Karen found her lying next to the toilet bowl. She was relieved to see she’d been sick; at least a lot of the poisons were out of her system. She applied cold towels to her forehead.
“First thing we’re going to do is get you in the shower. Then I’m going to call a doctor friend of mine. He’ll get you back on your feet in no time. Come on, let’s try to get up.”
She half-lifted Val. After a couple of steps she pleaded desperately.
“I have to stop.”
Karen sat her down on the john.
“Don’t you go anywhere. I’m going to run the water. Just keep those eyes open. Go over some lyrics in your head. Something. Just keep your mind busy. Okay?”
Val was hanging on to the sink. Karen ran the water and put a small Lucite stool in the shower. She helped Val out of her clothes and sat her down. The warm water hit her gently. Val leaned back against the tile feeling nothing. Empty. She liked the feeling of nothing.
“I’m going to make a call. Don’t move!”
Anne was waiting for her in the living room.
“How is she?”
“She’s all right. She thought she was getting a cold and believed she was taking a couple of antibiotics. By mistake she took a couple of the pills you had in Italy when you couldn’t sleep. Don’t worry. I have a doctor friend I’m going to call, and he’ll come over. I’m sure he’ll be able to help.”
“Oh dear. Is it that bad? She needs a doctor? You know, she goes into rehearsal tomorrow. Do you think she’ll be okay?”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine by tomorrow.”
Karen went back to the bedroom to make her call to Dr. Anderson using his private number.
Dr. A, as he was known by his clients, was a Park Avenue doctor whose clientele loved to be thin, yet have enough energy to work all day and play all night. To achieve this goal, he concocted a magic potion of vitamins and amphetamine. He had discovered a gold mine, and was paid enormous amounts of money for this magic shot by most of the rich and famous in New York City and Washington D.C. His swanky office was referred to as the “meeting place.” In fact it became the place to socialize because nobody was hungry anymore, so they didn’t do lunch. Models took their calls there, and politicians mingled with the big-money crowd: the people who would hopefully help finance their next campaigns. Everyone, supposedly wanted to be incognito yet were secretly thrilled to be among Dr. A’s in crowd. Many a romance got off the ground at Dr. A’s place. Nothing was off-limits.
“Hello Dr. A. It’s Karen. I hate to disturb you, and you know I would never call you on a Sunday unless it was an emergency. A special friend of mine took quite a few yellows and I don’t know what else. I have her moving, and she did throw up. Right now she’s taking a warm shower. Tomorrow she has a very important commitment and has to feel fabulous. I just know you can help.”
“Of course, my dear. It sounds as if you’ve done the right things so far. Make her walk a little more and I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
Karen gave him the address.
“And Dr. A. One more thing. Her mother is here and doesn’t know the reason for her behavior. I want it kept that way.”
“Absolutely. I’m on my way.”
Luckily, dear Dr. A was a social climber and would do just about anything for Karen. At least half his clientele had come through her referrals. She told Anne the doctor would be arriving in about twenty minutes and went back to Val. The poor baby hadn’t moved. Karen turned off the water and wrapped her in a huge terry robe and continued making her walk until the doctor arrived.
Dr. A’s magic potion did indeed do the trick. Before long, Val was propped up in bed with color in her cheeks once more. The good doctor left and Anne went to check on her. She was thrilled to see her looking halfway human and even managing a smile, as she gave her a peck on the forehead.
“You did give me a scare.”
“Sorry, Mummy, really I am. Don’t look so worried. It was a silly mistake.”
“Oh, darling it’s not just that. On top of everything else your agent called and he said starting tomorrow the whole company is moving up to Boston for rehearsals as well as previews. The producer thinks they can pull things together faster up there. It’s all too much! How can they do such a thing on such short notice?”
“I’m afraid they can do what they like Mrs. Rhodes, but don’t worry, here’s a thought, why don’t I drive Val up to Boston?”
“Could you? That would be so marvelous. I couldn’t possibly get it all organized that quickly. Actually, Valerie doesn’t need that much up there. My dear, it would be a godsend if you could.”
“Consider it done.”
Karen looked at Val who managed to mouth the words thank you, and to smile. Anne sighed with relief, straightened her skirt, and walked to the door as if nothing had happened.
“That’s settled then. Karen, I think it’s high time you called me Anne. Now let’s have tea, shall we?”
CHAPTER 26
Boston
Feeling amazingly well and looking perfectly gorgeous, Val was whisked off to Boston the next morning in Karen’s Porsche. They sang and laughed most of the way. Nothing was said about Nicky or the overdose of yellows. When the signs on the road said Boston was getting closer, Val started to feel a pang of nerves.
“Not far now, precious.”
“Oh dear, I hope I’m going to be all right.”
Val’s worried little voice was nearly pathetic.
“All right? That’s the understatement of the year. You’ll be fabulous.”
Their entrance into the theater was like Cleopatra’s into Rome. No stage doors for Karen. They marched down the center aisle. Well Karen did. Val did her best to follow closely.
