Previously…
Heather went into labor following her and Benji’s car accident. Brett and Jordan blasted Benji for his reckless driving. Benji apologized, then turned flippant when his back was turned. Brooke convinced Brett to get over his self-esteem issues and own up to the possibility that his baby may have mental problems due to Heather’s toxoplasmosis. After another of Alex’s tantrums on set, the makeup artist quit. James offered the job to Brooke, who politely informed him that Jordan had already hired her to work on his latest film. After learning that Brooke and David were going on a date, Roz tried to convince James that he and Brooke still belonged together. James and Alex learned of Stormy and Kelly’s relationship. Kelly asked Stormy if he would get her a part in Angel Assassin 2. Miranda saw photos in the gossip column of David and Brooke at the opening of Moonshadows. Ethan warned James of an impending financial disaster. James asked Kenny to find out if the lender would defer his payments until the film was released. A mysterious woman on the phone with an unseen caller expressed interest in James. Heather gave birth to a baby girl during an eclipse and later named her Violet.
She steered onto a side street alley, gunning the engine and crashing through a grouping of garbage cans. From behind she could hear the wail of sirens in close pursuit. Pushing the gas pedal to the floor, she powered through the alley, the main road ahead within her sights.
Just as she neared the end of the alley, a gasp escaped her throat and she slammed on the brakes, inches from barreling into the police car that had pulled up and blocked her path. She looked behind, opened the door and got out when she realized she was surrounded.
Offering a coy smile, Kelly Kahoano raised her hands into the air in surrender. The police officers slowly approached; their weapons drawn. She stared ahead in a daze, focusing on the bright sandy Honolulu beach a mile off in the distance.
An hour later, she was behind the cold steel bars of a cell at the Honolulu police department. Pacing back and forth, she heard footsteps and approached the bars, her face drawing to a scowl when her future father-in-law appeared before her.
“Oh, it’s you,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“You were expecting someone else?” asked Pali Liu, an intimidatingly powerful man dressed in a gray suit and a taut expression on his weathered face. He spoke in broken English, still managing to exhibit great conviction with every word. At forty-five, he was one of the most wealthy and influential businessmen in Hawaii.
“What are you doing here?” Kelly asked, plopping down on a concrete bench inside the cell. “Did you come to gloat? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Unfortunately I can’t take the credit for your little joyride. That was all your own doing. What made you decide to take the car my son bought you and treat it like a tank?”
Kelly shrugged and shifted her weight on the bench. “I just wanted to see what it could do,” she claimed defiantly.
Unaffected by her attempt at humor, Mr. Liu kept his hands at his sides and an expressionless look on his face. “Such disregard for things,” he said. “Much like your disregard for my son. I warned him that you would hurt him.”
“I didn’t hurt your son,” Kelly insisted, spiking to her feet with a defensive stance.
“But you walked out on him two months before your wedding.”
With a frown, she stepped closer to the bars separating them. “Are you kidding me?” she asked. “You’ve been trying to get me away from him since we were kids. You never wanted me with Ke. How many times did you try to buy me off?”
“Are you surprised?” Mr. Liu asked. “Do you think I would want my son marrying the daughter of a common servant? The product of one night with a drunken American soldier?”
“You don’t know anything about me or my family. My mother is ten times the person you are. All you care about is controlling Ke, and sooner or later he’s going to realize that.”
Wordlessly, he reached into the breast pocket of his suit and removed a stack of hundred dollar bills.
“What is that for?” she asked, her eyes darting between him and the money.
“Keeping my end of the bargain.”
She shook her head in disgust and backed up a few steps. “I don’t want your money,” she said. “I didn’t want it then and I don’t want it now.”
Mr. Liu regarded her with a look of confusion and surprise. “Am I supposed to believe you aren’t the money hungry whore that you present yourself to be?”
“Go to hell.”
Quietly, he placed the cash back in his pocket and straightened his jacket lapels. “If you didn’t leave my son for the money then why did you?”
She shook her head in resignation and turned away from him. “You wouldn’t understand.”
After a moment or two of silence, Mr. Liu turned and began to walk away. He paused and waited a beat, deciding there was something else. He looked back at her with the same cold eyes.
“You’ve surprised me,” he began. “All these years I thought you were a stupid girl. Now I see you’re intelligent enough to know that you’re just not good enough for my son, and you never will be.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, struggling to block out his hateful words. She’d heard it for years and it still hadn’t gotten any easier to take. By the time she opened her eyes again and turned, Mr. Liu was gone…
Scene twenty-three of Angel Assassin 2 was a location shoot at the Griffith Observatory. Stormy knew that when they went on location, expenses went up and quality went down, neither of which made his father happy, especially with the crunch they were under in regards to the film’s release.
When Kelly arrived on set, Stormy was rushing about preparing his three stars for their scenes. He spotted her out of the corner of his eye and a grin spread across his face. He darted over and greeted her with a warm kiss, gently placing his hands on her waist.
“I’m not late, am I?” she asked. “I was so nervous. I couldn’t decide what to wear.”
“You have a fitting with the costume designer,” Stormy said and led her a few yards away. “And don’t be nervous. You’re going to be fine. Did you go over your lines last night?”
She grinned mischievously and gave him a nudge. “I didn’t have time,” she said. “Somebody kept me busy all night.”
