“And of course you don’t approve,” Ross said coolly.
The two men eyed one another. “No, Ross, I never approved. None of it was any of my business, and if your next question is did you do Jory dirty, my answer is yes. I believe you know what you did was wrong, and for five years you didn’t have the guts to make it right. You’re doing that now, and you’re looking, in my opinion, for a way to justify it all. Now, if you plan to ask me for my advice, I’d advise you, as a friend and as an attorney, to go to Jory and talk it all out. Get your divorce and move on with your life.”
“Wait a minute, Woo. You’re right about one thing, I didn’t unload on you because I . . . Jesus, what did I know about women? I mean, what did I really know? They flirted, we advanced, they retreated, and we closed in for the kill. Did you know Jory was only seventeen? Hell no you didn’t, and neither did I. She looked and sounded a lot older, and you damn well know it. She was a tease, a flirt, and she knew the score. At least I thought she did. She wasn’t a virgin, you know. She goddamn well knew more than me, so when she said she’d accuse me of rape if I didn’t marry her . . . well, that turned my feelings toward her sour.
“But you play, you pay. She was seventeen, Woo. A minor. She was pregnant. I had no choice, I had to marry her. I didn’t want to go to jail. Her father, as my father pointed out, was the district attorney.
“It was a disaster, something that never should have happened. Both of us were too immature to deal with it. I blustered my way through, and she cried and whined her way through it. The miscarriage, as much as I hated to say this, was for the best. I didn’t know what to do for her after that. And like I said, and I’ll admit it, I didn’t feel so good about Jory by that time, so it was hard for me to feel compassion. She was so lost, so woebegone, and all she did was cry. I never loved her, Woo. She knew that. She said she loved me, but she was in love with love. Seventeen-year-old girls don’t know what love is all about,” Ross said defensively.
“I think you’re wrong about that. Jory loved you heart and soul.” The wistfulness in Woo’s voice was lost on Ross. “Go see her.”
“In court will be soon enough. With this newfound independence of hers, she’s liable to accuse me of harassing her. I’ll just wait it out.”
“Suit yourself.” Woo’s right hand shot out. “No hard feelings, Ross.”
“Nah. You always tell it like it is, Woo, so how can I harbor any hard feelings? This will work out. I just wish I wasn’t so damn suspicious of everything.”
“So, how’re things going with Lena?” Woo asked. In his eyes, there was something suspicious about Lena Davis.
“We’re dating. I told her about Jory. As a matter of fact, Lena’s older sister went to school with Jory. Lena’s been turning in some pretty good pieces, don’t you think? And she’s managed to get us some additional advertising. Dumb luck on that score, but she did it. My mother was pleased.”
“She’s angling for the L.A. assignment,” Woo blurted. Ross was so damn gullible.
Ross’s shoulders stiffened. “Because she said she’d love to spend the winter in California? I say that every day from December first through March first.” He added, “I thought, between you and me, that I was the suspicious one.”
“I never said I wasn’t suspicious at times,” Woo replied, but what he really wanted to say was: Lena is after your money, she’s a gold digger, and she’s kissing up to your mother big-time and using you while she’s doing it. Instead he said, “She’s aggressive, and I guess that’s the main trait a reporter needs to get ahead in this business.”
“Initiative is what she has. She’s been sending out letters to Hollywood and starting her own personal grapevine. Mother gave her some seed money to get started. She’s got a couple of near scoops,” Ross said proudly.
“Are you seriously interested in her?” Woo asked curiously.
“I could be,” Ross said carefully.
“Uh-huh.” Woo grinned. “See you in the morning. I’m going to get a head start on my packing, and I want to look over that last story Lena turned in. There’s something that isn’t sitting right. Parts of it are pure smut. Digging up one fact and embroidering it to two thousand words is one thing, smut is something else.”