The chorus kids were already on stage blocking out one of the big numbers. Eight people were seated tenth-row center, very busy with pens and paper. One of them was Henry Reagle, the director-producer of the show. Spotting them, he waved them to the row in front of him. Loudly whispered hellos and hugs were exchanged. Everyone was sweet and friendly. Karen’s hand found Val’s and gave it a squeeze. Val allowed herself to relax a little. Mr. Reagle, or H.R. as he was called, leaned forward.
“Val, I want you to meet our choreographer, Graham Bradley.”
Val turned her head and found a good-looking man in his forties coming toward her. He had a long salt and pepper ponytail and was wearing tight jeans and a T-shirt with the name of the show emblazoned across the front. He took her hand and led her into the aisle.
“Okay, question number one: can you dance?”
Val thought he was joking.
“Yes silly, of course I can.”
“Listen honey, you never know with H.R. Last year he fancied a certain piece of tail and I ended up with a baby elephant. I hope she was better in bed than she was in tap shoes.”
He said this as he led her backstage to her dressing room. Val hadn’t known what to expect, but there it was: her own dressing room with a star on the door. Just like in the movies. Graham introduced her to her personal dresser, Rose. He told her to change and come out to the stage. Rose was a delight and helped her into her leotard, leg warmers, and character shoes. She sheepishly walked to the wings. Graham stood there waiting for her.
“Let’s get this show on the road.”
With that he led her center stage. Some of the chorus kids waved and she recognized them from Karen’s party. She felt herself blush. Before she could get hung up on it, Graham shouted something to the piano player, and she was in Graham’s arms, dancing. She found it easy to follow his strong lead. He tried all kinds of steps, trying to fake her out with intricate little hesitations. After a triple spin, he caught her and they ended their impromptu routine with him bending her back into a classic tango pose. Before he let her go, he looked into her eyes.
“You are a dancer god damn it. Will wonders never cease?”
The whole company applauded. A voice came from the darkness out front.
&
nbsp; “Okay up there; can we get back to work?”
Graham yelled back.
“It will be a pleasure. Everyone, let’s walk through the opening number.”
The opening of the show was going to be unique. There would be no curtain. When people were ushered to their seats, they would see most of the company already milling around on the stage. The set was a nightclub where a scantily clad all-girl band would play music. Other members of the cast would walk down the aisles and saying hello to people being seated. Val’s character had the big opening number.
As the company walked through the dance numbers and read the book, Val couldn’t help but notice some major script changes. The big opening number was no longer her solo. The guy playing the comedian now opened the show, and her solo was now a song and dance number for the whole cast. It seemed to her that she had a lot less dialogue too. She fluffed it off. Maybe it was her imagination. After all, it was her first read through with the whole company.
CHAPTER 27
It’s the Ritz
It was eight-thirty by the time Val and Karen checked into their suite at the Ritz. They were both busy looking at the room-service menu. Dr. A’s shots had really taken away all thoughts of food. Karen looked at Val and laughed.
“Why the furrowed brow? Can’t you decide what to order from column A?”
“I wish it was that. It may be me, but when we were reading through the script today, I felt as though they’d trimmed down my part quite a lot. Honestly Karen, when I first read the script, I thought I would have a problem learning all my lines. Today I seemed to be standing around doing nothing. That creep of a fellow, what’s his name, Danny Lane? Well his part has grown. He never had a solo; now he has two. One of them was mine.”
“You know it’s the first time I’ve ever heard you speak like this. You really are showbiz and all that jazz.”
“I suppose I am. I’ll tell you this, Karen. I’m not going to let him do it. It’s my show. I’m the fucking star.”
“That’s my girl. But right now can we concentrate on something really serious, like ordering? I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry, and it usually takes forever for room service.”
Karen had skillfully changed the subject. They ordered everything in the h’or d’oeuvres column along with a bottle of Beaujolais. Once the food was delivered, they enjoyed picking at their picnic, which was laid out on the bed, as they watched TV. She knew she had to stay up in Boston for a while, number one, to make sure Val was together and number two, she needed to have a chat with H.R.
Val was given her new nightly ration to help her sleep. One yellow. By the time she’d brushed her teeth, she was ready to drift off. Karen didn’t take her nightly dose right away; she had a few chores to attend to before she closed her eyes.
She had been a generous angel for H.R.’s previous shows and had been invited to the backers’ audition for this newest venture of his. She’d invested quite heavily in this new one and was able to get a few other people interested enough to invest. She called the desk and asked to be put through to his room.
Val had been right. Her part had been trimmed down. Karen had heard some of the decision making that afternoon at the theater. It was time for her to hear from the source and find out what exactly was going on. H.R. didn’t beat around the bush.
“What else can I do? I’ve heard rumors. You know how it is. I can’t take the risk of bringing in a multimillion dollar show with a star surrounded by scandal.”
It made sense. Karen couldn’t argue with him, but she tried to emphasize the importance of making Val still feel like the star. H.R. said he understood, but wouldn’t commit to anything further. She had to be satisfied with that. She mentioned she’d be staying in Boston for a while just before he hung up.
