Fall Out
Page 37
The unraveling of the mystery of the Buddha lead to the discovery of the golden tiger. It was a triumph of Chinese archaeological techniques and made front page headlines the world over. The Chinese Government agreed that much like the Terracotta Army, the two wonders would remain where they belonged, in Hunan Province.
“So ya-ya,” Haribon said, “have I atoned at all for my sins?”
“Probably not,” she chided him. “However, as I was there while you grew up, it’s arguably my fault you turned out as you did. I’m not even sure about this apartment. Too flash,” she said with a mock frown.
Haribon stretched then ran his fingers through his hair. “The McKinley Road house is yours now, or I’ll buy you another anywhere you like as your balato,” he smiled at her, referring to an old Philippine tradition that when one comes into good fortune a balato, or share, be given to close family or loved ones.
“Thank you. I’m happy where I am. However, there is something I would like. A first-class return ticket to see those tigers in Hunan, then a visit to the museums filled with all the treasures that Mako returned. While I’m away, just keep an eye on the foundation we set up with her father’s money. Make sure the right people benefit.”
“Done,” he laughed. He glanced across expecting to see a smile on her face but instead was greeted by a frown. “Why the tampo (sulk)?” he asked.
“Where are your manners?” she admonished him. “That is what you can do for me. Now what are you going to do for them?”
76
PIED À MER, CANNES
The wind was blowing fiercely, the halyards slapping and clinking against the masts of the yachts in the marina below. The sea swirled in eddies reflecting gunmetal grey from the brooding rain-filled clouds that hung over it.
Mako was curled on the sofa in front of the fire, a pencil holding her long hair in a knotted bun at the back of her head. A balloon glass of Calvados was in one hand.
The doorbell rang. A few moments later Garance entered the room.
“A courier, Madame. Une enveloppe. Most insistent I give to your hand, Monsieur Riley,” he said.
Marcus smiled a thank you. He looked at the sender’s address and stood still.
“Anyone we know?” asked Mako.
He slowly opened the envelope. He drew out a sheet of heavy and expensive writing paper. At the top was the familiar gold embossed logo of an eagle, wings raised but this time its claws clutching a diamond gem.
Attached was a five-page distribution contract as well as details of a full studio facility and crew in a new production complex in China. Neatly stapled to the top right-hand corner was a check from EagleGem Distribution for an advance against all rights in the Pacific Rim and Europe for FALL OUT. It was for $40 million. “What do you know,” Marcus smiled bending down to give Mako a kiss on her forehead. “We’re back in the movie business,” he said.
Acknowledgments
My thanks to Sherrye Landrum DeFreytas, Kathy Freeman, Alan Moloney, Graham & Emma (Forbes) Clempson, Damien Lewis, Bette Anne Berg, Georgina Jackson Sytner, Kim Whyte (Figgydoo), Wayne Stanley & Irondome, Malcolm Miller, the friends and family who encouraged me in the dark moments and partied in the light ones and all at Bloodhound Books.
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Thanks to Aquila Chrysaetos for the signs and symbols.
A note from the publisher
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Bibliography
Much of the content of this book is based on historical fact.
