Harvey held out his hands, palms flat to calm her. “Of course I will, Maggie. It may take a little time, and I’ll need some money upfront — ”
“Of course you do, whatever you need. You want the best, you pay for the best.”
Harvey nodded, ignoring Danny and Jonathan’s disapproving glare. “I’m always at your disposal, Maggie.”
Margaret smiled, for the first time in Danny’s recent recollection. “God bless you, Harvey.”
“I guess we gotta do what we gotta do,” Danny said, shaking his head as the three rode the elevator down to the subterranean parking lot. “But why him?”
“I trust him,” Margaret said, “he was a friend of your father’s.”
“He’s a sleazebag,” Danny said, “I can’t believe you don’t see that.”
“Probably just what the job requires,” Jonathan said, turning to Margaret. “Though I gotta say, I also think we can do better.”
“I don’t give a shit what you think,” Margaret said. “We go to somebody outside the family, we risk scandal, and until we know what Amy’s up to, we can’t risk that. We’ve got hundreds of millions of dollars in play, boys. We’ve got overseas partners, deals in the works. Too much information in the wrong hands could scare off investors, wipe out our stock prices … no. We have to keep this in-house.”
Danny asked, “But what make you think we can trust him?”
“Whenever I need somebody, I go to Harvey. He’s never let me down before.”
Danny didn’t have to give it too much thought. “Maybe we should just leave her alone.” Reading Margaret and Jonathan’s harsh stares, Danny explained, “Amy’s a smart girl. She can handle herself. It’s wrong to keep hovering around her like this.”
Margaret repeated, “It’s wrong? It’s necessary, Daniel, you know that!”
“Do I? Didn’t you hear yourself up there, Mom? You’re just mad that she’s defying you.”
Jonathan said, “That’s enough, Danny.”
“No, Jono,” Danny said, “it’s not nearly enough.” Turning back to their mother, Danny went on, “Mom, you’ve done a great job stepping up after Dad died; with DeyCo, and keeping the family together. I know how hard it was for you to lose him, to face life without him and everything that went along with it, how frightening it was in those few days when we didn’t know what was going to happen — ”
Jonathan warned, “Stop, Dan.”
But Danny went on, “But now, all these years later, you can’t keep micromanaging everything and everyone. The company, the family, yourself too; it’s okay to loosen the reins a bit, Mom. It may even be … necessary.”
A troubled quiet filled the elevator before the doors slid open and Margaret stepped out into the subterranean parking lot, Danny and Jonathan on her heels. She handed the valet the ticket, standing in a long, simmering silence.
Finally, Margaret looked the two of them over, her face seeming to age years in just those few seconds. “You two are getting a bit uppity for my taste. You really should think about your futures.”
Jonathan was quick to say, “It’s not me, Mom, it’s Danny. If you have confidence in Harvey Cox, so do I. You haven’t let us down yet.”
Nice ass-kissing, Danny thought and wanted to say, though he didn’t. And he knew why. It sickened him, but it failed to inspire him to take a stand.
Margaret turned to Danny, her face bent in a mask of mean expectation. Jonathan joined her, the two of them staring Danny down. Finally, he threw up a defeated shrug. “Hey, whatever. I’m just trying to help.”
Jonathan said, “Then try harder and talk less.”
Danny retired to his bong in the pool house, looking at the double-decker pool, quiet and unused, the waterfall trickling. Danny couldn’t shake his melancholy, the pot only making him more reflective and more despondent.
Poor kid, Danny couldn’t help but think. They’ll never let her be happy. And what’s worse, they’re driving her to some extreme or another, hiding out and lying, running around in secret. Mom’s right, something is going on; but that’s our fault, not Amy’s.
Maybe I should tell her, let her know they’re spying on her, sending that sleazy private investigator after her. I should tell Isla and let Isla tell her.. do something!
But caution stopped Danny in his imagined tracks.
