Hollywood Husbands (14 page)

‘You can’t do that, it’s not safe.’

‘Ohhh! Listen to daddy!’ she mocked. ‘I
can
look after myself, y’know.’

He straightened up. ‘Yeah – you get a ride from one of those mass murderer freaks an’ you’ll
really
be able t’look after yourself.’

‘Oh,
sure
. Every one of these cars goin’ by is just
crammed
with serial killers waitin’ to grab little ole me!’

‘Cut the crap,’ he said angrily. ‘You’re not taking any rides on your own. I’ll leave the Mustang here an’ come with you.’

‘About time!’ she huffed.

* * *

Working the party kept Wes busy. Whatever Rocky was paying him wasn’t enough. He grabbed a couple of beers behind the scenes, but basically he was sober. Well, he had to be, didn’t he? There was a lot of action going down.

First of all, Rocky was operating a lucrative sideline selling coke to a number of studio hot shots. And once the word got around, business was brisk. Rocky brought him in on a commission basis, and between the two of them they scammed the party pretty good.

Behind the bar out by the swimming pool, Wes didn’t get a lot of opportunity to observe Silver Anderson. But he saw her make a dramatic entrance at nine o’clock, and the assorted press went crazy.

‘Is she married?’ he asked.

‘Naw,’ Rocky drawled. ‘The fag in the kitchen tells me she has a different boyfriend every week.’

‘Who’s the one this week?’

Rocky belched. ‘What the fuck do y’think I am – a gossip hack?’

They both stopped talking to observe Whitney Valentine Cable as she undulated past.

‘Now
there’s
a broad.’ Rocky smacked his thick lips with relish. ‘I could stick it to that one any way, any day.’

‘Yeah,’ agreed Wes.

Later he sold a gram of coke to Chuck Nielson. He felt like asking him about his gorgeous girlfriend, only he didn’t. Wes knew how far to go and with whom.

* * *

Nora couldn’t believe her luck when Jack Python arrived with Clarissa Browning. All she had to do was get him with Silver for a picture, and the front pages of the world’s press would be hers. The brother and sister had never been photographed together.

She greeted Jack effusively and tried to guide him in the right direction.

He shook her off with his customary charm. ‘Why don’t you take Clarissa to meet Silver? She can’t wait.’

‘What about you, Jack? Aren’t you going to wish your sister a happy birthday?’

‘Maybe later, Nora.’ He gave Clarissa a gentle push in the right direction. ‘Off you go. That’s what you came here for, isn’t it?’

Spotting Howard, he strolled over.

‘You’re the
last
person I expected to see here,’ Howard said in surprise.

‘Me too,’ Jack agreed. ‘Hopefully I won’t be staying.’

* * *

‘Hello, Mannon,’ Whitney said in her silky voice, her mouth downturned, no dazzling smile in sight.

‘Whitney.’ He nodded curtly. ‘Chuck.’

Once, the three of them had been close friends. They had lived in neighbouring beach houses and spent all their time together. In fact Mannon could remember going on location and asking Chuck to look after Whitney for him. Ha! What a laugh! Chuck had looked after her all right: he was probably trying to get her in his well-used bed even then.

‘How’re they hangin’, pal?’ asked Chuck.

The bum was stoned as usual. Whitney loathed drugs. Why was she with him again?

‘Have you met my wife?’ Mannon asked tightly, and introduced Melanie-Shanna, who realized immediately this was an uncomfortable reunion.

‘Melanie,’ said Chuck, swaying slightly. ‘What an unexpected pleasure. You’re lovely. But then my old buddy always did have great taste.’

‘Thank you.’

Mannon gripped her by the arm. What was she thanking the creep for?

Whitney began to edge away. She looked stunning. She always did. Melanie-Shanna was pretty, but every woman paled in comparison to Whitney.

Chuck, sensing Whitney wanted to split, dutifully followed her. ‘Nice seein’ ya, pal,’ he said to Mannon. ‘And I liked meeting
you
.’ He gave Melanie-Shanna a burning look. ‘Come and visit us at the beach sometime.’

‘Goddamn moron,’ muttered Mannon, watching them move off.

‘He seems pleasant enough,’ Melanie-Shanna said, knowing, even as she spoke, that it was the wrong thing to say.

‘Jesus!’ Mannon rolled his eyes. ‘When will you learn!’