Stormy blushed and slipped his arm around her as he drew her close. “I can’t imagine who that could have been,” he said with a chuckle.
“It’s much easier now that everyone knows about us and we don’t have to go on hiding our relationship. We can spend every night together and stop all this sneaking around at the hotel and at your office. We can finally live like real people.”
He squeezed her close and gazed out over the city from their vantage point. “But if you’re going to be a serious actress then you need time to learn your lines. I can always help. Those love scenes can be a challenge.”
She winked at him. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves. This is just a bit part. I think I can handle speaking a few words into the camera.” She stopped him and looked into his eyes. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Stormy. You really are a very descent guy.”
He kissed her again just as Frank Dunning approached and patted him firmly on the back.
“This must be Kelly,” he said, flipping his long hair over his shoulder. “I’m Frank Dunning, director of Angel Assassin 2.”
“Mr. Dunning, it’s so good to meet you,” Kelly said with wide eyes. “I love every one of your movies. Monaco, The Resurrectionist, they’re all so amazing.”
“Thank you, Kelly. It’s a pleasure to—”
“What is she doing here?” asked a voice from behind.
They turned just as Alex approached from her makeup trailer, hands planted firmly on her hips and a scowl spread across her overly made-up face.
“Mom, didn’t I tell you?” Stormy asked. “I had Frank put a small part in the film for Kelly. She wants to be an actress and I thought this would be a good opportunity to break her into the business.”
“Kelly wants to be an actress, does she?” Alex asked, her lips pursed.
“I’m looking forward to working with you, Miss Reynolds,” Kelly said.
Alex mustered a smile that showed no teeth. A laugh that wound up being a little too drawn-out to be considered serious followed. “How lovely,” she said, her mouth barely moving. “Stormy, may I speak to you for a minute, darling?”
“Sure,” he said, offering Kelly a reassuring smile before following his mother a few yards away. “What’s up?”
“What’s up is that this girl has no training. What on earth made you decide to put someone this green and inexperienced in my big comeback film?” Alex protested, a curl shaking loose from her updo and dangling over her eye.
“Mom, it’s just a small part,” Stormy insisted. “She’s playing one of your android henchwomen.”
Alex took a deep breath, watching Frank giving Kelly direction and motioning to the camera. “Sweetheart, I know you think you are in love with Kelly,” she began. “Lord knows you haven’t had the best luck with relationships. I can even understand how this happened. You and Kelly living under the same roof all this time. You’re close in age. I just don’t want to see you jumping into anything with someone that might wind up hurting you.”
“Kelly isn’t going to hurt me,” Stormy said with a frown. “And we’re not jumping into anything. We’ve been seeing each other for over three months.”
“I just don’t want to see her take advantage of you. First you announce that you’re in love and the next minute she’s appearing in my film?”
Stormy sighed heavily and looked away in frustration. “If you’re suggesting that Kelly is using me for my connections, you’re wrong. This was my idea. I don’t want to see her working as a maid her entire life. She came here for new opportunities, and that’s what I’m going to give her.”
“I see,” Alex said with the same pursed-lip smile. “Well then. Any relation of dear Leilani’s has my vote. I’m happy to share this scene with someone as worthy as Kelly.”
Stormy regarded his mother carefully. He knew a front when he saw one. Being the son of an actress gave him that sixth sense into people and their inner thoughts. But for the time being he decided to let it go. There was no sense in spending more time trying to convince her when the fact was she just wasn’t ready.
“Well then, let’s get to work,” Alex said and floated back over to Frank. “Kelly, welcome to the film. I’m sure you’ll do great work.”
“Thank you,” Kelly said, taking cue and embracing her happily.
Alex exaggerated the embrace, holding the young woman close and whispering quietly into her ear while maintaining her affected smile. “If you hurt my son in the slightest, I will make you one very sorry young woman.”
The realization that Stormy’s mother meant business came quickly to Kelly. She swallowed hard, forced herself to smile, and walked back over to Frank and Stormy. It seemed that she was in familiar territory again. She had no intention of hurting Stormy. But was she aware that he was in a position to help her? Yes, she was absolutely aware. But she planned on working for her successes. She didn’t take money from Ke Liu, and she wouldn’t take it from Stormy.
That evening, Alex lounged languorously on the plush chenille sofa in her bedroom, draped in a flowing white robe and an ice pack covering her eyes. She heard the door open and looked up, removing the mask and allowing her eyes to settle on Jordan handing her a glass of water and two aspirin.
“Thank you, darling,” she said and accepted it hurriedly. “This headache won’t seem to go away.”
“Tough day on the set?” he asked and began to undress.
“The worst,” Alex murmured dramatically. “That little tart took all of one day to insinuate herself into everyone’s good graces. Frank fawned all over her, the cinematographer waited on her hand and foot, and of course Stormy acted like she was god’s gift to men. I don’t understand what they all see in her. Especially Stormy. I know she’s only using him. I’ve known women like her. Using her sexuality to get a part in a movie? How cliché.”
“Of course you’ve known women like her,” Jordan said, hanging his tie over the dressing mirror. “That was you twenty years ago. Or are you forgetting the way you used Nathan to break into the business?”
Alex gasped and jumped to her feet. “That is completely different. “
“Different how?” Jordan asked with a good-natured grin. “Look, Stormy is a young man with the same hormones that any young man has. It’s human nature that he’s going to be attracted to a woman like Kelly. She’s young, she’s beautiful, she’s easily influenced, and she has the right look. Chances are she’s going to be very well received in Hollywood, and if it isn’t in Angel Assassin 2 then it’ll be some other picture. Hell, I’d cast her in a heartbeat.”
