Genuine Lies

decided to retire.”
    “I thought you’d had a disagreement.”
    “We did, but he was a top-notch assistant for me.” She took a towel from Fritz and blotted her face. “He didn’t have a very high opinion of my husband. Husband number four to be exact. And, I found it difficult to forgive Kenneth for being so right.” She shrugged and tossed the towel aside. “We decided it would be best to sever our professional relationship,and, a frugal soul, he had more than enough to retire in style. Are you going alone?”
    “Yes, I should be back by five. CeeCee’s going to watch Brandon after school. There’s a commuter flight that leaves at noon.”
    “Nonsense. You’ll take my plane. Nina will arrange it.” She waved a hand before Julia could speak. “It’s just sitting there. This way you can come and go as suits you. That should appeal to that streak of practicality.”
    “Actually it does. Thank you. I’d also like to talk to you about Gloria DuBarry. She’s been dodging my phone calls.”
    Eve bent down to rub at her calf, so her expression was veiled. But the hesitation, though brief, was obvious. “I wondered if you’d mention your little … altercation with her.”
    Julia lifted a brow. “It doesn’t seem necessary. As you said, you know everything.”
    “Yes.” She was smiling as she straightened, but Julia thought she detected a trace of strain. “We’ll talk later, about Gloria and other things. I imagine if you try her again, she’ll be more cooperative.”
    “All right. Then there’s Drake—”
    “Don’t worry about Drake right now,” Eve interrupted. “Who else have you interviewed?”
    “Your agent, though we had to cut it short. I’m, going to be talking with her again. I managed a brief phoner with Michael Torrent. He called you the last of the goddesses.”
    “He would,” Eve muttered, and wished almost violently for a cigarette.
    Julia grunted as her muscles trembled. “Anthony Kincade refuses, flatly, to speak to me, but Damien Priest was excessively polite and evasive.” She rattled off a list of names, impressive enough to have Eve’s brows rising.
    “You don’t let the grass grow under your feet, do you, darling?”
    “I still have a ways to go. I’d hoped you’d help clear the path for me to Delrickio.”
    “No, that I won’t do. And I’ll ask you to give him a wideberth. At least for the time being. Fritz, don’t wear the girl out.”
    “I don’t wear out,” he told Eve. “I build up.”
    Eve went off to shower while Julia suffered through power squats. By the time she was finished, Nina appeared.
    “You’re all set.” Nina flipped open a notebook, then reached around to pluck a pencil from her hair. “The studio’s sending a car for Miss B., so Lyle’s at your disposal. The plane will be ready to go when you are, and a driver will be waiting on the other end to take you to your appointment.”
    “I appreciate it, but it isn’t necessary to go to the trouble.”
    “No trouble.” Nina checked off her list, then smiled. “Really, it’s so much easier all around to have it all set up. Your flight might have been delayed, you could have trouble getting a cab and … oh, yes, your driver in Sausalito is from Top Flight Transportation. It’s about a twenty-minute drive from the airport to the marina. Of course he’ll be available to pick you up again at whatever time you decide.”
    “She’s wonderful, isn’t she?” Eve commented as she breezed back in. “I’d be lost without her.”
    “Only because you pretend you can’t cope with details.” Nina stuck the pencil back in her hair. “Your car should be out front. Shall I tell them to wait?”
    “No, I’m coming. Fritz, my own true love, I’m so glad you haven’t lost your touch.” Eve gave him a long kiss that had him flushing down to his pecs.
    “I’ll walk out with you,” Julia said, beating Nina to the punch by an instant. Nina hesitated, then gave way.
    “I’ll go get started on the half million phone calls I have to return. We’ll expect you about seven, Miss B.?”
    “If the gods are willing.”
    “I’m sorry,” Julia began as they went out through the central courtyard. “I know that wasn’t very subtle, but I wanted another minute.”
    “Nina’s not easily offended. What is it you wanted to say that you wouldn’t say in front of her, or Fritz?” She paused to admire the flame-colored peonies that were just about to bloom.
    “Too much for a short