Hollywood Husbands (57 page)

‘Are you happy?’ she had asked him.

‘Getting there,’ he’d replied. ‘How about you?’

The phone had saved her from answering. A business call about her upcoming trip to New York for a special Cloud promotion party. She was glad to be rescued. There seemed no need to burden Corey with her problems.

* * *

It was easy to get rid of Danielle. Jack just dropped her off at Senator Richmond’s hotel, bade her goodbye, and she was history.

Considering that Jade was out on the town without a moment’s pause, gazing into the eyes of her next conquest, he should have kept Danielle, taken her to
his
hotel, and vented some of his frustration and disappointment.

He was more than disappointed. He could have sworn that he and Jade Johnson were on for a beautiful, long, crazy ride.

Wrong.

Another one hits the dust.

She couldn’t even wait
one
day. What an operator!

And yet… he remembered her note – all about how it was impossible to wipe the smile off her face, and did he want her to cook for him.

Sweet.

Phoney.

Shit!

He went to bed and slept badly. In the morning he was woken by Heaven on the phone. She sounded suspiciously cheerful, and suspiciously guilty.

‘What’s up?’ he asked. ‘Do you need money?’ He saw to it that she received a healthy allowance, only most months she seemed to run out of funds.

‘Nope.’

That was a surprise. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve heard from your mother?’

‘Get serious, Uncle Jack.’

‘You can drop the uncle. Aren’t you going to be seventeen next week? I think plain Jack’ll do just fine.’ He groped for his watch and realized it was only seven-forty-five. Too early for idle conversation.

‘I’m seventeen the day after tomorrow,’ she corrected.

Damn Aretha. He’d told her to remind him – now it looked like he’d forgotten. ‘I know that,’ he said quickly. ‘Just testing to make sure
you
remembered.’

‘Very funny.’ A short silence. ‘I’m dropping out of school.’

Struggling to sit up, he said, ‘You’re doing
what?
’

‘Don’t freak out. It’s okay – really. I’ve got something exciting to do – it’s not like a job exactly—’

‘Can we discuss this over lunch?’

‘Why?’

Why. The kid asked him why. He was in no mood to play the father figure, but it seemed unavoidable.

‘Meet me at Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset at twelve o’clock. Be there,’ he said sternly…

‘I don’t see why I have to…’

‘I said be there.’ He hung up abruptly.

* * *

Poppy Soloman adored her ladies’ lunches. They gave her an ideal opportunity to star in her own productions.

She dressed up accordingly, and wore important pieces from her ever-growing collection of fine jewellery. Sometimes she had her hair and makeup done by a professional. It was nice to look one’s best, especially when most women were supercritical – usually behind her back.

Howard had phoned early in the morning. Poor Howard. He could hardly survive without her. ‘I’ve got a stomachache,’ he’d complained. ‘I feel lousy.’

‘Get on a plane and come home,’ she’d said sensibly.

‘I will, as soon as Whitney gets her ass back on the set.’

‘Hurry, pusskins, Poppy misses you.’

She knew he loved it when she babied him. There was no doubt about it, she could take care of him better than his other three wives put together.

Sighing, she consulted her watch. It was nearly twelve-thirty, and her guests would soon be arriving. She always liked to be there first so she could decide on the seating and position herself in a key spot.

The garden restaurant was already abuzz with activity. She waved to several acquaintances, and blew kisses to a favoured few. Poppy Soloman was a force in so-called Hollywood society. As the wife of a studio head she expected and received deferential treatment wherever she went.

How different from her first months in Hollywood, when she worked as a lowly secretary… How very different…

‘Don’t even tell me I’m the first! Jeez! And you look so lonely sittin’ there all by yourself. Hi – I’m Beverly D’Amo. What a pleasure to
finally
get to have lunch with you.’

Poppy looked up at the extremely tall, exotic black woman. Beverly certainly was striking.

‘Sit
here,
’ she said, indicating the chair next to her. ‘I’m delighted you could come today.’

Beverly rolled her eyes and winked wickedly. ‘Girl, I
come
whenever the opportunity presents itself! Doesn’t everyone?’

Poppy was saved from answering by the appearance of Jade Johnson, clad all in white and looking spectacular. ‘I’m not late, am I?’ she asked breathlessly.

‘Not at all,’ replied Poppy, patting the chair the other side of her and saying, ‘Please sit here.’