No, not caution, Danny instantly knew, fear; fear and laziness. They’ll cut her off, Margaret and Jonathan will cut her off without a penny. They may think it’s for her own protection, they might make a big show of that, but it isn’t about that at all. Neither one of them want to be defied or denied, not by Amy or me or by anybody. It’s as much a power trip for them as it is a campaign to keep Amy safe. They may not be ready to admit it, but I know they can see it. They know I’m right.
But they know things too, Danny had to admit to himself. They know they could cut me off too, and will. They’ve got the lawyers, the company, the paperwork. I never gave a shit about those things and now they have me over a barrel just like they do Amy.
Danny took another long toke, the smoke burning and dizzying and sending that trembling thrill through his body. But the deliberate haze soon disappeared and left a piercing focus on truths Danny could no longer avoid or deny.
No wonder Amy and I always got along. It wasn’t just because we were the two youngest, not just because we’re not running the family the way Mom and Jonathan are. We have more in common than that.
We’re both kept, like pets, led around like cattle. But Amy had the good sense to resist it, to see how dehumanizing and humiliating it is. She has the spirit, at least, the moxie to want to change it. I was happy enough just to sit and wallow in my own bong water …
Danny looked at the glass bong in his hand, dirty water, stained and smudged and filthy, stinking.
Danny pulled his arm back and hurled the bong across the yard, water spilling out as the thing disappeared somewhere in the posh landscaping on the other side of the upper pool.
I should tell her. I should find out where she is and tell her what’s going on … before something terrible happens.
Chapter 22
Amy
“You got the part? That’s amazing news!” Amy threw herself into Camden’s arms, savoring his strength and power as he lifted her off the floor, legs bending up and back, her arms wrapped around his neck. She kissed him deep and hard, her excitement pumping through her and into him. Amy didn’t have much doubt that Camden himself would soon be doing the same thing in a whole other way.
She looked around his little apartment living room. “You see? A person doesn’t need a mansion or any of that stuff, all that advantage. For some of us, it just holds us back. But you, Cam, you worked hard for it, you sacrificed, you earned it and it came to you. I’m so happy for you, Cam, so proud.”
She kissed him again, tongues wrestling, foreheads bumping, heat surging through her. “So hot … ”
They kissed a little more before she settled in his embrace, face resting against his chest. He smiled and said, “I just hope I don’t make an ass out of myself.”
“You’ll be brilliant, I know it. Let’s celebrate!” Amy's eyes widened with excitement.
He cracked a smile. “Seems like I’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
“All the better,” Amy said, unable to contain her glee or restrain her smile. “Let’s take a trip. Let’s go to the cabin! It’ll be like our special place!”
Camden gave it some thought. “Funny you should bring that up. I think it’s time I stopped working for Longshadows. I was really only doing it to get by. And, well, now that I met you, anyway … ”
Another long kiss silenced his awkward stammering, and he returned it with vigor. The sexual tension rose between them, an invisible energy that grew stronger with every passing second, each breath only heightening the pitch of Amy’s desire.
Amy was struggling to play it cool, not show too much of her overwhelming excitement. First the movie, she thought, now h
e’s quitting that job, and he says it’s because of me?
Amy said, “Well, if that’s the way you feel, I’ll respect it. How about a weekend in Paris?”
“Paris? You mean … the casino in Vegas?”
“No, silly, Paris! I’ll put it on my black card.”
Camden chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, that … that sounds amazing, Amy, and I’d love it, really, but I dunno … ”
She pouted in the way that always used to charm her father. “Oh, c’mon, you’re not one of those macho men who has to pay for everything, are you?”
It was a question Camden had obviously never had the opportunity to ask himself. But the truth of the matter was clear. “I’ll be bringing in plenty of money after this shoot.”
“You got that right,” Amy said, kissing him again and relishing the sheer joy of it, the guiltless, guileless pleasure of his company. Her cheeks were almost hurting from her perpetual smile.
“Hey,” she said, almost not even recognizing her own voice, “we should get married!”
