Course of Action Read online

“By all means.” Carolyn pushed her sunglasses on top of her head. Fastening her gaze on Annelie, she donned a bright expression. “As you said, I’m early.”

  In the study, her eyes immediately fell upon several large glossy photos stacked on the desk. She was still amazed at how well they had turned out. Corazon was talented, making her look young and vibrant in every shot. Not that it had made any difference to Annelie, who quickly picked up the glossies and put them aside.

  “I see my promotion pictures arrived,” Carolyn remarked pointedly.

  “Yes, Grey Parker sent them. They’re wonderful. Corazon Perez is a very good photographer. I admire her work tremendously.”

  Still looking at the picture of herself in the ethereal outfit with the silver threads, Carolyn saw, out of the corner of her eye, Annelie move to the other end of the desk and stealthily lay the picture of the nineteen-years-younger Carolyn facedown.

  Amazed, her heart pounding at the unexpected movement, Carolyn continued, “I needed new pictures taken since I’ve received so much mail from Maddox fans wanting to put a face to the voice.” Instinctively, she pretended she hadn’t noticed Annelie’s subtle maneuver and filed this information away for future reference. Looking up at the other woman, she gave a broad smile, knowing from experience how it could entice people. She touched Annelie’s shoulder, squeezing it gently. “Anything for the fans, right?”

  “Of course.” Annelie sounded collected, but her shoulder felt tense beneath Carolyn’s touch.

  Letting her hand drop, she removed her sunglasses from the top of her head and put them into her bag. “Are you going in to work today?”

  “Yes, in a little while. I thought we could go over the contracts first.”

  “Oh, yes, the contracts. Well, Grey advised me to hang on to them. He takes care of these matters for me, and I trust his opinion.” Carolyn shrugged. “We talked things over last night, and if need be, I’d be happy to screen-test, to prove I’m the right one for the Maddox role.”

  Folding her arms, Annelie seemed taken aback. “I still intend to withdraw the audiobooks as they stand from the market,” she pointed out. “This will mean a significant loss of royalties to you. I think Mr. Parker’s advice is not in your best interest, financially.”

  “Perhaps. Grey, of course, agrees with me that I’m right for the role and stand a very good chance compared to the other actresses on your list. A screen test ought to prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt.” Carolyn let the steel in her voice become more apparent. “Regardless how you look at it, I’m more experienced and the one closest to Maddox’s age. I also know the character in a way they don’t.”

  Leaning with her hip against the desk, Annelie hardened her eyes. “A screen test is of course always useful for a comparison, and I know it’s a stretch for someone of your fame to have to do one. Why put yourself though this when I’ve already explained to you how the marketing experts reason?”

  “As I recall, you also promised I could read and you would watch with an open mind,” Carolyn said, not acknowledging Annelie’s attempt to put her off. “So how about sometime this week?”

  The other woman seemed to force back a deep sigh. Shrugging, the politeness only marginal in her voice, she said, “I’m sorry, but my schedule is full. I can’t fit you in that quickly, and also I have to have the director present, as well as the casting director.”

  “Next week, then? Surely that will give everyone ample time to coordinate.” Carolyn adopted a cheerful tone of voice. “I’m available any time, except the weekend.”

  “I’ll see what I can do and get back to you through your agent.” Her eyes narrowing, Annelie took the promotion pictures and put them back into the envelope with rigid movements. “Now I have to get ready for work.”

  Remaining completely charming despite the barely concealed irritation in Annelie’s voice, Carolyn hoisted her bag over her shoulder, giving the other woman a wide smile. “Well, I better go take my swim. Have a great day, Annelie.”

  Looking at her with an unreadable expression in her eyes, Annelie nodded regally. “You too, Carolyn.”

  Chapter Four

  Unmistakably, it was Kitty McNeil at the gate. Her Australian accent carried through the intercom system.

  “Hey, gorgeous. We’re here and we’re starving!”