She shot him a look of warning. “That’s doesn’t speak very highly of you. Of course you are a playboy at heart.”
“Was,” he corrected her, unbuttoning his crisp white shirt and kissing her softly. “I’m a married man now, remember?”
She sighed and turned away from him, flitting across the room as her nightgown billowed behind her. “You just have this magnetic attraction that women are drawn to. I mean, look at Brooke Taylor. I cannot believe that you asked her to work for you. After all she’s done to my family.”
“Brooke is doing me a favor by working for Rydell Productions. It has nothing to do with my magnetic attraction. We were in a pinch when our last makeup artist got hurt on the set. She’s capable, she’s experienced, and she’s talented. There are no secret agendas here.”
“Not on your end at least,” Alex said and examined herself in the mirror. “I have no doubt that Brooke has an agenda. She’s probably only doing this to stick it to me.”
Jordan couldn’t help but laugh. “Not everything is about you.”
She turned and winked. “Don’t be so sure.”
Aroused by her arrogance, Jordan approached and slipped his arms around her waist. Holding her in his muscular arms, he brushed his lips against hers and slowly pulled her nightgown from her body. “You are one of a kind, Alex Reynolds.”
“And don’t forget it.”
“So what about you?” he asked. “Shouldn’t I be jealous of you and Frank Dunning?”
“Frank?” she scoffed. “Why on earth should you be jealous of Frank?”
“No reason,” he said with a shrug and traced a finger down the nape of her neck. Maybe because I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him, he thought to himself. Maybe not in the sexual sense, but Frank was not a man to be trusted.
“What is it with you two anyway?” Alex asked. “There’s so much hostility there.”
“It’s nothing. There’s no hostility between me and Frank.”
“Yes there is. Come to think of it, it’s been that way for years. Just what do you have against each other anyway?”
Jordan didn’t want to get into it. He was sorry that he even brought it up. In an effort to avoid the subject, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the enormous bed where he laid her down and leaned over her, smothering her body with tender kisses.
“How is your headache?” he asked.
“Gone,” she said quickly, pulling him on top of her and running her hands through his hair.
Hotel Terranova was buzzing with activity that evening. The lounge and the dining room were packed, hotel guests and patrons mingled around the bar and the buffet, while a jazz band played a soft number from their set positioned at the front of the room.
James and Miranda picked at their shrimp cocktail while standing beside a giant ice sculpture in the dining room. Several feet away, Roz Taylor watched them as she remained hidden from view behind a crowd of people. Biding her time, she waited for an opportunity to approach.
“It’s been a while since we spent an evening out together,” James said to his daughter with a smile. “I’ve missed it.”
“I have too,” Miranda replied with a beaming smile. “It’s good to see you up and out again lately, Daddy. I’m sure being cooped up in the house after you were shot got pretty tedious.”
“Yes it did,” he said and looked around appreciatively. “Business seems to be picking up around here. Has it been like this a lot lately?”
She nodded. “Yes, it’s been very busy. The hotel’s been sold out nearly every night this week. Those two conventions didn’t hurt business either. I’m hoping that this summer will be our best yet.”
The news came as a great relief to James. With his recent financial problems, it was good to know that at least one of his businesses was making money. He may need it as a backup if things got worse at Sunset Studios. “Sweetheart, I’d like to take a look at the first quarter earnings. Do you think you could have it ready for me to review by tomorrow?”
Miranda frowned. “Well sure, Daddy. But why?”
He didn’t want to divulge too much to her. No need in worrying the entire family about something before it became an issue. “I need to provide a solid account of our assets to Kenny. It’s just boring tax stuff. Nothing for you to worry about.”
Miranda trusted her father, so no further explanation was necessary. She picked up a glass of champagne and glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Stormy and Kelly as they entered, both dressed elegantly in formal evening attire. She set her jaw, fixated on the woman dangling from her brother’s arm, and quickly excused herself.
“Daddy, I’ll be back,” she said, starting purposefully across the room.
After she’d gone, Roz made her move. She approached James steadfastly, each step more determined than the last. By the time she arrived at his side, James had already been alerted to her presence.
“Roz, how lovely to see you,” he said. “Are you here with Brooke?”
She shook her head and accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “No, she’s at home with Michael. I thought I’d venture out on my own for the evening.”
“Well, I’m glad you did. Tell me, how long are you planning on staying in Los Angeles?”
“For as long as Brooke needs me,” she replied ominously. Her eyes bore into James’s while she planned what she was going to say. “I’m very worried about her, James.”
“Why?” he asked with a frown. “I thought Brooke was doing well.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Roz said in disagreement. “My daughter is headed for a very big heartache. If she continues seeing David Jennings it will be to our absolute detriment.”
James was more confused than ever. “David Jennings is a fine young man. I’ve known his family for years.”
“Is that what you said when he broke your daughter’s heart?”
“Miranda is still very young and naive. She lets her heart run her mind. I have a feeling things with her and David weren’t as serious as she’d let herself believe. She’ll be fine. I do, however, think that David would be very good for Brooke.”
Roz regarded him suspiciously. “Why do I get the feeling that any man who isn’t Ethan would be good for Brooke in your eyes?”
