get sad, though, ’cause I miss Mommy so much.’
‘Yes, honey,’ he said, sadly. ‘Everyone does.’
‘Everyone,’ Carioca repeated. ‘Everyone in the world.’
‘And who looks pretty tonight?’ Steven asked, quickly changing the subject.
‘Me!’ she said, giggling.
‘And why is that?’
‘’Cause I get to see Brigette,’ Carioca said. ‘An’ she’s really pretty.’
‘Not as pretty as you.’
‘Silly Daddy,’ Carioca said, beaming.
Steven reached for his watch. ‘I’d better get a move on,’ he said. ‘We’re picking up my friend at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and we shouldn’t be late.’
‘Who?’
‘Uncle Jerry, my partner from New York.’
‘Will he have a present for me?’
‘I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t.’
‘Okay, Daddy, but hurry up!’
‘I gotta finish getting dressed first.’
‘Okay, I’ll wait.’
* * *
‘I’m, like, so honoured!’ Lina exclaimed, dazzlingly sleek and sexy in a bias-cut Versace burnt-sienna silk dress.
‘You are?’ Charlie said, eyebrows shooting up above his tinted glasses as they strolled through the gardens of the Bel Air Hotel.
‘Well, of course,’ she said, linking her arm cosily through his. ‘The great Charlie Dollar picking up little old me. I’m flattered.’
‘The doll is flattered,’ Charlie said, as if addressing an audience. ‘I’m ten degrees away from a freakin’ heart attack, and she’s flattered.’
‘Are you sick?’
‘Only mentally.’
‘Charlie,’ she giggled, ‘stop teasing me.’
‘What I’m trying to tell you, kiddo, is that I’m an old fart movie star who could drop at any moment.’ He sighed despairingly. ‘I’m freakin’ old.’
‘Not too old for me,’ she said quickly. ‘Or anyone else you fancy.’
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