Lady Boss (1990) Read online

  Slamming the bathroom door he stared at himself in the mirror. Satisfied? his inner voice lectured. You've betrayed a client/lawyer confidence and hurt your pregnant wife's feelings. Al in one morning too. How clever can you get?

  By the time he emerged, Mary Lou had left the house, leaving behind a terse note saying she would not be back until late.

  Steven was real y pissed off. They always spent Saturdays together, shopping for food, catching a movie, dropping by Bloomingdale's, and final y, when they came home and she began to do things around the house, he was able to col apse on the couch in front of the television and watch sports.

  Now their day was ruined, thanks to Mrs. Deena Swanson.

  He considered cal ing Jerry and tel ing him exactly what he could do with Deena Swanson's mil ion bucks. But then again, maybe Jerry was right: Keep the money and wait for nothing to happen. Deena Swanson was no dangerous kil er. She was a very rich woman with a grudge against someone--and there was no way she was ever going to go through with her plan to commit the perfect murder.

  Besides, what could either he or Jerry do? Talk was talk, and lawyer/client _privilege was supposed to be sacred.

  So why had he spil ed the goods to Mary Lou and spoiled a perfect day?

  Because it bothered him. He didn't like it. He felt caught in a trap.

  On the other hand, there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

  Impulsively he picked up the phone and dialed Lucky's number. He hadn't seen her in a few weeks, and he wouldn't mind talking to her. She was something else, his half sister. A real y incredible woman who'd added so much to his life, especial y since the death of Carrie, his mother, who'd died peaceful y in her sleep of a heart attack.

  He real y missed Carrie. She'd raised him alone, and in spite of terrible beginnings had managed to give him a sense of values, a great education, and a chance to succeed.

  For many years she'd lied to him about his father--

  claimed that he died when Steven was a smal boy. One day he found out the truth. His real father was Gino Santangelo, a man Carrie had slept with only once, and never told him the result of that union.

  The truth was difficult to accept--for Gino, too--but gradual y, over the last eighteen months, they'd forged a relationship. Hardly father and son, but a strong bond of mutual respect.

  Lucky was different. She'd accepted him as her half brother with immediate warmth. And when Carrie was alive she'd welcomed her into the family, too. He would always love Lucky for that. She was a very special woman.

  The answering machine picked up at her apartment.

  Steven left a message and then tried Gino. "How about lunch?" he asked.

  "What is it with my kids this week?" Gino demanded gruffly. "I got Paige in town. Don't that mean nothin' to any of you?"

  Steven was delighted to be cal ed one of Gino's kids. It was taking time but he was getting there. "How about I buy you both lunch?" he suggested.

  "When Paige is here I don't eat," Gino replied. "Y'know how it is."

  "Hey, sorry I asked."

  "Don't be sorry, cal me Monday."

  Paige Wheeler wore a lacy brown garter belt, silk stockings, very high heels, a push-up bra, and nothing else.

  Although nearing fifty, she was stil a very attractive woman with her pocket Venus figure, abundance of copper-colored, frizzy hair, husky voice, and sensual smile.

  Gino, who'd had more women in his life than most rock stars, couldn't get enough of her. To him she was the perfect companion to grow old with--a smart, sassy broad who appreciated Frank Sinatra, enjoyed sex, and could hold a more-than-decent conversation.

  "Who was that?" Paige asked, as soon as he put the phone down.

  "Steven. He wanted to take us to lunch. I told him to forget it."

  "Why?" She paraded in front of him, spreading her legs in a dancer's stance.

  "Why the hel d'you think?" he replied, grabbing her.

  "Has anyone ever told you you're one hot number?"

  She smiled. "Yes, you, Gino. Constantly. And I love it."

  He put his hand down the top of her stocking. "Get down on your knees an' say that."

  "If you insist. However, let me remind you--a lady never speaks with her mouth ful !"

  When they were done, Gino col apsed on the bed, his heart pounding at a roaring pace.

  Better take it easy, old man, he warned himself. You're not as young as you used to be.

  No shit?

  When his heart resumed its normal rhythm he

  remembered Steven and regretted having been so abrupt with him. Reaching for the phone he cal ed him back. There was no reply.