‘Hiya, J. J.,’ Beverly greeted Jade. ‘Who’s the guy? Seems to me you’re sending out those special signals.’

‘Huh?’

‘You heard.’

‘I don’t know
what
you’re talking about.’

‘Babee, it’s
me
. C’mon, tell.’

‘Champagne, everyone?’ interrupted Poppy.

‘Why not?’ replied Beverly. She grinned at the waiter. ‘Make mine a Mimosa. Fresh orange juice, the best bubbly, an’ a little shaved ice.’

Poppy could see that if she wasn’t careful, Beverly would take over her entire lunch. Quickly she asserted herself, making her position clear up front. ‘Beverly,’ she said sweetly, ‘Howard speaks so well of you. He’s
very
impressed with your performance in
Romance
. Even though it’s only a small role he says you have great potential, and he hopes to use you again soon.’ Actresses had to be put in their place. Firmly.

Beverly’s grin widened. She, too, could play power games. ‘No shit? The little guy said that about me? Hey – I’m really flattered. I guess that must be why old Zach’s promised me the lead in my next flickeroony.’

Before anyone could say anything else the odd couple arrived – Ida and Carmel. Poppy busied herself with introductions, placing Carmel next to Jade, and Ida beside Beverly. There was one chair left for Melanie-Shanna, who was late.

‘Didn’t I see you at Spago with Jack Python?’ Ida said, peering myopically across the table at Jade, her striking white hair shimmering in the sunlight.

‘Uh… yes, I guess so.’

‘Ah
ha!
’ yelled Beverly triumphantly. ‘Jack Python, huh?’

‘A rutting dog,’ boomed Carmel. ‘He’s had more women in this town than Silver’s had men.’

‘Silver?’ echoed Beverly. ‘As in Anderson?’

‘They’re brother and sister, you know,’ said Poppy. ‘It’s not a well-publicized fact.’

‘I never knew that,’ said Beverly. ‘They don’t look anything alike.’

‘Of course, she’s much older than he is,’ Carmel confided knowledgeably. ‘Silver and I go
way
back.’

‘She had Orville once, didn’t she?’ remarked Ida.

‘No, she didn’t,’ replied Carmel crossly. ‘I wish you’d stop suggesting that Orville has had every woman in this town.’

‘Probably one of the few he missed,’ chortled Ida, surprisingly lively for once.

Carmel glared at her.

‘It sounds like brother and sister have covered the waterfront,’ observed Beverly. ‘And
I
wouldn’t mind covering
him
any day of the week. How was he, Jade? All tight pants, teeth an’ talk? Or is there gold in them there hills?’

Shrugging vaguely Jade said, ‘I’ve no idea. We were just… uh… talking business.’

Beverly raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘Business?’

Sometimes Beverly got completely on her nerves. ‘Yes, business,’ she said shortly. ‘He wants me to appear on his show.’

Noting her guest of honour’s discomfort, Poppy switched subjects. ‘And what is everyone’s opinion of the new
Mr
Silver Anderson?’ she asked.

‘A sly one,’ Ida said without hesitation.

‘Who is he? Where does he come from?’ Poppy mused. ‘That’s what I wonder.’

‘Orville says he’s quite sharp,’ interrupted Carmel.

‘Must be,’ Ida said. ‘He got her to marry him, didn’t he?’

‘Has she ever had anything
lifted!’
Poppy asked curiously. ‘She looks so wonderful – for her age.’

‘There are more plastic surgeons in Los Angeles than anywhere else in the world,’ Beverly announced authoritatively. ‘My gyno told me. Amazing what they’ll come out with when they’re eyeballin’ one’s snatch!’

‘I wonder where Melanie is,’ fussed Poppy. She had called her the day before, dropped a big hint about Mannon and Clarissa, then invited her for lunch. ‘I hate people who think they can walk in half an hour late. It’s so rude.’

‘Does she know about hubby dearest?’ inquired Carmel, lighting a long thin cigarillo.

‘I really have no idea,’ replied Poppy innocently. ‘Isn’t the wife always supposed to be the last to find out?’

Jade felt lost in a sea of idle gossip. She abhorred the casual way they were picking everyone over. Jack Python probably
was
a rutting dog, but she didn’t want to hear about it from this group.

* * *

‘Like I think you gotta let me do this,’ Heaven said earnestly. ‘And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll go back to school, college, the whole bit. Uncle Jack, you gotta understand – if I
don’t
do it, I could like totally miss out on the greatest opportunity of my life.’

