Course of Action

by Gun Brooke

  “Look, Annelie, I’m calling for a reason. The security guard where you live called, concerned since a media posse’s set up camp just outside the gates. I’m not sure how they found out where you live.”

  Annelie closed her eyes, stifling a groan. “I guess they have their sources. That’s all I needed,” she murmured. “Thanks for letting me know. Can you get rid of them?”

  “They’re smart enough not to trespass, so we can’t touch them. I know you’ll be in New York a long time, so they’ll probably give up when they realize you’re not here.” Jem paused. “Damn that man. I could wring his fucking neck!”

  “Calm down. I need you to keep your cool. Have they approached any of the companies at your end?”

  “Are you kidding? We’ve been swamped with calls, but so far we’ve told them no comment until the press conference. You okay with that?”

  “Excellent. We’ll fax you the statement Margo’s going to give the press, probably tomorrow. I want you to give a press conference and use her statement. We have to keep a united front. It’s vital to all our projects.”

  “Got it, kiddo. I’ll try to control myself, but you know me. I’m ready to…” Jem was obviously bristling.

  Annelie understood. She heard the doorbell ring and looked up.

  “I’ll get it,” Carolyn said, coming out of the bedroom.

  “Margo’s here. Thanks for calling. Talk to you later, my friend. Take care.”

  Annelie overheard Carolyn greet Margo. “Hi, come on in. Hope you’ve got some good news.”

  “It’s looking up!” Margo’s Irish accent was more obvious than usual. “Where is she?”

  “With our dinner. I just got home.”

  As the two women entered the kitchen, Margo hugged Annelie firmly. “Hello, girlie. How’re you holding up?”

  “Fine. Carolyn’s agreed to move in with me while she’s filming, so that helps.”

  Margo didn’t as much as flinch, though Annelie detected a curious gleam in her eyes. “Sounds like a great arrangement.” She winked at Carolyn. “It’ll be closer for you, won’t it?”

  “Yes, but that’s not the real reason. I just don’t want to be away from her.”

  Oh, my…Carolyn, do you know what you’re saying? Annelie stared at her lover. Carolyn’s unexpected candidness took her breath away. Glancing at Margo, Annelie noticed her pleased smile.

  “I’m glad you’re sticking together. Let’s get dinner on the table so I can let you in on what I’ve found out.”

  While they ate, Margo pulled out a stack of documents and handed them to Annelie.

  “Here’s what I’ve confirmed so far. The media is going nuts, mostly because of the Maddox movies. If things hadn’t happened so close together, the press wouldn’t have cared.”

  “Give me the short version,” Annelie said, glancing reluctantly at the large stack of documents.

  “These affidavits prove your father owed eleven years of child support and didn’t pay a single cent. And his rap sheet includes doing time twice for drug trafficking and several DUIs. These complete telephone listings for your house in Florida and the apartment here prove he’s lying about trying to call you. And no records exist to show he ever tried to reach you at either the Florida office or the law firm.”

  “Good job, Margo,” Annelie offered, feeling some of the weight fall from her shoulders. “Anything else?”

  “Copies of documents when your mother filed for sole custody of you. You were ten, and that’s when she quit hoping he’d ever return, if I remember right. She wouldn’t say a bad word about him, not even after the court awarded her full custody, Annie. I’d sometimes go off on a rant, but then she’d look at me with those mild blue eyes and remind me that you’re his daughter. Without him, she wouldn’t have you. Honest to God, girlie, she was a saint.”

  What would I have done without her silent strength? Annelie suddenly remembered the way her mother’s hand had felt against the back of her head, one of her rare caresses. After she died, I didn’t think I could survive without her. More than fifteen years but, to this day, I miss her. Oh, Mother…

  Anna Clint had worked two jobs to support them while Annelie finished high school but had died just before her graduation. “Yes, she was a saint, in a lot of ways,” Annelie said. “I don’t think she ever raised her voice to me.”

  “You never gave her a reason, child. Not that you didn’t exasperate her, always with your nose in a book or watching your favorite soap on TV—not getting enough sunlight according to your mom.” Margo wrinkled her nose at Annelie and winked at Carolyn. “I don’t have to tell you which soap it was, do I?”

