Lovers & Players

by Jackie Collins

  ‘I presume that last night you got to the hospital in time.’

  ‘Just about.’

  ‘Thank God! I had visions of you delivering Tina’s baby in the back of Max’s car!’

  ‘It didn’t happen,’ she said, smiling.

  ‘Well, all I can say is you missed some night,’ Nigel announced.

  ‘I heard. Max picked me up from the hospital.’

  ‘Naturally Marcello ruined the entire evening for me,’ Nigel complained, narrowing his eyes. ‘He’s such a slut.’

  ‘What did he do this time?’

  ‘Flirted with Yolanda’s toy-boy all night. As you can imagine, I was livid!’

  ‘I think you’ve got to face up to the fact that you’re reaching the end of your relationship,’ Amy mused. ‘It’s time to make a break.’

  ‘You could be right. I refuse to be with someone who’s constantly flirting with other men.’

  ‘You shouldn’t put yourself through that, Nigel. You’re too good for him.’

  ‘I did love him once,’ Nigel sighed, in an overdramatic fashion. ‘Now the bloom has faded.’

  ‘It happens.’

  ‘I suppose so.’

  ‘Max told me Gianna was the hit of the party,’ Amy said, attempting to get him off the subject of Marcello–she wanted to hear more about Gianna, painful as it was.

  ‘Ah, yes,’ Nigel enthused. ‘Exquisitely beautiful and such style!’

  ‘Seems everyone loved her.’

  ‘What’s not to love? She’s divine. As for Max’s brother–oh, my God! Quite the hunk. Did you speak to him?’

  ‘Never got a chance,’ she answered, her heart beating fast. ‘Uh…did you?’

  ‘I wish!’

  ‘What time is Gianna coming in today?’ she asked, quickly changing the subject again because she didn’t want to think about Jett. Not at all.

  ‘Sometime this morning. Apparently she and Sofia are old friends.’

  ‘That’s convenient.’

  ‘Isn’t it, though?’

  ‘Well, I guess I’d better go call my mother back and try to do some work.’

  ‘Stay calm now,’ Nigel warned. ‘No fighting. You know how Nancy loves to press your buttons.’

  ‘I promise.’

  She left Nigel and shut herself in her office where she sat for a while doing nothing. The nice thing about arriving at work early was the lack of activity. No noise and people rushing around. No ringing phones and non-stop action. Just peace and calm.

  She turned on her computer and stared at a bunch of e-mails she didn’t feel like answering. She had no intention of calling her mother back. Nancy would be full of complaints about her so-called rudeness in running out on her own rehearsal dinner, and she wasn’t in the mood to listen.

  Later she’d visit Tina again, and this time maybe Brad wouldn’t be around.

  Not being able to talk about the Jett situation was killing her. She needed advice desperately, and Tina was the only person she could truly trust.

  As they strode down Park Avenue on their way to Red’s house, Jett asked Chris what he thought of Gianna.

  ‘She’s a real charmer,’ Chris replied. ‘I’m surprised you’re not more into her.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Jett agreed. ‘But here’s the thing–Gianna is the kind of girl you’re crazy about for a while, then one day you wake up and go, “Hold on a minute, this woman is driving me freakin’ nuts.” Plus she’s a sex maniac,’ he added, groping for a cigarette.

  ‘And that’s a bad thing?’ Chris asked, laughing. ‘By the way, have I mentioned that you smoke too much?’

  ‘Gimme a break,’ Jett groaned, ‘it’s the only vice I’ve got left.’

  ‘Poor you.’

  ‘Y’ know,’ Jett said casually, ‘I was thinking that Gianna should be in movies. If she came out to L.A., maybe you could introduce her to some producers–you’ve you’ve got connections, right?’

  ‘C’mon,’ Chris said. ‘Everyone and their mother wants to get into movies. Not to mention every model who ever walked the runway. Now you want me to hook your girlfriend up?’

  ‘She’s not my girlfriend,’ Jett said, exhaling a stream of smoke. ‘She’s got–whaddaya call it? Star quality, that kinda deal. She’s different.’

  ‘They’re all different one way or another.’

  ‘What d’you think? Should I persuade her to buy a one-way ticket to Hollywood?’

  ‘You trying to get rid of her?’ Chris asked, amused.

