Private Scandals

Angela’s voice was a purr, deadly feline. “Didn’t we agree to scratch each other’s backs?”
    “I’d like to scratch your eyes.” But she knew she couldn’t. There was much too much at stake for her to indulge herself quite that blatantly. Still, there were other weapons. Tilting her head, Kate studied Angela’s face. “That’s an excellent tuck, by the way. Barely noticeable.” Her smile was quick and sincere when Angela bristled. “Don’t worry, darling, it’ll be our secret. After all, a girl’s got to do everything necessary to maintain the illusion of youth. Especially when she’s married to a younger man.”
    Behind the flirty little veil, Angela’s eyes were as hard as marbles. It was her day, by God. Hers. And nothing and no one would spoil it. “A script’s come my way, Katie dear. I think you’ll find it fascinating. And I think you’ll be able to pique Rob’s interest as well. The two of you have been pals for years, and it would be a friendly boost if you persuaded him to do it. After all, he doesn’t have a great deal of time left to pick and choose, does he?”
    “You bitch.”
    Angela gave a trilling laugh. Nothing could have pleased her more than seeing Kate’s smug smile fade. “The trouble with actors is they need someone to write that clever dialogue. You’ll have the script by Monday, darling. I really would consider it a favor if you’d read it quickly.”
    “I’m getting tired of your favors, Angela. Other people might call it blackmail.”
    “I’m not other people. It’s simply a matter of my having certain information that I’m more than happy to keep to myself. A favor to you, dear. In return, you do one for me. That’s called cooperation.”
    “One day you’re going to cooperate yourself right into hell.”
    “It’s just business.” With a sigh, Angela patted Kate’s flushed cheeks. “You’ve been around long enough to know better than to take everything so personally. We’ll discuss terms when I get back from my honeymoon. Now, you’ll have to excuse me. I can’t ignore my guests.”
    Although Kate’s imagination didn’t run to dialogue, she had no trouble with visuals. As Angela glided away, Kate saw the frothy silk splattered with blood.
    “One day,” she whispered, yanking a rose from a bush and crushing it in her hand. “One day, someone’s finally going to get the guts and do it.”
     
    “She looks wonderful.” Lolling on the couch in the cabin, Deanna studied the front cover of People. “Radiant.”
    Finn drummed up the energy to glance over. They had finally been able to synchronize a full three days off, together. If the phone didn’t ring, the fax didn’t shrill and the world didn’t collapse within the next twenty-four hours, they would have made it through.
    “She looks like one of those prop wedding cakes. All fancy fake icing over the inedible.”
    “Your vision’s skewed by malice.”
    “Yours should be, too.”
    She only sighed and flipped through to the cover story. “I don’t have to like her to admit she’s lovely. And she looks happy, really happy. Maybe marriage will mellow her.”
    He only snorted. “Since this is her third time at bat, that’s doubtful.”
    “Not if this is the right one. I don’t wish her bad luck, personally or professionally.” She peered over the top of the magazine. “I want to whip her butt on merit.”
    “You are whipping her butt.”
    “In Chicago, and a few other markets. But this wedding’s bound to shift the tide at least for a time.”
    He stretched his arms over his head, muscles rippling. Deanna could see the faint scar where the bullet had sliced through.
    “Why do you think she did it?”
    “Oh come on, Finn, give her some credit. A woman doesn’t get married so that she can get her picture on a few covers.”
    “Kansas.” Amazed that she could still be so naive, he took the magazine from her. “When you’re slipping down the ladder, you grab hold of any handy rope.”
    “I think that’s a mixed metaphor.”
    “You think this is for love?” Laughing, he sent themagazine sailing. Angela, the happy bride, landed facedown. “She’s had six weeks of free publicity since the day her secret engagement mysteriously leaked.”
    “It could have leaked.” She gave him a friendly shove with her stockinged foot. “And even if she planted it, it doesn’t change the bottom line. She’s a beautiful, vibrant woman who fell for a gorgeous, magnetic