Hollywood Rush

by Rhonda Laurel

  “Who owns the remaining six percent?”

  “That, kid, has been a mystery as long as Pinnacle has been around.” Stan chuckled. “Marvin sure knew how to screw with Raymond’s head. You know they hated each other.”

  “Then why go into business together?”

  “Because making money has nothing to do with friendship.”

  Chris bid his agent farewell and began the trek home. Stan had given him a lot to think about. Someone was very interested in him doing a limited run gritty detective show on cable television. There was interest in him for the part because of the role from The Knock Around Boys.

  Chris maneuvered his bike on the highway that led to their house. In his side mirror he could see a black car behind him following kind of close. He sped up a bit to create some distance, but the car sped up too.

  He changed lanes and the black car followed suit.

  Chris was sure he could get ahead of the lunatic around the curve up ahead. He accelerated into the turn, creating distance between him and the car. As the road began to straighten again, the car lurched forwarded into his space, hitting his rear tire. The quick motion caught him by surprise. He swayed right and skidded into a guardrail. The momentum of the big Harley broke through the guardrail that separated the road from the cliff overlooking the Pacific. As Chris’s body disengaged from the bike, he clutched at anything to keep him from going over the edge.

  * * *

  Kate flew down the hospital corridor in panic, tears streaming from her eyes, not knowing what to expect. When the officer rang her doorbell and said Chris was thrown from his motorcycle as he was making a turn along the highway, she braced herself for the worst. She threw on some clothes and made calls in her car as she raced to the hospital. Her heart was beating erratically in her chest as she ran down that hall, making it hard to breathe, until she reached his room and heard his voice.

  “Can I get something to eat besides Jell-O?” Chris said to the nurse who was adjusting his IV.

  “Chris!” Kate ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. She leaned back and gave him the once over. His arm was bandaged, and angry red contusions marred his face.

  Chris ran a hand through her hair. “I’m okay. It looks worse than it is.”

  Kate leaned in and kissed him. “Are you sure?”

  “See?” He grinned. “Those stunt lessons came in handy. I can fall off a cliff with the best of them.”

  “What happened?”

  “I was driving along and suddenly this car comes speeding up behind me and clips my back tire. That made the bike spin out and sent me right into the guardrail. I skidded for a few feet and then the drop was right there. I tried to save the bike but I figured I could get a new bike faster than a new body. It would have made an awesome shot in a movie.”

  “Can you be serious? You almost did a Rebel Without a Cause off a cliff!” She sniffed.

  “I’m sorry.” Chris put finger under her chin. “I’ll stop making wisecracks if you stop crying. Okay?”

  She nodded at him.

  “I fought like hell to stay on that cliff because no matter how romantic those ghost movies are, I’m pretty sure a woman wants a man who’s alive. Can you imagine me hovering around the beach house? Scaring the hell out of Merlot? Knocking over lamps if you brought a date home?”

  She chuckled and it came out half sob. “Being a lovelorn ghost sounds like it would suck.”

  “Would it be too cheesy if I started quoting song lyrics right now?” He ran his hand along her arm.

  “How about you get some sleep. You’ve had one hell of a night and I’m sure my heart will start beating again at some point.”

  Chris yawned. “Will you be here when I wake up?”

  “You know it.”

  It only took Chris a few minutes to fall asleep from the pain meds. Kate went into the hallway and told Andre, John and Charlotte to go home. It was late and there was no point in having everyone sit up all night.

  Three hours later, Kate finally moved from the chair beside his bed. She got on the elevator and hit the third floor button for the coffee shop. If she were lucky, they’d still be serving food.

  They were. Kate perused the menu on the chalkboard when she heard a familiar voice.

  “Light and sweet?” Andre handed her a cup.

  “I thought you went home.” Kate smiled.

  “I wanted to make sure you were OK, so I came back.”

  Kate placed her order for a turkey on rye at the counter then found a table. “You don’t believe this was an accident, do you?”

  “Well, you know I’m a naturally suspicious man. It’s an occupational hazard.” Andre sipped his coffee.

  “What occupation is that again?”

  “Gatekeeper and protector. I apologize for not doing a better job with Chris.” Andre folded his arms over his chest.

  “You have nothing to apologize for.” A tear formed in her eye and she wiped it away. Andre had been her protector for so many years. “Why do you do this? Why did you come to California with us?”

  “We both know the answer to that.” Andre stood up and kissed her on the forehead. “You stay with Chris. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Kate hoped Virginia Claymore, her executive assistant at Pinnacle, didn’t notice that her head had slipped noticeably from the palm of her hand.

  “Am I boring you?” Virginia looked at her over the rim of her glasses.

  Kate straightened up. “No, of course not. I had a long drive back from San Francisco.”

  “How’s Chris?”

  “He’s feeling better. The road trip lifted his spirits. Thanks for asking. How were things while I was away?”

  “Raymond’s office sent a few things for you to look over. He’s looking to make some administrative changes that he can handle himself but he’s making a big deal about it.”

  “Giving me busy work?” Kate leaned back in her chair.

  “I’m afraid, yes.” Virginia played with her blouse collar. “You’ve been here a few months now. How are you adjusting to all of this?”

