Hollywood Husbands (69 page)

Orville and Carmel were also present, with heads bowed. The tragic death of their only son had quieted them both down. They lived, shrouded in their own guilt.

* * *

Jack Python stood at the back, his handsome face impassive, well aware of the gangs of waiting photographers, the ghoulish crowds, and the television cameras.

Hollywood was burying one of its own. A true luminary. And the world was watching.

Clarissa Browning was certainly getting a star’s send-off.

* * *

Meanwhile, at Zachary Klinger’s Holmby Hills mansion, preparations for a wedding were underway. Caterers’ trucks stood in the driveway, last-minute flowers were being delivered, security guards patrolled the grounds, and a nervous future bride stared at her reflection in a full-length mirror. ‘I don’t know why I let you talk me into this,’ she said, in a verging-on-the-edge-of-panic voice.

‘Because you’ll love it!’ Beverly replied confidently. ‘And as Zachary says – this town needs a beautiful wedding. A new beginning. And, girl – there ain’t nobody more beautiful than you!’

‘I wanted a small, quiet ceremony,’ Jade said, adjusting the zig-zag skirt of her exquisite white silk wedding gown. ‘You and Mark tricked me into this.’

‘Honey, you were in the hospital –
somebody
had to make the arrangements. And when Corey called your parents and invited them, it just seemed right to make it an
occasion
. Mark loves the idea – I’m tellin’ you, girl, he’ll go Hollywood in no time at all! I hear that Zeppo’s bachelor rip for him last night was something else.’

‘Good.’

‘You’re a disappointment to me, Jade, y’know that?’

‘Why?’

‘
We
should have done somethin’ last night. Gone to Chippendale’s and watched the guys take it all off. Or had our
own
party.’

‘Sorry. Next time I get married I’ll try not to disappoint you.’

They both giggled.

‘Hey, did anything happen with you and Jack Python?’ Beverly asked curiously. ‘I always had a feeling you two might get together again.’

‘Whatever gave you that impression?’

Beverly smiled. ‘Vibes.’

‘A fine conversation when I’m just about to marry Mark.’

‘You two were dancing at the party, the night of the disaster.’

‘I don’t remember.’

‘Yeah, well… I guess I gotta go check everything out. Do you need anything? A stiff drink? A stiff prick? Anything! A bride’s last request will always be met.’

‘Springsteen.’

‘Bruce?’

‘Is there another one?’

‘Hey – I’ve heard of last requests, but this guy might be just a
little
hard to get hold of. Now – if you’d only given me time…’

‘His music, schmuck! Do you have any records or tapes?’

‘Oh. His music. Easy!’ Beverly dived into a stack of albums piled next to an elaborate stereo system and produced a special re-mix twelve-inch version of ‘Cover Me’. Pulling out the record, she handed Jade the sleeve. ‘Horny, huh?’

There was a picture of Springsteen sitting on the door of a white convertible, legs apart, wearing jeans, scuffed boots, a wide leather belt, striped sleeveless tee-shirt, and a bandanna round his head.

‘It’s his music that turns me on,’ Jade said.

‘Yeah? You’d say goodbye on a rainy night, huh?
Sure
you would. Eyeball those muscles an’ tell me that.’ With a ribald laugh, she left the bride alone.

Springsteen’s voice came across loud and clear, flooding the room.

Jade closed her eyes. She was lucky to be alive, she knew that – enough people had told her. Apparently, when the yacht started to blow apart, she must have been hit by falling debris and knocked unconscious. Someone had helped her into a lifeboat, and eventually she was taken to hospital, where she lay in a coma for a week. Waking up one morning she felt fine, and remembered absolutely nothing about the entire experience. Her last recollection was getting ready to go to the party. ‘I remember you saying something about forty-nine identical white limousines, and that’s it – complete blank-out, until I woke up in the hospital,’ she told Mark.

‘You’re fortunate, my darling – it wasn’t a pleasant time.’

He’d sprained an ankle, but other than that was unscathed.

They were both lucky. And Corey too, although he’d suffered a few minor burns helping to get people into the lifeboats, including a young waiter who’d had a leg blown off below the knee.