“Married? Amy, we practically just met — ”
“I don’t care. Can’t you feel the energy, the positivity? Your career’s taking off, I feel better than I’ve felt in my whole life! That’s not just some coincidence. Don’t tell me you don’t feel it.”
“No, I do, of course I do, I … I just can’t believe you feel it too, that you’d want to marry me in the first place. Amy, I get that your family’s really done a number on you and that we really feel strongly about each other … I feel the same way about you, Amy, more than I’ve ever felt about anybody.”
“Then let’s just do it!”
Camden couldn’t seem to help from chuckling, his hands gently resting on Amy’s arms. “Amy, slow down! I don’t want you to rush into anything, especially considering, y’know, how we met. That’s powerful stuff, and it’s easy to fall in love with the myth — ”
“The role.”
“Yeah.”
“But what we had … it was more than just role play, more than just that weekend.”
“That’s right, Amy, it was. That’s why we want to be careful and not ruin it. You know, these shoots, Hollywood, it destroys relationships. The long hours … ”
“The pretty co-stars.” Amy’s beaming smile quickly disappearing. This seemed to take Camden by surprise, but Amy’s certainty was already growing. “You just want to be single now that you’re gonna be some big star. Why settle for me when you can go around kidnapping all the hottest girls in Hollywood?”
But Camden was quick to say, “No, Amy, that’s not it at all.”
“It’s okay, Cam,” said, trying to disguise the quiver in her own voice. “You don’t have to explain. Like you said, we practically just met.” She walked quickly for the door, the heat in her body replaced with an icy cold, thick nausea turning in her stomach as the door seemed to come racing up to meet her.
“Amy, I’m sorry,” Camden said.
But she was quick with, “No, Cam, I’m the one who’s sorry.” The door swung open in front of her and she didn’t even bother to slam it closed behind her.
Amy dropped herself down onto Isla’s couch, one hand pressed against her forehead. “How could I be so stupid? God, Isla, you should have seen the expression on his face!”
Isla crossed back from the kitchen, a cold beer in each hand. She handed both to Amy, who cracked the first open a took a big chug.
“It’s not your fault, Amy.”
“Of course it is, Isla, it’s all my fault! I should never have fallen for him in the first place. God, what an idiot!”
Isla tucked one corner of her mouth into her cheek, brushing her black hair behind her ear. “Anybody would have gotten carried away, Amy. Especially, well … ”
This caught Amy’s attention, but it didn't surprise her. “Because I’m so sheltered? Because I’m immature?”
“Amy, you’re a college graduate — ”
“Who else would fall in love with a guy like that but some shallow dummy? Just goes to show what happens when you lock a girl up in a tower her whole life. Jeez, maybe they were right to be looking after me the way they did. I’m obviously not capable of making these decisions for myself.”
“Amy — ”
“I asked him to marry me? Isla, I couldn’t even believe it myself! We’ve only had those few dates, and the first one was, well, it wasn't just dinner and a movie, as you know. Then he gets the role that’ll launch his career … and I ask him to marry me! Stupid, stupid, stupid … ” Amy shook her head and sucked down the rest of her first beer. Isla could only sit stunned as Amy handed her the empty bottle. “Can I have another?” Isla just glanced at the beer already in Amy’s other hand. “Oh, right, thanks.”
“Okay, well, maybe it wasn’t the slickest move of all time. But first of all, you should re-evaluate yourself. You’re gorgeous, young, and ridiculously wealthy. Didn’t you say he was a poor boy from New Jersey or something?”
“Boston, his father was a beat cop.”
“Well, there you go. Guy like that, he’s got to be the one to propose, ya know? He’s bound to be old-fashioned. You never know what the guy’s really thinking. And if he doesn’t want to marry you, he’ll regret it. HBO? Big deal. Wait a minute, doesn't your family own HBO?” Amy shook her head, but she couldn’t help but chuckle. “So buy it then, that’ll show him!” Their laughter rose, Isla leaning forward to give her a reassuring nuzzle.