  “Everyone walks on eggshells around me. You’d think I was an executioner the way people look away when I drive through the front gate.” Kate rolled her eyes.

  “Being nice to you is like a slap in the face to Raymond and everyone wants to keep that crotchety bastard on their good side.”

  “I went to Bellow’s a few weeks ago and they gave me preferential treatment over Raymond. I’m usually lucky to see the inside of that place.”

  “I heard about that. The owner called and apologized.”

  Kate gave her a quizzical look but Virginia’s stern expression didn’t waver.

  Finally, the older woman spoke. “Why don’t we take a tour of the lot?”

  “Alright.” Kate stood.

  Virginia drove Kate around the lot in a golf cart, giving her geographical information about the movie studio. It was more of an architectural tour, but things were now clicking into place. Certain lots were designed to get more natural sunlight for day shooting and another side of the property was great for moonlight. Sloping hills helped with productions that had water themes, as Virginia pointed out giant water tanks. Everything was purposefully placed to get maximum use of the vast space. Virginia also pointed out the sound stages where famous television shows and movies had been filmed, but stopped when they reached studio seven. There was no signage or schedule on the board, so that meant it wasn’t active.

  Virginia pulled out a key from her pocket and opened the door. Kate roamed around and found a scale model city and cameras hanging from different angles around the large warehouse like room.

  Virginia looked around. “This was Marvin’s favorite studio. He said he liked the acoustics in here.” She hit a switch on the wall and music started to play. Duke Ellington and John Coltrane’s “In a Sentimental Mood.”

  Kate smiled. “I know Marvin provided generously for you in his will. Why ar
e you still working here?”

  Virginia shook her head. “I loved that man. I promised him I would help you take over when the time came, and I’m not retiring until I know you’re ready for this life.”

  “That’s a lot of dedication,” Kate said.

  “Before you ask, no we weren’t sleeping together.” Virginia laughed.

  “I didn’t think—”

  “Sure you did. Don’t you think people wonder if you were sleeping with Marvin?”

  Kate shivered. “Gross.”

  “People have done more for far less. I know the truth because Marvin gushed about you being the daughter he never had. He kept a picture of you and Clara on his desk.”

  Kate began moving around the mini city at her feet. “Why is it that a woman always has to sleep with some man to get what she wants? Why aren’t we ever viewed as competent enough to conquer the world in an upright position?”

  “I’ve asked myself the same question for over fifty years. My career in Hollywood ended well before it began. I wanted to direct and they wanted me in front of the camera playing the Girl Friday or some other dreadful stereotype. I wanted equal rights for actresses and more opportunities to expand our roles. I refused to be silenced and walked out on my contract. I was blackballed for the longest time until Marvin came to me one day and asked me to work for him.”

  “Why did you?”

  “I was just about broke and I had a mouth to feed, my daughter Evelyn.

  Kate hit herself in the forehead. “Of course, Evelyn Claymore is your daughter. She’s one of America’s sweethearts. She has an impressive film and television career.”

  “My daughter was able to handle this life better than I. She got into the business early, and Marvin made sure no one took their grievances with me out on her.”

  “And working as Marvin’s secretary wasn’t difficult for you?”

  “No.” Virginia stepped over what looked like a model bus and came closer. “I have a talent. I’ve picked the blockbuster movies Marvin has backed for over thirty years. He said he didn’t have the stomach for it.”

  “He trusted you.” Kate touched her throat. “Virginia, do you know who owns the six percent of Pinnacle?

  “I have no idea. That was the only thing he never confided in me.”

  “I did some digging and came up empty.”

  “If Marvin made it that difficult to learn the person’s identity, he must have had a very good reason.”

  “I see.” Kate nodded. “I appreciate the loyalty, but if you want to retire, I totally understand.”

  “He asked me to look after you. I intend to do that.”

  “That may be an exercise in futility. I don’t know what I’m doing here. I knew enough to keep Marvin’s shares out of Raymond’s hands, but after that I’m lost. People are under the assumption I’m going to puppet master my way around here to secure Chris the roles he wants. He’s his own man, I just happen to indirectly be his boss.” Kate clenched her fists.

  “So what if you did want to make sure your husband became a superstar? You have that power. Women have married powerful men since the dawn of time and have become privileged because of it. Why not turn the tables for once?”

  She shook her head. “I can’t take the chance he’ll resent me for it someday.”

  “Kate, I brought you here because Marvin liked this sound stage so much he closed it. There hasn’t been a movie made here in years. This was a setting for a disaster movie we filmed over twenty years ago. Marvin saw this layout and asked that nothing be moved. He said when he walked around in here it gave him perspective on life. You are no longer simply a businesswoman with a thriving record label. You have entered the realm of gods and monsters that was created out the imaginations of people who live and breathe illusions. This model city at your feet is Pinnacle and when you walk through it, everyone can’t help but see you’re the biggest thing around. Which would you rather be? The person with unspeakable power or the one about to be trampled?”

  Virginia closed up the sound stage and handed Kate the key. Sound stage seven would continue to remain as Marvin wanted it. A place to come and gain perspective on the world of fantasy around them.