James knew where she was coming from. Maybe she was right. Maybe he just didn’t want Brooke with Ethan. He was only human, after all.
“I think that Brooke is an independent woman and can make her own decisions,” he finally said and made an attempt at walking away. He didn’t see Renee DeWitt standing several feet away listening to their conversation.
“I think you are the man my daughter wants,” Roz said and stopped him with a tug at his arm.
“And yet we’re divorced,” James said with exasperation.
“Do you still love her?”
He took a deep breath and dropped his hands to his sides. “I care very much about what happens to Brooke. I always will. But that doesn’t mean we belong together.”
“I’m not so sure,” Roz said. “I think it would be in everyone’s best interests if you worked things out with my daughter. It’s never too late, you know.”
Just as she walked away, James turned and bumped into Renee. “Renee, how good to see you,” he said and kissed her on the cheek. “How are you?”
“Call me curious,” she said, her ebony hair cascading in curls down to her shoulders. “Who was that woman?”
“That was Brooke’s mother. Roz Taylor. She’s visiting from Phoenix. Why?”
Renee shook her head with uncertainty. “I don’t know. I could swear I’ve seen her someplace before.”
“Really?” he asked. “Roz Taylor isn’t exactly a jet-setter. I doubt that she’s been to many places you’ve visited.” A slight chuckle followed. “Brooke’s parents aren’t exactly well off. I mean, they’re comfortable, but I doubt they’ve cruised the south of France.”
Renee raised an eyebrow and gestured across the room with a nod of her head. “Well those earrings beg to differ,” she began. “Those are Harry Winston diamonds. They cost nearly a quarter of a million dollars.”
James appeared awed. “Where on earth would Roz Taylor get a quarter of a million dollars for earrings?” he asked. “Her husband is a salesman for god’s sake.”
Renee didn’t appear as stunned. “And why was she so eager to get you and Brooke back together?” she asked. “No offense, James, but the two of you didn’t have the soundest of marriages.”
James shrugged. “All I can tell is that she obviously doesn’t want Brooke involved with David Jennings.”
Renee grew into a daze, struggling to remember where she’d seen the woman before. “Well, whatever the reason. I don’t think Roz Taylor is being upfront about some things. I can’t quite place it, but I know her from somewhere.”
Miranda knew that Kelly was avoiding her. The minute she saw her approaching she excused herself from Stormy’s side and ducked into the ladies room just off the lobby. Miranda followed her with determination, pushing open the door and scouting around to make sure they were alone. Once she knew they were, she pulled the stall door open and glared angrily at her.
“You’re hiding from me,” Miranda said and surveyed her up and down. “Good. You should hide from me.”
“I’m not hiding from you,” Kelly said with a frown and went to vanity where she pulled a tube of lipstick from her purse and began applying it liberally. “You like to think of yourself as this intimidating force of nature, but I’m not afraid you, Miranda.”
“Oh really?” Miranda asked and pulled at her arm, causing her to draw her lipstick across her cheek.
“Nice,” Kelly groaned and pulled a handful of tissues from the countertop. “Look, if this is about me and your brother—”
“You’re damn right it’s about you and my brother,” Miranda exclaimed. “You must think you’re pretty smart, sneaking around all this time, playing house with Stormy and keeping my father and Leilani in the dark. How convenient was it that your room was down the hall from his? Those late-night rendezvous must have been so easy with everyone asleep, not knowing what was going on.”
“Why do you care?” Kelly interrupted. “I mean, what difference does it make to you who your brother chooses to be with? Unless since your boyfriend dumped you and your life has turned into such a mess that you don’t want to see anyone else happy either.”
Angrily, Miranda drew her hand back and slapped her hard across the face.
Kelly brought her hand up to her cheek and glared heatedly at her. “You know what your problem is?” she asked, ignoring the stinging sensation from the startling blow. “You think you’re so much better than everyone else.”
“Okay, here we go,” Miranda said with a sigh of resignation. “The old caste system card. Well I’ve got news for you, Kelly. I’m not a snob.”
“Then why don’t you want me seeing your brother?”
“I don’t like outsiders coming into my house and taking advantage of my family,” Miranda spat. “The only reason I gave you a job is because you’re Leilani’s daughter, and she is a very special person to me. I knew the minute you showed up on our doorstep with your hand-me-down suitcase and your hot pink mini skirt that you were going to be trouble. Well, now you’ve officially proven me right.”
“Stormy doesn’t think the same way you do,” Kelly said, turning and wiping the lipstick from her cheek. “He loves me, and that means I’m here to stay for as long as he wants me.”
Miranda laughed and folded her arms, staring at Kelly’s reflection in the mirror. “I know my brother and I know the way he operates. He may say that he loves you now, but believe me, it’s only a matter of time before he gets tired of you and starts cheating on you. Don’t get me wrong. I love Stormy dearly, but he’s terrible at relationships.”
“Well maybe I’ll be the one to change him,” Kelly said with a smirk as she turned back toward her.
Miranda raised a skeptical eye. “You?” she asked with a guffaw. “You’re nothing. And not because you’re a maid. But because you’ll never make enough of an impression to change anything about my brother. Face it, Kelly. You’re just not good enough for him.”
The words resonated in Kelly’s mind. She clenched her jaw, drew her hand back and slapped her in return.