  Jett grinned. ‘That’s exactly my plan.’

  After asking Detective Rodriguez if he should call his lawyer, Max decided it would be prudent to do so because he certainly needed someone there with him. The reality of what had taken place was only just beginning to sink in.

  Mariska was dead. Murdered. The mother of his child had been the victim of unspeakable and heinous violence. He shuddered to think what would happen once the press got their feral little teeth into the story. This tragedy would change everything.

  Christ! It was only the beginning of the nightmare.

  Lady Jane Bentley prepared for battle. She awoke early on Monday morning and dressed accordingly. Chanel–it was definitely a day for Chanel.

  Red Diamond had failed to put in an appearance all weekend. She was not worried. If anything was certain in life it was that he was holed up in his ‘secret’ apartment, surrounded by whores.

  She decided that she would meet with his three sons, it was about time someone enlightened them on the ways of their father. Why shouldn’t it be her?

  Obviously Red was not showing up, so this was the perfect opportunity to have her say. And she would.

  Oh, yes, there was no doubt about that.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Clad in a form-fitting white suit and a blouse with a plunging neckline, her long, flame-coloured hair swept up, Sonja did not look like a highly priced call-girl–more like an expensive trophy wife. Famka, a raven-haired beauty with plumped-up lips and slanted eyes, wore a similar suit in dark green, tightly belted.

  Both women–already tall–wore four-inch sling-back heels, and carried large expensive handbags stuffed with sex-toys and cash.

  When it came to his sexual pleasure, Red Diamond was an extremely generous man, and these two women had spent most of the weekend with him. It had cost him plenty, but he wasn’t complaining. Quite the opposite. Sex for sale. It sure beat living with a woman he’d grown to hate. Lady Jane Bentley could go to hell for all he cared.

  On Monday morning Red was still active. Earlier he’d had both women going down on him simultaneously. The pleasure he’d experienced was intense and, best of all, neither of them talked. All he had to do was throw money at them, and they did whatever he required–no questions asked.

  Now they were dressed and ready to spend the day with him–for a price. Two tall, striking beauties with the devil in their eyes and full, succulent lips.

  Wait until Lady Jane Bentley got a look at what he was bringing home. If these two didn’t send her packing, nothing would.

  On her way to the library, Lady Jane passed Diahann, the housekeeper she loathed.

  ‘Excuse me, Lady Bentley,’ Diahann said, straining to be polite, because the loathing went both ways. ‘I’m worried about Mr Diamond. Would you happen to know where he is?’

  Lady Jane gave her an imperious look. ‘Worried, are you?’ she said icily. ‘And why would that be?’

  ‘As I’m sure you’re aware, Mr Diamond has not been home all weekend,’ Diahann said. ‘You must be worried too.’

  ‘Certainly not,’ Lady Jane snapped. ‘I know exactly where he is. He’s at his apartment, the one where he spends all his time fucking whores.’

  A startled Diahann took a step backwards. ‘What did you say?’

  ‘You heard me,’ Lady Jane said, a spiteful gleam in her eyes. ‘Fucking whores. That’s what your lord and master does when he’s not here. That’s what turns him on. Now, get out of my way.’ And she brushed past
Diahann and swept into the library.

  ‘God, I hate this house,’ Chris muttered as they stood outside.

  ‘Me too,’ Jett said. ‘No fond memories here.’

  ‘I gotta feeling this is the last time I’m coming here,’ Chris mused. ‘Yeah, I’m making myself that promise.’

  Jett rubbed his hands together. ‘You think Max is inside?’

  ‘Dunno. He might have a hangover. He seemed to be enjoying himself last night–he certainly liked Gianna.’

  ‘Maybe we could arrange a switch,’ Jett suggested drily. ‘I’ll take Amy, he can have Gianna.’

  ‘That’s more like it,’ Chris said, changing his cell to vibrate. ‘Baby bro’s got a sense of humour.’

  ‘I’m trying,’ Jett said with a rueful grin, doing the same to his phone. ‘It’s not easy.’

  ‘Okay, let’s do this,’ Chris said, taking a deep breath and pushing the buzzer. ‘Let the final circus begin.’

  With his lawyer on the way over, and Detective Rodriguez still bombarding him with questions, Max called Chris at his hotel. This was a family crisis, and he needed his brother by his side.

