Hildy’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude and relief. “Oh, I was hoping you’d say that, but I was afraid Greg had managed to ruin things for me again.”
“No way!”
Hildy looked pensive. “I wish Jay Stuart had believed me, but he didn’t. I was in Greg’s home when he phoned. Greg told him that my asking to be named as a collaborator was just my way of trying to break into the business. And Jay bought it.”
“You never met Jay?”
Hildy grimaced. “Oh, I met him all right!” she replied, wishing she could erase the memory. “After I left Greg, I went to the hotel where Mr. Stuart was staying and confronted him. He was very nice until I told him who I was. Then he said we had nothing further to talk about.”
Peter was surprised. “That doesn’t sound like him. He’s really a nice guy. I guess he’s worked with Greg for so many years that he found it hard to believe, coming from a stranger.”
“Jay told me that new writers are constantly trying to get their foot in the door by claiming well known writers have stolen from them. He said maybe I was one of them. It made me wonder if Greg had stolen from others.”
Peter frowned, then turned to her. “Someone else came to me months ago claiming that Gregory Wilcox stole a musical from him. I didn’t know whether to believe him or not, but now that you’ve told me this - well, he may have been telling the truth. As soon as this film is finished I’m going to help you prove what you just told me. And we’ll have this film as concrete evidence.”
Hildy dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Thank you for believing me.”
Peter reached out and patted her hand. “We’ll make ‘La Fleur Rouge’ the best film ever, and prove that you’re the real author and composer of ‘The Pepper Pot!’”
“I’ll second that!” Jenny cheered.
Suddenly Paris seemed filled with joy. The waiter stood by their table ready to take their orders, and Hildy realized that her appetite had returned as she hastily scanned the menu.
They were halfway through dinner when Hildy noticed that Peter and Jenny had their heads together, laughing and talking as though they had known each other for years. Maybe Jenny has found someone at last, she mused. He really is a super guy, and Jenny deserves the best after all she’s been through. Hildy had read about Peter’s unhappy marriage and divorce, and she couldn’t think of a nicer working out for both of them.
As soon as they finished dinner, Peter motioned to the waiter to bring him the check. After signing the tab he smiled. “And now I propose the perfect way to top off a perfect evening,” he said. “Come with me.”
They walked to the elevator and descended to the street level. As they exited the building, Peter hailed a cab that would take them to the boats at the water’s edge. “I think this calls for a cruise down the Seine. It’s a perfect night for it.”
The air was still warm and the sky was clear. The moon and stars were so bright it seemed almost like daylight. Hildy breathed deeply, thoroughly enjoying the evening. This was her father’s Paris. She was elated! Greg will never find me here! A new day was unfolding in her life and she saw nothing but hope and fulfillment ahead.
CHAPTER XI
The next morning in his New York apartment, Jay had the television on listening to the news. Greg joined him in the breakfast room just in time to hear the tail end of a special news report. A look of dismay came over his face as he realized that his carefully planned scheme to get rid of Hilary had failed.
“This just in,” he heard the newscaster say. “A Parisian Airlines plane, Flight #867, with four hundred fifty-three passengers on board landed safely at Orly Airport in Paris around eleven-thirty this morning, Paris time, in spite of a bomb that was found in a piece of luggage. No one was hurt, as the plane arrived forty minutes early, and all the passengers had disembarked. The bomb went off in an overhead luggage rack and the plane was completely destroyed. If the plane had not been early the bomb would have exploded while the plane was still in flight. It would have been one of the worst disasters in all of aviation history. Investigators are looking into it as a possible act of terrorism. So far no one has claimed responsibility. More on this later.”
Jay looked at Greg. “Who would do such a hideous thing?”
Greg quickly regained his composure. “Yes. Yes, it’s - - terrible. We’re living in a dangerous world.”
What do I do now? he wondered. Somehow I’ve got to stop her. All kinds of thoughts darted through his head. “Jay,” he said, “I think I know someone who might have been on that plane. I’ll call him from my room if you don’t mind.”
