Injury

by Tobin, Val

  Not that she didn’t love him, but her obsession with only associating with the right people meant that accepting Dani into the family was a definite challenge for Margaret. Cope had no illusions his mother could accept the young actress unconditionally. Even so, Cope thanked Margaret for the dinner invitation and ended the conversation daring to hope that Dani and Margaret might become friends.

  ***

  Dani arrived home by six o’clock, and guilt made her ask Ryan to drive the limo into the underground parking to let her out. She doubted Cope would sit out there watching for her, but she didn’t want to take the risk.

  Once she was up in her apartment, she made herself a protein shake for dinner and sat on the couch to sip it while she waited for Liz to arrive. Liz was filming two scenes in the Injury sequel at the studio. She had a speaking part, though it was a small one, and her character was killed off three-quarters of the way through the movie.

  A beep from the cell phone signaled an incoming message, and Dani snatched it up. Cope. Sorry you can’t have dinner with me. I’m heading to my parents’ place. Don’t work too late.

  She set down the phone. If she replied too quickly, he’d suspect she wasn’t working. A knot formed in her stomach and the protein shake suddenly didn’t sit so well. Dani returned to the kitchen and teared up as she went through the motions of dumping the rest of the drink and washing the cup. For three days now, Margaret’s words had made her avoid Cope.

  An inability to decide whether to end the relationship or tell Cope his mother was trying to break them up kept her from contacting him. She didn’t want to give him up, but she also didn’t want to hold him back. Was she an albatross around his neck as Margaret claimed? Would she end up making him miserable?

  The ache in her heart had been constant, distracting her on the set. At least she could use that to her advantage since her character was grieving the loss of her partner and unable to focus. But she was screwing up in other scenes, which meant extra takes. The location shoot would drag on longer than originally scheduled, and while not all of it was due to Dani’s emotional state, she knew part of it was.

  Liz arrived, Dani buzzed her in, and when the doorbell rang, she checked the peephole before opening the door.

  “Are you okay? You look worried?” Liz hugged Dani.

  At that, Dani burst into tears. Liz led her to the couch, and Dani choked out her encounter with Margaret. “What should I do? She’s right. He’s better off without me. I’m nothing but a burden to him.” Head hanging, her tears dripped unrestrained.

  Liz took Dani’s hands in hers. “Look at me.”

  Dani reluctantly raised her head and looked into Liz’s eyes.

  “You are a kind, loving, wonderful person, and any man would be lucky to have you. He loves you, and you love him. That should be reason enough for you to give it a chance.”

  “I want what’s best for him.”

  “Why are you so damn sure that’s not you?”

  “Oh, God, Liz, I’ve done so many stupid things. How will I live it down?”

  Liz was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, the words came out slow but strong, as though she weighed each one. “You know what you did. How do you live with it now? You’re afraid that if what you did becomes public, you’ll be so embarrassed you won’t be able to … what? Leave the house? Make another movie? Live? Love? Be happy? Are you going to give strangers that much power over your life?”

  Dani gave Liz a weak smile. “No. What’ll Cope think of me when he finds out? He’ll hate me.”

  “So to prevent something that might not happen, you’ll preempt it by leaving him first?”

  “When you put it that way, it sounds silly.”

  “That’s because you’re letting that Copeland bitch get into your head.”

  “You weren’t there, Liz. She was brutal. She hates me because of who I am.”

  “It’s amazing that she’s got such a wonderful son.”

  “Yes, but what if she turns him against me?”

  “Have you considered coming clean to him? If he knows, then if it gets out, he won’t be shocked and will be there to support you. Besides, if he leaves you because of that, then you’re better off without him, not the other way around.”

  Relief flooded through Dani. “You’re right. See, that’s why I hang out with you. You’re the best girlfriend ever.”

  Liz laughed. “It’ll be okay. Don’t give your power to anyone. Now, let’s practice our lines for tomorrow.”

  Dani smiled, feeling better than she had in days, and went to get the script and put the kettle on.