  Annelie buzzed the gate open and hurried to meet Kitty and Sam. As always she was amazed at the couple’s appearance. Kitty was dressed in dark jeans, a sleeveless denim shirt, and a baseball hat jammed on her short blond hair. Sam, the taller of the two, wore black jeans and a T-shirt with an enigmatic print decorating the front. A Celtic tattoo stretched from her shoulder down along her abdomen, which Annelie had admired in a private showing. Sam moved effortlessly between classic elegance and street-smart toughness.

  “Kitty, Sam, welcome. I can’t believe you’re finally here. I thought I’d exhausted our friendship by dragging you to the opera when I stayed in Sydney.”

  “It was close,” Kitty muttered good-naturedly, pulling Annelie into a warm embrace. “You look great but you’re so thin. Are you working too hard, darl’?”

  “It’s hard not to with so much happening—launching the first Maddox convention and starting to cast the movie. It’s been hectic.” She embraced Sam and gestured for them to follow her. “I’ll show you your room, and then we’ll have dinner.”

  After washing up, her guests joined her in the dining room. Decorated in a modern Nordic style with pinewood furniture, soft blue walls, and an off-white carpet, the room inspired a sense of serenity. The table could seat ten people easily, but Annelie rarely used it for formal entertaining. Mostly she enjoyed gathering her small group of close friends to enjoy Mary’s cooking.

  “I like the colors in here,” Sam said. “I’m glad you didn’t put up curtains. Looking out on the pool and the patio gives it a real outdoors feel.”

  “Thank you. I was hoping to buy one of your galvanized steel mobiles to hang right there.” Annelie pointed at a rafter on the patio.

  “So, now I’m so curious, I’m tempted to bounce,” Kitty exclaimed after the first couple of bites. “I want to hear all about Carolyn Black. How many times have you met her?”

  “Almost every day. She comes here to swim.”

  “Hey, you! Remember who you’re talking to.” Kitty smirked. “Don’t try and fob me off with a nonanswer like that one.”

  Annelie gazed calmly at her Aussie guest. “She needs to swim every day for her health. I can’t tell you any more than that.”

  “Will she play Maddox in the movies?” Sam asked.

  “I don’t know yet. Casting will begin soon, and I have the final say on the four major characters. It’ll be an interesting experience, that’s for sure.”

  “You’ve done this before, haven’t you?” Kitty questioned. “I mean, you’ve backed several plays in New York and here in Florida?”

  “Yes, but I’ve never been involved with the casting. I trusted the directors to get it right. But the company has much more at stake this time.”

  “I guess if the films bomb that’ll be the end of Diana Maddox,” Kitty observed.

  “Precisely. Which is why Delia Carlton wanted me to be very hands-on with every aspect of the project before she would sell the movie rights.”

  “So when do we hear if Carolyn Black’s getting the role?”

  “Not yet,” Annelie said mildly.

  “Okay, I won’t hassle you,” Kitty conceded, making Sam raise an incredulous eyebrow. “So, what’s on the agenda for the next couple of days?”

  “We have the authors’ luncheon here at the house tomorrow. Jem’s coming, so you two will finally get to meet.”

  “It’s about bloody time! She’s only edited six of my novels.”

  “Is Carolyn coming over to swim tomorrow?” Sam asked hopefully.

  Annelie seriously doubted it after their last chilly conversation. “I’m not sure of her plans,” she said in a noncommittal tone.

&nbs
p; Kitty sighed. “If I were you I’d be crawling on my hands and knees to get her in the movie.”

  Annelie maintained a placid smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  *

  Carolyn woke with her head throbbing. She’d hardly slept, her mind working overtime on her plans for the coming week. Annelie still hadn’t given Grey a time for the reading, but no other actresses had read either, so that was always something. She had decided to swim today, for the first time since their unhappy discussion, just to keep Annelie under pressure. The convention was only eight days away, and she was determined to deliver a superb reading that would set the benchmark when Annelie had to consider other actresses.

  After showering, she scrutinized her eyes in the mirror and carefully applied Vitamin K cream to the slight bagging and dark circles she noticed. The sea-kelp masque she had used in the shower had eliminated most traces, and she dealt with the last faint shadows with a concealer pencil. Once she had finished dusting a little powder over her usual discreet foundation, she checked herself again, then put the makeup into her bag so she could reapply it after swimming. The last thing she needed today was to look anything less than camera-ready.