“Sure thing,” Jay answered. “Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Take all the time you need.”
Greg went into the bedroom and sat down to think. Then he picked up the phone and dialed the detective’s number in Los Angeles. After three rings, Dan answered. “Dan’s Detective Agency.”
“I’m glad you’re there,” Greg said. “I have another assignment for you. This one’s in Paris. I’ll call Parisian Airlines and have a ticket waiting for you at the counter. It will be charged to my credit card. Listen carefully. Wait half an hour. Then check the airline and find out what flight I’ve booked you on. Be packed and ready to leave. I want you in Paris as soon as possible. Find out where Hilary Simone is staying, and what she’s doing there. It’s very important. Parisian Airlines must have a record of her hotel in their computer, listed under Flight #867.”
“That’s the plane that had the bomb, isn’t it?” Dan asked him. “I just heard it on the news.”
“Yes,” Greg answered. “Who would do such a thing? Thank God she wasn’t hurt. No matter what she’s done I wouldn’t wish her any harm.” He paused, waiting for this to sink in, then continued. “When you find out where she’s staying, leave a message on my answering machine in Boston and let me know. I’ll be in Paris. I’m flying there with a friend this evening.”
“Where will you be staying?” Dan asked.
“At the Saint Germaine Hotel. We’ll be there for a week, then on to Nuits. I’ll contact you as soon as you leave the message on my machine. I may need you to stay in Paris for a while. It all depends on how well things go. I know you have other clients, but I’ll pay you whatever you ask. This is extremely important.”
“My assistant can take over. I’ll be in touch,” Dan said, and hung up.
Greg called Parisian Airlines to make the reservation for Dan, and returned to the breakfast room.
Jay looked up as he entered. “Is everything okay with your friend? Was he on that plane?”
“No. I was able to reach him at his office in Los Angeles. Everything is fine. He’s not going to Paris till tonight.”
“Maybe we’ll see him there.”
“Oh, yes,” Greg said smugly. “I’m sure we will.”
I’ll find another way to silence Hilary, Greg promised himself. Dan will find her. That’s why I hired him.
Jay rose from his chair. “Let’s get to work,” he said. “We’re leaving for Paris in a few hours, and I want to have everything ready for our trip.”
They went into Jay’s home office where they could work more efficiently. They spent all morning making contacts on the phone for the upcoming production of the new musical, “Sunny Days.”
Greg was quite proficient when it came to the mechanics of production. Very technical and analytical, but far from creative. He depended on others for that. As long as budding young writers keep coming to me for help, he smirked, I’ll be okay. But his thoughts kept wandering back to Boston. The picture of Roger Fielding sitting in the car outside his town house kept flashing through his mind, haunting him. And having seen him at the airport in Los Angeles almost did him in.
But why should this bother me? he asked himself. He didn’t see me board the plane for New York. And he certainly doesn’t kno
w I’m going to Paris tonight.
“Is something bothering you?” Jay asked. “You seem awfully fidgety. Do you want to talk about it?”
Greg made a valiant effort to hide his feelings. “Oh - I’m not completely satisfied with some of the script,” he lied. “I’ll think about it some more, and maybe do some rewriting on the plane. Or maybe after we get to France. You know what a perfectionist I am. It will come to me what I have to do.” But it wasn’t the musical that he referred to.
Jay seemed satisfied with his explanation. “Should we hold up on rehearsals while we’re away?” he asked.
“Oh, no,” Greg quickly replied. “The changes will be minor. How long do you think we’ll be gone?”
“I think three or four weeks will do it,” Jay replied.
“Good!” Greg smiled. “That should give me plenty of time to finish whatever I have to do.”
He was sure that in three or four weeks either he or Dan would have found Hilary. Once she’s erased from the face of the earth my reputation and way of life will be safe!
CHAPTER XII
Hildy’s lovely soprano voice carried next door and woke Jenny, who smiled when she heard her friend so happy.