  Chapter 32

  When Cope walked in the door of his parents’ place, Katherine was there to greet him. Happy to see her, but sensing Margaret’s stratagem behind it, Cope kept things light and casual through dinner. After the meal, he escorted Katherine to the kitchen in the backyard and guided her to the large, rectangular table behind the marble-top island. “You’re aware my mother is trying to fix us up, right?”

  Katherine pulled out a chair and sat while Cope went to the bar and fixed the drinks. “Perhaps it’s time I told her I’m seeing someone else?” Katherine said.

  “If you did that, she’d want details. Are you ready to come out to my family? I’m sure my sibs will be okay with it, but my parents? Dubious.”

  “I’m a big girl, Cope. I can handle it. If she doesn’t like who I am, it’s not my problem. Are you okay with that? Because it sounds as if you’re afraid to face your mother’s prejudices.”

  “Sorry it came out that way, Kate.” He poured a glass of red wine for Katherine and grabbed a beer from the fridge for himself. “I don’t want her to make you unhappy. She can be controlling. We’ve grown up with it and have learned to deal, but you haven’t seen her at her worst.”

  “Is she homophobic?”

  Cope carried the drinks to the table and contemplated the question. “She hasn’t expressed any hatred for gays, so probably not.”

  Katherine smiled. “What are you trying to protect me from? Bet you’re afraid she’ll stop pushing us together. Admit it. You have the hots for me, and you’ve been pining away all these years.”

  Cope laughed. “Okay, you got me.” He paused and then continued. “You’re right though. It’s time we put an end to this charade. If you’re okay with me outing you to my family and to Dani, then I’m okay with telling them.”

  At the thought of Dani, Cope frowned. He sat at the table next to Katherine and took her hand. “Not to change the subject, but I need relationship advice. Since you date women too, and you are one, perhaps you can help me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Dani’s avoiding me. I’m sure she is. She’s telling me she’s working late, which might be true, but she barely acknowledges my texts. Something has changed, made her pull away. I can feel it.”

  “You’ve got nothing concrete?”

  “I understand how that sounds. But Kate, we went from seeing each other every night and texting throughout the day, to not seeing each other and me texting and her rarely responding.”

  “She’s a busy actress.” Katherine reached out a hand and stroked his face. “If I were attracted to men, it would’ve been easy for your mom to get us together. You’re a great guy. Give her time, Cope. She knows you’re here for her. You’re not worried she’s found someone else?”

  “No. That’s ridiculous. When we split up, she was devastated.” What if Dani was pulling back because she was afraid he’d leave her again? An urge to talk to her welled up, and he considered walking out and finding her, even if he had to track her down on location. He groaned. “You were right when you said I’ve got it bad.”

  The sound of the patio door sliding open made him look up. Margaret stepped outside and beamed a smile at them when her gaze landed on Cope’s hands clasping Katherine’s. Cope caught Katherine’s eye, and she nodded, sliding her hand from Cope’s.

  “Oh, no, don’t let me interrupt you two lovebirds.”
>
  “It’s all right. We were just talking.” Kate beamed a return smile.

  “There’s something you should know, Mother.”

  Margaret walked to the bar and pulled out a bottle of scotch and a rocks glass. Cope watched her pour two fingers for herself and return the bottle to the cabinet. “What’s that, dear?” Her voice sounded hopeful, and her face brightened.

  Shit. She was probably already planning their wedding. “Katherine was telling me about the person she met in college and plans to move in with.”

  Margaret’s face fell, her jaw clenched, and the smile that appeared this time looked forced. “How delightful. Tell me about him.”

  “It’s not a ‘him.’ It’s a ‘her.’ Julie, my roommate in college. It turned out we had a lot in common, and before long, we fell in love. We were friends first, and living together at school drew us even closer together. I’m going to move to New Mexico with her.”

  Surprised at this last bit of information, Cope took her hand again. “Katie, you didn’t tell me you were moving out of state.” His tone was accusatory. The thought of his best female friend moving away, maybe forever, shocked him.

