Stone Barrington 27 - Doing Hard Time

of his who was a card counter. Then I divorced him and got a job at the casino and paid off his debt. They liked me and promoted me, and now I handle the VIP guests. Is that enough for you?”
    “That’s enough basics,” Teddy said. “I’ll learn the rest a little at a time.”
    Their dinner came, and they became closer as they dined. After dinner, Teddy took her back to Shutters and ravished her.

Peter, Ben, and Leo Goldman sat in Leo’s screening room off his office and watched Tessa Tweed be put through her paces by a director who specialized in screen tests. First, she was beautifully lit and photographed from every angle in a dress, sports clothes, evening dress, and a bikini; then she performed two scenes, one dramatic, one comedic, with a young actor who was under contract to the studio. The film ended, and the lights went up. Nobody spoke at first.
    Finally, Leo said, “Ben? What did you think?”
    “I’m seeing the girl, so I’m not going to have an opinion on this occasion, and I want to note for the record that this test was not done at my behest.”
    “Duly noted,” Leo said. “Ben loves it. Peter, in case you’re shy, I’ll give you my take on this young woman: she is absolutely sensational. The camera loves her. She reads well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better test.”
    “Well,” Peter said, “it’s the best test I’ve ever seen, too, but it’s the
only
test I’ve ever seen. I think she’s wonderful, though, and I think she’d be great as Ashley in our current production.”
    “So do I,” Leo said. “Ben, do you have any objections?”
    “Are you kidding?” Ben replied. “Of course not.”
    “Then I’ll offer her a seven-year studio contract,” Leo said.
    “Leo,” Peter replied, “I don’t think that’s going to work. Her mother, Emma Tweed, the fashion designer, is in town. She’s Tessa’s business adviser, and she’s appalled at the idea of her daughter going straight from RADA into the movies. I think it would be better if I offered her a two-picture deal with our production company, with the second picture to be done at a mutually agreeable later date, so there’s no pressure for her to move permanently to L.A. I think her mother is less likely to faint at that prospect.”
    “Smart idea,” Leo said. “Don’t let her get away.”
    •   •   •
    Peter and Ben left Leo’s office and got into Peter’s cart for the short drive back to their bungalow. “You okay with this, Ben, really?”
    “I’m not going to have anything to do with it,” Ben said. “You make her the offer. I don’t even want to be in the room.”
    “I got it—you’re hands off.”
    “Right,” Ben said, “but if you don’t get her signed, I’m going to murder you.”
    •   •   •
    Teddy and Charmaine had breakfast on their terrace overlooking Santa Monica Beach. He marveled at how good she looked without makeup.
    “How’d you like to fly up to Carmel for lunch today?” Teddy asked her.
    “Just like that? Hop in your airplane and fly to Carmel?”
    “Fly to Monterey, actually, then drive to Carmel—it’s right next door.”
    “I’d love that,” she said. “It’s such a beautiful day for flying, isn’t it?”
    “Severe clear,” Teddy replied. “After all, it’s Southern California, where it never rains.”
    “Except when it pours buckets, and the mountains slide down to the beaches,” Charmaine said.
    “Let’s get a shower and get out of here,” Teddy said, throwing down his napkin.
    Charmaine followed him inside, shedding her robe and running past him toward the bathroom. “Me first,” she called over her shoulder.
    Teddy followed and stepped into the shower with her. “You have to learn to share,” he said.
    •   •   •
    Igor was working at his desk when the young man at the conference table came alive.
    “I’ve got him!” he called. “He’s taking off from Santa Monica!”
    Igor rushed over to the table and watched the airplane move away from the airport, north. Then, suddenly, it disappeared from the screen.
    “What happened?” the young man asked.
    “He turned off his transponder as soon as he left Class B airspace, where it’s required,” Igor replied, “and I’ll give you two-to-one odds that he hasn’t filed a flight plan.” He checked, and he was right.
    “Well, at least we know he’s headed north,” the young man said.
    “No, we don’t. Anybody leaving Santa Monica is going to get