Hollywood Kids (42 page)

She fixed him with a look. 'Yes, you are.'

'Why's that?'

'Because I say so.'

There was a strong moment of silence between them, then he pulled his car up in front of the house on Bedford and the moment passed.

They got out and walked up the driveway. He'd called Darla earlier and told her he was coming over to discuss something with Jerry. Now they were here and there was no backing out.

He rang the bell and Darla answered the door not looking her usual
soigne
self. Her face was puffy, her hair not as well coiffed as usual, and her outfit was hardly up to her designer duds standard.

'Bobby!' She seemed almost relieved to see him.

'Hi, Darla.' And on automatic pilot. 'You look well.'

'Thank you, Bobby. So do you.'

'Uh... this is Jordanna Levitt.'

Darla was not slow. 'Jordan Levitt's daughter?'

'Actually, Jordan's
my
father,' Jordanna said pointedly.

Darla frowned, not quite getting the twist. 'Jerry's so looking forward to seeing you,' she said, taking Bobby's arm. 'He hasn't been feeling well lately.'

'He's not sick, is he?'

'No, it's just that things have been a little slow, and you know how your father is, he likes to be surrounded by action.' She lowered her voice to a whisper. 'The truth is, he's been drinking too much.'

'So what else is new?' Bobby said with a bitter twist. 'Jerry's been drinking too much all his life.'

Darla looked distressed. 'Don't be like that, Bobby. He needs your support.'

'That's why I'm here.'

They followed her through the hallway into the living room where Jerry was sitting in exactly the same chair that Bobby had last seen him in, nursing exactly the same glass of Scotch - only this time he didn't bother getting up.

'Hi, Dad,' Bobby said in an uptight voice.

'My son, the movie star,' Jerry said, slurring his words.

Why couldn't he be sober for once? Bobby thought. 'Meet Jordanna,' he said.

'Jordanna
Levitt,'
Darla added, making sure Jerry got it. 'Jordan's daughter.'

Bobby and Jordanna exchanged glances. She shook her head as if to say,
who gives a shit
?

Jerry perked up at the sight of Jordanna. Anything young, female and beautiful was cause for a lecherous leer. 'Welcome to my house, you pretty little thing,' he said, raising his glass in a toast.

'Mr Rush,' she said tartly. 'I'm not little, and I'm certainly not a thing.'

'I get it,' Jerry retorted, with a rude guffaw. 'You're one of those feminist broads I'm not supposed to compliment any more, is that right? Ever since Anita Hill found a pubic hair in her coke bottle-'

'Mr Rush,' she interrupted. 'You really are-'

'Jordanna,' Bobby said quickly, catching her eye with a warning glance. 'Remember why we're here?'

'OK, OK,' she muttered darkly, shutting up, although she would like nothing better than to ream into him.

Darla leaped into the fray. 'Would you care for a drink?' she asked, ever the perfect hostess.

'No, thanks,' Jordanna said.

'Not for me,' Bobby said.

Jerry burped loudly, his favourite habit. 'If you've come to borrow money you're outta luck,' he said. 'According to my lovely wife, we're busted out.'

'We are
not
busted out, Jerry,' Darla said, flushing with annoyance. 'Things are a tad difficult, but nothing we can't manage. And kindly do not discuss our financial affairs in front of Jordan Levitt's daughter.'

'Her name's Jordanna,' Bobby said.

'So, what's going on?' Jerry said, sloshing down more Scotch. 'You two an item? Jordan's got plenty of bucks, this little girl's a good catch.'

'I
work
for Bobby,' Jordanna said, trying to control her temper. 'I'm his personal assistant.'

Jerry laughed in a nasty fashion. 'Sure, baby. A little personal assistance under the desk sure beats punching a time clock any day.' He roared with laughter at his own humour.

What a sexist pig! Jordanna thought. What an asshole! He and Bobby are totally different. Thank God!

'Mr Rush,' she said, glaring at him. 'If
I
had a male assistant I wouldn't expect
him
to crawl under my desk, and nobody expects a female to do so either. It's a sexist old-fashioned concept. Now you wouldn't want to be considered old-fashioned, would you?'

'What's that?' Jerry said, rudely cupping his ear as if he couldn't hear her.

