He gave her a tight-lipped smile and a nod. Ill say the same, he told her huskily. Please, take the seat next to Eddie. Theres plenty of legroom in the back. Humor meits a Texas thing.
Madison decided she wasnt going to wage a war over a car seat and got in.
When she was seated, Eddie turned to her. Thanks, Maddie, he said quietly. Thank you, sincerely.
Youre welcome, Eddie.
So, the police still have the museum areathe tunnelcordoned off. Naturally, Sean has jurisdiction anywhere, but Id like you to show him the studio. You can answer any questions he might have. Eddies voice grew emotional as he added, Im going to abandon you two and get back to the hospital to see Alistair. I dont like leaving him alone. I dont mean aloneI mean, without seeing me as much as possible.
I understand, Eddie, Madison said quietly. Alistairassuming he was innocentdefinitely needed family support at a time like this.
But he had a stepmother, too, although it was true that Alistair had never called his fathers wives Mother. But he seemed to have a friendly relationship with Helena LaRoux, and as far as she could tell, Helena liked Alistair. Alistair was happy if his father was happy, and he found it amusing that Helena had made no bones about the fact that shed loved Eddie and wanted to be Mrs. Eddie Archer. She claimed to love Eddie and maybe she did. It was a nice bonus that he was as powerful as he wasand Helena never pretended that she wasnt eager to be rich and famous on her own. It seemed, however, that she was happy to share her journey with Eddies son.
Appearances, Madison thought. Hollywood was all smoke and mirrors.
Hes got family there now, Eddie told her. Helena is with him. But weve only been married a year, and although she and Alistair get along fine, shes not his real mom, and certainly not his dad, you know? he ended hoarsely.
No one else is you, Eddie.
She noticed that Sean Cameron reached over from the backseat, placed a hand on Eddies shoulder and squeezed.
Shed heard about Cameron before; she knew his name, and that hed worked at the studio. Now that she was with him, she realized shed even seen pictures of him with past creatures created at the studio and at industry parties. Once shed actually wondered about him and joked with Carla, a seamstress, about him. Why didnt he still work there, huh? shed asked. She often worked a double shift, seventy to eighty hours, with a group that was seventy to eighty percent male. All those hours and all those men, and they were like fathers, uncles, little brothers or obnoxious cousins. Or uninterested in the opposite sex.
Carla had reminded her that she dressed some of the hottest actors in the business, and shed been asked out often enough.
It wasnt as if she was totally averse to a whirlwind romancehere today, gone tomorrowit was just that the right opportunity hadnt come along. She preferred to remain friends with men she might work with again, and she didnt want the girlfriends, wives and lovers of actors or colleagues not wanting her to be part of future projects. So she kept her distance. Sometimes the actors she worked with could be cold and full of themselves, but luckily, that was seldom the case. And when she kept her distance, she earned their respect. Maybe men always admired and longed for what they couldnt have. Maybe women, too.
And maybe she was just damaged. Maybe a friend like Bogie was a reward for the strange and painful things that had happened to her.
Right now, she needed to concentrate and focus on the momentand not on Sean Cameron. She didnt know the man. Not at all. Shed seen him standing outside a car. Shed heard his voice and shaken his hand. Watched how hed silently laid his hand on Eddies shoulder, a true sign of friendship and support. There was something about his voice, though. It seemed to enclose her and make her feel his words were sincere, that he was some kind of secure bastion against the world. Eddie had called on him in a time of need.
As they pulled up in front of the cinema and studio, Madison saw that there were four police cars guarding the entrance. She looked past the cars and the crime scene tape to the beautiful Art Decostyle Black Box Cinema with its terra-cotta sunburst facade, and the elegantly crafted sign. The building itself was a handsome and historic structure; it appeared sad, though, wrapped in crime scene tape as it was.
When she looked to the side she saw the parking lot, empty now of cars. During lockdown it was usually crowded even at nightall hands on deck.
She noted a vintage Cadillac that was out of place among the clearly marked patrol cars. It was parked at the far end; there was a man standing outside the car, staring at the buildings, as if he was carefully watching the police and every move they made.
He turned as they drove up. Before they could exit, he walked over to the car, and Eddie rolled down the drivers-seat window. From the passenger seat, Madison leaned over and saw that it was Andy Simons, Eddies partner.