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Asian Loot: Unearthing the Secrets of Marcos, Yamashita and the Gold – Charles C. McDougald, San Francisco Publishers, 1993
America's Boy: The Marcoses and the Philippines – James Hamilton-Paterson, Granta Books, 1999
Notes: The Making Of Apocalypse Now – Eleanor Coppola, Faber, 1995
Balisong: The Lethal Art of Filipino Knife Fighting Paperback – Gary Cagaanan, Sid Campbell and Sonny Umpad, Paladin Press, 1986
Philippine Culture Manual for Foreigners: Understanding the Culture of the Philippines – Bob Martin, CreateSpace, 2015
Tagalog Down & Dirty: Filipino Obscenities, Insults, Sex Talk, Drug Slang and Gay Language in The Philippines – Emmett Henderson, CreateSpace, 2011
Lonely River Village: A Novel of Secret Stories – Norma Libman, Rio Granata Press, 2014
Food of the Philippines: 81 Easy and Delicious Recipes from the Pearl of the Orient – Reynaldo G. Alejandro and Luca Invernizzi Tettoni, Periplus, 2017
Culture Shock! Philippines: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette Paperback – Alfredo Roces and Grace Roces, Kuperard, 2000
Asian Art (The World's Greatest Art) – Michael Kerrigan, Flame Tree Publishing, 2017
Art of the Korean Renaissance: 1400-1600 – Soyoung Lee, Yale University Press, 2009
Asian Art: India China Japan – Berenice Geoffroy-Schneiter, Assouline, 2002
Classic Chinese Furniture – Wo-Lap Lam Willy, Formasia Books Ltd, 2006
Chinese, Celtic & Ornamental Knots – Suzen Millodot, Search Press Ltd, 2012
The Art of War – Sun Tzu, Pax Librorum, 2009
General Yamashita’s Dream Book : How to successfully find hidden treasure in the Philippines – Aquila Chrysaetos, New Generation Publishing, 2013
Praise for the author
“A terrific debut thriller set in the film world, written by someone who clearly has worked in it. The story starts with the murder of a screenwriter and a very special screenplay he has sent to five specific people. Their common link? They all worked on a movie that abruptly stopped shooting years before. The story has all the ingredients of a classic page turner, drawing you in with its fast-paced narrative. mixes danger and death, hidden clues and intrigue that rival the Da Vinci code and a wonderful set of engaging characters from the producer Marcus Riley to the resilient designer Melinda ‘Mako’ de Turris. With stunning attention to detail, Grenside transports us through the gilded locations that we can only dream of visiting. The final reveal, set in a remote cave deep in the Philippine jungle blew me away, all the more because it is based on fact!
I’m already looking forward to the follow up novel, but in the meantime if you want a fast-paced stand out different thriller, I can’t recommend Fall Out enough. I Loved it.”
EMMA FORBES, BROADCASTER
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“I predict great success for this wonderful debut thriller and I hope the beginning of a franchise of books about the adventures of producer Marcus Riley and designer Mako de Turris. Fresh in style, fast paced, sparkling dialogue and a fabulous collection of characters. The premise of a screenplay with cleverly hidden clues that can prove deadly to the reader morphs into a fabulous reveal that is based on one of the greatest crimes ever committed. Truly fascinating historical fact buried in a thrill a minute read, all revealed with a lightness of touch that gave me a shiver of delight. I cannot recommend it enough.”
DAWN AIREY, FORMER CEO CHANNEL FIVE, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT ITV, CEO GETTY IMAGES
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“Fall Out is a tautly written, entertaining thriller that will keep the reader turning the pages right till the very end. It almost reads like a movie and Mark’s background in the business comes through on the page. It feels
authentic and informed but never overbearing. Although the story revolves around the movie business, the construct reveals one of the greatest twists I’ve seen and I doubt the other readers will see it coming. As the clues to the initial crime emerge we follow Marcus and Mako from California to Cannes, Switzerland to the Philippines in pursuit of the hidden secrets that underly the mystery until the final reveal, on the old set of ‘Apocaplypse Now’ in the Philippines, when everything becomes clear. To borrow movie parlance, it sits somewhere between ‘The DaVinci Code’ and ‘Indiana Jones’.”
ALAN MOLONEY AWARD WINNING PRODUCER, INCLUDING BROOKLYN, AND THE OSCAR NOMINATED ALBERT KNOBBS
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“Riveting. Page-turning. A jaw-dropping rollercoaster of action and surprise. And best off all, it's based upon shocking true history. A real gem.”
DAMIEN LEWIS, INTERNATIONAL NO. 1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND MULTI-AWARD-WINNING REPORTER
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“A gripping thriller twisted around an incredible piece of recent history… and an equally fun glimpse into how our industry works! A well-researched ride.”
ROBERT HALMI, JR., EMMY AND MULTI AWARD WINNING PRODUCER INCLUDING LONESOME DOVE, TIN MAN AND MERLIN
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“A breathless and breathtaking debut. In 1972 Frederick Forsyth’s ‘Day of the Jackal’ set the standard for meticulously researched, fast-paced international thrillers that still stands 50 years later. It is a tribute to Mark Grenside’s debut novel that it can be mentioned in that company.