  There was no answer from Chris’s room at the Four Seasons, so he tried his cell. Voicemail instructed him to leave a message. ‘It’s Max,’ he said tersely. ‘Call me immediately you get this. It’s urgent.’

  People were now roaming all over Mariska’s apartment: a police photographer, forensics, another detective–this time a female–and several more cops who were busy dusting for fingerprints.

  ‘How long do I have to stay?’ Max asked.

  Detective Rodriguez threw him a canny look. ‘Nobody’s keeping you here, Mr Diamond,’ he said mildly. ‘You’re free to leave whenever you like. You told me where you were last night, we’ll check it out, and that’ll be that.’

  ‘Jesus Christ!’ Max exploded. ‘You’re making it sound as if I’m a suspect.’

  ‘Do you feel like a suspect?’ Detective Rodriguez asked, lowering his glasses and peering at him.

  ‘No, I don’t,’ Max snapped. ‘In case you’re forgetting, I just lost my wife.’

  ‘Ex-wife, Mr Diamond,’ Detective Rodriguez corrected. ‘You’re about to get married again, remember?’

  ‘You’re one smart son-of-a-bitch, aren’t you?’ Max said, glaring at him.

  ‘I try to be as smart as I can. That’s a detective’s job.’

  ‘Screw you,’ Max said, losing it. ‘My lawyer’s on his way over.’

  ‘Just exactly why do you think you need a lawyer, Mr Diamond?’ Detective Rodriguez asked, stroking his moustache.

  ‘Because of you and your dumbass questions,’ Max raged.

  ‘I’m sorry if my questions are disturbing you. They’re merely routine. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask them.’

  ‘I’m sure.’

  ‘What really surprises me is that you haven’t told me you’re a friend of the mayor. Usually it’s the first thing you big-shots do.’

  ‘Oh, I see,’ Max said furiously. ‘Now I’m a big-shot. Is that why you’re taking this attitude?’

  ‘No attitude, Mr Diamond. As I said before, this is routine, all in a day’s work.’

  Max couldn’t wait for his lawyer to get there so that he could straighten things out and leave. His ex-wife had been murdered, she was lying on her bed stabbed to death, and this asshole was questioning him.

  In his mind he knew who’d done it, but he wasn’t about to reveal that information to the detective. It would be bad enough when the press got hold of the story. If they ever discovered his marriage to Mariska wasn’t legal, that she was a bigamist and Lulu was illegitimate, they’d crucify him.

  He was not about to tell his lawyer about Vladimir either. He’d confide in Chris, see what he had to say. Chris might be an entertainment lawyer, but he certainly had access to criminal lawyers who could advise him on what to do if he needed them.

  Where the fuck was Chris anyway?

  He’d completely forgotten that they were all supposed to be meeting at Red’s house. Seeing his father was the last thing on his mind.

  Two maids arrived at the apartment and scampered into the kitchen like frightened mice, whispering to each other.

  Max walked into the kitchen. ‘Make everyone coffee,’ he instructed them. Irena, Mariska’s personal maid, was slumped at the kitchen table, staring into space.

  Max was worried about Lulu, Detective Rodriguez claimed he needed to talk to her since she was the one who’d found the body. ‘She’s five years old,’ Max said. ‘Why do you have to talk to her?’

  ‘I need to ask a couple of questions.’

  ‘Didn’t you hear what I said? She’s five. You’ve got no right to question my daughter.’

  ‘We’ll see,’ Detective Rodriguez said. ‘There’s a female detective who’ll speak to her.’

  ‘I suppose you consider Lulu a suspect too,’ Max said sarcastically.

  ‘Anything is possible,’ Detective Rodriguez replied.

  ‘You son-of-a-bitch,’ Max said, almost losing it.

  As the confrontation was about to become heated, Elliott Minor, Max’s lawyer, arrived. He was a portly man, balding and suntanned. ‘I’m so sorry, Max,’ Elliott said, patting his client on the shoulder. ‘This is shocking, shocking. Was it a home invasion?’

  ‘That’s what Detective Rodriguez thinks it might be,’ Max said. ‘But since he’s questioned me into the ground—’

  ‘You don’t have answer anything you don’t want to,’ Elliott advised.