  Paige slept face down on his rumpled bed. The woman was an original. No shadows of the past to haunt him when she was around.

  He got up and went to his dresser, unlocked the top right hand drawer and took out a Harry Winston box.

  Opening it, he gazed at an Elizabeth Taylor-sized diamond ring.

  He'd bought Paige gifts before, usual y from Forty-seventh Street, where he had connectjons and could get a deal. But this ring was different. This ring he'd gotten retail.

  If Paige wanted it she could have it. Only one smal catch. If she wanted it, she had to final y divorce Wheeler--

  no more excuses--and marry him.

  Gino Santangelo had waited long enough.

  Brigette was counting the weeks until vacation. June the fifteenth and she was a free person for the rest of the summer. What a relief to escape the daily grind of suffocating, boring school. She'd already spoken to her grandmother about spending a good chunk of her vacation with Lennie and Lucky.

  Charlotte had not objected. "Whatever you like, dear,"

  she'd said vaguely, probably thril ed to be rid of her.

  Sitting in English class she daydreamed about al the fun she'd have. There had to be more than getting up in the morning, mingling with a bunch of stupid, unfriendly girls, and listening to a succession of uninspirational teachers drone on about nothing that interested her. Malibu with Lennie and Lucky was sure to be a major blast.

  "Stanislopoulos!" Mr. Louthe, her English teacher, interrupted her reverie. He was a gray-haired man with ferret teeth and a droopy mustache. "What did I just say?"

  he asked sharply.

  Brigette looked at him blankly. "Huh?"

  Two of her classmates whispered an exaggerated

  "Huh?" at each other and giggled.

  "Silence!" Mr. Louthe said sternly. "See me after class, Stanislopoulos."

  Inwardly she groaned. She'd be late for tennis practice--

  her one pleasure. And Mr. Louthe was notorious for his sanctimonious lectures.

  After the class was over she went and stood by his desk. He was attending to paperwork and made her wait for fifteen minutes. Final y he looked up. "Stanislopoulos,"

  he said, "I'l make this brief."

  Thank goodness, she thought.

  "You are an intel igent girl. A pretty girl--"

  Oh, no! Was he coming on to her? After Santino Bonnatti, she was never going to al ow anybody to do anything to her again--unless she wanted it.

  "And you are also an extremely isolated and unsociable girl."

  Thanks a lot! she thought sourly.

  "In life," Mr. Louthe continued in a sonorous tone, "there is always a price to pay. And I do not mean a monetary price. You must realize, young lady, that with al your money and connections, you wil not end up a very happy person if you go through your days and weeks and months living in your own cocooned little space. Learning, sharing, reading, mixing with other people, giving of yourself--these are al growing experiences. Learn to grow, Miss Stanislopoulos, and your life may have some meaning. Thank you. You are dismissed." He bent his head and resumed work.

  Brigette was stunned. How dare he talk to her like that!

  She knew how to learn--only it wasn't something she cared to do. She knew how to share--but why should she? And as for mixing with other people --wel it was t
hey who didn't want to mix with her. Wasn't it?

  Returning to the dormitory, she continued to fume. What did he know about her life anyway? What did he care?

  Dumb man.

  Dumb old man.

  Dumb old man with a stupid mustache!_

  Inexplicably she began to cry, and suddenly it was a deluge of tears, as if al the pain and frustration and hurt of the last few years came pouring out.

  It occurred to her that this was the first time she'd cried since Tim Wealth's death and the fol owing nightmare events.

  When the tears were over she felt better, until she noticed Nona, one of her more recent roommates, standing inside the door. God! On top of everything else she would now have a reputation as a crybaby.

  "Are you O. K.?" Nona asked, sounding sympathetic.

  She rubbed her eyes. "Just a choking fit--nothing terminal."

  "I know what you mean," Nona said casual y. "I get 'em al the time. Especial y when I have to endure one of Louthe's lectures."

  "It wasn't too bad.7

  Suddenly they were having a conversation, something Brigette had managed to avoid until now.

  "O. K.," Nona said brightly. "I'm out of here. I've got a pass for town." -She picked up her purse and hesitated for a moment. "You wouldn't like to come, would you?"