“Come on, Woo. Who’s going to sue over a fact? The fact is true, the embroidery is embroidery. You’re taking this too seriously. All we’re doing is creating an illusion and giving the public what they perceive to be the ‘real lowdown’ on celebrities. The second issue sold out completely. I think I was the only one who was surprised. We’re upping this next issue ten thousand copies. Mother is delirious. Personally speaking, I feel we should raise it fifty thousand if we decide to go ahead with the lead story on Johnnie Ray being seen in drag at the Copa. We’ve got a few words on that metal plate he’s supposed to have in his head too. Of course he denies it. Jesus, this guy is something else. Hey, we have two psychiatrists willing to expound on Ray’s outbursts of feminine nature.’ ”
Woo did his best to disguise what he was feeling. He knew Ross well enough to know he felt almost the same way, but because he was Ross Landers, son of publisher Justine Landers, he had to act as if he believed and was interested in what TIF was doing. “I need to check every source, Ross. Don’t send anything out until we’re one hundred percent sure we aren’t going to be sued for libel. I also promised your mother I’d look over several other pieces. Guess I’ll say good night. I think I’ll take a walk.”
“ ’Night, Woo,” Ross said as his friend headed for the front door. “Sorry about being so edgy this evening. I’m going to miss you.”
“Get a dog and a couple of cats,” Woo called over his shoulder. “You won’t even know I’m gone.”
“I’ll know,” Ross muttered. A few minutes later Ross looped the arms of his fisherman’s sweater around his neck and left the house too, his destination uncertain. He needed to walk off his restlessness. A brisk walk and the cool night air usually worked wonders.
Thirty minutes later he became aware of his surroundings. He was a few blocks from Lena’s apartment.
In the beginning he’d wanted to see Lena often, more often once she agreed to have sex with him, but she’d placed restrictions on their relationship. One date during the week and in by ten-thirty. A late Friday night date, sometimes the whole night if her brother was out of town. Saturday was a midnight date and Sunday was brunch. Teasingly she’d told him not to be greedy, that she had a job and didn’t want to jeopardize it with a heavy romance and being groggy in the morning. He was extremely attracted to Lena, but he was the first to admit he wasn’t sure if he’d be willing to remarry anytime soon.
At first he’d thought she was the kind of girl who would hold out for a wedding ring. He’d been stunned when she tumbled into bed with him. He’d been even more stunned when she said, I like this and this and ohhhh, do that. He thought about the this and the that for a moment before he walked up the five brick steps to ring the doorbell of the small apartment building. Lena lived on the second floor in a three-bedroom, front-view apartment. It was ideal, she said; her brother had one bedroom, she had one, and the third was used by both of them as an office. Ideal and not far from the Landers Building. Within walking distance.
Ross rang the doorbell. He rang it a second and then a third time before the buzzer sounded. Maybe she was busy, maybe she didn’t want to see him. Maybe a lot of things. He took the steps two at a time and was barely winded when he reached the top.
“Ross! What are you doing here?”
“I was restless this evening. I thought a walk over to my parents’ place would be nice. It’s a beautiful evening, want to join me? If not, I apologize for intruding.”
“Don’t be silly, Ross. I’m delighted you stopped by. How about a cup of tea? I could use a break.”
Ross looked down at his watch: eight-thirty. “You’re working?” Lord, she was pretty. Right now she looked sixteen, in her pink-striped pedal pushers and matching blouse. She was barefo
ot and her hair was done in a long, fat pigtail. He said, “You look cute.”
Lena made a face and then laughed as she chucked him playfully under the chin. “Your mother was really excited about the information I gathered up on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. She didn’t quibble about the price of the pictures either. She’s more or less agreed to use it as the cover story if I can back up all my facts. It’s so juicy, Ross, my mouth waters just thinking about it.” She winked at him. Ross almost drooled when she linked her arm though his and led him into the living room. “So, how about that tea?”
“No thanks,” he said, sitting down on the sofa. “I had a late dinner and I’m trying to walk it off. I can’t stay.”
“You’re welcome to stay if you like. I should call it a night, my eyes are starting to ache. Did your mother say anything about the duke and duchess?”