Jenny, also, felt lighthearted this morning. She tingled all over, just thinking about Peter. Don’t be foolish, she warned herself. You’ve only just met him. You don’t know anything about him. But her heart refused to let go of the joy.
She finally gave in to it, and joined Hildy with her singing. The two voices blended in harmony, singing one of the tunes they sang together in a college show.
A ring on Jenny’s telephone brought the duet to a halt. “Hello,” she said. Her voice was light and happy as she answered.
“Hi,” Peter greeted her. “Don’t you sound chipper this morning!”
“Oh! Peter! Hi!” Jenny waited, wondering why he called her instead of Hildy. She held her breath, and hoped she wasn’t misinterpreting the reason behind it.
“How about some breakfast? You and Hildy? I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starved!” Jenny replied. “What do you have in mind?”
“There’s a cafe just around the corner from the hotel. It’s typically French. Tables and chairs on the sidewalk, that sort of thing. It’s sunny and warm. Just the kind of day for breakfast outdoors.”
“Sounds wonderful!” she exclaimed.
“Great! Will you tell Hildy?”
Jenny’s heart stood still for a moment. Why doesn’t he call her? she wondered. She didn’t dare hope - or did she? - that she was reading him correctly. The fact that he called her, not Hildy, must mean something.
“I’ll be glad to, Peter,” she assured him. “What time?”
“Is fifteen minutes too early?”
“That’s just fine, Peter. I know Hildy’s up. I heard her singing. See you in the lobby at eight.” She hung up and dialed Hildy.
* * *
Hildy had been awake since six o’clock. She jumped out of bed and danced around the room, barely able to contain herself. With a song in her heart and on her lips she celebrated the first day of filming her new musical as she joined Jenny in a duet. She could hardly wait to get on the set and see her dream start to take shape. She turned on the shower, still singing. When her phone rang, she grabbed a towel and hurried to answer it.
It was Jenny. “Peter just called,” she said. “He wants to meet us for breakfast. Can you be ready by quarter of eight?”
Hildy was surprised. “Oh - sure, I’ll be ready. So he called you, did he?” she teased. “What’s going on? Is it what I think it is?”
“Oh, Hildy, I hope so! I never believed in love at first sight, but I think I’m in love.”
Hildy cheered. “Jenny, that’s great! I have a sneaking suspicion he feels the same way. Oh, Jenny, I’m so glad. It’s about time someone nice like Peter came into your life.”
“Thanks, Hildy. Do you really think he likes me?”
Hildy laughed. “What more proof do you need? I’ll meet you at the elevator. I’ll bet he’s in the lobby already, and can’t wait to see you. I have a strong feeling about you two, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“Hildy, I only wish you’d meet someone special. You deserve it.”
“Oh, plenty of time for that.” Hildy brushed off her remark. “Right now I’m totally committed to this musical film. I’m not thinking of anything else - - except keeping Greg from finding me. He already knows I’m in Paris. Let’s hope he doesn’t know why. See you in ten minutes.”
They met at the elevator and descended to the lobby dressed in jeans and running shoes, the same as Peter. Comfort was the theme of the day.
As they walked along toward the sidewalk cafe, Hildy looked around. To her dismay, the easy, lighthearted mood was gone, and in its place was an apprehension of disaster which surprised her.
Peter tried to reassure her. “Hildy, I’ve called an agency requesting a bodyguard for you. I’ve already hired guards to protect the people on the set. They’ll be screening everyone at the entrance to the studio and on location. Don’t worry. We’ll get someone to protect you personally. They said it might take a day or two to get someone who’s really good. Until they do, no one will harm you as long as you’re with us.”
Hildy wasn’t fully convinced. She rose to go to the newsstand, but returned to the table as soon as she purchased the newspaper. Her hands shook as she turned the pages.
A limousine with blacked out windows was waiting at the hotel to take them to the studio. Jenny didn’t hesitate to accept Peter’s invitation to join them. No one could see inside the limo, and Hildy felt safer. The shock of what almost happened yesterday still haunted her, like a ghost that refused to be put to rest.