‘You should have told me at the beginning,’ he said sharply. ‘Before you signed contracts, and made a record, and committed yourself.’

‘You would’ve stopped me,’ she countered.

He had to admit she was right. ‘So what you’re telling me is that you want to drop out of school for a year, and pursue a singing career. Is that correct?’

‘That’s it.’

‘And what if this record of yours flops?’

Pouting, she said, ‘Thanks!’

‘Hey – don’t get carried away, young lady, it could happen.’

Picking at her hamburger, she said, ‘Not to me, I’ve had enough bummed-out scenes in my life.’

Staring at his pretty, forlorn niece, he wondered what was in store for her. She had come to him with a whole scenario, and he knew if he stepped in and said no, she would hate him forever. Why hadn’t his father asked him about it? How could George just go ahead and sign contracts without knowing a thing about the business? Goddammit. If he’d spent more time with her she might have come to him
before
the event.

‘I don’t know,’ he said unsurely.

‘Yes you do,’ she wheedled.

‘What about Silver?’

‘What
about
her?’

‘I guess if you’re going to drop out of school, someone should tell her.’

‘Why? Do you like honestly believe she cares?’

Once again he had to admit she was right.

Pushing her plate away, she went on, ‘It’s settled then? You agree?’

‘Would it make any difference if I didn’t?’

With a guilty laugh she said, ‘I guess not.’

‘Show business is a tough number to conquer.’

‘Easy sucks. I’m into struggling.’

‘When do I get to hear your record?’

‘The record company’s having a party for me. Sort of like to introduce me to disc jockeys and the newspaper people. I want you to come. Only, Uncle Jack, promise not to get mad at me? The thing is, I just don’t want to advertise the fact we’re related. Okay?’

He began to laugh. ‘Ashamed of me?’

Giggling, she said, ‘You got it in one!’

‘Once again I suggest you drop the uncle – it does kind of give things away.’

‘Thanks, Unc – I mean – Jack.’

‘You’re welcome.’ He called for the check. ‘When is this party anyway?’

‘On my birthday.’

‘Give me a time and a place. I’ll be there.’

* * *

As soon as the waiter suggested coffee, Jade was out of there. She had heard enough about face-lifts, and who was sleeping with whom, and designers, and servant problems, and character assassinations.

Beverly left with her, and they both burst into hysterical laughter as they hit the parking lot and handed over their respective tickets.

‘
Shee-it
!’ exclaimed Beverly. ‘Heavy-duty.’

‘Bor-
ing
,’ Jade said. ‘I never intend to get trapped at one of those lunches again.’

‘Right on. Poppy Soloman is somethin’ else,’ agreed Beverly.

‘You can say that again.’

The parking valet drove up in a maroon, impeccably polished Rolls-Royce – licence plate
KLINGER I
.

‘I see the beat goes on,’ Jade remarked dryly.

‘Sure does. Why don’t you come back to our simple little mansion and we can
really
spill our guts? Leave your car here – I’ll get one of the slaves to pick it up later.’

Jade hesitated. She felt like confiding in someone, but on the very few occasions she had been in Zachary Klinger’s company he made her uncomfortable.

Reading her mind, Beverly said, ‘It’s all clear on the Bel Air front. Big Daddy’s at the studio – I think he’s hoping to get another pop at Carlos Brent!’

‘Is it true he actually hit him?’

‘Whacked old Carlos out, an’ proud of it.’

‘Why would he do that?’

Beverly tipped the valet and got in the car. ‘I think he’s got a secret crush on Silver Anderson. How hysterical can things get?’

* * *

And at the studio, Zachary Klinger stood silently in the background and watched.

He had more than a secret crush on Silver. He had an all-consuming passion. And very soon he would win her back.

One way or the other she would be his again, and nobody was going to stand in his way.

Chapter Eighty-One

‘You’re a first-class cooze,’ Carlos Brent muttered.

‘And you’re a broken-down old swinger,’ Silver replied coolly.

‘Pulling that stunt with the garlic yesterday. What kind of crap was that?’

‘I had this mad urge to see Zachary Klinger knock you down.’

‘Yeah, you would.’ Grabbing her in an affectionate hug he added, ‘You’re not such a bad old broad. I guess I’ll have to put up with you.’