Betrayal (2012)

by Danielle Steel

  “She’s a very decent, down-to-earth person. She’s been through a lot with all this. Are you having her come in to see you?” Jim wished he could somehow spare Tallie having to talk about it all again, but the probation officer’s recommendation was important for the judge. He would base the length of Brigitte’s sentence on what Sandra put in the report. She was a key person in the final result. She would also be interviewing Brigitte and everyone involved in the cases, in order to offer a well-rounded suggestion, based on all the elements of the case. And she was known to be thorough and fair.

  Sandra sounded thoughtful for a minute. “I was actually thinking of going out to see her at her place, for a couple of reasons. I thought it might be less upsetting for her, and I kind of wanted to see where they worked together, and what the atmosphere was at ‘the scene of the crime.’ ” She was referring to the embezzlement, not the murder. “The setting must be pretty grand,” she said, sounding slightly in awe.

  “Not really,” Jim told her. “It’s a nice house, but she’s a very normal person. The defendant was the one who was ‘grand.’ Tallie Jones looks like anyone you’d see at the supermarket. Her success never went to her head. It’s the defendant who got carried away and greedy.” He liked the idea of Sandra going out to see Tallie. “What are you thinking, after reading the report?”

  “That Brigitte needs to do some serious time.” She had read the defense lawyer’s request to have Brigitte do her sentences concurrently, and Sandra Zinneman didn’t see why she should. She had embezzled a fortune from her employer, committed a shocking abuse of trust, and pleaded guilty to murder. Sandra thought that consecutive sentencing was more in line with what she deserved. She wasn’t inclined to go easy on her. “I’ll go out and see the victim as soon as I can. I’ve got a couple of other big cases on my desk.” She had another murder case, and a ring of pedophiles who had been doing business on the Internet, that she wanted to deal with first. As a senior officer with an excellent reputation, the department’s biggest cases went to her.

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” Jim offered.

  “I need to ask her how she feels about the sentencing, and what kind of effects she’s had from the case.” Jim knew the drill, and he knew it would be disturbing for Tallie to go through it all again, but this would be the last time, until the sentencing itself. Tallie was expected to make a statement to the judge there. Jim was planning to go with her to offer his support, and he had to be at the hearing anyway, since he was assigned to the case.

  Sandra called her two days later. Tallie was pleasant, and they made an appointment for Sandra to see her the following week. When she did, the visit was less painful than Tallie had feared. Sandra was extremely skilled at what she did, and exhibited real compassion, which was sincere and heartfelt. She liked Tallie immensely when she met her, and was impressed that she put on no airs or graces, she didn’t overdramatize, and she looked and acted like a regular person who had been the victim of a crime, and was severely hurt by Brigitte’s betrayal. Sandra felt deep sympathy for her, and admired her even more than she’d expected. By the time she left Tallie’s home, after three hours of serious conversation, Sandra had even more respect for her than before they’d met. And Tallie felt strangely at peace and protected. She could see that this woman, who saw so many truly shocking crimes, sincerely felt for what she’d been through. It had actually been a relief to talk to her. And Sandra had made it clear that she was going to recommend the maximum sentence, despite any deals Brigitte and her attorney might try to make. And she told Tallie that she felt fairly certain that the judge who had been assigned the sentencing would listen to her suggestions. He usually did, and her opinions were frequently followed by the court.

  Tallie thanked her warmly, and when she closed the door behind Sandra, she went to sit in her garden with an enormous feeling of relief. It was almost over, and her case was in good hands. She could begin to turn her mind to other things now, and look to the happy times and better days that lay ahead.

  Chapter 21

  TALLIE WAS FROWNING as she sat in the back of the long black stretch limo. She was wearing a red satin strapless dress Max had picked for her, and she looked like an angry four-year-old, while her daughter laughed at her. The dress was agonizingly tight, but Tallie looked spectacular in it, with her blond hair piled on her head, and red satin high-heeled sandals.

