Genuine Lies

understand why she needs to tell it. However much I might sympathize, my first obligation is to her.”
    “Loyalty is admirable. Even when it’s misplaced. Let me tell you something about Eve. She’s a fascinating woman, one of incredible talent, of deep feelings, of unrelenting strengths. She is also a creature of impulse, one who makes huge life-altering mistakes because of a moment’s passion. She will come to regret this book, but by then it may be too late.” He tossed the cigarette onto the path and crushed it out. “Too late for all of us.”
    Julia let him go. There was no comfort or reassurance she could offer. However much she might sympathize, her allegiance was to Eve. Suddenly weary, she sank down on a marble bench. It was quiet there. The band had switched to“My Funny Valentine,” with the female vocalist crooning. Eve was definitely in an old-fashioned mood. Taking advantage of the solitude and soothing music, Julia tried to reconstruct and evaluate what she had seen and heard thus far.
    As her thoughts drifted, Julia became aware of other voices, farther off in the shrubbery. At first she was annoyed. She wanted only fifteen minutes of peace. Then, as she caught the tone, she was curious. Definitely a man and a woman, she thought. And definitely an argument. Eve perhaps? she wondered, and debated whether to stay or go.
    She heard an oath, sharp and Italian, then a stream of harsh words in the same language, followed by a woman’s bitter weeping.
    Pressing her fingers at her temples and circling them, Julia rose. Leaving was definitely the best course.
    “I know who you are.”
    She saw a woman in shimmering, virginal white stagger onto the path. Julia recognized Gloria DuBarry immediately. Though the weeping had stopped abruptly, the petite and very drunk actress had approached from the opposite direction.
    “Miss DuBarry,” Julia said, and wondered what the hell she was supposed to do now.
    “I know who you are,” Gloria repeated, and stumbled forward. “Eve’s little snitch. Let me tell you something, if you print one word about me, one single word, I’ll sue your ass right off.”
    The virgin queen was drunk as a skunk, Julia noted, and bruising for a fight. “Maybe you should sit down.”
    “Don’t touch me.” Gloria slapped Julia’s hand away, then gripped her arms, nails digging in. She leaned in, and Julia winced more from her breath than her manicure. It wasn’t champagne on Gloria’s breath, but high-grade scotch.
    “You’re doing the touching, Miss DuBarry,” Julia pointed out.
    “Do you know who I am? Do you know what I am? I’m a fucking institution.” Though she weaved as she threw out the words, her fingers were like wires. “Mess with me and you’remessing with motherhood, apple pie, and the goddamn American flag.”
    Julia made one attempt to drag Gloria’s hands from her arms and found the small woman surprisingly strong. “If you don’t let go of me,” Julia said between her teeth, “I’m going to knock you down.”
    “You listen to me.” Gloria gave Julia a shove that nearly sent her over the marble bench. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll forget whatever she’s told you. It’s all lies, all cruel, vicious lies.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “You want money?” Gloria spat out. “Is that it? You want more money. How much? How much do you want?”
    “I want you to leave me alone. If you want to talk to me, we’ll do it when you’re sober.”
    “I’m never drunk.” Eyes ripe with venom, Gloria rapped the heel of her hand between Julia’s breasts. “I’m never fucking drunk and don’t you forget it. I don’t need some slutty snitch Eve hired to tell me I’m drunk.”
    Temper snapped. Julia’s hand swooped out and snatched a fistful of chiffon at Gloria’s throat. “You touch me again, and—”
    “Gloria.” Paul’s voice was quiet as he came down the path. “Aren’t you feeling well?”
    “No.” She turned on tears as automatically as turning on a faucet. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel so weak and shaky.” She buried her face against his jacket. “Where’s Marcus? Marcus will take care of me.”
    “Why don’t I take you into the house so you can lie down? I’ll bring him to you.”
    “I have such a dreadful headache,” she sobbed as Paul led her away.
    He shot Julia a glance over his shoulder. “Sit” was all he said.
    Julia folded her arms over her