“Not to me. Woo didn’t say anything, so I have to assume she’s still in what she calls her thinking mode. You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely,” she said, plopping down next to Ross. “You look tense, Ross, is something wrong?” Her fingers began kneading his arm.
“Do I?” He wanted to ask why she looked so intense, but thought better of it. “Well, maybe I am a little. Woo told me this evening he’s moving out over the weekend. He found a carriage house to rent in Chestnut Hill.”
“Isn’t that where Jory lives?” Ross nodded. “I see,” Lena said quietly. “Woo is going to rent the carriage house, is that it?”
Ross frowned. “How did you know?”
“I told you, my older sister went to school with Jory. The Ryans and the Belmonts are the only two people who have carriage houses. At least to my knowledge. Don’t forget I grew up in Chestnut Hill. And,” she grinned, tweaking his ear, “I’m a reporter.” There was a slight chill in her voice when she said, “Are you jealous of Woo, Ross?”
“Hell no.”
Lena tweaked his ear again and then bent over to nibble on it. She was being playful now, a prelude to what she called happy participating sex. Suddenly he wasn’t in the mood. All he wanted was to be outside in the cool night air and walking aimlessly with no destination in mind.
“I can’t stay, Lena. I have to meet my father,” he lied. “Are we still on for tomorrow evening?”
“Of course,” she said flatly. “Look, Ross, I’d really appreciate it if you’d kind of snoop around and see what you can find out about my royalty piece. You can tell me tomorrow over dinner, and by the way, my brother won’t be here tomorrow.” There it was, the bait she always threw out when she wanted something. “I think Justine really likes me. Your mother told me to call her Justine,” she added hastily at the look of surprise on Ross’s face. “She didn’t like Marjory, did she?”
“I really don’t want to discuss this, Lena, and there’s one thing you should know about my mother. She doesn’t like someone, meaning me, running interference. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, pecking her on the cheek.
“Now, Ross, what kind of kiss is that?” Lena said, throwing her arms around his neck. “I like to be kissed this way,” she said, opening her mouth so her tongue could slide easily into his mouth. For one wild erratic moment Ross thought he was going to strangle with her tongue halfway down his throat. Maybe that was what she liked, but not what he liked.
His parents’ house was not far away. Ross let himself in by the kitchen door. He patted Rosa on the shoulder and asked for his father.
“He’s in the game room, Mr. Ross. I was just going to take this coffee to him. Would you like some?”
Ross nodded. “I’ll take it in. Where’s my mother?”
“She hasn’t come home yet, Mr. Ross.”
“Good. Don’t tell her I’m here.”
“Very well, Mr. Ross,” Rosa said, adding a cup and saucer to the silver tray.
Ross stood in the doorway watching his father, whose back was to him. He was playing billiards by himself. How very lonely he must be, Ross thought. He wanted to say, Hey, Dad, how’s it going? Instead he said. “Father, would you mind if I joined you for coffee?”
Jasper whirled around at his son’s voice. “Ross, it’s good to see you. What brings you here this hour of the night?” He’s delighted, Ross thought, genuinely delighted that I’m here.
“I decided to go for a walk and ended up here. It’s a nice night. I’m up for a little Eight Ball if you are.”
“No, no, I’d rather sit here and talk. Is anything wrong, Ross?”
“No . . . yes. Oh, Father, I’m not sure. I’m just kind of jumpy, and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the divorce, maybe it’s Woo or Lena, or maybe it’s all of the above.”
Jasper felt his chest puff out. This was the first time Ross had ever come to him to talk. “Why don’t we take it one thing at a time and see if we can relieve some of that jumpiness you’re feeling? I’d like to start off by saying, Ross, I feel you made a mistake by going to work for your mother. The sad part is, I know you regret it too. Now, what’s the problem with the divorce? I like Jory, always did. I’ve been thinking of calling her to set up lunch. She’s kept in touch all these years.”
“I didn’t know that,” Ross said tightly.
