Three months, Shannon thought, staring at the other woman, three months of working together and she’s never said more than a half-dozen words to me until now.
That’s a good idea,’ she said finally. ‘But why? I mean, you’ve never wanted to before.’
‘Well, this is such an important few pages, Sharon. What happens in this scene lays the groundwork for the new storyline. My storyline.’
‘Shannon,’ Shannon said automatically. ‘My name is Shannon.’
‘Sorry.’
‘That’s all right, Rima. Well, sure, it’s fine with me if you want to do a reading. But I think you’re wrong about this scene—it doesn’t set up anything new.’
‘But it does. The writers are going to focus on my attempts to regain control of my dead husband’s fortune.’
‘The legal battle between Alana and her stepmother, you mean. That’s not new.’
‘The legal thing’s out, Shanna.’
‘It’s Shannon, Rima. What do you mean, it’s out? Jerry said we were going to do some exterior shots outside a courthouse in Westchester.’
The other woman shrugged her narrow shoulders. ‘You couldn’t very well expect them to stick with the same storyline, not now that Cade’s...’ She hesitated and turned away, but not before Shannon saw a triumphant flash in the emerald green eyes. A warning tingle crawled up her spine.
‘Now that Cade’s what?’
‘Never mind. I’m sure you don’t want to discuss it.’
‘Discuss what?
Rima gave a deep sigh. ‘I don’t blame you for taking that attitude,’ she purred. ‘It’s such a difficult thing to have happen, isn’t it? Professionally as well as personally. I must say, I agree with Jerry. You’re taking it rather well.’
Shannon moved a step closer. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about... ’
‘Of course you don’t,’ Rima said soothingly. ‘Not that there’s much you can do about it, of course.’
‘My God, will you stop beating around the bush? What are you talking about, Rima? Is my character going to fade? Is that it?’
The woman turned towards Shannon, a thin smile on her face. ‘That’s certainly one way of putting it, Sheena.’
Shannon’s eyes narrowed. ‘My name is Shannon,’ she said carefully. ‘That’s not so difficult to remember. I’m sure you can get it straight if you really put some effort into it.’
‘Temper, temper!’ Rima’s smile faded and her mouth narrowed into a cold line. ‘Better remember that it isn’t the same without the big star around to protect you. No more delicate treatment from Jerry, no more perfect camera angles...’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘... no more juicy scenes.’
Shannon’s face felt as if someone had set it ablaze. She raised her hand to her cheek, almost wincing at the heat that blazed against the coolness of her palm.
‘Okay,’ she said carefully, ‘when you get ready to talk sense, look me up. Until then, I’ll be in my dressing- room.’
‘I don’t blame you for trying to put up a good front,’ Rima said soothingly. ‘It must be terrible to find out that your relationship with Morgan wasn’t all you thought, hmm?’
Shannon had started across the studio, but she paused and looked back as Rima’s words fell around her like shards of glass.
‘And what, exactly, does that mean?’
‘Come on, Sheila. Do you think people are blind? I know you and Morgan were discreet, but—look, you played your cards and you lost. Who’d have dreamed our sexy hero would decide to leave us so suddenly?’
‘Are you crazy?’ Shannon shook her head in disbelief. ‘Boy, this place is a madhouse. Cade’s not leaving us.’
‘Look, Shelley...’
‘Shannon,’ Shannon said through her teeth. ‘S-H-A-N-N-O-N!’
‘Yes, sorry. Look, don’t let it out on me. It’s not my fault your boyfriend left us for Hollywood. I guess when the movies beckon, everything else falls by the wayside. I told Jerry I’d do whatever I could for the show, of course. That’s why I wanted to talk to you about our next scene.
A giddy sense of relief swept through Shannon.
‘Is that what this is all about? Listen, somebody got their signals crossed. I hate to put the kiss of death on such a wonderful rumor, but... Cade’s in Hollywood, yes, but he’s there to talk about a picture deal for next spring.’
‘Do tell,’ Rima said sweetly, her emerald eyes bright with malice.
‘God, you’re incredible. How could you think Cade would walk out on all of us?’