  ‘I’m sure he knows that,’ Detective Rodriguez interrupted. ‘Although usually nobody minds answering questions when they have nothing to hide.’

  ‘Kindly refrain from using that tone with me,’ Elliott snapped. ‘You know perfectly well that my client is not required to answer anything.’ A long beat. ‘You’re not arresting him, are you?’

  ‘Why would you think that?’ Max said furiously.

  ‘Of course not,’ Detective Rodriguez said, fiddling with his moustache.

  One of the maids entered the room bearing a tray of coffee. She poured Max a cup with a shaking hand.

  He took a gulp and burned his tongue. ‘They want to talk to Lulu,’ he informed Elliott.

  ‘Lulu?’ Elliott questioned, raising his eyebrows. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because she discovered the body.’

  The butler ushered Chris and Jett into Red’s house, directing them into the library, where they were surprised to find Lady Jane Bentley sitting on the couch.

  ‘Where’s Red?’ Chris asked, not prepared to put up with another runaround.

  ‘I imagine he’s on his way,’ she replied, sipping camomile tea from a delicately patterned china cup. ‘Can I have the maid get you boys anything?’

  ‘On his way?’ Chris said, ignoring her offer of refreshments.

  ‘Doesn’t he live here?’ Jett asked, wishing he could light up a cigarette, but knowing she’d object.

  ‘Apparently not this weekend,’ she said, with an icy smile. ‘I fear your dear father is becoming senile.’

  ‘Why’s that?’ Chris asked.

  ‘He has an apartment, a place he thinks I have no knowledge of.’ She took a long pause, then added, ‘He keeps his whores there.’

  ‘Whores?’ Jett repeated, exchanging a quick look with Chris. ‘Did you say whores?’

  ‘That’s right. Your father might be old, but he’s still a very sexually active man.’ A meaningful pause, then, ‘Fortunately, not with me.’

  ‘Excuse me,’ Chris said sharply. ‘Are you sure we should be having this conversation?’

  ‘Why not?’ Lady Jane replied, cool and vindictive. ‘I thought before your father got here I might share a few things with you.’

  ‘What things?’ Chris asked, sensing trouble ahead.

  ‘Well, for one, your gambling debt.’

  ‘How the fuck do you know about that?’

  ‘Didn’t you ever wonder why Roth Giagante is putting
so much pressure on you to pay up?’

  ‘You know Roth?’ Chris said, shocked and surprised.

  ‘I do not. Red does.’

  ‘Jesus!’

  ‘Exactly who do you think has been insisting Roth threaten you to make sure you pay? It’s all about control and teaching you a lesson.’

  ‘You’ve gotta be fucking kidding,’ Chris exploded. ‘Red’s behind this?’

  ‘Please control your language. I hate to be reminded of your father,’ Lady Jane said. ‘And you,’ she added, turning to Jett. ‘Red had his spies in Milan trying to dig up dirt on you. He was hoping you’d fall back into the drug lifestyle, and when you didn’t, he hired people to try to lure you, but you still wouldn’t bite, which made him decide you weren’t worth the trouble.’

  ‘Oh, great!’ Jett said.

  ‘Here’s a copy of one of his e-mails,’ she said, handing Jett a sheet of paper.

  He read it quickly.

  The boy’s a fuck-up. He’ll crash and burn all by himself. Stop wasting my time and money.

  Silently he handed the e-mail to Chris, who scanned it and shook his head in disbelief.

  ‘Why are you telling us this shit?’ Jett asked, remembering all the times he’d been offered drugs over the past few months, and wondering which of his so-called friends had been working for Red.

  ‘Oh, dear me, you do take after him, don’t you?’ Lady Jane sighed. ‘Both of you use foul language, exactly like your father.’

  ‘None of us takes after him,’ Chris said angrily. ‘I can assure you of that.’

  She glanced at her diamond Cartier watch. ‘Will Max be here?’ she inquired. ‘I have something important to tell him too.’

  ‘Go ahead,’ Chris said coldly. ‘I’ll pass on the information.’

  ‘Please do, for I’m sure Max will be interested to know that the reason the banks withdrew from his multi-million-dollar building project in Lower Manhattan is because Red insisted they did so. He used his own leverage with the banks to make certain they listened to him. Some people would call it blackmail.’