'We'll come back tomorrow,' Bobby said, deciding this was a really bad idea. 'You're not in the mood to hear what I have to say.'

'Yes, he is,' Darla said anxiously. 'He's always like this.'

Bobby wondered why he was here. He'd come to offer this man a job, and yet he was staring at a person he could not stand. His strongest desire was to walk out.

Jordanna took one quick look at Bobby and knew he was close to losing it. 'How about fixing him coffee?' she suggested.

'Goddamn it!' Jerry shouted, contorting his face. 'You're talking about me like I'm not even here.
Jesus
!'

Jordanna shot another quick glance at Bobby. 'Tell him the deal and let's split,' she suggested.

He realized she was right, he'd come here for a purpose, not to make best friends with his father.

'OK,' he said, speaking fast. 'The actor playing my father died this morning. It puts us behind schedule and over budget if we don't replace him immediately.'

'Spoken like a true producer,' Jerry sneered. 'Replace the poor schmuck before he's cold.'

'Anyway,' Bobby continued, trying not to let Jerry get to him. 'I'm offering you the part, on condition you don't come to the set drunk. It's a five-day cameo role. There's no time to jerk around with agents arguing about billing and deals, I'll guarantee you'll get everything you need.'

'You want
me
to do a cameo in
your
frigging movie?' Jerry said contemptuously, like it was
the
most ridiculous suggestion he'd ever heard.

Darla hurried to his side. 'Jerry,' she said soothingly. 'Don't forget we need the money.'

'What does he think I am - a frigging charity case?' Jerry thundered.

Bobby took Jordanna's arm, steering her over to the door. 'Think about it. I need a fast answer.'

'Why should I frigging think about it?' Jerry roared.

Bobby paused at the door. 'You know what?' he said. 'Jordanna's right. It's no big deal. Take it or leave it. Your choice.'

Darla followed them down the driveway. 'Ignore him,' she said. 'He's been drinking all day. This is exactly what he needs, send over the script and I'll talk him into it.'

'I don't want him doing me any favours, Darla.'

'No, Bobby, I understand. You're the one doing
him
the favour.'

He reached the car and handed her a copy of the script. 'Give it to him, Darla, I'll call you later for a decision.'

They got into the car and Jordanna couldn't help laughing.

'Do you want to tell me what you're laughing at?' Bobby demanded, failing to see the humour in the situation.

'You're so funny. You let him get to you, didn't you?'

'No, I didn't,' he said defensively.

'Yes, you did. He pushed your buttons big time.'

'Can't you see what a pain in the ass he is?'

'Sure, but you've got to let go, Bobby. Understand what I'm saying. Simply let go.'

He contemplated her remark. 'It's as easy as that, huh?'

'Think about it. If he wasn't your father he'd be just another old actor with a drinking problem. But he
is
your father, so you've got to view him in a different way. I know I'm not explaining it very well, but, believe me, it works.'

'How did
you
get so clever?'

'Practice.'

'Yeah?'

'Yeah.'

There was another long silent moment as their eyes met. Jordanna felt like she'd been jolted with a shot of electricity. Bobby's eyes were so impossibly blue, and she loved the way his hair fell on his forehead, and his body was -

'Dinner?' he said casually.

'Where's Barbara tonight?'

'What's Barbara got to do with anything?'

'I thought you two were an item.'

'Who told you that?'

'I've got eyes, haven't I?'

He sighed. 'You know, Jordanna, I've had a bitch of a day. Are we having dinner or not?'

She grinned. 'It sure beats the hell out of pizza.'

'You're so gracious.'

Her grin broadened. 'So I've been told.'

Kennedy sat in front of her computer checking through her notes. She'd spent most of the day writing the piece on Charlie Dollar, and she was pleased with the way it had turned out, certain she'd captured some of his magic, for that's what Charlie had in abundance - a quirky magical quality that came across in every role he portrayed.

Tonight they'd made a plan to have dinner, and although she was looking forward to spending more time in his company, she'd sooner be seeing Michael Scorsini. It was unexpected and she couldn't quite explain it, but talking to Michael last night she'd felt a real connection.

God, wouldn't Rosa gloat if she knew!

The phone rang and she reached for it.

A woman's voice, 'Miss Chase?'

'Yes.'

'I'm Gerda Hemsley's mother. I got your message.'