  Katherine squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. I knew you’d be disappointed, and I didn’t want to see that look on your face you just gave me.”

  “Wait a minute.” Margaret’s shocked voice interrupted. “You’re not gay, Katherine. Did this woman turn you? I can recommend a therapist.”

  To Katherine’s credit, she gave a good-natured chuckle and smiled indulgently at Margaret. “I’ve always been attracted to women. It’s not a mental illness. Didn’t you ever wonder why Cope and I were such good friends all our lives and never dated?”

  “I thought you just needed a push in the right direction.”

  “I’m in the right direction. So is Cope. He loves Dani, and I hope you can be happy for them.”

  “Yes, well, could be Bobby doesn’t know this girl as well as he thinks he does.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Damn it, he was tired of his mother’s attitude about Dani. So what if she wasn’t from a wealthy family? Who cares what her parents had done? This was about Dani. Sweet, gentle, vulnerable Dani.

  “It means if you knew her better, you wouldn’t be so quick to sleep with her. I hope you use protection when you’re inside her.” She spit the words at him. He’d never seen her so furious.

  “Jesus Christ, Mother. What a thing to say about the woman I love.”

  “There’s something you should know about the woman you love. I didn’t want to show you this, but it’s time to tell you the truth.” Margaret stepped back into the house and returned a few seconds later with her cell phone. She started a video and held the phone out so both Cope and Katherine could see it.

  The sight of Dani in bed with Greg Henderson and another woman turned Cope’s stomach. “Turn it off. Where did you get this? When was that taken?” It couldn’t be recent. He refused to believe that this had happened while he and Dani were together.

  “When she was dating Henderson. The private investigator I hired to check out your girlfriend dug it up. I didn’t want to bring it to you, but since that girl—” Margaret wrinkled her nose on the word girl and continued, “refuses to stay away from you, it’s time you realized what kind of whore you’re dating.”

  “What do you mean she refuses to stay away from me? What have you done?” He’d been right all along. He should have trusted his feeling that something was wrong and confronted Dani.

  Margaret looked panicked and took a backward step. “Nothing. I didn’t do anything.”

  Cope didn’t believe her. She’d always interfered, and he could tell she’d meddled now. The video. “You showed it to Dani?” Worse. “You threatened her with it.”

  “I was trying to help you, Bobby. She’s trash. Her whole family is trash.”

  Big Cope stepped outside. “What’s going on?” He looked from one to the other. “I heard raised voices.”

  Cope ignored him and grabbed Katherine by the hand. “Let’s go, Kate. I have to talk to Dani. I can’t be here anymore.”

  “Wait.” Margaret’s voice, commanding, stopped them, and they both turned and met her gaze. Cheeks puffed out, brows furrowed, Margaret reminded Cope of an angry chipmunk.

  “What is it?” His voice came out tired, resigned. “What now?”

  “If you insist on seeing her, you won’t inherit anything. Tell him, Rupert.”

  “I’m sorry. Son, I have nothing against the girl, but we don’t want someone like her burrowing into this family. We have to protect ourselves from gold diggers and pariahs.”

  “Dad, I can believe Mother would do this, but not you.”

  “Then you don’t know me. It’s not personal, son, it’s business.”

  “Fuck you both. I don’t care about your wealth. It’s not business, Dad, it’s personal.” He turned on his heel and walked out, Katherine following him.

  Cope drove Katherine home but decided it was too late to call Dani though it took him another twenty minutes to actually drop the idea. By the time he pulled out of Katherine’s driveway, it was almost two o’clock. Dani was likely asleep and shooting always started early. He’d be one selfish S.O.B. if he called her now to talk about his needs, wants, and desires. Frustrated, he drove home, promising himself he’d call her first thing in the morning.

  Chapter 33

  Makeup and wardrobe ready, Dani prepared herself mentally for another day on the side of the mountain. The sun had barely cleared the horizon, and it looked perfect for filming. At least at this elevation, the heat and humidity weren’t a problem.