  “No, I can guess.” Carolyn smiled. “But I’m not complaining.”

  “Yes, if she hadn’t been completely starstruck with you then—who knows where the two of you would be now?”

  “Hey, stop talking about me like I’m not here,” Annelie grumbled good-naturedly. “Margo, is this enough to discredit my…father?”

  “More than discredit him, girlie. This isn’t simple mudslinging. Stuart Clint’s trying to damage your reputation. By the way, several organizations you’re working with have sent supportive e-mails and telegrams, Annelie.”

  “I’ve had several e-mails too. I hope they feel the same way when all this is over.”

  Margo nodded. “I’m sure they will. The custody papers help prove that Stuart refused to provide for you after you were seven. Even before that, your mother was the one who put food on the table. I know, because I was there and watched her stay up sewing till after midnight every night after she’d worked all day at her real job clerking at the courthouse. And what’s more, he’s never tried to contact you. This’ll blow him right out of the water, sweetie.”

  “Some facts remain,” Annelie objected, her voice almost betraying her. “He lives in poverty. He’s on disability. In spite of everything, he’s still my father.”

  Margo frowned. “You don’t owe him anything.”

  “No, maybe not, but it wouldn’t cost me much to get him into a program and buy him a decent home.”

  Carolyn exchanged glances with Margo. “You’ve got plenty of time to think about that after the press conference. By the way, when is it?”

  “Tomorrow at three in the conference room at the office. I’ll just stick to these facts. Then the ball’s in Stuart’s court. I also have our investigator digging for more information. He promised he’d be through by Thursday, at the latest.”

  Shuffling the food aimlessly around her plate, Annelie looked uneasy. “Sounds like you’ve got everything covered,” she murmured. “I appreciate it, Margo. It’s just…”

  “Yes, I know.” Margo reached for Annelie’s hand and patted it. “I know, girlie.”

  Margo and Carolyn chatted while they finished their meal. Annelie gave up trying to eat any more. Listening to the other women talk, she leaned back in her chair and heard the familiar sound of her mother’s voice in the far distance. After all, he is your father, Annie.

  *

  The women on the couch listened to jazz vocalist Diana Krall and watched two logs burn in the fireplace.

  Carolyn sat sideways, her back against the armrest and her legs cradling Annelie’s body. Lost in thought, she combed through long, silky hair with slow fingers. To relax like this, holding Annelie in her arms, was almost unfathomable. Surreal. Carolyn inhaled the citrus scent of Annelie’s shampoo. She’s so quiet tonight. I hate to see her suffer. If I could get my hands on this son of a bitch, I’d…I’d do anything to protect her. Before she left, Margo asked me to look after her and, damn it, I will.

  Annelie raised her head. “Carolyn?”

  Pulled out of her dark thoughts regarding Stuart Clint, Carolyn glanced down at her lover, her expression transforming into a soft smile. “Yes, love?”

  “Are you sure you’re comfortable? Feels like I’m crushing you.”

  “I’m more than comfortable. Lay your head back down.”

  As Annelie re
sted her head on Carolyn’s shoulder again, Carolyn kissed her lover’s temple, transfixed by the clean smell of lemons. “This feels so good. Can you relax?”

  “Uh-huh. I’m finally getting warm.”

  “Great. You’re not shivering anymore. A good sign.”

  “I liked helping you unpack earlier, but what do you think I enjoyed the most?”

  “What?”

  “Watching you put the little photos of your sister and her family, and John, on the bedside table.” There was a brief silence. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Anything.”

  “Things are moving so fast. Do you have any second thoughts about our relationship? Maybe feel I’m more than you bargained for? I’d understand if you do.”

  Carolyn gently tipped Annelie’s chin back so she could look into her eyes. “Listen to me, love. Of all the places I could be right now, I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be. Holding you, cuddling you by the fire like this is simply marvelous. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met, and you’re handling this situation so well. I’m honored you’ve let me in. I love you.”