Hey, you doing okay? Simons asked Eddie.
Madison didnt know him half as well as she knew Eddie; Simons was money, Eddie was art. But the two were longtime friends and Simonslike everyone else associated with the studiowould stand by Eddie to the very end. Eddie and Andy were complete opposites in more ways than one. Eddie was slim and athletic, an attractive middle-aged man, casual and easy in his manner and dress. Andy was muscular and his clothingeven his jogging attire, as shed seen oncewas pure designer quality. He had a head of light blond hair that he kept artfully colored and his nails were manicured. Hed always been nice when Madison encountered him, he just didnt have Eddies natural ease with the artisans and employees of the studio. However, that didnt matter much, since he was seldom around.
Thanks, Andy, Eddie said huskily. Im doing all right.
And Alistair?
The best he can beunder the circumstances. Eddie gestured at Sean. Andy, you remember Sean Cameron
Of course I do, Andy said, looking into the backseat and smiling. Nice to see you, Sean. We missed youand your talentwhen you left. Odd timing, though, he added.
Hes not here for his old job, Eddie said. Sean is with the FBI. His unit is going to take the lead on the investigation. I told you I was going to call in some favors to see that Alistair got a fair shake, that I wanted to bring in an FBI unit.
Yeah, I know. But, Seanyoure FBI? Simons asked.
Career change, Sean said with a shrug. Life takes us to some strange places.
Thats a major change. Simons looked at Eddie, frowning. I knew you wanted the FBI involved, but I wasnt sure you could pull it off. But then, youve always been able to create magic.
Never hurts to have two law enforcement agencies working togetherwe can bring different specialties to the table, Sean explained.
But from fabricatorto FBI? Simons said, grinning.
You never know, Sean Cameron said.
There was an air of expectancy in the silence that followed, but Cameron didnt say anything else and Eddie spoke up.
Madison is going to show him around the studio. Its been a while.
Simons nodded. Great. He smiled at Eddie and tried to sound cheerful. No one works harder than Madison, and Id say shes definitely a good choice for bringing Sean up-to-date. And we cant ask for anything better than the FBI, he said. He bent lower and grinned at her. Youre the best, too, Madison. We all appreciate what youre doing, but I have to askyou okay with this? You dont have to be here, you know. We can only ask so much of you.
Madison is going to show him around the studio. Its been a while.
Simons nodded. Great. He smiled at Eddie and tried to sound cheerful. No one works harder than Madison, and Id say shes definitely a good choice for bringing Sean up-to-date. And we cant ask for anything better than the FBI, he said. He bent lower and grinned at her. Youre the best, too, Madison. We all appreciate what youre doing, but I have to askyou okay with this? You dont have to be here, you know. We can only ask so much of you.
Im just fine. Ill do anything to help Alistair, she said.
Anything, Simons repeated. His comment seemed odd to Madison, or maybe not. To the outside world, there was no way that Alistair hadnt committed the murder. Maybe he was really asking if shed be willing to lie, if necessary. Was he? she wondered. Andy Simonss fortune was tied to Eddies, and while he might have had the seed money, it was Eddies talent that had kept them both going.
The one aspect of the business Andy didnt have anything to do with was the Black Box Cinema. That was strictly Eddies.
Agent Cameron, welcome, and thank you, Simons was saying. He straightened a bit. Glad youre with us. Ive been standing in the parking lot for hoursdont know why, except that I want the police to realize that all of us at the studio believe in Alistair, and well be watching them.
I know why youre here. Youre my friend, Eddie said. And Im grateful for the support.
Sure. With Sean on the case now, Ill head home. But, Eddie, if you need mefor anything, anything at alljust call.
Thanks, Andy, Eddie said.
Thank you. And I will be calling on you. Sean Cameron reached through an open window to shake the mans hand.
Ill talk to you later, then. Simons gave them all a grave nod and walked to his car.
Thank God I do have friends on board, and were not just throwing Alistair to the wolves, Eddie said.
Character can mean everything, Eddie. And a vicious murder isnt in Alistairs character. Sean Cameron opened his door to exit the car and Madison did the same.
Keep the faith, Eddie, Sean said, ducking his head down to the window.