‘How could he walk out on you, Sherry, isn’t that the real question? Well, I guess only you would know the answer to that one. All I know is that his agent called Jerry last night and told him that Cade wouldn’t be back.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Jerry was crazy,’ Rima said, giggling. ‘‘But I told him, look on the bright side of things. That’s the great thing about this type of TV drama—there are always at least half a dozen continuing plot-lines and one can always get rid of a character, poof, with just the stroke of a typewriter key! And I said, isn’t it terrific that the writers always come up with something creative when the pressure’s on?’ Rima frowned and leaned forward. ‘What is that on your cheek, Shari, that red spot?’
‘Nothing,’ Shannon said quickly, putting her hand to her cheek. ‘It’s just a blotch. This conversation you had with Jerry—‘
‘Are you coming down with something, Shirley?’ The famous green eyes narrowed. ‘You have these little red spots all over your face.’
‘No, no, it’s nothing, Rima. Just a little allergic reaction. Answer my question. When did Jerry...’
‘You’re sick,’ Rima said, her voice rising as she backed away. ‘What is it, the measles or something? Jerry, where are you? I’m not playing this scene, not with what’s-her-name coming down with God knows what.’
‘Coming down with what?’ The director moved into the light and peered at Shannon as if she were a laboratory specimen. ‘Jeez, Padgett, what the hell’s happened to you?’
‘It’s nothing,’ Shannon insisted, putting her hand to her face. ‘I have some pills in my dressing-room.’ She took a deep breath and stepped closer to him. ‘Jerry, please, I... I have to talk to you.’
‘Listen, we’ve gone past ten minutes here.’
‘Jerry.. .Mr. Crawford, please—it’s about Cade.’ Crawford hesitated and then took her arm. ‘All right, let’s go get your pills. What the hell, we can’t tape with you looking like a pizza.’ He glanced down at her and then cleared his throat. ‘Look,’ he added gruffly, ‘I shouldn’t have been quite that hard on you this morning.’
‘That’s all right,’ she said quickly. ‘I just want to know about Cade...’
‘Hell, I can’t hold you responsible for your boyfriend.’ The director forced a smile to his face as they walked through the studio. ‘Guilt by association is frowned on in polite society.’
When they finally stepped into her dressing-room, Shannon closed the door and leaned against it. ‘Jerry, please...’ She heard the quaver in her voice and she took a deep breath. Get hold of yourself, she thought. Don’t fall apart. ‘Jerry, you and Rima both seem to think I know what’s going on here, but I don’t. I wish somebody would tell me what’s happening.’
Crawford scowled. ‘Am I supposed to believe that you’re not party to all this?’
‘Party to what?’ she managed to whisper.
‘You and Morgan were seeing each other, weren’t you?’ he demanded.
Shannon opened her mouth and closed it again. ‘Yes,’ she said finally.
The director shrugged. ‘Then you know he’s gone to California.’
She nodded, tempted for a second to laugh and tell him, as she’d told Rima, that the rumor mill had gone wild, but something in his face stopped her.
‘Yes, of course, I know,’ she said slowly, sitting down at her dressing-table. ‘He wen
t out for the weekend, on business, and he’ll be back tonight.’
Her heart kicked against her ribs as she saw the look of sudden pity in Jerry’s eyes. ‘Jeez,’ he said softly, ‘you really don’t know, do you?’
‘Don’t know what?’
‘Morgan’s not coming back tonight. He’s not coming back at all, except to do a couple of days’ work that I all but bludgeoned him into.’
Shannon looked at him in disbelief. ‘What are you talking about? Of course he’s coming back. He told me...’
‘Our big star’s signed a contract to do a movie for Scorpio Studios.’
‘In the spring, Jerry. In May.’
‘Morgan’s signed to do a film right now. They start shooting a week from Wednesday in Tahiti. They’ll be there for the next three months at least.’
Shannon shook her head. ‘That’s impossible. Someone’s made a mistake.’
The director shifted his weight from one foot to the other. ‘Listen, I think you’d better take those pills. You don’t look so hot. And we have to tape this scene.’