  Tears welled up in Annelie’s eyes but remained unshed as she clung to Carolyn, turning on her side and burying her face at the base of Carolyn’s neck.

  “I love you too. I guess I just needed to be reassured. Again.”

  “As many times as it takes, love. I’m all yours.”

  Carolyn could feel Annelie swallow hard. “Yes.”

  Pulling the blanket tighter around them, Carolyn nuzzled her lover’s hair. “Close your eyes and relax. I’ve got you.”

  A slight tremor reverberated through Annelie before she let go.

  *

  “All right, let’s see…Helen, wrap your arms around Carolyn from behind. Yes, like that. Carolyn, some more of that gorgeous smile. Good. You love her. Show it.”

  The camera clicked several times as Hernandez, the young, dark-haired photographer, shot the cast in different groupings.

  “We need them closer together. They’re a couple, after all,” the director, Regina Carmichael, told Hernandez.

  “Okay then, let’s do it this way,” he said. “Carolyn, turn your head a little toward Helen. Yes, that’s it. Keep looking at the camera. Helen, look at Carolyn. Good.”

  “Now we need a picture of them embracing,” Regina decided.

  “All right. How about the scene at the office?”

  “Oh, God, the scene,” Helen murmured behind Carolyn. “The one the Maddox fans are all dying to know how we’ll pull off.”

  “We can’t hide like we did in the audio version,” Carolyn whispered back, trying to keep from snickering at Helen’s dry tone of voice.

  “How about a black background, a wooden desk and chair, perhaps a silhouette of a window behind them, with a pale moon outside?” Hernandez suggested. “I can easily put the window and the moon in digitally.”

  “Sounds excellent.” Regina nodded. “Try it. We need these photos for the convention in L.A. Saturday.”

  “Got it.” Hernandez had his assistants set the scene, then called the actresses back. “Okay, ladies, how about if we try this…” He guided Helen’s right arm, arranging it to support her as he made her lean back slightly. “Like this,” he continued, taking Helen’s other hand and placing it just below Carolyn’s right shoulder. “It can either look like you’re holding Maddox back or wanting to pull her closer. Tip your head back, Helen. That’s it. Carolyn, look at her lips, not her eyes. Great.”

  The camera clicked as Hernandez took a series of pictures. Carolyn looked at Helen’s mouth and suddenly saw Annelie’s full lips, knowing so well how they tasted as they parted beneath hers and how they felt against every inch of her body. Feeling her cheeks blush and her eyes narrow, Carolyn held her breath.

  “Wow, brilliant, Carolyn. That look’s just what I need. Now, Helen, look at Carolyn. Yes. That’s it. Good.” When he was satisfied, Hernandez unfastened his camera. “Great work. Thanks, ladies.”

  Regina joined them, waving Helen and Carolyn over. “We’ll start tabletop rehearsals tomorrow and take all next week. That’s it for today.”

  Carolyn couldn’t wait to see Annelie, since the press conference was probably over. She worried about how it had affected her, knowing how she despised being in the spotlight. Pulling out her cell phone, she walked back to the makeup room with Harvey and Helen.

  “How’s Annelie doing?” Helen asked in a low voice.

  “As well as can be expected. As for the whole sordid thing…I don’t know. Margo Dillon was confident about the outcome, but you never can tell.”

  “Just tell Annelie I said hi, and that all of us know her father’s lying.”

  Carolyn’s expression softened. “Thanks, Helen. I’ll tell her. Right now, as a matter of fact.” She pressed the speed dial on her phone.

  When Annelie finally answered, she sounded out of breath. “Hello?”

  “Annie, are you okay? What’s up?”

  “I’m fine. I was swimming.”

  “I wanted to make sure you’re okay. How did the press conference go?”

  “Well, first of all, both E! News and CNN covered it. Margo did great, though—she questioned the media’s ability and willingness to research the situation. When she gave them copies of her documentation, you could hear a pin drop.”

  “I bet she gave them hell. She’s a champ. Want to stay in tonight?”

  “I don’t know. A part of me wants to go out and show the world I don’t care. The truth is…I do care.” Carolyn could hear Annelie take a deep breath. “He’s my father.”

