“Perfect.” Maybe she wouldn’t be able to display it, but it was enough to have a genuine piece of art from Leviathan.
Chapter 46
The announcement that The Blastoffs had not been renewed for a second season came as filming was winding down on the eighteenth and final episode, so there was no opportunity to officially end the show. The most they could manage was a musical number of the theme song “Blasting Off!”, followed by the cast and crew waving farewell.
—SATURDAY MORNING SPREE BY CHARLES M. LUCE
TILDA checked out of her room around ten the next morning, though she wasn’t quite ready to leave. She was taking a load of luggage out to her car when she saw Greg Dickson sitting disconsolately on the hotel veranda. She ignored him when she walked by the first time, but on the trip back, she relented. If he hadn’t made such a pest of himself, she might not have realized Laryea’s real height, and if he hadn’t posted that photo of himself and Wilder on his website, she might not have figured out that the guy wasn’t really Posit. So maybe she ought to throw him a bone.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey. Look, I want to apologize about what I said the other day. It was totally uncalled for and unprofessional, and I can’t believe I said it.”
“I can’t say that I expected professional behavior from you.”
He winced, but didn’t object.
“On a personal level,” she added, “it was definitely uncalled for and I can’t believe you said it, either. Still, I know how frustrating it is to try to get a story or picture and not be able to. If you still want Laryea’s picture—”
“You know I do!”
“Then I’ve got a suggestion.”
She raided the first aid kit in her car and borrowed more supplies from the inn to perform a little special effects magic. Then she consulted Nick to find out that Laryea was in the dining room, and got him to agree to let Dickson sit on a couch in the lobby.
After a few minutes’ wait, Laryea and Sebastian came out of the dining room and headed for the elevator.
“Mr. Laryea!” Dickson said loudly. “Do you have time for a picture before you go?”
Laryea turned toward him as Sebastian moved into defense mode, ready to block Dickson until his boss could escape.
Following Tilda’s instructions, Dickson said, “I’m sorry I can’t get up, but with my foot . . .” He gestured at his right foot, which was wrapped in three packages’ worth of ACE bandages.
Tilda hoped neither Laryea nor Sebastian knew enough about medicine to recognize what a lousy job she’d done, but everything she knew about medicine came from watching reruns of House and Doogie Howser, MD.
Laryea flashed his multimillion-dollar smile. “Of course, I’d be happy to. Sebastian, would you mind?”
Sebastian accepted the camera from Dickson, and took a picture of Laryea standing next to the seated Dickson. The camera was returned, hands were shaken, and everybody was happy.
As soon as the elevator door shut behind Laryea and Sebastian, Dickson started unwrapping his foot. “Tilda, that was brilliant! What made you think of it?”
“I read that Laryea was briefly confined to a wheelchair, so I thought an injury might get his attention.” Of course, it wasn’t the real reason, but it was semitruthful. In one of the episodes of The Blastoffs, Laryea’s character got a laser burn or some such and had to zoom around in a space wheelchair. Tilda seemed to recall that it was rocket powered.
“Well, I owe you one.”
“Yes, you do, and I always collect on owed favors.”
Chapter 47
Though there is a satisfying climax at the end of Pharos, there is also a sense that while Dylan O’Taine may be bruised, he has not been defeated. The last panel, with O’Taine standing at the top of the lighthouse to look out to sea, convinces the reader that he is still there, guarding the border between the ocean and the walking world.
—TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA ARTISTS: THE BEST OF INDIE COMICS BY JERRY FRAZEE
TILDA made the rounds, saying good-bye to people and exchanging e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Eventually she caught up with Nick, who was staring out the window, watching the ocean. It was a gray, windy day, making for a gloomy sight. Nick’s expression matched the weather perfectly.
“Dude, what’s the matter? We caught the bad guy and confirmed that when it comes to judging people, your father is still undefeated. You should be planning your victory trip to Disney World.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s all good, but . . . I just got a text from Cynthia. She dumped me. She dumped me in a freaking text message.”
“Wow,” Tilda said in a monotone. “What a bitch. Who would ever do something that cold?”
When Nick glared at her, she couldn’t stop the giggles. That made him glare more ferociously, and of course, that made her laugh even harder. A minute later he gave up the fight and joined in.
“Okay, it was karma biting me in the ass,” he said.
“Yes it was, but I’m still sorry it didn’t work out. I hate to see a friend get his heart broken.”
“Well, I can’t say my heart is broken.”
“I thought you and she were pretty serious.”
“I thought so, too, when we were together, but distance didn’t make the heart grow fonder.”
“Shall I spout the usual platitudes? She wasn’t good enough for you. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. Who wants to be tied down anyway, unless it’s with leather straps?”
“I don’t think I recognize that last one.”
“Really? It’s very common in these parts.”
“Seriously though, maybe it’s for the best. The fact is, I’ve really enjoyed spending time with you these past couple of weeks. Do you think maybe we could take up where we left off?”
“What do I look like? Rebound Rita?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Could I call you? Maybe in a week or two?”
“If anybody is going to do any calling, it’ll be me.”
“Fair enough. But I hope you do call.” He grinned. “It would make Pop extremely happy.”
Speaking of whom, Dom appeared on the other side of the lobby and called to Nick. Nick hesitated, then leaned over to give Tilda the briefest of kisses before going to join his father. She watched him walk away, which was a striking reminder of his shapeliness from that angle. In fact, she was pretty sure he was strutting just a bit, to make sure she noticed.
“Asshole,” she said affectionately. “You probably think I’m going to call you as soon as I get home.” She’d show him. She’d wait until the next day.
It was time for her to head back to Malden—the guinea pigs, dogs, cats, and other assorted pets that inhabited her house must be missing her terribly. Well, maybe not the snake.
One of the Tolomeo limos was parked outside, with Pete standing at attention by the door.
“Isn’t this where we came in?” she asked him.
“I think so. I’m taking Laryea back to the airport.”
“Drive safely.”
“I always do.”
Sebastian came out, leading a phalanx of bellmen, and officiously supervised as they loaded the luggage. Then Laryea himself came up to Tilda.
“I haven’t thanked you for what you did.” He went for the air-kiss, but when his mouth was right by her ear, he added, “and for what you haven’t done.”
“John, it has been a pleasure meeting a big star like you.”
He smiled.
“You know,” she said, “most of the time I write about people who used to be famous, folks that are long out of the spotlight. So I just want to say that I hope I never have a reason to interview you again.”
“Thank you, but if you ever need anything, call me. Better yet, call Sebastian. I know how fond he is of you.”
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, but did nod before climbing into the back of the limo. Laryea started to get in, too. Then he stopped, and for the first time Tilda could remember, reall
y looked at Pete. Then he opened the door to the front seat and said, “I’d like to ride up here with you, if that’s okay.”
“Whatever you want,” Pete said, and closed the back door on Sebastian’s indignation.
Laryea got inside, but before he shut the door, Tilda heard him say, “Are we ready to blast off?”
“Blasting off, bro!” Pete replied.
And the Blastoff brothers took off once again.
Berkley Prime Crime titles by Toni L. P. Kelner
CURSE OF THE KISSING COUSINS
WHO KILLED THE PINUP QUEEN?
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Blast from the Past Page 23