Filming went smoothly for a first day, in spite of the danger that hung over them. Hildy felt more secure on the set, knowing that guards were placed all around. But she knew she would breathe more easily once she had a bodyguard of her own.
She kicked herself for being so fearful. Greg can’t possibly find me here. Paris is a big city. I’m sure he doesn’t know why I’m here, so he won’t be hunting me down at any film company. He doesn’t have a clue. I refuse to be afraid and let it spoil my enjoyment.
Filming ended around seven o’clock in the evening, and the limousine was waiting to drive them back to their hotel. They didn’t bother to change clothes, but headed straight for the dining room in their jeans.
As they walked in, the peace and serenity of the room and the music from the small orchestra was soothing after their hard day’s work. The beautiful strains of Debussey’s “La Mer” blended with the sound of the water flowing from the statuesque fountain in the middle of the room. Hildy closed her eyes, and for a moment she could swear she heard the ocean waves tumbling over the rocks and caressing the shore. A feeling of deep serenity washed over her and relaxed her whole body. What a beautiful setting for a new musical! she mused.
As she opened her eyes and looked around, she spied a man who had just entered the room. He was staring at her in a most peculiar manner - almost as though he knew her, or at least knew who she was - and her nervousness returned.
He was over six feet tall, and his face showed a strength of character that seemed to say he could handle any situation that came his way. I bet if I had him for a bodyguard, I wouldn’t have to worry about a thing, she thought.
She looked again. He was still staring at her, and her nervousness increased. Is he sizing me up? She shrugged her shoulders. I’m imagining things. She turned her attention to the menu, but her appetite had all but deserted her.
The man sat down at a nearby table. As he continued to stare, Hildy felt a sudden impulse to run and hide. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself that it was her imagination playing tricks on her, she continued to feel uneasy as they ate dinner.
Her stomach was skipping rope.
Peter signed the tab, and they left to go to their rooms, leaving the man behind in the dining room. Hildy peeked at him out of the corner of her eye. When he didn’t get up and follow them she was sure she had been edgy over nothing.
The elevator shot up quickly to the twenty-fourth floor. “Maybe you’d like to have a nightcap in my room,” Peter suggested as they walked down the corridor. “We’ve had a long, hard day. We could unwind and discuss the shoot for tomorrow.”
Hildy hesitated. She was toying with an idea that came to her after seeing the man in the dining room, and she decided the time had come to test it. Somewhere in the back of her mind lurked a nagging feeling that Greg might have sent that man to spy on her. Testing her disguise on Peter seemed to be the perfect solution.
“If you don’t mind, Peter, I’d like to drop my things off first,” Hildy told him. “Jenny’s room is between yours and mine. Why don’t we meet there instead?”
“Fine,” he agreed. “I’ll leave my briefcase and be right over.”
Curiosity got the better of Jenny as she continued down the corridor with Hildy. “What’s going on in that head of yours? I can see the wheels turning at a hundred miles an hour.”
“Jenny - “ She paused. “Did you notice that man in the dining room who was staring at us?”
“Yes. Sometimes people stare when they see white and black people sitting together.”
“I don’t think that was it,” Hildy answered. “He made me very nervous. I hate to say it, but I have this gut feeling that Greg may have sent him to spy on me.”
“Oh, no, Hildy! Do you really think so?”
“Yes, I do.” Hildy was silent for a moment. Then she turned to Jenny. “I have an idea I want to try out. I think now is the perfect time.”
“What?” Jenny asked. “Can I help?”
“You certainly can. Here’s what I want you to do,” she told her. “Please, go along with me on this. My life may depend on it. I’m going to take off my wig and glasses and pretend I’m an old college chum of yours from France. I’ll speak with a French accent. I have to know if Peter recognizes me. If he doesn’t, then chances are very good that no one else will either, and I’ll be able to concentrate better on my work.”
La Fleur Rouge The Red Flower Page 7