Automatically, she fished in her pocketbook until she found the antihistamine tablets and popped two into her mouth.
‘Thanks,’ Crawford said with a quick smile. ‘I guess you’re not much in the mood for it, but... ’
‘There’s a reasonable explanation for all this. There has to be. Cade wouldn’t.. .1 mean, I know him. I...’
Crawford patted her shoulder clumsily. ‘Dammit, 1 thought for sure you knew. I wish I’d spoken to your agent first. I tried. I called her office this morning and left a message, but... I’m really sorry. I mean, along with everything else, I hate to dump this on you, too, but...the show has to keep going. I’ve got no choice about the storyline. You see that, don’t you?’
‘You’re changing it,’ she said flatly, and Jerry nodded.
‘I have to. Without Morgan, I’ve got to kill you off. You understand.’
Shannon looked at the director’s reflection in the dressing-table mirror. You’re an actress, she told herself, reading the wary concern in the man’s eyes. You play the part through to the final curtain.
‘Yes, of course,’ she said evenly. ‘Alana’s nothing without Johnny.’
‘I’m glad you’re taking it so well, Padgett,’ Crawford said. ‘And listen, I really am sorry about this morning.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ she said, forcing a smile to her lips. My God, she thought, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, was that blotchy face hers?
‘Are you OK? You look… strange.’
‘I’m fine,’ she lied. ‘It’s just the pills doing their job.’
‘Are you sure? You don’t look so good.’
‘Really, I’m good. Do you want to get to the taping now?’
There was a light tap at the door. It swung open and Claire stepped into the tiny room. Her glance swept past Jerry and fell on Shannon.
‘Well,’ she said brightly, ‘I see I’m just in time for the first meeting of the Cade Morgan Fan Club.’ She smiled and put her hand on Shannon’s shoulder. ‘How are you doing, sweetie?’
Shannon opened her mouth, then shut it. Claire gave Jerry Crawford a look.
‘Right,’ he said briskly. Five minutes. Then maybe we can get this scene squared away fast and we can all get the hell out of here.’
Shannon nodded, the smile still plastered to her face. As soon as the door swung shut, she closed her eyes and bowed her head.
‘You know?’ she asked, and Claire nodded.
‘Crawford left a message with my secretary. I’m sorry, sweetie.’
‘Damn it, I don’t want to hear any more sympathy messages!’ Shannon said slamming her hand down on the dressing-table. ‘There’s got to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for all this. I’ll bet anything it’s a mistake. Cade went out there at the last minute, Claire. He didn’t even really want to go—it was just to meet somebody and talk about some movie they’re making next spring.’
Claire’s hand tightened on Shannon’s shoulder. ‘ I’d love to tell you what you want to hear, but I can’t. Crawford’s office gave me all the gory details and I confirmed them.’
‘But...but...it hasn’t been four months yet,’ Shannon said, grasping at straws. ‘Remember? You said these parts would run four months.’
‘Morgan wouldn’t sign more than a month- to-month contract, and he insisted on a rider that would permit him to cancel with one week’s notice. I thought it was because he wanted to negotiate for more bucks, but this morning I heard that he’d already talked to Scorpio Studios a few months ago about this movie. They didn’t want him—Hollywood’s run by a bunch of bankers. What do they know from musicians? “Show us you can act,” the grey flannel suits said, “and we’ll talk it over.” So Mr. Morgan got himself a part on this soap and did just that.’
Shannon took a deep breath. ‘Are you saying that Cade planned this?’ .
‘I’m saying he put his money on a horse that was a sure thing. The worst that could have happened was exposure here bombed, and he’d have gone back on tour with his band. The best was that he’d have this Hollywood contract in his pocket.’
‘But I spoke to him yesterday morning! He phoned me from LA—he said the smog was awful and the traffic was worse than New York’s.’
‘They signed him yesterday afternoon, kid.’ Claire glanced down at her client’s face and cleared her throat. ‘Look, let me speak to Crawford. The hell with this “the show must go on” garbage. You’ve put in a long day and...’
Shannon shook her head.