  “I don’t see why we have to go in this ridiculous car. And I hate this stupid dress. We could have gone in an SUV. And my boobs are falling out. I’m not going to make a spectacle of myself,” Tallie said petulantly as Jim and Max exchanged a look. Max was glad he was there, and so was Tallie. She’d been sad all week realizing that her father wouldn’t be. But it was nice having Jim with them. Jim and Tallie had been spending a lot of time together for the past three months. She spent time on the weekends with him and Bobby. And Jim had come to New York with her to visit Max. She had lined up the investors for her next picture, and they were going to start shooting in September. And ironically, Brigitte was being sentenced in a week. It was almost over. And Tallie was glad Jim had come with her and Max.

  “I should have worn black,” she muttered and Max laughed.

  “You look great, Mom. And you’re a star. You can’t show up in an SUV when everyone else gets out of a limo.”

  “Why not?” Tallie said while Jim smiled at her. He was crazy about her, and so proud to be with her.

  “We’ll come in a truck next year,” Jim promised with a smile. “Or an FBI car. That’ll work.”

  Tallie smiled then for a minute. She hated this kind of thing, with a wall of press in her face, shouting her name, showing off, all dressed up and wearing too much makeup. It felt so phony to her. She had the looks for it, but not the personality. She would rather have been at home, watching it on TV, but not if she won. She was sure she wouldn’t anyway, which made it even more embarrassing to be so done up. The Sand Man had won four Golden Globes, but an Oscar was much harder to win and she never had before. She was sure tonight would be no different, although she had been nominated for best director and the film had been nominated for five other awards.

  The long black limo slowed in the lineup, and finally it was their turn, as Max looked her mother over for a last time. She had worn a white strapless dress herself with a little white fox jacket and looked like a starlet. But Tallie looked magnificient. She looked regal as she waited to get out of the car. She didn’t like playing this game.

  “We’re up next, Mom. Look at me.” She checked her mother out for a last time before they got out of the car. “You look gorgeous. Don’t forget to smile.” Jim was watching the mother-daughter exchange, and he was touched. They were great together, and he was coming to love Max as much as her mother, and his boys were impressed that he was dating a Hollywood star, but she didn’t act like one—that was the best part, and what he had loved about her from the beginning. She was literally being dragged to the Oscars, kicking and complaining, against her will. He thought it was funny. Tallie didn’t.

  “I’ll just shoot them if they annoy you,” Jim promised, and she laughed, a deep chuckle as she sat in the car in the sexy gown, with her hair perfectly arranged in the casual upsweep, the red satin sandals, and diamonds on her ears. He knew she would be the envy of every woman in the place or who saw her on TV. And he was wearing a brand-new tux he had bought for the occasion. He had never needed his own before, but he thought he might now, from time to time. And he had been very honored when she had asked him to escort them. He knew both his boys were watching on TV, he had warned them, and his sister-in-law, who was a fan. Jack Sprague was watching too. He was impressed that Jim was going to the Academy Awards.

  And then they were out of the car. Tallie made a graceful exit, looking more like the actress she had once been than the director she was now. She was smiling, and the press started shouting her name as they started along the red carpet. Jim walked between them with Tallie and Ma
x on either side of him. Tallie smiled at the photographers like the pro she was, answered a few questions, and laughed at something someone said. She posed for a picture with Max, another one with Jim, another with all three of them. Someone asked his name and he gave it. He felt dizzy as they made their way along, and he spotted major stars up ahead of them and behind them. He could see why she didn’t like this, it was terrifying. But nothing showed on Tallie. She was totally gracious as she glided along, and then they were finally in the building being escorted to their seats as cameras panned the audience for major stars.

  “Oh my God, facing a suspect with an AK-47 is less scary than that,” he said under his breath to Tallie. She was right, he thought, it was the scariest thing he’d ever done. He’d never done anything like it before.