Still wound up, she found her address book and started turning pages. She wasn’t looking for anyone in particular, just someone she could talk to. A friend. Out of all the names and numbers in her book it was amazing how few of the people filling the pages fell into that category. She got to the G’s and found one! Glen Grayson.
She had grown up with Glen. They had both been chauffeured to the same private school and described themselves as “Trust-Fund Babies.” She didn’t know if he’d be in the city, since he was always traveling. But, as he had put it the last time she ran into him, “I love the city in the fall. It’s so civilized. New Yorkers are here.” She hoped he’d be around and dialed his number.
They didn’t see each other that often but had bumped into each other at a house party in the Hamptons just before Labor Day. Glen made his entrance just late enough, just tanned enough, and with just the right arm piece. He was more subdued than usual, explaining to her privately that he was off everything for a while and therefore was feeling a little insecure. She had tried to convince him that he was still light years ahead of most of the other mortals there. In her opinion, Glen was truly a genius. His voice broke into her thoughts.
“Hello.”
“Hello, you’re home. How marvelous!”
“Karen? This is fucking unreal. I mean I just got into town and I was just about to call you. I love when that happens. Good vibes. Why don’t I come over instead?”
“I wish you could, but I’m up in Boston.”
“It must be divine, if it got you to Boston.”
She was laughing and happy.
“Funnily enough, it’s nothing like that. I’m up here because a friend of mine just went into rehearsal for the musical based on our favorite novel, The Best Of Families.
“I have money in that.”
“Who do you think put you on the angel list?”
“I should have known. So how’s it looking for my money?”
“Why don’t you come up and see for yourself. I’m staying at the Ritz for a few days. H.R. can’t say anything. We own most of the show anyway.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow. Can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too you.”
CHAPTER 28
The Beat Goes On
There was one more thing Karen had to do. She hadn’t checked in with her service for over twenty-four hours. That was a first for her.
“Hello this is eight-five-one, are there any messages?”
“Miss van Dougall, we’ve certainly had a busy time here.”
“Hold on a minute; I’ll get a pencil.”
The list went on and on. Half of them didn’t matter. Nicky’s name cropped up. He’d left a number: Plaza something or other, so she knew he was still in the city. She thanked the friendly voice that knew so much about her, and the voice thanked her for the flowers she’d received. Karen hung up making a mental note to have her florist send the voice a bouquet every month and dialed Nicky’s number.
“Hello.”
“Nicky, its Karen.”
“My old friend, Karen? How nice. What’s happening?”
“You called me, remember?”
“Yeah. I just called to stay in touch. I’m going back to the coast earlier than expected. They’re finishing the location shots by the end of the week. I wanted to know what’s happening.”
“How nice of you to ask. If you must know, I’m up in Boston with Val. They moved the whole company up here for rehearsals and previews. I drove her up. We haven’t mentioned your name, and I don’t think we’re going to.”
He interrupted her, sounding impatient.
“Do you know what her plans are for the premiere in L.A.?”
“It’s the first I’ve heard anything about it. When is it?”
“The fourteenth of December.”
“I for one tend to think she won’t be there. How can she? I can’t see any positive reason for her to go, period.”
“Thanks for being straight with me.”
“Why not?”
“I’m leaving Friday. It sort of works out that she’s up in Boston. I’ll just have to deal with her mother when I pick up my stuff, and I’ll get the doorman to do that.”
> “Sounds good to me. Just keep the wire services aware that you’re both working hard and your careers come first, etc. etc.”
“No problem.”
Karen was ready to hang, but Nicky had more to say.
“What about the other deal?”
“What other deal?”
“You know. Peter.”
The tiny hairs on her arms stood up.
“That, dear boy, has nothing to do with me or you.”
“It just keeps eating away at me. How someone who didn’t do drugs would kill himself like that. That’s all.”
There was silence from the other end.
“It’s still getting a lot of talk on the street. The Italians think it was a setup. Like a private hit. No one wants to take the blame. It’s bad for business. Too many cops asking too many questions. They’re doing a sweep of the gay bars again.”
Karen didn’t want to sound interested. He was probably just mouthing off, trying to sound like he knew something.
She couldn’t leave it like that.
“Nicky, I know this hasn’t been one of our better visits…”
Before she could say another word he butted in.
“You said it, Karen. You know what? I’m looking forward to going home. I just want the movie to open without making waves. Seriously, I think I can get a nomination, and I don’t want anyone or anything to fuck it up.”
Karen was angry now. That fuckhead was practically threatening her! He forgot who he was dealing with. If he wanted to mind fuck he’d come to the right place.
“I just had a great idea.”
“Like what?”
“If Val doesn’t come to the Première, I will. Her press agent can release a story that I’m there at her request. How does that grab you, Nicky?”
Now there was silence from Nicky’s end.
“Well what do you say?”
He wanted to say it sucked.
“What can I say?”
“Good. Then let’s leave it like that. Maybe I’ll see you on the coast. Hey, and cheer up. It ain’t that bad. Be a good boy. I don’t want to hear your name for any reason other than work.”
Murder! Hollywood Style Page 13