Naturally, she and Mark had postponed their wedding. And the next thing she knew, she had allowed herself to be talked into this circus. Pretty stupid for someone who liked things private. But too late to do anything about it now.

* * *

‘You okay?’

‘Of course.’

‘Y’look friggin’ fantastic for an old broad.’

‘Darling, I know he’s your hero, but
do
try to stop sounding like Carlos Brent on a bad day.’

Wes laughed. ‘Just jokin’!’

‘Oh, goody. I do so
adore
your sense of humour.’

Bantering back and forth was just their way. Since the
True Life Scandal
revelations, Silver and Wes had become closer than ever. He had blown his stack about her recent dressing room affair with Carlos, and she had not been thrilled about his supposed drug-dealing activities – he’d denied everything. But all in all, they weathered the bad times, relieved to be alive after the night of horror on Zachary’s yacht from which they’d both escaped without injury, thanks to Wes’s quick thinking. He had hustled Silver into a lifeboat, and at her insistence gone back and found Heaven, bringing her to safety too.

Suddenly, with chaos all around, a reunion had taken place. Mother and daughter were together again. Temporarily.

After the appearance of
True Life Scandal
on the newsstands, Silver had been forced to admit reluctantly that Zachary Klinger was indeed Heaven’s father. And with both Wes and Nora urging her on, she had met with Heaven privately, and falteringly tried to explain why she’d kept it a secret. Of course, she hadn’t told her the real truth – she’d just said that he was a married man at the time, and she’d done what she thought was best.

To Silver’s annoyance, Heaven and Zachary forged an immediate and wonderful relationship. Heaven moved into the Klinger mansion – and to make matters even more aggravating, her record went to number one.

Wes couldn’t understand her pique. ‘She’s your own
daughter
. You should be goddamn proud. I thought everything was okay between you now.’

Silver wasn’t proud, she was jealous. She just couldn’t help it.

Now they’d promised Zeppo White to go with him to Jade Johnson’s wedding, and there was no getting out of seeing Zachary and Heaven together – a sight Silver dreaded.

* * *

Corey visited Jade just as Springsteen faded.

‘Dad’s on his way up,’ he said. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Like I’m entering prison with no hope of a reprieve!’

‘I told Mom to stay downstairs – she’ll only make you cry.’

‘How do
you
feel?’ Since Norman’s death he had become even more quiet and withdrawn.

‘I’m quitting the publicity business,’ he said. ‘It’s not for me. I think I’ll be better away from the atmosphere.’

She took his hand. ‘I think you’re right, and remember, Corey, whatever you do, I’m always here for you.’

A knock on the door announced their father. Oh God! Father of the bride. She was really doing this. She felt hot and cold, dizzy and sick. She was getting
married!

HELP!

* * *

As Wes drew out of their driveway, with Silver sitting beside him in the Rolls-Royce, a black sedan appeared from nowhere and cut in front of him, forcing him to brake abruptly.

‘Sonofabitch!’ he yelled angrily, leaning on the horn.

‘Don’t get excited,’ soothed Silver, taking out a compact and checking her appearance yet again.

The sedan came to a stop, blocking the narrow street up in the hills of Bel Air.

Without thinking, Wes got out of the car and started to walk towards the other vehicle, swearing.

The gunshots took him completely by surprise.

* * *

‘And do you, Jade Johnson, take this man, Mark Rand, to be your lawful wedded husband?’

Yes, I do.

No, I don’t.

She stared at the preacher in the magnificent grounds of Zachary Klinger’s opulent estate. He was a Californian preacher. Blond streaked hair, blue eyes, and a suntan.

A helicopter hovered overhead, causing an unpleasant breeze.

‘…forty-nine identical white limos with fully stocked bars and a supply of the best caviar, to transport Zachary Klinger’s illustrious guests to his waiting yacht…’

S
HE COULD REMEMBER
!

Picking up Corey, the ride to Long Beach, boarding the yacht, and joining the Whites.

S
HE COULD REMEMBER
!

The preacher cleared his throat, a gentle reminder that they were waiting for her reply.

She turned to Mark. He nodded encouragingly.

Tall and tan and young and lovely

The girl from Ipanema goes walking

Jack Python.