Miranda’s hair whipped against her face and she gasped in awe of the woman’s nerve. Once she had recovered from the blow, she smiled wickedly and took a step closer.
“You’re fired,” she said.
“Good. I hate working in this stupid hotel anyway.” Kelly grabbed her purse from the counter and started to the door. “Besides, I have a new career now. Before long, you’re all going to be sorry that you treated me so badly.”
Miranda rolled her eyes and watched as she left the lady’s room. For a split second she considered the possibility that maybe she had been too hard on her. Maybe she didn’t deserve the hostility. But then she realized that she hadn’t done anything to prove otherwise. As far as she was concerned, she was only with Stormy to get somewhere in life.
The next morning, Jordan and Benji went to the hospital to check on Heather and the baby. Jordan opened the door to her private room and started inside with an armload of presents when he paused and looked back at his son.
“Aren’t you coming?” he asked.
Benji shook his head. “No, I think I’ll hang out here.”
Jordan walked over to him and shifted the stuffed animals and balloons around in his arms. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. I just want to get a soda.”
Jordan immediately knew what was on his mind and he jumped to reassure him otherwise. “You know, Heather doesn’t blame you for the accident. Everything turned out okay. She and Violet are happy and healthy.”
“I know,” he said, staring at the floor. “I just keep screwing up and I don’t want that to change anything between all of us. I mean, with mom gone you and Heather are the only family I have. I don’t know what I’d do if anything messed that up.”
“It’s not going to,” Jordan said. He was becoming increasingly aware of the void Suzanne had left in Benji’s life. He hesitated to bring up the idea of therapy again because he knew how his son felt about psychiatrists. And with good reason. He realized it would be up to him to convince him that things were going to be all right.
“Brett hates me,” Benji said. “Even if Heather doesn’t, he always will.”
“You leave Brett to me,” Jordan said. “Now come on. Let’s go in and see your niece.”
Benji nodded reluctantly and followed him inside the hospital room where Heather was seated on the bed with Violet in her arms, Brett standing by proudly.
“How’s my granddaughter doing today?” Jordan asked with a smile as he set the offerings onto a table in the corner.
“She’s spoiled and she’s only a few days old,” Heather said when she saw the latest round of gifts from Jordan. “Daddy, don’t you think you’re overdoing it?”
He smiled and kissed her on the forehead, staring in amazement at Violet and how small and fragile she looked. “No I don’t think I’m overdoing it. This is my first grandchild. I intend to spoil her from day one.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you said the same thing when Heather was born?” Brett said with a grin.
“Of course. Why do you think I call her Princess?” Jordan said. He glanced back at Benji and saw the look in his eyes. He couldn’t tell whether it was jealousy over Heather or his guilt over the accident. Either way, he did his best to defray any awkward silences. “Benji, come take a look at the newest member of the Rydell clan.”
Benji exchanged glances with Brett and Heather, and when he didn’t detect any objections, he stepped closer and looked down at the tiny infant in his sister’s arms.
“She’s so small,” he said awkwardly.
“But she’s very healthy,” Brett said, then added with a well-thought out jab, “we were very lucky.”
Heather knew her brother had been feeling guilty since the accident, and she had a valid reason to be upset, but since giving birth to Violet she couldn’t find it in herself to hold it against him. The important thing was that Violet was safe.
“When do the doctor’s say you can bring her home?” Jordan asked.
“A couple of more days,” Brett said, stroking his hand along Violet’s cheek. “They want her to gain a few more ounces first.”
“Well, she looks like a fighter,” Jordan said proudly. “She’ll be home in no time.”
“I hope so,” Heather said, clutching Brett’s hand with hers while she cradled the baby against her chest. She looked into her eyes, studying them as if looking into her soul.
“What is it, sweetheart?” Jordan asked.
Brett exchanged glances with Jordan, pursing his lips with an exasperated look of frustration.
“She hasn’t cried,” Heather said.
“What do you mean?” Jordan asked.
“She hasn’t cried since the delivery,” she explained, her eyes darting from Violet to her father and back to Brett. “Isn’t that strange? The nurses say it’s not uncommon but I think it’s strange.”
“Maybe she’s just happy,” Benji chimed in.
“Heather’s been reading up on brain development in newborns,” Brett explained. “According to some experts, infants with disabilities don’t show emotion the way others do. Some don’t make sounds at all until much later.”
Jordan looked at his daughter with heartache in his eyes. He knelt down beside her and ran his hand down her hair. “Sweetheart, you’re going to drive yourself crazy if you keep trying to look for things that aren’t there,” he said. “Dr. Mitchell and the specialists told us that it’s still too early to tell.”
“I just want her to be healthy and normal,” Heather said, her eyes glazing over.
“She is healthy,” Brett assured her. “And she’s normal and happy and she’s going to stay that way. Just look into her eyes. Those beautiful green eyes.”
Heather nodded and wiped her watery eyes. She knew she was jumping the gun, and that diagnosing Violet herself was pointless. But the unknown was killing her. Brett was putting up a brave front, but she knew that he was as worried as she was. They were powerless.
Outside the room, Miranda made her way down the hallway with a giant stuffed bear in her arms. She juggled her purse, her keys, and the toy while she reached for the silver door handle.
“Do you need help?” asked a voice from behind.
Miranda paused and turned, her eyebrows meeting together in a pronounced frown when she realized it was Brooke standing behind her with a fresh bouquet of flowers in her hands.