Chapter 23
Danny
Amy was upstairs in her room, the door closed. She barely appeared over the past day or two, but when she did her mood was obvious; her slumped posture, not coming down for dinner, grunting one-word answers to even the most cheerful questions.
“She’s depressed again,” Danny said from one of the two chairs in front of his mother’s desk in the study. “How’s the PI doin’?”
“Nothing yet,” Margaret said. “But don’t underestimate him. The man’s extremely resourceful.”
“Maybe he was,” Danny said. “But that’s a guy past his prime, I’m tellin’ ya.”
“Drop it,” Margaret said, “I’m telling you.”
Danny held his hands up, flat palms out. “I don’t even think we need him anymore, that’s all I’m saying. With Amy shuffling around here as usual, I’d say we don’t have anything to worry about. If she was doing something fun, heaven forbid, it’s over now. Guess she got dumped, whoever he was.”
Jonathan huffed. “Yeah, right. If she was dating some guy, there’s no way he dumped her.”
Danny looked at Jonathan, long and hard. “We gotta do something. She could be suicidal.”
“I’d send her to a thousand therapists if I thought she’d go,” Margaret said.
“Maybe we should have an intervention. She is drinking a bit more these days. And who knows, a few months in one of those places, a nice one, I mean, that could give her time to look into these other … issues she’s dealing with.”
“Other issues,” Danny repeated, “you mean us?” Of Jonathan and Margaret’s confusion offense, Danny explained, “I told you we were driving her over the edge. If she’s drinking or depressed or sneaking around, that’s on us.” Jonathan rolled his eyes and shook his head, so Danny went on, “I’m not against the shrink thing, I’m not. But what I am saying is, y’know, maybe we should think about family therapy.”
Margaret leaned forward in her chair, brows twitching. “You think we need therapy?”
“Maybe we do, maybe not. It couldn’t hurt though, right? We might have things which could come to the surface, clear the air a bit. And if we’re gonna send Amy in, I think it would be a nice gesture, you know, of support, show her we’re with her a hundred percent.”
Margaret and Jonathan glanced at one another, then back at Danny. Jonathan said, “You’ve been hitting the bong quite a bit lately yourself, Danny.”
“Among other things,” Margaret said, raising a martini glass to her lips.
Jonath
an said, “Maybe it’s time for you both to take some time off.”
Margaret said, “If you go together, you could support one another.”
Jonathan nodded. “I’d like to think she’s got somebody nearby anyway.”
“Hey, hey now, hold on,” Danny said. “I’m not going into one of those places, neither is Amy. First thing that happens, they plow you up the butt.”
“Not the high-class places,” Jonathan said with a smile that was calm as it was fake. “You know we’d never send you or Amy anywhere you wouldn’t be safe.”
“Amy's safety has always been our only concern,” Margaret said. “But I suppose we were so worried about her that we forgot about you.”
Danny sat there with a cold knot tightening in his belly, sweat gathering in his palms. “Alright, look, take it easy, okay? I’m fine, alright? Whatever you wanna do, I’m fine with it. I’m just saying — ”
Jonathan snapped, “What, Daniel? What were you just sayin’?”
But a long, mean quiet wrapped around Danny, enough to strangle the breath out of him, and very nearly his life.
“Nothin’,” Danny finally said, slumping even further into his chair, “I wasn’t sayin’ nothin’.”
After the meeting, Danny went down to fix himself a ham sandwich. But the food seemed unappealing, his hands slow to move. Danny wasn’t tricked by his own distraction. If he was hungry for anything, it was for some fairness for his sister, and some self-respect.
They’re not really going to try to put her away, are they? They couldn’t be that cold-blooded.
But he already knew the answer to that. Margaret and Jonathan were so caught up in their own power trips and weird Freudian co-dependence, Danny knew they were capable of just about anything, and they were ready to justify their actions in a way that would satisfy both of them, even if it ruined Amy and Danny’s lives forever.
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