  “I’ll be home soon. We can talk about it then. Helen and Harvey send their best. They’re rooting for you, love.”

  “Tell them hi and I’ll see them Friday. I’ll send them more details about the flight to L.A. tomorrow.”

  “Okay.”

  As Carolyn hung up, she hoped Helen hadn’t heard the term of endearment. She smiled carefully and relayed the information.

  “Great. Gregory told me Annelie’s chartered a private jet.”

  “I think so.” Carolyn grinned. “She doesn’t want to waste any time. Also, I may be on Jay Leno Friday evening. They’ve asked the PR people several times. Since we’re in town…” She shrugged.

  Helen looked at her sympathetically as they walked into makeup. “Rather you than me.” She grimaced. “I find those short, gimmicky interviews pretty unnerving.”

  “I don’t mind,” Carolyn said. “I rather enjoy sparring with those self-centered comedians.”

  Carolyn walked behind a screen and in no time was transformed from Maddox into her own slacks-and-denim-shirt self.

  “You ready, Helen?”

  Walking out toward the busy street to find their waiting chauffeurs, Carolyn turned to Helen. “I appreciate your loyalty to Annelie. She’s going through a tough time.”

  “But she has you.” Helen’s voice was soft. “You’re not your usual competitive self around her. I might even suspect you really like her if I didn’t know you better.”

  Carolyn blushed faintly and was careful not to reveal too much. “Well, what if I do? It wouldn’t hurt my image too much, would it? She’s an amazing woman.”

  Helen laughed, put an arm around Carolyn’s shoulders, and squeezed. “That she is, honey. That she is.”

  *

  Annelie looked down at the lithe form gliding through the water like an eel. Carolyn had used the endless swimming pool almost every day. Annelie checked her watch and realized her lover had lost track of time again, since she didn’t have to count laps in this pool.

  She flipped the off switch, watching the water stop and the body in the black swimsuit reach the wall unexpectedly, then sink below the surface.

  Spluttering, Carolyn emerged, glaring at Annelie. “Good Lord, are you trying to drown me? All of a sudden the current was gone and…” She coughed. “Stop laughing, woman.”

  Annelie tried her best to get rid of the grin on her fa
ce. “Sorry.”

  “No you’re not. What’s up?”

  “Nothing, other than you’ve been swimming for more than forty-five minutes straight. Look, you’re shivering.”

  Carolyn looked down at her waterproof watch and her trembling arms with genuine surprise. “Oh. All right. I better come out, then.”

  Annelie watched her move toward the ladder and then noticed that her arms were so weak she couldn’t climb it.

  “Here, let me help.” She extended a hand and Carolyn grabbed it but slipped and fell back into the water. It only took Annelie a second to realize Carolyn’s watch clasp was hooked on the end of her sleeve, pulling her down too. Water closed over Annelie’s head as she fell in, fully dressed.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, are you okay?” Carolyn gasped in a throaty voice laced with mirth when she surfaced.

  Annelie pushed the drenched hair out of her face. “I think so.” She coughed. “Was this revenge?”

  “Not really.” Carolyn tucked Annelie’s dripping hair behind her ears. “It was an accident. You look delicious in semitransparent clothes, though.”

  Annelie, obviously braless, glanced down at her shirt. “God.” Looking back up at Carolyn, she immediately felt warmed inside by the mischievous gleam in her lover’s eyes. “You like that, eh?”

  “Mmm.” Carolyn pulled Annelie closer, nuzzling her neck. “Delicious.”

  “I’d stay here and explore this unexpected use of the pool, but you’re still shivering, Carolyn. We better get you into a hot shower.”

  “Or bath. Together.”

  “Could be arranged. Hey. Let’s not undress in the pool.”

  “All right, Annie. If you say so.”

  “What do you mean, all right? Did you think I wouldn’t see my shirt floating away from me?”

  “Don’t worry. You can get it later. It won’t get far.”

  *

  Darkness settled around them, only a small night-light casting a faint glow. Carolyn relaxed against Annelie who, as usual, curled up behind her, warming her back, one hand on Carolyn’s hip.