  Normal y Brigette would have said no, and that would be that. But today was different. Today was the start of something new--making friends.

  "I'd love to," she answered shyly.

  Nona was surprised. The other girls would kil her for dragging along the poor little rich kid, but she couldn't help it--Brigette looked so lost and lonely. "Come on," she said warmly, grabbing her by the arm. "I don't know about you, but the sooner I'm out of this prison the better."

  Chapter 10

  It was a go situation, and Lucky felt incredibly elated.

  First she made a short trip to London via the Concorde to visit Bobby. He was in fine shape--smal and handsome, with an endearing British accent. Gino would have a shit fit!

  After visiting Bobby, she flew out to Los Angeles to spend a couple of days with Lennie before embarking on her adventure. If she was to successful y vanish for six weeks, everything had to be careful y coordinated. Arriving at their rented house in Malibu, she was met by Miko, their diminutive Japanese houseboy. Miko informed her he was expecting Mr. Golden home at seven.

  She was pleased. She'd told Lennie she wasn't flying out until Sunday, 'figuring a surprise would enhance the mood nicely. Now she'd have time to relax for a few hours.

  "O. K., Miko," she said, handing him a wad of bil s.

  "Here's five hundred bucks to do a vanishing act. This'l pay for your hotel and expenses. I don't want to see you for forty-eight hours. Do we understand each other?"

  Miko accepted the money with a smal , formal bow. "I am gone, madam," he said in perfect English. With Miko out of the way, she threw open the doors to the beach, plumped up the cushions on the large rattan couches, put Luther Vandross on the stereo, cal ed Trader Vic's to request Lennie's favorite Indonesian lamb roast to be delivered at 9 P. M., and prepared a mean Margarita.

  When that was al done, she indulged in a leisurely shower and slipped white shorts and a T-shirt over nothing.

  Lucky rarely bothered with underwear; she didn't see the point. Piling her long dark hair atop her head, she added a touch more gloss to her lips and some tawny blusher to accentuate her sharply defined cheekbones.

  In her thirties, Lucky Santangelo had only grown more beautiful, a beauty she treated very casual y, for ego was not her thing.

  The beach looked inviting. It was almost dusk, and several people jogged along the shoreline with their dogs, while a single swimmer braved the cool Pacific ocean.

  She'd spent only a few weekends at the house, but there was something about it she was beginning to get attached to. It was so peaceful and quiet. You couldn't hear the cars racing by on the nearby Pacific Coast Highway--

  only the soothing rhythm of the waves hitting the beach.

  Maybe they should buy it, she mused. Not that. She was crazy about California, but once she owned Panther Studios they would obviously be spending more time there.

  Mental note: Cal the real estate agent and find out if the house was for sale.

  It was nearing seven. She poured the Margaritas into tal frosted glasses, and sat outside on the deck overlooking the beach.

  Luther serenaded her with "Superstar."

  Leaning back, she closed her eyes and drifted off into a jet-lagged sleep.

  Cristi was definitely coming on to him in her al California-girl way. She'd been doing it throughout the day. Nothing too overwhelming, but Lennie was more than aware of her interest.

  "I'm takin' the twist to Spago, why don't you come with us?" Joey suggested, enjoying the possibilities. He referred to al women as twists or grunts. The twists were the delectable ones, and Cristi was certainly edible.

  Lennie said no.

  "You prefer drivin' back to an empty beach house rather than a fine pizza with two of your best friends?" Joey tried to look hurt. The expression did not take. Joey Firel o was short and wiry, with rubbery lips, an ethnic face, and lots of nervous energy. Not traditional y good-looking, he was seemingly irresistible to women. "They want to mother me,"

  he deadpanned. "Hey--the day I say no to tit is the day it's over, man."

  Joey had been very supportive when Lennie had first arrived in L. A. fresh from being fired out of a gig in Vegas, stone-cold broke. Joey--who at that time was just beginning to make it himself--had gotten Lennie a job at the legendary Foxie's club on Hol ywood Boulevard and had been there for him al the way.

