Aces and Knaves

your name and a bid—pay later.
    The beautiful people of Los Angeles strolled by, the men in sport coats, the women mostly in black, with varying degrees of décolletage. I mentally compared them to Arrow in her black dress; they all came up lacking.
    I played the part of a circus barker, calling to the strollers and drawing them in. My line was, "Wouldn't you like to own this car?" Many smiled and stopped to look at it. Some bought tickets. A pretty young lady hurried up waving a hundred-dollar bill and purchased five tickets. Cool. Women had never thrown money at me before.
    The dinner started and the guests sat down at the 95 tables. I wandered over to where I could see the stage set up at the V where the two "dining" streets came together. Morgan Freeman, of the movie, Driving Miss Daisy , was the emcee, and he welcomed everybody in his rich, melodious voice. Sherry Lansing, who had been head of Paramount for eight years—since 1992—spoke. Some super-volunteers were being honored. One was a close friend of Rosanna Arquette and Rosanna gave a ringing tribute in her honor. Esther, with the help of her board members, was connected with everybody in the entertainment industry.
    Later, when Rosanna was leaving she walked close by me with an entourage of young women. She was petite—smaller than she appeared on the big screen. Seeing celebrities in person confirmed for me that they really existed and weren't just media creations. But was this proof? Even Mickey Mouse seemed real at Disneyland.
    I found Esther and returned her cell phone. She had a brief chance to relax since the program was going so well. I stayed with her and her team while they discussed the cleanup, which was already starting even though most people hadn't left yet. In the background, a live auction was being conducted, with items such as the use of convention facilities going for five figures.
    A successful evening. I stayed and worked until everything was done. Because we were busy, I didn't talk much to Esther—didn’t have to look her in the eye. When the work was complete I went to her to say goodnight. It was late.
    "You throw a good party," I said.
    "Thanks. And thanks for all your help."
    "You must be exhausted."
    She nodded. The adrenaline had worn off. She didn't invite me to go home with her and I didn't ask. Maybe I should say something.... Somehow the evening wasn't complete. I told myself that there was no reason for me to feel those stabs of guilt about Arrow. I was on the verge of hanging around, looking awkward.
    With an effort I kissed her lightly and headed for my car.

    Chapter 14 THE CRISIS
    I was wakened by a siren. I opened one eye and tried to focus on my bedside clock. Rays of sunlight were seeping in through the drapes. Six-fifteen a.m., Sunday morning. Give me a break. I had only been in bed a few hours.
    The scream of the siren had stopped. I rolled over, determined to return to my interrupted dream. It must have been erotic, judging by my current state of arousal. I think Esther and Arrow were both in it. Before I could get settled I heard the unmistakable sound of a voice coming over a radio. Like a police radio. Coming from the street in front of the castle.
    I was out of bed in a flash. I pulled on a pair of jeans; I slept in a T-shirt. Not bothering with shoes, I opened the door, ran around the pool and then down the side of the house. Before I reached the front yard I saw the red flashes reflecting off the neighbor's house beside me. As I went around the front corner of the castle I saw the red emergency vehicle whose light was flashing, parked on the street.
    Our front gate was open and so was the front door of the castle. Without stopping I ran through the front door. I paused long enough to hear the sounds of voices coming from upstairs. I took the stairs two at a time and only slowed down as I approached the doorway to the master bedroom.
    When I entered the room my view of the king-size bed was partially blocked by a paramedic kneeling beside it, but I could see the head of my father. He was lying on his back, his face was white, his eyes were open and he appeared to be staring at the ceiling.
    The other paramedic was calling for an ambulance on his cell phone. Jacie stood at the foot of the bed in her yellow bathrobe, her hands clasped tightly together. Her blond hair was in the disarray of recent sleep. Luz was standing beside her with her arm around Jacie. Luz also wore a bathrobe and her hair was