* * *

Silver enjoyed playing star hostess. She circulated and smiled and flirted. She posed with the cast from
Palm Springs
. She gave witty quotes to George Christy from the
Hollywood Reporter
. She chatted to friends and acquaintances. Eventually she instructed Nora to get rid of the press. Their constant questions and the bright lights of the television crews stationed by the door – they weren’t allowed beyond that – were beginning to annoy her.

‘I want them to get a picture of you and Jack,’ Nora fretted.

‘Who?’

‘Your brother.’

‘Oh God! What’s
he
doing here?’

‘He’s with Clarissa Browning.’

‘Hmmm… Her taste must be slipping.’

When it came to family Silver was not a warm and wonderful person. Once Nora had asked her about it. ‘We’re not close,’ Silver had admitted. That could be the understatement of the year.

Nora had been observing Jack Python. He always made absolutely sure there was a roomful of people between him and his sister. Obviously he had no intention of getting anywhere near her.

* * *

‘Can we have lunch?’ Howard asked Whitney. His palms were slippery with sweat as he watched her contemplate her reply.

‘Is this about the movie you want me to do?’

‘The film and uh… other things.’

‘What other things, Howard?’ she teased, and her down-turned mouth broke into a wide smile.

‘Don’t get me hot, baby. I think you and I have been heading in this direction for some time.’

‘I
can
have lunch,’ she decided sweetly. ‘I’ll bring my agent.’

‘Your agent, my ass.’

‘Does that mean his presence is not required?’

‘When?’ he asked urgently.

‘Let me call you.’

Howard glanced outside. Poppy had Chuck Nielson pinned against the bar. ‘What are you doing with that stoned Nielson schmuck again?’ he asked, leaning closer to her smooth outdoor beauty.

‘He’s convenient.’

‘He’s also crazy.’

‘I can handle him.’

‘I hope so.’

Nora cut in. ‘Do you mind, Howard? Whitney dear, the press will kill for a photo of you with Silver.
Newsweek
wants it for their “Newsmakers” page.’

‘Sure,’ Whitney said pleasantly, kissing Howard on the cheek. ‘Be patient,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll call you on Monday.’

* * *

Mannon said, ‘What were you talking to Whitney about?’

‘Orpheus wants her,’ Howard replied. It wasn’t a complete lie. According to Poppy there was a suitable script, and besides –
he
was Orpheus and
he
wanted her. To hell with his twenty-year friendship with Mannon.

* * *

Heaven and Eddie got a ride down the Canyon with a couple in a station wagon who were going into Hollywood to see their first porno movie. They were a young couple, and tried to persuade the teenagers to accompany them.

‘Forget it,’ Heaven said when they hit Sunset, having encouraged them all the way.

Outside The Beverly Hills Hotel, by the bus stop, they hitched a lift with two girls heading for a party at the beach. They got off at the West Gate into Bel Air, and walked for twenty minutes before they flagged a security patrol car. The two guards listened to their story and took them up into the hills, letting them off right outside the gates to Silver’s mansion.

‘Some place!’ exclaimed Eddie, as Heaven informed the sceptical guard who she was.

‘Yeah,’ she agreed. ‘I guess it’s okay.’

‘Why don’t you live here?’ Eddie asked as they traipsed up the driveway to the house – having got the go-ahead from the guard.

‘I dunno,’ she said vaguely. ‘I like it where I am.’

She didn’t care to mention that her mother had never suggested she move in. Not that she wanted to.

‘Jeez!’ said Eddie. ‘I’d be here like a rocket!’

As they neared the house they could hear music playing and the clink of cutlery and glasses.

‘I guess dinner is served,’ Heaven joked. ‘Silver is into all that formal crap.’

‘Are you sure we’re dressed okay?’ Eddie asked, anxiously tugging at his black leather studded jacket.

‘Whadda we care?’ Heaven said defiantly. ‘She’s lucky I’m here.’

They entered the house. Two photographers walked by them on their way out. They did a double-take, but Heaven was used to that. She wasn’t exactly Sally Prom. With her spiky multi-coloured hair, heavily streaked makeup and outlandish outfit, she looked like a cross between Twisted Sister, Rod Stewart and Cher.

She was wearing her red micro-dress with a huge overcoat. The dress was cut out in strategic places, exposing much bare flesh. On her feet were lace-up black boots covering zebra-striped tights. Cheap plastic jewellery jangled from her person like baubles from a Christmas tree. One ear – pierced four times – held four different earrings.