  “I hate it,” she said through clenched teeth with a smile, but this was her world, and she had to be part of it once in a while, whether she liked it or not, especially on a night like tonight. She loved the work, but not the show-off part. And Max looked like she was having fun as they took their seats in the second row.

  “You look gorgeous, Mom,” Max said as she checked her out again, to make sure she didn’t have lipstick on her teeth or her hair out of place. Tallie looked perfect, and Jim was proud. He had never expected to be part of this, and it was still mind-boggling to think of how he’d gotten there, and how natural it all seemed to be with her now that he was here.

  Several people came over and spoke to Tallie, and a number of them wished her luck. There were producers and other directors, major stars, and her agent. Tallie introduced him to all of them. Jim couldn’t keep them all straight, but it was obvious how respected she was by her peers. It had to feel good, he thought to himself, even if she didn’t win, but he hoped she would. As the lights dimmed, he leaned over and wished her luck, and she smiled at him, as a camera zoomed in on them, and neither of them could see it, but his sister-in-law was screaming hysterically when she saw them on the TV screen in Pasadena. To his family, he was suddenly a star, along with Tallie, and not in a million years had he ever thought it or dreamed it, but neither had Tallie. She had never expected to wind up here. She had just been doing her job, which was what she loved best.

  “I’ve already had my good luck,” she whispered back to him, and he squeezed her hand.

  As always, the evening was interminable, as they hopped and skipped over categories, from best animated feature to best supporting actress to best song. It kept people watching throughout the evening, rather than giving them everything they were waiting for at the end. The first award The Sand Man won was best musical score. There were screams of delight as the composer went to get his Oscar and thanked the enormous cast, all the technicians, and everyone he’d ever known. Jim realized it was going to be a long night. Tallie looked serene as they held hands, and she and Max whispered exchanges from time to time. Jim thought Tallie seemed more relaxed as the evening wore on. And he was getting more anxious for her. She looked beautiful and calm.

  They did best actress that night before best director, and everyone was excited as a Hollywood favorite hobbled up to the stage in an extremely tight dress that made her look like a mermaid, but she was a beautiful girl, and Jim was awestruck seeing her up close as she ran past them. She was so close he could smell her perfume, and Tallie smiled at him. She knew just how heady this all was. She had lived it for years. It didn’t impress her but it was new to Jim.

  And then finally it came. Best director. They read off the names, showed clips of the films. The TV cameras zoomed in on each of them and showed them on giant monitors as they waited. Tallie looked totally calm, as she smiled at Max and Jim, and squeezed their hands. She had already decided she wouldn’t win and felt fine about it. Her life as it was now was enough. She didn’t need more. And when she went to work on a new picture, she’d be happy. She didn’t need an award for the last one.

  Two of Hollywood’s best-known actors had made the introduction, and the female star stayed to read the winner’s name. They waited as she fumbled with the envelope in long white gloves and joked about it, and Tallie laughed and looked totally relaxed.

  “Tallie Jones!” the young actress screamed with delight, as they played the theme from the movie, and Tallie didn’t seem to hear it. It didn’t register with her. Jim heard it first and Max was crying and clapping her hands as Jim was pushing Tallie out of her seat, and Tallie realized what had happened when she saw Max. She had won!

  Tallie walked toward the stage with a dazed look on her face. She hadn’t expected to win. She turned back once to look at Jim, and he was almost crying with joy for her, and then she moved forward, and ran gracefully onto the stage, held the Oscar in her hand for an intstant, and closed her eyes, and thanked God for the blessings in her life. She could feel her father with her, and her voice was a low sexy rumble when she spoke. The room went quiet to listen. All eyes were on her.

  “I have two people to thank, my daughter Max, and my father Sam, for making my life and work so wonderful.” And she looked serious then. “And I want to thank Hunter Lloyd, wherever he is, for giving me this extraordinary opportunity, and allowing me to make this beautiful movie. Thank you, Hunt … Thank you all!” She waved the Oscar high at them, and left the stage as gracefully as she had come, disappeared into the wings, and ran back to her seat, and Jim and Max, a minute later. The whole room had given her a standing ovation for what she said. Hunter Lloyd was missed there that night. He was an important Hollywood figure, gone forever, but his movies would live on, and hers. Her speech had been short and touching. She kissed Max and Jim when she sat down. Jim had never been so proud in his life. He was thrilled for her and to be part of it. It was a shining moment in their lives, and it meant the world to him to have shared it with her.