  Lennie did not forget favors, so when his own career began to surpass Joey's by a long streak, and Joey's was on a downward spiral due to a serious cocaine problem, he'd always made sure there was a role for his friend in everything he did. Right now Joey's career was on an upswing.

  "You comin' for dinner or what?" Joey demanded.

  "Maybe I'l let you buy me a pizza," Lennie relented.

  After al , the house in Malibu was distinctly lonely with just Miko and himself for company. And he was tired of trying to make improvements on a script that was going nowhere.

  Joey seemed pleased; he'd been trying to get Lennie out for weeks. "We'l go back to my place, you can grab a shower, an' then we'l paaarty al night long! Yeah?"

  "Dinner, Joey. That's it."

  Joey pul ed a disappointed face. "Dinner, Joey," he mimicked. "Hey, hey, hey. Whatever happened to the wild guy I used to know? Whatever happened to the king of the party scene?"

  "He got married," Lennie said.

  "Yeah, he got married--not dead."

  The doorbel woke Lucky. Asleep on the outside deck she came to with a start and shivered. A brisk wind whipped along the beach, and now the ocean was black and the waves sounded thunderous.

  A quick glance at her watch revealed that it was nine o'clock.

  She hurried through the dark house to the front door and let in the waiter from Trader Vic's. The food was sealed in cardboard cartons. She had him place them on a counter in the kitchen before he left.

  Nine o'clock and where was Lennie? Miko had told her he was expecting him at seven, and like an idiot she hadn't thought of checking because she'd wanted to surprise him.

  Obviously not so smart. Lennie was out and about, and she had no idea where to start looking.

  It's your own fault, Santangelo, she scolded herself sternly. That'l teach you to go for the unexpected. She wondered if Abe Panther was awake, or did the fierce Inga put him to sleep at eight o'clock? She wouldn't mind talking to the old guy. He was sharp and canny. She liked him.

  Morton Sharkey had insisted that two separate psychiatrists and an independent doctor examine Abe before al owing Lucky to go ahead with the deal. "What if he drops dead?" Morton had asked. "Or even worse --what if when he dies the family steps forward and chal enges his state of mind? We need to have this covered
."

  Abe had not objected. Like Lucky, he was enjoying the game. He brought his own lawyer into play, and every intricate detail was worked out.

  Now they had a deal set in concrete. Starting Monday, Lucky was going in undercover. She couldn't wait!

  Joey knew almost everyone in the restaurant, so what started out as a quiet dinner for three gradual y grew into chaos.

  "I'm getting out of here," Lennie announced at ten-fifteen. He'd had enough.

  Joey grimaced. He was surrounded by women of al shapes, hues, and sizes. "I may be talented but I need help," he complained. "You can't leave me, man."

  "Watch me." Lennie was already on his feet.

  "Can you drop me off at my car?" Cristi asked hopeful y.

  "I never was one for group auditions."

  How could he say no to Miss California? "Aren't you staying with Joey?" he asked halfheartedly.

  She eyed the seven other girls hanging onto Joey Firel o's every breath. "Give me a break, Lennie." With that she pushed her chair away from the table and stood up, al owing him no choice but to take her with him.

  "Bye, Joey," they said in unison.

  Joey signaled a thumbs up. After four vodkas and several lines of cocaine (surreptitiously snorted because after numerous dry-out periods he was supposed to be reformed) he was flying on a solo journey.

  Instinctively Lennie steered Cristi toward the back entrance, which led directly to the parking lot. Sometimes fans and photographers nested outside the front, and he didn't want to get caught. Even though this was a perfectly innocent situation, being photographed with Cristi wouldn't look right, and. He had no wish to put I,ucky's understanding to the test.

  Once in the passenger seat of his Ferrari, Cristi let out a little sigh and said, al Miss California Clean-cut, "I'd real y enjoy having sex with you, Lennie."

  She made it sound so matter-of-fact he almost didn't get it. But when she joined the words with a silky hand on his crotch, cleverly missing the gearshift by inches, he had no doubt of her intentions.

  Pul ing on a thick sweater and a pair of faded Levi's, Lucky walked along the beach. It was deserted, windy, and dark. She stuck close to the shoreline, listening to the waves hitting the sand.