Mark Grenside has a background in film and TV and is a natural storyteller. His book reads like a film script; the dialogue is razor sharp and it’s easy to visualise each scene as the action unfolds. It was over too quickly but I am looking forward to the successor and, maybe, the film or TV series.”
NIGEL FOSTER, SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR
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“Fall Out brings the high-stakes world of international film and television to the page with a verve and an industry expertise that invites comparison to John le Carre or Lee Child. Grenside delivers a high-voltage drama, weaving together a hidden treasure plot equal to Indiana Jones, with the suave jet-set world of James Bond. Marcus Riley and ‘Mako’ de Turris are destined to become our 21st century Bogie and Bacall or Hepburn and Tracy.”
ANNE KREAMER, FORMER INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION EXECUTIVE AND AUTHOR OF RISK/REWARD, IT'S ALWAYS PERSONAL AND GOING GRAY
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“M.N.Grenside has written a splendid, page-turning first novel and he is to be congratulated. It is set against the entertainment industry of which he clearly has knowledge. It also displays a very high level of historical knowledge, something I am well acquainted with. The pace is fast and the plot is intriguing and this novel bodes well for a series and likely screen adaptation. I look forward to both developments happening.”
PETER CLARK, FOUNDER OF TALK RADIO
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“I love this book—and I have read it six times! In 30 years in book publishing, I have seldom found a thriller that is so satisfying or this much fun. Fall Out is a rich (and believable) mix of history, movies, travel, and unforgettable characters. When you’ve read this book, you’ll join me in longing for the next. Marcus and Mako are wickedly interesting people.”
SHERRYE LANDRUM DEFREYTAS, AUTHOR AND EDITOR
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“A wonderfully fresh debut novel and hopefully the beginning of a franchise based on the two leads, film producer Mark Riley and whipsmart designer Melinda ‘Mako’ de Turris. Written in a very visual style, fast paced, and with dialogue that crackles, Fall Out is set in the movie business by someone who clearly knows it. The story is liberally sprinkled with clever clues and unexpected twists and turns. The writer has created a group of diverse and believable characters in a deeply satisfying read, taking the reader to wonderful locations and a mind-blowing history lesson, all wrapped up in a page turning thriller. It may be a cliché, but I found it hard to put down. Read and enjoy!”
SIMON OAKES, CEO OF HAMMER FILMS
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“Clearly a spellbinder! What's so compelling is the knitting together of historical events into a thrilling novel whose center of gravity is modern day Hollywood and the effort of a producer to film a story that some very powerful people would kill to keep it from being exposed. What's riveting about Grenside's tale is that so much of it appears to be backed by his beautifully researched history. FALL OUT is brilliantly written for a world where the unthinkable, turns out to be true. I can't wait to see the film!”
CHARLES S. BONAN, CHAIRMAN, STARSTREAM MEDIA AND AWARD WINNING PRODUCER OF THE BUTLER
About the Author
Mark Grenside, born and raised in London, began his working career straight out of school at Lloyds of London, specializing in Kidnap, Ransom and Extortion Insurance. At 25 it was time for a career change and to dump the suit and tie, so he started his media career working for Jim Henson and The Muppets©. From that moment on he has been involved in Entertainment and nearly every aspect of it.
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He went on to create and produce several television series and mini-series. At the same time, he started a music management company launching million seller artist Neneh Cherry.
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In 2004 he arranged the US $250 million buy-out of the Hallmark Channel International which was then successfully sold to NBC. He returned to producing a number of movies and mini-series.
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He has recently morphed into a serial entrepreneur and is now a co-founder of seed to shelf CBD producer Dragonfly Biosciences (www.dragonflybiosciences.com) and a founder in two separate digital companies.
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In addition to his love of cooking, an unhealthy amount of time and money is lavished on a collection of classic cars that he has raced all over the world. He enjoys risk and has parachuted in New Zealand, scuba-dived in the Pacific, hang-glided in the Himalayas and even tobogganed down the Cresta Run. In nearly every case chasing after his wife who is utterly fearless!
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He is now writing the follow up to Fall Out, entitled The Bastion. In addition, he writes a humorous blog with subscribers in more than 40 countries. www.andanotherthing.com
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He has two grown sons, two daughters’-in-law, three grandchildren and lives in Malta with his wife and two French bulldogs.