“I’ve got it,” she said with a certain amount of hostility. “I suppose you’re going in to see Heather too?”
“Yes,” Brooke replied.
Miranda rolled her eyes and stepped away from the door. “Then I’ll come back later,” she said.
Brooke paused and watched her walk back down the hall. Deciding it was time to clear the air, she started down after her. “Miranda, wait.”
Turning, Miranda shot her a petulant look and set the giant stuffed bear on a chair in the waiting area. “What? What are you even doing here, Brooke? You don’t care about anyone but yourself anyway. Especially anyone’s baby. Not when it takes the spotlight off of Michael.”
“That’s ridiculous and you know it,” Brooke said, pushing a lock of wispy blond hair from her eyes. “Heather and I have grown close since her pregnancy.”
“That’s only because you happened to be there when she found out about her condition,” Miranda said with a frown. “Don’t act like it was some big bonding moment between the two of you. How many times were you even in the same room with Heather when she was living at the mansion? Just like I said before, if someone doesn’t fit into your agenda then you have no use for them.”
“Are we really talking about Heather here?” Brooke asked, finally deciding to cut through the bull and get to the heart of the matter. “Or are you just pissed about those photos of me and David in the newspaper?”
Miranda searched for a quick response, and as usual, the first thing that came out of her mouth was irrational hostility. “Oh, you’re talking about those dreadful pictures from the opening of Moonshadows?” she asked. “Right. I was wondering myself why they wasted their time on you and David. Honestly, like there aren’t enough real celebrities to hound?”
“I’m not seeing David,” Brooke said, knowing it was what she really wanted to know.
Miranda laughed, covering her mouth and staring at her in amazement. “Oh my god,” she said and shook her head. “This is too funny. You actually think I care if you and David are seeing each other, don’t you?”
“Miranda-—” She knew she was throwing up a defense. Another extremely rare moment when she could see the hurt young woman behind the rough façade.
“No, I’m sorry. You are too much. David and I have been over for months. I couldn’t care less who he sees and who he doesn’t. As far as I’m concerned, you can have him. Anything to keep you away from my father and the rest of my family.”
“I just didn’t want you think that I was taking anything from you,” Brooke said, desperately wanting to have a serious conversation with her. Too often it ended in sarcastic jabs and defense maneuvers.
“You have got to be kidding,” Miranda replied. “You took everything from me. You split up my mother and father, you turned Daddy and Ethan against each other, you took my baby—”
“That was an accident,” Brooke said in disbelief. “You know that. And your parents’ marriage was over long before I came into the picture. And as for Ethan, that was my mistake. But they’re close again, aren’t they? I’m out of their lives and everyone’s the better for it.”
“You’re damn right they are,” Miranda said and picked up the stuffed bear again. “So why don’t you do us all a favor and stay the hell away. For good. Just go off with David Jennings and take your son and leave us all alone.”
Brooke swallowed hard, watching the angry young woman storm down the hall and step into the elevator. She sighed and shook her head, desperately wishing Miranda didn’t hate her so much. She knew they would never be friends, but they had too much in common to be enemies.
David Jennings’s morning ritual consisted of waking up at six, downing an energy drink and eating a light breakfast, glancing at the business section of the Times, then taking a six mile run up the beach. When he got back to his modest house in Malibu, he would water and tend to the array of exotic plants that adorned his outdoor terrace.
Today’s ritual was no different, except for the unexpected visitor that he saw approaching from a few yards down the beach. He squinted hard, misting a Hibiscus Tree and gazing out on the horizon. When the woman got closer, he realized it was Roz Taylor.
“Good morning,” he called down to her from the terrace. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
Roz looked up, shielding her eyes from the morning sun. “It’s gorgeous,” she said, then motioned to the overgrowth of plant life above. “I see someone’s got a green thumb.”
He cracked a grin. “It’s a hobby. It relaxes me. Come on up.”
Roz wasted no time in trudging through the sand and up the stairs to the wooden deck. Once she was beneath the canopy and out of the blustery wind, she removed the floppy wide-brimmed hat from her head and shook her hair into place.
“This is wonderful,” she said, surveying the array of bromeliads and exotic ferns. “Does Brooke now about your interest in botany?”
“Not many people do,” David said, taking a hose and allowing a slow trickle of water to flow into a box of exotic orchids. “Especially Brooke.”
Roz walked slowly along the makeshift greenhouse, surrounded on all sides by a tangle of vines. “I would have thought you two might have shared more than that by now,” she said, pausing long enough to look at him crossly. “You have gotten rather close, haven’t you?”
David knew she was fishing for information. He knew it the moment she walked up to his house. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re hoping the answer to that question is no?”
Roz smiled and ran her hand along the back of a wooden bench. “You’re a smart man, David,” she said. “Smart enough to know you have no future with my daughter.”
“Shouldn’t you let Brooke make that decision?”
She went through the motions of hesitating before shrugging indifferently. “Brooke’s been through a lot. Her divorce from James, her relationship with Ethan ending so badly, and the fear of being alone for the first time in her life. She needs to get used to that. Having you around only succeed in…delaying the inevitable.”
“And what is the inevitable?”
“That you’ll leave her just like you did Miranda Blackthorne. The minute someone new and more exciting comes along you’ll forget all about my daughter. So why not skip all that unpleasantness and leave her alone? Let her become her own person before you go screwing her up even more than she already has been.”