I will. Eddie nodded, and eased the car toward the road.
One of the police officers on guard duty approached Madison and Sean. Madison felt awkward about this; Sean Cameron did not. He smoothly produced his credentials and they were ushered through the massive gates. They were stopped once again, at the entrance to the cinema.
Even though youre FBI, are you sure theyre going to let us in here? Madison asked.
Yes, theyre required to. The agencies will be working in tandem. I want to see the studio today. The crime scene experts are probably still in therelooking for anything and everything. But its important that I meet the LAPD detective in charge, he told her. How do you feel about Andy Simons? he asked, looking at her closely.
Andy? Honestly, I dont see him that often. Neither Eddie nor Andy comes to the studio daily, although Eddies in far more often and is usually with us when we go on location, Madison said. When Andy does come inmaybe once every couple of weekshes cordial, interested and decent to everyone.
How do you feel about him? Sean persisted.
She smiled suddenly. Well, I guess Eddies a man of the people. Andy is more like royalty condescending from on high. But like I said, hes always been decent, and, odd couple though they are, he and Eddie have been friends for years. You dont think Andy
I dont think anything yet. Weve got a long way to go, Madison.
Hed paused to look at her and she was startled by the little tremor that rippled down her spine. Shed just met him, and she was alarmed by her strange and instant admiration for him. She liked the steady gravity in his eyes as he spoke, and still felt touched by the sound of his voice and the honesty and sincerity with which he seemed to speak. He wasnt muscle-bound like a prizefighter, but she had the feeling he was all lean strength.
Yes, of course, she said quickly, stepping back. She was making far too much of a simple moment they were sharing in the pursuit of justice.
They were approached by another officer and stood at the door, waiting, while he went into the building.
We will get in there, Sean muttered.
The officer returned, leading a tall, bald-headed man of about forty. The newcomer eyed Sean suspiciously, but had apparently expected him. He was Detective Benny Knox, and he was polite enough, although he glanced at Madison as if he wasnt impressed and was, in fact, indifferent to her presence. She wasnt sure how hed figured out that she didnt know a thing about crime scenes. Sean, however, introduced her as Eddie Archers most trusted studio artist, and the detective assessed her again and nodded grimly.
I heard you worked here once, Cameron, Knox said.
I did.
I assumed they brought you in because you know the place yourself.
Sean gave a slight shrug. But things change over time. Madison has the position I had years ago, so shell know what Im talking about when I ask a question.
And shes Eddies girl, Knox said.
Madison frowned. Im not anyones girl, Detective. Im here to make sure Agent Cameron has knowledgeable updates on any changes in the studio.
Knox raised his eyebrows, then nodded.
It was fine for them to be in the studio, Knox assured them. Fingerprints had been taken from the door that connected the tunnel to the studio, and the rooms had been searched. Knox actually managed something of a smile when he told her that some of his most seasoned people had been startled more than once, running into the creatures in production and in storage. She forced a weak smile in return.
The police were finishing up in the cinema and the tunnel, he went on to say, and, as law enforcement, Sean would understand that they didnt want tainted evidence. But before the biohazard teams were called in to clean up, Sean would have access to everything.
Notes from the first officer on the scene?
Yesand my own. Officer Braden was pretty thorough, and he knew the drill. He didnt touch anything until I was called. Of course, theres no such thing as a pristine crime scene in a situation like thisAlistair Archer had been slipping around in the blood, the guard rushed in and he had blood on him. But after that, the scene was contained. Let me know what you want when, and Ill see that you get it.
Once Knox had finished speaking, he studied Sean carefully. What I hearand this comes straight from the governors officeis that youre lead investigator on this, along with your team. Its your ball game, he said.
Not allwe need and appreciate you and your men, Knox. Id like you to keep the lead until were completely established. I want to get the lay of the land again, so to speak. Raintree is due tonight or tomorrow morning with the rest of the team. Im not sure what plans theyve made as yet. Nowwell go through the parking lot to the studio, staying out of the way of the forensic experts.
Knox seemed mollified. He kept nodding.
Madison and Sean started across to the main studio entrance.
As they walked, Madison asked, Is it always like that? I mean, it felt like he was throwing massive webs of power and testosterone there. Arent you both working toward the same goal, as in the truth of what happened?