“When it came to Jory, son, you didn’t want to know. You said I was to let sleeping dogs lie, and I would have if the girl hadn’t called from time to time. She just needed to grow up, Ross. She told me she was coming back here to her father’s house. She didn’t make the decision until you told her you were divorcing her—about which, by the way, I wasn’t too happy. But you have to live your own life, don’t you? Anyway, Jory was relieved her self-imposed exile was over. She hated Florida.”
“I didn’t know that either. Look, I didn’t send her there. It was her decision to leave Pennsylvania. For God’s sake, I thought she was still in Florida. She gave me back all the money. I felt like King Shit. Why’d she do that, Father?”
Jasper shrugged. “If I had to take a guess, I’d say she’s no different from most people. No one likes to be bought and paid for. She’s her own person now. The bottom line is, Jory grew up, and I for one am proud of her. If Jake was alive he’d be proud of his daughter too. Have you seen her?”
“Once when she gave me the bankbook. Not since she’s been back. Woo is going to rent her carriage house. He’s moving out this weekend.”
“So that’s it,” Jasper said thoughtfully. “Your best friend and your soon-to-be-ex-wife living in close proximity. Wasn’t Woo Jory’s champion back in the early days of your marriage?”
“More or less,” Ross said tightly. “Jory has taken her maiden name back.”
“That doesn’t surprise me, Ross. When you cut something off, you cut it off all the way. She’s going to make a new life for herself. The Landers name will only confuse her life. Why don’t you make an appointment to talk with her? This girl is not going to cause you one iota of trouble, Ross.”
“How do you know that, Father?”
“Because, like Woo, I took the time to get to know her. She was hurting so badly when she left here, there was no reason for her to make up stories and lie. I truly believe, Ross, you owe her an apology. Not that she expects one, but it would be the decent thing to do.”
“I’ve thought about it,” Ross muttered.
“Do more than think,” Jasper said sharply.
Ross poured a second cup of coffee. “The divorce will be final by the end of the year.”
“That’s just a few months away,” Jasper said, holding out his cup for a refill. “Does that mean you and what’s-her-name, Lena, will get serious?”
“No, it doesn’t mean Lena and I will get serious,” Ross muttered.
“I should hope not. She’s cut from the same bolt of cloth as your mother. Surely you’ve seen it. I only met the young woman twice, and she hit me right between the eyes. Guess she’s good between the sheets, eh?” Jasper mumbled, his eyes on a Monet across the room.
The ring of heat around Ross�
�s neck moved up to his face. “She’s aggressive. She’s motivated. She works very hard, and yes, she more or less idolizes Mother.” He ignored the comment concerning the sheets.
“Birds of a feather flock together,” Jasper said callously. “Be careful, boy, or you could end up with more than you bargain for. I signed the papers today giving Justine the magazine. I dropped them off at your office on my way home from the club. I do not in any way want to be responsible for that trash your mother is publishing. I took out full-page ads in every paper within a fifty-mile radius stating that Justine is sole publisher and owner of TIF.”
Ross snorted. “Father, as long as you and Mother are married, you are just as responsible as she is. If she gets sued, you get sued. You get tainted with the same brush. You said you wanted to wait until the magazine was in the black. I don’t understand.”
“You’re not dim-witted, Ross. I hate Justine and she hates me. We stayed together because of that crazy will. I filed today for a legal separation. That gets me off the hook. I should have done it twenty years ago.
“Ross, don’t make a similar mistake. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m going to say it anyway. Leave the magazine. Your mother will ruin you, and Woo too. Get him out of there, Ross. Cut your losses and go on from there.”
“Aren’t you being melodramatic, Father? Just a little.”
“Perhaps, but does it really matter?”
“Father, I’m an attorney, Woo is an attorney. We’ll make sure Mother stays on the straight and narrow.”
“Baloney! I’ve looked at the first two issues. I’ve never seen such trash in my life. Each issue is going to get worse as circulation increases, and it will increase. The public thirsts for this kind of garbage. What happens when there is no more trash to print? What happens when all those stars in Hollywood start to fight back? They will, you know,” Jasper said passionately. “And the rumor at the club is your mother is thinking about a second publication she’s going to run out of the basement. What do you know about that, Ross?”
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