  The Sand Man won Oscars for cinematography, editing, best director, best picture, and best supporting actress. The Academy had honored them all, and Hunt. They had shown a beautiful photograph of Hunt on two giant screens, and a famous actor had made a short and touching speech about him, that his work would never be forgotten, and that he had been one of the best producers Hollywood had ever seen. When The Sand Man won best picture, Tallie went back to the stage to accept the award for him. And the audience rose for another standing ovation, and this time there were tears in eyes and on cheeks.

  Tallie made a short and moving speech about the extraordinary producer he had been, and the honor it had been to work with him. “His memory will live on with us forever, like his work. Never lost, never forgotten, never far from our hearts. Sleep on, sweet prince. Go gently into the night. You will be much missed.” She spoke with astounding eloquence, and held the Oscar she was going to send to Angela Morissey for their son, and when she left the stage, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It had been a noble farewell, despite what he had done to her. Jim admired her more than ever as he listened, and when she returned to her seat again, he put an arm around her and held her close. She was a remarkable woman. And Jim felt like the luckiest man in the world. Max was crying as she beamed at her mother.

  It was a glittering evening, and Tallie was besieged by the press as they left. She was still clutching her Oscar and Hunt’s, and Jim’s hand. And Tallie thanked everyone who had been involved.

  The three of them went to two of the after parties that night, and after the second one, Tallie told Max they were leaving and she’d send the car back for her. Max was having a great time with a bunch of young people she knew, and a handsome young actor who was flirting with her. She was the belle of the ball, and Tallie looked happy as she left on Jim’s arm, still holding both Oscars. A last rush of photographers took their picture as they left, and she heaved a sigh of relief as she leaned back against the seat in the car and Jim smiled at her as they drove off.

  “That was some evening,” he said in awe, “and you were amazing,” and then he kissed her. “I’m so proud of you, Tallie.” For an instant she thought of her father. He would have
been proud of her too, but now Jim was here. He was a blessing she hadn’t expected, after all the losses. And now the Oscar, which would give her even more credibility as a director. She was grateful for that, but she wasn’t thinking of her career as she looked at him.

  “I was proud of you tonight too,” she said, looking at him. “Thank you for coming with me.” He didn’t know what to say to that. What could he say? He loved her modesty and simplicity, her integrity, and the woman she was. He kissed her again, which told her more than he could with words.

  “Thank you” was all he said, and she kissed him back. And when they got home and she got out of the limo and sent it back for Max, she looked at Jim and laughed.

  “The coach just turned into a pumpkin, and the coachmen into mice. I think I like it better this way,” she said, and he laughed at her.

  “I know you do. I love you, Cinderella.”

  “I love you too,” she said as they wandered into the house. They were still talking about the evening as they walked up the stairs together. It had been an incredible moment in her life and a great honor, and the best of it was that all the liars and frauds were gone. A good man had found her at last.

  Epilogue

  A WEEK AFTER the Academy Awards, Brigitte Parker was sentenced to eighteen years in prison. Based on the recommendation of the probation department’s pre-sentencing report, the judge refused to run her sentences concurrently, and ran them consecutively. She received a six-year sentence for her embezzlement from Tallie Jones and twelve years in the state system for the murder of Hunter Lloyd.

  Tallie Jones was able to reclaim about a third of what she lost, from the sale of Brigitte Parker’s possessions. The proceeds of the sale of her home on Mulholland Drive went to the Internal Revenue Service for income tax evasion.

  A year later, Tallie Jones and Jim Kingston were married on the beach in Hawaii, accompanied by their children.