Read To Have and to Kill Online
Authors: Mary Jane Clark
I
t had become a challenge for him. He was going to return and gain admittance to the studio. No matter what.
Phillip had been thinking about it since he was kicked out of the place on Monday. Going through the entrance where Roosevelt stood guard was a nonstarter. He’d never get past him. But there was more than one way to skin a cat.
There was a loading dock at the back of the building. Three giant garage-size openings were several feet off the ground, set up for truck cargo to be loaded and unloaded. There was also a standard-size door on street level. In the early years of their marriage, he and Glenna had used that door a few times when Glenna wanted to avoid press, who were camped out front for one reason or another.
Phillip knew that there was a guard’s station inside the door. He had also observed that the guard sometimes left his post to take a break or talk with the truck drivers. He remembered thinking how easy it would be for someone to sneak past the unguarded station and keep on going.
The time to test his hypothesis had come.
P
iper had never really understood all the fuss about diamonds, but even she had to admit that the bracelet she wore on her arm was exquisite. It was an intricate geometric cuff with round, brilliant-cut diamonds set in platinum. She had no idea what it cost and, while she was curious, she made no effort to find out. She was concerned that if she knew how much the diamonds she was wearing were actually worth, she’d be worried and distracted. With the diamond bracelet sparkling elegantly on her wrist, she thought any more jewelry would be overkill and take away from the dress. But, to satisfy Quent, she had also selected sizable diamond clips for her ears.
Here she was, standing with the cast in a designer gown, her hair coiffed to perfection and her makeup absolutely flawless as Martha Killeen snapped away. It was all a bit surreal. Piper had fantasized about a scenario like this countless times, and here it was, happening. Of course, in Piper’s fantasies, she was going home to a spectacular Tribeca loft, where the love of her life was eagerly anticipating her arrival. Oddly enough, she had never imagined that a moment like this would be coupled with a stalled career, living in her childhood bedroom . . . and murder.
If Quent got the Killeen pictures placed with the right magazines, chances were good that Gabe would get some calls. Industry people poured over pictures in
Vanity Fair
. Attention there, or in any magazine, would do nothing but help her.
When the time came to do her scenes, Piper was as happy as she’d ever been with one of her performances. While it was tempting to go over the top in her portrayal of a ghost, Piper deliberately played it straight. In the final scene, which she shot with Glenna, Piper was determined not to do anything that could be perceived as trying to wrest attention from the star. Not that Piper could, even if she tried.
“Nice job, ladies,” Quent announced over the audio system after the scene was over. “And, Piper, maybe we’ll have to figure out a way to bring Mariah Lane back to life so you can come out to Los Angeles with us.”
Piper smiled. “I think that’s a fantastic idea,” she said.
R
oosevelt called up to Quent Raynor’s office.
“There’s a Ms. Terhune here to see Mr. Raynor,” he said, looking at the stern-faced woman who stood in front of the security desk. She reminded him of his sour second-grade teacher, the one who had made him sit in the front of the room, displayed to all his classmates, after he wet his pants. The reason he hadn’t gone to the boys’ room was that he was afraid to ask her for permission. Roosevelt hadn’t been able to make it to recess. He still cringed at the memory of the humiliation that dreadful woman had caused.
“I’ll be right down to get her,” said Quent’s assistant. “She doesn’t know her way around the building.”
Roosevelt pointed to a group of barrel chairs arranged for viewing the television set mounted on the lobby wall.
“Mr. Raynor’s assistant will be here in a moment,” he said. “You can sit down if you want.”
“No, thank you,” Jessie said stiffly. “If the assistant is really coming in a moment, there’s no sense in sitting, is there?”
Roosevelt was relieved when Ms. Terhune was escorted away. That was not a happy lady.
T
his was where she belonged.
Jessie liked the energy of this place. It was exciting to know that she was in the studio where professional actors, known to so many people, practiced their art.
If I had gotten the right chances, I could be here, too.
As she was being escorted through the halls, Jessie viewed the large black-and-white photos on the walls, showing characters and scenes from
A Little Rain Must Fall
. She noticed they hadn’t taken Travis York’s picture down.
“Will you be shipping all these pictures out to the West Coast?” Jessie asked.
“I think so,” said the assistant.
“Well, if you are willing to sell the one of Travis York, I’d like to buy it,” said Jessie. “It would be nice to hang it at our school to honor all he has done for us.”
“I’ll talk to Quent about it,” said the assistant, as they reached the office. “Okay now, let me see where Quent left the envelope for you.”
Jessie waited in the doorway as the assistant searched the top of the cluttered desk.
“I don’t see it,” said the assistant. “Quent’s in the control room while they’re taping. Wait here, and I’ll see if I can ask him. It might take a few minutes. I don’t
dare
interrupt him in the middle of a scene.”
F
ive minutes stretched to ten. Jessie shifted from foot to foot. There was no place for her to sit. The sofa and every chair were covered with piles of books, files, and cardboard moving cartons. As Jessie finally sat on the arm of the sofa, her purse brushed against a pile, knocking papers all over the floor.
Jessie scrambled to collect the strewn documents. As she tried to gather them up, she realized there was no way to put them back in the same order. Her face flushed when she happened to notice the heading on one. It was an article on cyanide poisoning, printed from the Internet.
“T
hat’s it, everybody. It’s a wrap.” Quent’s voice boomed across the set. “But hang around, gang. Champagne and cake are coming.”