‘Holy shit!’ Eddie exclaimed as they stopped and took stock of their surroundings. ‘This place is a freakin’ palace!’

‘Yeah,’ Heaven said confidently. ‘And I’m the visiting princess!’

Chapter Nineteen

Jade, Antonio and friends demolished four bottles of red wine and all of the delicious Chinese tidbits before leaving for the party at ten. Antonio’s companions were an animated group. One makeup artist with a pageboy bob and oriental eyes. One hair stylist with the thinnest body Jade had ever seen. And one U.S.C. film student, who was obviously Antonio’s latest love. The student, who had only consumed one glass of wine, drove Antonio’s Cadillac Seville. They entered Bel Air by the West Gate, and immediately got lost. There were loud shrieks of ‘This way! That way!’ Contradicted with ‘
Down
the hill, not up. We’re going around in circles.’

Jade had no idea where she was, it was all foreign territory to her.

Al Jarreau blared from the car stereo as they drove up and down the hills.

They found the house by accident an hour later.

The guard at the gate glared suspiciously into the car.

‘Spray perfume, darling,’ Antonio stage-whispered. ‘Otherwise he get stoned just breathing our air!’

Jade obliged with a quick spritz of Opium. The Cadillac was alive with the fumes of the joint Antonio’s friends had been enjoying.

‘Thank you!’ squealed the makeup artist.

The guard consulted his guest list, found Antonio’s name, and waved them on.

* * *

When Heaven and Eddie swaggered into the party, Jack had just persuaded Clarissa to leave. Coming across his errant niece on her way in stopped him abruptly. ‘I don’t believe this!’ he said.

‘Uncle Jack. What are
you
doing here?’

‘God knows. More important, why are
you
here?’

‘Beats me,’ she shrugged. ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time!’ She giggled. ‘This is Eddie. Y’know, I told you about him. I sing with his group.’

Jack shook hands formally with the dark-haired boy, and duly introduced Clarissa to them both.

Heaven was impressed. She had heard about Jack’s affair with the famous actress, yet she had never met her.

Clarissa was amused by the girl. ‘So
you’re
Heaven,’ she said, looking her over. ‘A most unusual name.’

‘Yup. That’s me.’

‘I like your hair.’

‘Thanks.’

‘And your coat.’

‘Got it at this brilliant place on Melrose.’

‘You must take me there.’

‘God!
Me
take
you
!’

Clarissa nodded. ‘If you’re free sometime, we’ll go shopping and have lunch.’

‘Wow! If
I’m
free!’

‘Does Silver know you’re coming?’ Jack interrupted.

‘Like I guess so. Nora invited me.’

Jack wondered why Nora would do that. He could hardly imagine Silver begging that her daughter be present. She had never taken any notice of Heaven before, why would she start now? Maybe, on her birthday, she’d had a change of heart. Wouldn’t
that
be something?

‘We’re going,’ he said. ‘Try and have a good time – although somehow I don’t think this is quite your scene.’

Heaven pulled on the sleeve of his jacket. ‘Uncle Jack. Eddie’s car broke down comin’ over the canyon. How’ll we get back to the Valley?’

She was exasperating, but he loved her anyway. ‘Is that my problem?’

She giggled. ‘It is now.’ One thing about Uncle Jack she knew for sure – he was always there for her, which is more than she could say for her mother.

He groped in his pocket and produced some bills. Peeling off a couple of fifties he said, ‘Have Nora call a cab when you’re ready to leave.’ He peered at his watch. ‘And don’t make it too long. Your curfew’s still twelve, isn’t it?’

‘Yup.’

‘Don’t break it.’

‘Nope.’

‘And if you do something normal with your hair we’ll take you out to dinner one night.’

‘What’s normal?’ she asked innocently.

He touched her cheek affectionately. ‘
You’re
certainly not. I love you anyway, kid.’ He nodded at Eddie, and said curtly, ‘Look after her, or you’ll have
me
to reckon with.’

‘Yes, sir!’ replied Eddie, standing to attention.

‘Isn’t he the best?’ Heaven said as she watched him go. ‘And you know something – she’s nice too. Like not big-time or any of that film star crap. Don’t you agree?’

Eddie wasn’t listening. His eyes were popping. He was star-tripping and loving every minute.

* * *

‘How do you like my niece?’ Jack asked, putting his arm protectively around Clarissa’s shoulder as he guided her towards the front door.

‘I think she’s a lost little girl.’