‘It isn’t necessary,’ she said firmly. ‘Besides, I know all this is some sort of terrible error.’
‘Shannon, sweetie...’
‘You’ll see,’ she repeated as stubbornly as a child determined to go on believing in Santa Claus. ‘Cade wouldn’t lie to me.’’
She strode briskly back onto the set, ignoring Rima’s sly glances and pretending not to notice Jerry’s sympathetic ones. It took an hour to tape her brief scene with Rima, but finally it was over.
Claire insisted on going back to her apartment with her and by the time they reached it, Shannon was half convinced Cade would be waiting outside the door, ready to take her in his arms.
But the stairs and the hallway were empty.
Claire reached out and touched Shannon’s shoulder as they stepped into the apartment.
‘It’s freezing in this place.’
Shannon nodded. ‘Yes, I know. The heat’s not working’*
‘So throw some stuff together and come bunk with me,’ Claire said briskly. ‘We’ll do our nails and our hair and have girl-type fun together...’
But Shannon had already switched on her answering machine. Claire’s words faded into silence as Cade’s familiar voice spoke.
‘Shannon?’ he said, and then there was a pause. ‘I’m sorry,’ he murmured at last. ‘I wanted to tell you the news myself. It would have been better that way ...’
Then, at last, Shannon knew that everyone had been telling her the truth. Cade was gone.
Pain sliced into her heart. She snatched the machine from the table and hurled it across the room, killing Cade in a jumble of broken plastic and unwound tape.
‘Oh, Shannon. Sweetie…’
‘I loved him,’ Shannon sobbed. ‘I knew better than to let that happen, but it happened anyway. I believed in him… Oh, God, I want to die!’
Claire put her arms around her.
‘No way,’ she said grimly, ‘It’s bad enough the son of a bitch killed Alana Dunbar. I absolutely refuse to let him take Shannon Padgett down, too.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘You'd think I’d remember whether you take cream in your coffee after three days, wouldn’t you?’ Claire asked, smiling as she padded into the dining alcove of her townhouse. ‘My head’s like a sieve.’
‘Black, thanks,’ Shannon answered. ‘Which reminds me—I stopped by at my apartment yesterday afternoon. Jose thi
nks the heating system will be fixed sometime today. I should be able to move back home this evening.’
‘For goodness’ sake, I didn’t mean to suggest it was time you left. Matter of fact, it’s been fun having you here.’ Claire grinned as she spread marmalade on a piece of buttered toast. ‘I haven’t had a roomie since my college days, and you’re lots more fun than she was.’
Shannon’s eyebrows arched above the rim of her cup. ‘Fun?’ she said. ‘There must be a word that describes the way I’ve been since Monday, but I’d bet my last cent that it wouldn’t be fun.’
Claire sighed and bit into her toast. ‘You wouldn’t say that if you’d known my room-mate.’ She munched in thoughtful silence. ‘You are one tough lady. Even Crawford’s impressed. He says you’ve been working your tail off, running rings around Rima and everybody else.’
‘Hard work is good for you,’ Shannon said blithely. ‘Didn’t anybody ever tell you that?’
‘They also told me you can’t put in twelve hour days if you pace the floor all night. Something’s gotta give, sooner or later.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Sure you are.’
‘I have to keep busy, Claire. Otherwise...’
‘Yeah, I understand. Uh, have you replaced your answering machine yet?’
Shannon lifted her cup to her lips. ‘What for?’ she asked carefully. ‘After all, you’re my agent. You handle all my business calls. I never really needed that thing in the first place.’
The agent took a deep breath. ‘Listen, sweetie,’ she said slowly, ‘you’ve got to talk to Morgan eventually.’
‘I don’t see why.’
‘OK, let’s put it another way. You’ve got to work with him again and, well, I saw that script, Shannon...’
‘Wonderful, isn’t it?’ Shannon asked sweetly. ‘Cade gets killed in a car crash.’
‘Johnny gets killed in a car crash,’ Claire said carefully. ‘And so does Alana. But there’s a love scene first. You’ll have to play it.’
Sandra's Classics - The Bad Boys of Romance - Boxed Set Page 77