  Although the guards knew her now, they always stopped the car anyway. Carolyn was uncertain whether this was because the Golden Beach residents insisted on strictest security measures or because they just wanted to ogle her. As always, she was charming to them. Stars who ignored the little people soon found themselves wondering how unpleasant stories got around and secrets were exposed.

  As she parked the car and walked up the stone path, she was surprised by an unexpected flutter in her midsection. The thought of facing Annelie again was nerve-wracking, and she steeled herself for the possibility that she would not be made especially welcome. Not that it would matter. She’d all but decided she was going to tell Annelie she no longer wished to take advantage of the pool.

  She was about to let herself in when the door opened and Annelie stood there smiling at her. “You’re early.” she said. “Perfect timing.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Annelie startled Carolyn by extending both hands to take hers. “I have some people here I want you to meet. Don’t worry. It’s very casual and—”

  “You’re having guests?” The sound of several female voices laughing made her flinch. “Look, I don’t want to intrude.”

  “I have a few friends over for lunch, and I’d love for you to join us. Please say yes.”

  The straightforward invitation seemed genuine. Carolyn gazed at Annelie, trying to gauge her expression. She saw nothing but honesty.

  “They’d kill me if they knew you were here and they didn’t get to meet you. Please?” Annelie continued her pitch. “You’ll make me look good.”

  This unexpected playfulness was irresistible. “All right,” Carolyn said. “I’d be glad to stay and meet your friends. Who are they?”

  “Most of them are authors.” Annelie led her indoors. “Also Jem, my chief editor, is here. She’s one of my best friends, and so is Kitty McNeil.”

  “Kitty McNeil? Jared loves her work. He’s really into science fiction and fantasy. I read one of her novels when I visited him last spring and found it intriguing.”

  “Really?” Annelie sounded surprised. “She’ll be thrilled when you tell her.”

  Walking toward the living room, Carolyn realized she was nervous about meeting Annelie’s friends. Inhaling deeply, she slipped into her professional skin. This was nothing but another audience and, to quote Jared, her best role was playing herself.

  The women were sitting comfortably around the coffee table. The actress was sure she heard an exhaled, “Oh, my God,” from someone.

  As Annelie made the introductions, Carolyn reached across the coffee table and shook hands with everyone. She had to smile when she noticed how stunned they seemed by her presence.

  “This is unbelievable,” Sam exclaimed. “I knew there was a chance we’d get to meet you, but I didn’t think it would be today.”

  “It’s very nice of Annelie to include me,” Carolyn said.

  Sam grinned. “Yeah, nice for us.”

  *

  They moved to the adjoining room, where chairs ringed the oval table. A white linen tablecloth set with white china and decorations of light blue and peach made the table look festive. Sitting down after complimenting Mary, and keeping an eye on things, Annelie made sure Carolyn ended up next to her.

  “What brings you to Florida, Carolyn?” Deena, a Canadian romance novelist, asked as she unfolded her napkin.

  “I’m visiting a friend and also attended the Nebula Circle’s fundraiser. I hear the evening made a lot of money for the children.”

  “It did,” Annelie agreed, “thanks to generous people like you.”

  “I just bought a few books,” Carolyn said. “I saw somebody buy a painting for a tidy sum.”

  “True.” Annelie nodded. “We had some nice things for sale.”

  The women spent the following half hour mixing their appreciation of Mary’s food with conversation. Sarah, a diminutive woman from Texas, entertained them with an outrageous story about her mother’s latest adventure.

  “I can’t believe it!” Carolyn gasped for air between bouts of laughter. “They called 911 because of a beeping hearing aid?”

  “It’s a true story,” Sarah vowed. “My mother and her sister honestly thought the mysterious sound came from a crashing satellite from space.”

  Annelie laughed until her stomach hurt. Suddenly she felt Carolyn put a hand on her knee for support as the actress doubled over, laughing deep in her throat—a thoroughly sexy sound.