  Here, she was unable to receive phone calls from Cope. The cell service was sketchy, and they’d only be able to text. Calls went straight to voice-mail. She’d noticed a message from Cope while she prepped, but couldn’t retrieve it. Dani had texted him to let him know she’d call him when she got home that night.

  Though nervous at the prospect of talking to him, she ached to put her arms around him and feel his lips on hers. Surely, they could figure out a way to stay together. She left the trailer and waved to Ryan, who sat in a director’s chair outside. Karen, an assistant, escorted Dani, and they walked to the clearing where the crew had set up the cameras.

  Ferguson signaled he was ready, so Dani kicked off her ballerina flats and slipped on the high-heeled pumps her poor character was forced to wear. Today, she’d have to run in the damn things, too. In this scene, Felicity escapes from the cabin where she’s being held and is chased through the forest to the edge of a cliff.

  The stand-in would take over for the cliff scene, spending most of her time dangling over the gorge. Dani looked forward to the break she’d get during that time. She planned to nap in her trailer so she’d be able to stay awake when Cope came over later that night. The assistant director approached, holding out a roll of duct tape. Dani sighed and presented her wrists. At least they were binding her hands in front.

  The shoot went well, and when the stand-in took over, Dani exchanged her heels with the ballerina flats for the return walk. “I’ll be in my trailer, Jake.”

  When Ferguson didn’t even glance up, Dani stepped toward him. The woman who’d escorted her from the trailer approached, and Dani grabbed her arm. “Karen, if Jake needs me, I’ll be in my trailer.”

  “I’ll walk you down, Miss Grayson.”

  Dani shook her head. “No, thanks. It’s not far and my bodyguard is right there. Come and get me if Jake needs me again. I’m tired and want to lie down for a bit.”

  “Yes, Miss Grayson.”

  One of the crew called to Karen, and she looked over, giving Dani the opportunity to scurry away. Every moment wasted cut into her precious naptime. She followed the dirt path back to the trailer.

  No one was in sight. Why wasn’t Ryan sitting outside? He was supposed to stay by her trailer during filming, since he wasn’t part of the cast and crew. Everyone else was watching the shoot at the edge of the cliff
.

  “Ryan?” No response. Maybe he’d gone back to the car for something. No doubt he’d be back soon.

  Inside the trailer, Dani went for her water. The glass bottle she used sat on the table, and she unscrewed the cap. Funny. She didn’t remember leaving it sitting out. Dani liked her water cold and kept it in the fridge. She shrugged it off and took a long swallow. Even at room temperature, it was still refreshing.

  Sweat streamed down her back and drenched her underarms. She’d take a shower before lying down though that would mean doing the makeup and wardrobe routine over again. Too bad. They’d just have to deal with it. The dirt and dust coating her suit had worked its way inside, and she was itching as well as sweating.

  Dani peeled off her clothes and turned on the water in the tiny stall at the back of the trailer. She’d have to be quick—the tank was small. The water trickled over her, and she washed her hair and body, frustrated at the low pressure. As she finished rinsing off, wooziness made her brace against the shower walls.

  She turned off the water, stepped from the stall, and staggered toward the bed. Dani’s knees buckled before she reached it. Her muscles weak, she fell onto her face. “Hel—” Couldn’t speak. Vision blurred. Eyes closed. Darkness.

  ***

  No service. Call you when I get home tonight.

  It was the last message Cope received from Dani. He heard nothing from or about her until Katherine called him at work and told him to turn on the news. Cope switched on the TV hanging on the wall in his office and flipped to the news, icy fingers slow and clumsy.

  The scene showed helicopters hovering around the mountain where Dani’s film shoot was. A male voiceover spoke. “John Madden, Miss Grayson’s manager, arrived on the scene and has joined the search. Again, our top story, in progress, is the disappearance of Oscar-winning actress Daniella Grayson from the location of her current movie shoot for Injury 2: Band-Aid Solution. We’ll have more for you as the story develops.”