Everyone applauded. Piper smiled brightly, but she felt tears welling in her eyes. She hated that it was over. But that was nothing in comparison to how upset she was about Travis and Peggy.
Piper was glad that she had fought back her tears when Martha Killeen came over and asked if she would like some individual shots taken.
“Um, yes. Yes, I would,” Piper said in disbelief. She hesitated. “I don’t think I could afford it, though.”
“It’s not going to cost you a thing,” said Martha. “I’m here anyway and it’ll make me feel good to do it.”
“Wow, thank you so much!” said Piper. “That’s very kind of you.”
“Don’t give it another thought,” Martha said as she smiled. “Anyway, I want to hang around for some champagne.”
Piper was listening to Martha’s thoughts about how she wanted Piper to pose when she felt a tap on the shoulder.
Piper turned to see a looming security guard.
“I need that bracelet, miss, and those earrings,” he said.
“Bummer,” said Piper as she reached to take off the bracelet. “It would be great to be wearing this stuff for the pictures.”
“You don’t need diamonds,” said Martha. “You’re stunning without them.”
I
t wasn’t difficult at all to hide amid the props, flats, and stacked cartons that were lined against the studio walls, out of camera view. Phillip kept out of sight and bided his time. As he waited, he was surprised that he felt nostalgic. This would be his last visit to the
Little Rain
set.
He heard Quent Raynor’s announcement. Phillip slowly ventured out from his hiding place. He made his way to the edge of the set. He watched as stagehands pushed furniture out of the way so there would be an open space for people to gather.
“What are you doing here, Phillip?”
Startled, Phillip turned quickly. Glenna was standing there. His eyes swept over her, taking in every inch, assessing her, judging her. The woman standing before him in the beautiful white evening gown, with diamonds dangling from her ears, had to be with him. They were meant to be together.
“It was your last day. I wanted to celebrate with you,” he said. “You look dynamite, babe.”
Glenna momentarily closed her eyes and sighed. “Please, don’t call me babe, Phillip.”
“Once upon a time, you loved it when I called you babe.” He reached for her hand.
Glenna pulled away. “Well, the fairy tale is long over. When are you going to get it, Phillip? I don’t want to see you. I had you taken out of here on Monday and you have the gall to come back? Especially after what you did to Piper?”
“I didn’t do anything to Piper,” Phillip protested.
“Tell
her
that. She’s got a black-and-blue mark on her arm the size of your fist.”
“I’m sorry,” said Phillip. “But Piper shouldn’t have butted in. What happens between a man and his wife is nobody else’s business.”
Glenna’s shoulders slumped in exasperation. “Number one: you always say you’re sorry and that doesn’t cut it anymore. Number two: we aren’t ‘man and wife’ anymore. And number three: I’m marrying Casey and you better get used to it. In fact, I expect him here any moment.”
“Admit it, Glenna. The reason you deserted me when I went to prison was that I would come out a financial wreck.”
“That’s it,” said Glenna. “I’m not going to stand here and debate with you. Get out of here now, Phillip, or security will take you out again.”
W
hen Quent’s assistant returned to the office, Jessie was waiting. Nothing was amiss. All the papers had been restacked and were resting on the sofa.
“I’m sorry it took so long,” said the assistant. “Quent has the check, but he says he wants to give it to you himself. He asks that you come and join him on the set and have a glass of champagne to celebrate our last day here.”
“I don’t drink,” said Jessie, “but I’d love to go to the set, especially on such a special occasion.”
“T
here he is,” said the assistant, pointing across the room. “I’ll bring you over to him.”
Jessie looked ahead and saw Quent. He had his arm around Glenna Brooks’s waist and he was laughing. To her dismay, she saw Casey walk over and join them. There was no way she wanted to go over there right now.
“I don’t want to interrupt him,” said Jessie. “Would it be all right if I just waited until he’s freed up?”
“Sure,” said the assistant. “Can I bring you a piece of cake? It was made by Quent’s own caterer.”
“I can help myself,” said Jessie. “I know you must want to talk with your friends. Go ahead, I’ll be fine.”
The assistant hesitated.
“Really,” Jessie insisted. “I’ll be fine.”
J
essie helped herself to a slice of the sheet cake, passing the serving knife to the man in the dark suit who stood behind her in line. She wondered if he was an actor, but she didn’t think so. He and another man who accompanied him were dressed in almost identical somber outfits.
Jessie picked up a fork and walked with her plate to a spot on the fringe of the room. From that vantage point, she got a view of the whole scene. It was all so glamorous, such a fabulous way to make a living, so different from the drab quality of her own life.
Jessie was slowly chewing her cake when she noticed a figure at the side of the room.
T
he security guards were helping themselves to cake. The metal case was unattended. Cast and crew were busy socializing. They wouldn’t notice.
Now
was the time. Now or never.
Open the case, grab whatever was on top, and that would be that. Over in seconds.
Take a deep breath and do it.
It all went according to plan until the accusing eyes of Jessie Terhune signaled she had seen it all.
It was a sickening realization.
S
uddenly, Jessie just wanted to collect the auction check and leave. She was trembling as Quent came over to her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope.
“Here it is,” he said, handing the envelope to Jessie. “I think this is going to be the best hundred thousand I ever spent. Martha showed me some of the pictures in her digital camera. She got some great shots.”
“Thank you,” said Jessie, her voice quivering. “I’m going back to the school with this right now.”
She couldn’t get out of there fast enough.