'Oh, Mrs Hemsley, I was hoping you'd call. I'm so sorry about your daughter, it's a terrible tragedy. Please accept my deepest sympathy.'

'I know you've been doing everything you can, Miss Chase, I've seen you on television. It's comforting to realize someone cares.'

Kennedy reached for a pad and pen. 'The reason I needed to speak to you, Mrs Hemsley, is to find out what Gerda did before working in the bank?'

'Before the bank she was with a firm of accountants.'

Was she ever connected to the film industry by any chance?'

Why, yes, several years ago she worked on a few films. She was in the Production Accounts Department.'

'Really? Would you happen to know which movies they were?'

'I... I don't recall. Although of course there was the one...'

'The
one
?'

'The one where there was the trouble.'

'What trouble would that be?'

'She witnessed a murder.'

Kennedy shivered with anticipation. 'A murder? What happened?'

There was an actress in a film called
The Contract
. Gerda was in the production trailer when she saw this crime take place.'

Who was murdered?'

'A young actress, strangled by one of the actors.'

'What was his name?'

'I don't remember, but Gerda saw everything. She was a witness for the prosecution.'

'Was she the only one?'

'No, there were others.'

'Can you remember who?'

'Not offhand. If I went through Gerda's papers I might be able to tell you more.'

'Do you remember anybody called Pamela March or Margarita Lynda?'

'Those names sound familiar, but I can't be sure.'

'Mrs Hemsley, can you tell me exactly when this took place?'

'Let me see... sometime early in 1988.'

'Thank you. You've been a great help.'

Her mind was buzzing.
This was it! This was definitely it
!

She had a number for an uncle of Margarita Lynda's. She tried it immediately. 'Kennedy Chase,' she said briskly. 'We chatted a few weeks ago about Margarita.'

'Yes, I remember,' the man said.

'Perhaps you can help me with more information. Do you recall if Margarita worked on a film called
The Contract?
Was she a witness for a murder case?'

'Yes, now that you mention it I believe she was. Nasty business. It upset her a lot.'

Bingo! 'Thank you,' Kennedy said gratefully. That's all I needed to know.'

Now her mind was really on red alert. She had to find out if Stephanie Wolff and Pamela March had also worked on
The Contract
. Instinct told her there wasn't much doubt about it, she was certain she'd discovered the link.

The phone rang again and she grabbed it impatiently.

'Hi, Kennedy? Michael Scorsini - remember, your could-have-been date if Rosa had gotten her way?'

He distracted her for only a moment. 'Michael, I'm right in the middle of something, can I call you back?'

'Is that a polite way of brushing me off?' he said wryly.

'Not at all,' she reassured him.

'OK, I believe you. Uh... listen, I'm out right now, but let me give you my beeper number.' He gave her both his home and beeper numbers.

'Ten minutes, you'll hear from me,' she promised, jotting the information down.

'I hope so.'

'Honestly.'

He felt like he was back in grade school, but he pressed on anyway. 'So... are you still busy for dinner?'

'I told you - I have a prior engagement.'

'How about tomorrow night?'

'I think I'd like that,' she said softly.

'Good. That's definite. Call me back anyway, but we're on for tomorrow night.'

'Absolutely,' she promised, happy to hear from him. She replaced the receiver and began searching through her notes for contacts on Stephanie Wolff and Pamela March. The doorbell rang, interrupting her thoughts. 'Who is it?' she called out impatiently.

'Rosa. Open up. Quick.'

'OK, OK, I'm coming.'

Rosa burst in waving a bottle of champagne. 'Guess what?' she announced triumphantly.

'Tell me.'

This is
so
great, you'll
love
it.'

She'd never seen Rosa so excited.
'What
?'

The Chief of Police and the Mayor are holding a press conference tomorrow morning. They made a move, and it's all thanks to our news station and you. We'll attend the press conference together, and right after that my producer would like you to do a live remote. Is that OK with you?'

'OK with me? It's fantastic!' she exclaimed.

Rosa nodded. 'Yes, isn't it great? They're gonna get this sicko, and when they do, it'll be thanks in part to us!'

An hour later Michael was disappointed Kennedy hadn't bothered calling him back. But then again he wasn't surprised, he'd known she was different. Kennedy Chase didn't jump, and in a way that was exciting, although the last thing he was into was playing games.