  “Right!” Sarah sighed. “And this is why my partner says she’s genetically concerned!”

  Annelie looked at Carolyn, amazed at how relaxed the other woman seemed. She had joined in the fun, listened intently to Sarah’s story, and the sound of her laughter had made Annelie shiver.

  Throwing her head back and laughing again, Carolyn wiped tears from her eyes with a peach napkin. She winked at her hostess and began, “That reminds me of an incident while I was filming in Spey Valley, in Scotland…”

  The women around the table listened intently to Carolyn’s story of strange noises in the night turning out to be rampaging sheep. Animated, her eyes sparkling, the actress had them all in her hand, and she obviously knew it. Her hands. I always loved her hands. Well-kept and expressive, they moved with the tale, emphasizing Carolyn’s horror when the sound outside the cottage had come closer. She demonstrated vividly her trepidation when she approached the window, reaching out to open an imaginary window above the table, only to recoil quickly, pressing the right side of her back against Annelie’s shoulder.

  “I heard something go ‘bah.’ Very loud.” Carolyn’s voice was a mere whisper. “I stopped in midair and leaned forward again, actually sticking my head out the window.” She leaned forward again, eyes wide. “Something wet, and cold, and in dire need of a breath mint, appeared half an inch before me!”

  Pulling back, Carolyn again pressed against Annelie, to demonstrate her dismay. “At least a dozen sheep had escaped their confinement and were crowding my garden.”

  Unable to keep from laughing along with everybody else at the look on Carolyn’s face, Annelie realized the other woman had once again placed her hand on her knee. As if Carolyn had just noticed this as well, she casually withdrew, resuming her relaxed posture on her chair.

  The conversation kept flowing easily among the women, and Carolyn seemed to appreciate the friendly banter. She was the center of attention but also utterly charming as she questioned the others. Each of the women present was obviously flattered that Carolyn Black showed an individual interest in her. When, occasionally, she turned directly to Annelie, her eyes held nothing of the resolute defiance from the other day. Instead, they seemed more blue than gray, indecipherable. How much of this is an act, Carolyn? All of it? Some? It could be so easy to merely assume you’re being honest.
That this is really who you are.

  A few moments after Mary cleared the lunch plates away, Annelie rose and said, “I’ll just go see if Mary needs a hand with dessert.”

  “I can help as well,” Carolyn offered, getting to her feet.

  This raised a few objections from the other guests, who seemed to be enjoying her company. Lightly, Carolyn said, “Talk among yourselves, but make sure it’s about me. Okay?”

  Annelie was astonished to hear Carolyn make this small joke at her own expense. Peals of laughter followed them down the hallway to the kitchen.

  Mary was loading the dishwasher. “I’ve whipped the cream but that’s all,” she said. “You can decorate them if you want.”

  “We’re having chocolate mousse with whipped cream and raspberries,” Annelie explained, opening the refrigerator. She located the cream and spooned some of it into a piping bag. Then she started drawing small circles of cream on the mousse.

  “Looks delicious, but then again, so was the entire lunch,” Carolyn said. “Are the berries going on top of this?”

  Annelie shot her an amused look. “Yes. If you’d like, you can stack some raspberries just inside the circle of cream—about five of them on each.” Glancing at Carolyn, she smiled again, watching her stick the tip of her tongue out while focusing on her task.

  “I normally don’t cook,” Carolyn confessed.

  Annelie laughed. “I have news for you. This isn’t cooking. This is decorating.”

  “Ah, semantics.” Carolyn wrinkled her nose at her hostess. “This is harder than putting butter and marmalade on toast, which is where I normally draw the line.”

  Annelie shook her head. “You’ve got to be kidding. Marmalade on toast? That’s about the least nutritional thing you can possibly eat.”

  “Nope, not kidding. And I happen to love apricot marmalade.”

  After decorating the last bowls of mousse, Annelie moved to her left. Carolyn moved to the right at the same time, reaching for the last of the berries. Standing close enough for their arms to touch, she arranged five berries on the last two bowls and ate one of the two leftover fruit.