  * * *

  The Cavanaughs were settling in for a lazy weekend, complete with snacks for an eighties action movie marathon, when Jack called. Kate was surprised when Jack said he wanted to discuss something with Chris and her. It had been a while since he’d been around. Chris saw him when they did press for the movie but Jack was off the grid otherwise.

  “Do you know what he wants to talk to us about?” Chris asked as he set the table on the deck.

  Kate shook her head. “I have no idea.”

  “Maybe he wants to take you up on that offer of that ménage a trois people seem to think we are having.”

  Kate rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not about to share you with anyone, least of all Jack.” Chris kissed her.

  The doorbell rang. Chris followed Merlot to the door and let Jack in while Kate poured the wine.

  “Mrs. Cavanaugh.” Jack kissed her cheek and hugged her.

  Kate smiled. “You look good, Jack. Come on in and have a glass of wine.”

  “Thanks,” he said and followed her into the dining room. “I’ll try not to take up too much of your evening. I just had a proposition for you and Chris.”

  Chris greeted them with the wine and poured three glasses. “A proposition, eh?” He shot a sidelong glance at Kate. “Involving the three of us?”

  Kate slapped his arm.

  “I’m sure the two of you know I am officially the father of Brianna’s baby,” Jack said. “The paternity test proved it. Actually, both paternity tests proved it.”

  “You had two tests done?” Chris asked.

  Jack chuckled and took a sip of his wine. “When someone is about to change your life, you get a second opinion.”

  Kate smiled. “What’s her name?”

  Jack gave her a quizzical look. “Who?”

  “Your daughter.”

  “Zoe,” Jack replied. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and scrolled to a picture.

  “She’s beautiful.” Kate smiled. “You must just adore her.”

  “Which brings us to the reason for my visit. I’d like to ask the two of you to be Zoe’s godparents.”

  Kate and Chris looked at each other for a moment, then at Jack. He didn’t laugh, and from what she could tell he wasn’t intoxicated.

  “Why ask us?” Kate uttered. “I don’t think Brianna would agree to this. She and I aren’t exactly friends.”

  Brianna was the only person who hadn’t let things go. Her career was tanking so she’d publicly accused Kate, the new movie studio exec, of keeping her from getting work.

  “It’s not up to Brianna,” Jack mumbled.

  “She’s Zoe’s mother, how could it not be? And not to mention that crap she keeps spouting about me sabotaging her career now that I own part of Pinnacle to anyone who will give her a microphone,” Kate challenged.

  “Kate, I know if anything happened to me, you’d look after Zoe. I trust your judgment. You would be a great role model for her.” Jack turned to Chris. “Chris, you haven’t been arrested in the state of California for anything.”

  Chris laughed. “The non-compliment compliment.”

  “So what do you think?” Jack looked at both of them.

  “I think we need some more wine,” Kate said.

  * * *

  “What the hell is up with that?” Chris asked later as he loaded the dishwasher.

  “I wish I knew.” Kate sighed. She’d assured Jack that she’d give his offer serious consideration, but only if Brianna agreed. Which she just couldn’t imagine happening in this century.

  Chris furrowed his brows. “I love your big heart, but why the hell would you be the godmother to the daughter of the woman who is using you as media bait?”

  “Good question. It’s important to Jack for some reas
on. I can usually read him pretty well, but I couldn’t tonight. The good news is he doesn’t clench his jaw so much anymore when he says your name.” Kate wrapped her arms around Chris and rubbed her cheek against his beard.

  “He only flinches now when I touch you.” Chris smirked.

  Kate’s eyes widened. “You saw that?”

  “Yeah.” Chris leaned her back against the counter. “You do know I have to shave for Malediction.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “Damn, I’m going to miss the beard.”

  “It’s not like it’s covering a hideous face.” He quipped.

  “Of course not. You look so straitlaced when you’re shaved clean. I feel like you’re going to ask me if I want to diversify my stock portfolio or something.” Kate laughed.

  “I’ll still be the man who helped you get sand out of very inconvenient places on our honeymoon.” Chris kissed her.

  “Thanks again for that. Making love on the beach is a lot sexier in theory than in practical application.”

  “But that sand was handy for traction.” He trailed kisses down her neck.

  Kate feigned disinterest in his overtures. “Are you finished loading the dishwasher?”

  Chris kicked the door closed with his foot. “I am now.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Kate could feel the pavement pulsating as she made her way to Charlotte’s dance studio. She hadn’t seen her friend since the wedding and she missed her. Charlotte had been in better spirits these days; her family of misfits hadn’t committed a single crime in six months. She was working as dance coach for Lana McNeal and was even in talks to be a judge on a reality dance show next year.

  Kate thought it was really brave of her friend to take Lana on as a client. She was right, seeing the young singer in action was sometimes painful to watch. On many occasion Charlotte had prayed the girl would pull a hamstring and cancel the tour. But Charlotte, with Kate’s help, had choreographed a routine that concealed Lana’s lack of grace. There was a lot of strutting and being carried around on stage, but it also helped that Lana could keep her pitch longer. The young singer still hadn’t perfected hitting her notes while dancing.