“You really don’t like me, do you?” David asked in amusement.
Roz shook her head dismissively. “I have nothing against you, David. You’re a very nice, successful, handsome man. Any woman would be lucky to have you. Anyone but my daughter.”
“Because James Blackthorne is so much more her type, right?”
She shrugged and nodded. “I happen to think that James is more suited for Brooke, yes.”
“What about Ethan?” David asked. “Does he garner your approval?”
“He is the father of my grandchild, so he does have slightly more of an edge than you do.”
“So it is just me then.”
“David, again, it’s nothing personally against you.” Her eyes locked onto his and she took a few tentative steps forward. “I just don’t want you anywhere near my daughter, and if you continue to see her, I will put a stop to it one way or another.’
He studied the panicked look in her eyes. Something told him that she was more frightened than she wanted him to be. “I see, well thank you for coming by today, Roz. Please watch your step on the way down.”
Her eyes bore into his for a few tense moments before she turned and started down the stairs. David watched her go, making her way back down the windy beach with her hat clutched tightly in her hand.
Jordan made his way through the maze of sound stages of Rydell Productions, popping into a trailer next to the building where today’s scene was being shot for Damage Control.
“Morning,” he said, flashing a smile at Brooke as she straightened bottles of liquid makeup and pots of thick clay. “How’s everything going?”
“Fine, Jordan, thank you,” she said with a bright smile. “I just finished up with Sarah Michaels and sent her off to her set.”
“I saw her. She looked great.” He dug his hands into his pockets and glanced around the crowded trailer. “I want to thank you again for agreeing to come on board at the last minute like that. You really saved the film.”
Brooke shook her head modestly as she continued organizing and cleaning her workspace. “Oh, you could have found anybody. I should be thanking you for giving me the opportunity. It’s been a while since I’ve worked. If I haven’t already said so, I appreciate the opportunity.”
“You have said so,” he said with a laugh. “But you’re welcome. How about everything else? Adjusting to single life again?”
She nodded. “I guess so. Just another curve ball life throws at you, I guess. But then again you know all about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, marrying Alex again, your son coming back to live with you, becoming a grandfather.” She offered a good-natured smile as she finished up with her task.
“Yikes, every time I hear that word I have to do a double take to make sure it’s really happened. Not too long ago I was throwing wild parties and cavorting around town with any woman I wanted. Now I’m married, raising a teenager, and setting up trust funds for grandchildren. I guess life does throw you curve balls.”
Their conversation was interrupted when a knock at the trailer door alerted them to a visitor. Moments later, the studio messenger opened the door and handed a small envelope to Jordan.
“Message for you, Mr. Rydell,” he said.
“Thank you,” Jordan replied and opened the envelope. Inside was a folded piece of paper with precise lettering handwritten in large print. After scanning through the short contents of the note, his face went stark white and the glimmer suddenly disappeared from his eyes.
“Jordan? What is it?” Brooke asked, realizing whatever was in the message had a profound affect on him.
He read the note again, repeating the words over and over in his mind.
I know you killed her. I’m going to tell.
“Jordan?” Brooke asked, growing more and more concerned.
Finally he snapped out of his daze. Managing a forced smile, he stuffed the note in the breast pocket of his jacket and shook his head dismissively.
“It’s nothing,” he said. “Just another script change. They’re getting more and more frequent.”
Brooke smiled, although not entirely convinced that he was being straightforward with her about the note. “Well, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“I will,” he said before turning and leaving the trailer. Once outside, he closed his eyes and steadied his erratic breathing. Someone was out to get him, determined to bring up the past all over again, and he refused to let them succeed.
James picked up the phone in his office at Sunset Studios and dialed Kenny in his office at the Marina. After a few rings, he answered and James immediately shot to his feet and began pacing the room.
“Kenny, it’s me,” he said.
“Good morning. I missed you at the Yacht Club this morning. I thought we had a racquetball date.”
“Sorry,” James replied, pausing to look at the ledger spread out on his desk. “I’ve been going over my books since dawn. I had to withdraw a substantial amount of money from my personal account to pay the loan against the studio.”
“Ouch,” Kenny said with a disgruntled sigh. “You can’t keep that up.”
“Did you get a chance to look at those figures from Hotel Terranova that I sent over to you?”
“Not yet, but I will,” Kenny said. “But I wouldn’t hold out a lot of hope as far as that goes. The hotel is doing okay, but not okay enough to bail you out of this mess.”
“Damnit,” James said and kicked his foot against the leg of the desk. “Okay, well what about the lender for the loan? Did you find out if they can defer payments until the movie premiere?”
“The bank gave you a three month extension,” Kenny replied.
“Three months?” James asked. “That’s not enough. You have to ask them for more time.”
“Do you know how hard it was to get three months?”
“The film won’t be released in three months,” James said and continued pacing the room. “Meanwhile, expenses keep piling up and costs keep inflating. Every other day Stormy’s adding a new cast member and that means another paycheck that I have to write.”
“Then you’re going to have to start cutting the budget, James,” Kenny said. “Get rid of one of your stars or cut their role down. You’ve got three big names in that film and maybe that’s one too many.”
James sighed and looked down at the bleak information on his ledger. Obviously he had no choice but to follow Kenny’s advice.
“What do you mean my scene was cut?”