Jack Python with the deadly green eyes and the killer smile! Was he really going to let her go through with this?

Impatiently the preacher cleared his throat again and decided to repeat himself. ‘Do you, Jade Johnson, take this man, Mark Rand, to be your lawful wedded husband?’

‘Are you seriously getting married?’

If you don’t stop me, I am.

‘You know something? When you’re angry I think I love you even more.’

Well then, where are you when I need you?

The noise of the helicopter was getting louder.

‘Answer,’ hissed Mark, becoming red in the face.

She remembered him saying –
‘Was he enough for you in bed? Is that why I haven’t had the pleasure?’

Yes. Right, Mark. On both counts.

Instinctively she looked up, just in time to see the helicopter swoop down and lower a rope ladder.

Thank God! Rescue was at hand.

Without a second thought she gathered up the flimsy skirt of her white silk dress, kicked off her shoes, and made a dash for the ladder, freedom, and most of all – Jack Python.

‘Holy
shit!
’ yelled Beverly, with a hoot of crazed laughter, as Jade scrambled up the precarious rope stairway. ‘One thing about Johnson – she always
was
a wild one!’

And the helicopter rose like a bird and whirled off into the future.

Nine Months Later

Zeppo White gave up agenting, and became the new head of Orpheus Studios.

His wife, Ida, recovered from her burns and, as the result of extensive plastic surgery, looked twenty years younger.

Zeppo continued to chase nubile females who lusted after an acting career.

Ida gave up drugs and took to very young men instead.

Zeppo made her a producer. She never produced anything, but gave endless auditions.

They remained locked in marriage.

* * *

Whitney Valentine posed nude for a prestigious men’s magazine, and was paid a record amount of money. A million bucks for revealing paradise. Her movie career took off like a rocket, and she became the highest-paid bad actress in the world.

Senator Peter Richmond flew in from Washington once a month to visit her, and after a few months swore faithfully he would leave his wife and marry her.

He never did.

* * *

Vladimir Kirkoff stayed in Hawaii, living off his revelations of life with a star. He liked the climate. He liked the people. And most of all he liked the huge, bronzed surfers with their wicked grins and penchant for thrills.

Vladimir never forgot Silver. He kept her picture in a silver frame with a single orchid beside it. If Madame ever called, he would be there.

* * *

Unity Smith was picked up by the police in Amarillo, Texas, working in a peep-show bar. She had spent her money from
True Life Scandal
on drugs and a hustler with lean hips and a way with the ladies. He dumped her when the money ran out.

She was recognized from her picture in the cheap tabloid.

Unity Smith’s real name was Unity Serranno, and she was wanted in the state of New York for the cold-blooded murder of a young couple during the course of an armed robbery in 1983.

Her husband and partner in crime helped finger her. He was doing time for the same murders, and when he saw her photograph in
True Life Scandal
he whined to the police – ‘This is her – how come she’s runnin’ around free while I’m locked up?
She’s
the one pulled the damn trigger.’

Unity Serranno was taken back to the state of New York and sentenced to life imprisonment.

* * *

Mannon Cable bought a home in Carmel. A large, rambling, comfortable ranch house, perched high on a bluff, overlooking the ocean.

He was acclaimed for his fine work in
The Murder
, and the quality of the material sent to him improved considerably.

‘I’m taking a year off to enjoy my family,’ he told his agent, Sadie La Salle.

‘Work comes first,’ she admonished. ‘I’ve got a script for you that Redford would kill for.’

‘Bye-bye, Sadie. See you in a year.’

Melanie-Shanna became pregnant again. She glowed with health and happiness. Every day Mannon woke up and thanked God for his son, Jason, and his wonderful wife, whom he finally appreciated.

For the first time in his life Mannon Cable let go. And it made him a very secure and contented man indeed.

* * *

Carlos Brent married Dee Dee Dionne in a lavish ceremony in Las Vegas. It was his fifth wedding, and he bought the bride a magnificent diamond necklace as a betrothal present.

His daughter, Susanna, was incensed. ‘You see that bitch,’ she told anyone who would listen. ‘That bitch is walking around with
my
inheritance hanging round
her
neck!’