“It’s just a small rewrite,” James insisted as he stood in the trailer. His hands were tied. He had to go through with it or he could face financial ruin.
“Small rewrite?” Alex asked as she paged through the newest version of the Angel Assassin 2 script. “What about tomorrow’s scenes? They’re all gone. I’ve been reduced to….oh wait a minute…..how can this be?”
James held his hand up in protest, knowing what was about to come. “Look, I can explain.”
She shook her head in a rage, flying to her feet and bursting out of the trailer onto the sound stage where the crew was gathering for the rest of the day’s scenes.
“Alex, please listen to me. We’re just taking the film in a different direction.”
“A different direction?” Alex asked. “I’m being killed off a third of the way through the film! How can that be? I’m the star of the pictures, James. I’m Angel!” She looked back at her script and frowned in confusion. “Who is this Ariel character that keeps popping up all the sudden? She’s in almost every scene.”
“Okay, yes, you’re being killed off. But you’ll still appear in a few scenes as a ghost. Think of it, Angel actually comes back from the hereafter to give guidance to the new assassin. A guardian angel. It’s brilliant.”
“It’s crap. And what new assassin?” Alex demanded. “Who? Ariel? Who the hell is going to play her?”
Before James could answer, Kelly appeared on the set with a bright smile spread across her face. The crew crowded around her, tending to her makeup and primping her wardrobe. Stormy was at her side beaming happily.
“Oh no,” Alex said, shaking her head in disbelief. “No, there is no way that tramp is going to steal the spotlight in this picture. This is my comeback, James.”
“Alex, listen to me,” he warned her. “This movie is in a budget crisis. I thought it would get better after Victor’s character died, but it only gets worse. I have to make some cuts. Your salary is the highest one next to Scott Kelly’s.”
“So kill him off!” she insisted.
“I need to capture the female demographic. He’s very hot right now. I can’t get rid of him.”
“But you can get rid of me and bring on that….person to replace me? I thought she was going to have one scene, and now suddenly she’s the star?”
“Kelly can work for a hell of a lot less than you. This is the only way to save this film and to not have the studio foreclosed on by the bank. I had to put it up as collateral for that loan I took out to pay the government.”
“Well I need this film to pay my share of the fines, James. What am I supposed to do?”
“Have Jordan give you the rest of the money you need,” he suggested. “I have no other recourse, Alex. I’m sorry, but this is the way it is.”
She planted her hands on her hips and stared off across the room where Kelly was preparing for her scene. Glowering angrily, she clenched her fists and physically had to restrain herself from attacking the young woman.
And for a split second, she thought she saw Kelly turn in her direction and smile.
The woman picked up the old ivory handled phone, glittery beams of light emanating off her ruby ring as she dialed. She crossed her legs in the Queen Ann chair that was positioned next to the bay window of the high-rise penthouse.
Moments later, a man answered and she smiled wickedly. “It’s almost time,” she said, tracing her finger in and out of the phone cord. “James Blackthorne is about to hang himself, and I can’t wait to watch him twist in the wind.”
“I’m not sure about this plan of yours,” the man said.
Silence permeated the connection so that all she could hear were the roaring ocean waves in the background through the receiver.
“What aren’t you sure about?” she asked, admiring a white orchid that sat next to the chair. “Everything of his is finally going to be mine, starting with Sunset Studios. In three short months when I come looking for repayment on the rest of that loan I backed for him, he’s not going to be able to deliver, and his studio will be mine.”
“Why is this so important to you?” he asked. “You could buy your own damn movie studio. Hell, you could buy twenty movie studios.”
“I don’t want any other studio,” the woman said. “Sunset Studios has a special meaning for me.”
“I know, but isn’t it time to let it go?”
The woman smiled wickedly, crossing her legs and staring at a line of photographs along the far wall. “No, I’ll never let it go.”
When the sun set that night, the shadows lengthened and the wind came to an abrupt halt. The moon illuminated the vacant parking structure at Sunset Studios as Frank Dunning emerged from the elevator. Jiggling the keys to his black Porche in his hand, he whistled as he made his way through the deserted area.
Nearing the lone automobile, he clicked his key fob and the chirp of the alarm disarming itself echoed about the concrete surroundings. By the time he reached the driver’s side door, he could feel the rushing presence of someone coming at him from behind. He attempted to turn but it was too late.
With a thud, he collapsed to his knees, grimacing in pain from the swift blow to his back. He looked up but his vision was impeded by a fist coming directly at his face. Blood clouded his eyes and sprayed from his nose. Another chance to react was immediately foiled by his attacker pulling him to his knees and ramming his fist repeatedly into his stomach.
The only sounds that followed was a low groan from Frank’s throat as he collapsed to the cold concrete floor and writhed about in agony. He looked up and saw Jordan Rydell standing above him, a contemptuous look on his rugged face.
Wordlessly, Jordan dropped the note onto the ground beside Frank. He wiped a trickle of blood from his knuckles on a handkerchief. After one final silent look of warning, he turned and walked to the elevator. As the doors closed, he saw Frank slowly struggling to his knees, picking up the note in his bloody hand.
Next time….
Stormy has words with Alex, but she has her own agenda when it comes to Kelly. Miranda grows concerned over Heather’s state of mind. Sierra has news for Renee. Renee remembers where she met Roz before. Brooke gets tragic news from Phoenix.
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