Dream Town

Chapter 75

“You did good, Archer. Better than good actually.”

Willie Dash stood outside the hospital dressed in a new three-piece double-breasted suit Morrison had brought him because he’d lost weight in the hospital. She was waiting in the car for him. He was mostly healed and on his way back to Bay Town. “And Jake sends his thanks for nailing Paley. And I want to add my thanks on top of that.”

“Couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Sure you could. And you did. You coming back to Bay Town today?”

“No, not yet.”

Dash eyed him keenly, understanding dawning on his features. “You ever coming back?”

Archer couldn’t answer that, so he said nothing.

Dash smiled knowingly. “Every baby bird has to find his own way eventually. Can’t stay in the mother’s nest forever.”

“So I’m a baby bird, then?”

“You were when you hit town over three years ago, Archer. You’re not anymore.” He ran his gaze over him. “Your wings look pretty strong from where I’m standing.” He gripped Archer’s hand. “But you ever need an old gumshoe to work something through, I’m your man.”

“Thanks, Willie. Thanks for everything.”

He watched them drive off and he headed to his Delahaye, which he’d retrieved from Bay Town.

He reached Beverly Hills and pulled to a stop in front of the building housing Green and Ransome Productions. He took the elevator up and entered the office.

The stories about Mallory Green and Eleanor Lamb and the Jade Lion and Darren Paley were in every proper paper and rag in town. The stories had even hit the national wire. But the story of finding movie stars in compromising situations didn’t see the light of day. Archer wondered how much that had cost the studios. And with that payoff, the rags would be throwing parties all over town, with bonuses to follow.

Audrey, the receptionist, looked woefully up at Archer. “Ms. Ransome is on set at Warners. It was a last-minute thing. We tried your answering service but they couldn’t reach you in time. You’re on the list with the guard.”

“I can head out there now.”

Her sad look deepened. “It really is so terrible what happened. Mr. Green is so upset.”

“I bet he is. He lost his private wings and he can’t piss money away in Vegas anymore. But I’m not sure who’s more depressed, him or the mob for the loss of revenue.”

He climbed into the Delahaye, headed northeast, and drove the dozen or so miles to Warner Brothers.

Cecily was sitting all alone in a huge soundstage on the backlot.

When Archer walked in and looked around at the cavernous space she said simply, “Everyone’s on lunch break. I wasn’t hungry.”

He sat in a director’s chair across from her. “I’ve been calling you for two weeks.”

“I’m sorry. It’s been difficult to process everything.”

“You got my report?” he asked.

She was dressed in a black skirt with bare, unshaven legs, a man’s black suit vest over a white tuxedo shirt, and black flats.

Bohemian to her soul, he thought.

“I read your report word for word. Quite a story.”

Archer said, “Feel free to film it. Just invite me to the premiere. That way I can finally see a damn movie. Just make sure you cast some nice-looking guy in my role who doesn’t mind getting sapped or shot at.”

“I’m actually leaving Bart’s place and starting my own company.”

Archer eyed her with respect. “Good for you.”

“It’s a little scary, but I feel it’s the right thing to do and the right time to do it.”

“Always go with your gut. Overthinking things has ruined more good dreams than I don’t know what.”

She looked to Archer like a woman batting around the idea of either spilling her guts or never speaking again. “How was Ellie when you saw her?”

“Not particularly happy, but then who would be in her situation?”

“What will happen to her?”

Archer leaned forward. “You love your granduncle? And respect him?”

“I told you I did.”

“Well the loved and respected Sam Malloy told me that he had never trusted Eleanor Lamb and didn’t think I should, either. And guess what? He was right. And on top of that she’s a curly blonde again. See, she was using you, Cecily. Just like she used everybody her whole life. No, I take that back. Her husband used her and she’s been paying him and the rest of the world back for his original sin. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it, because he did. But nobody else she hurt did. Including you.”

“Everything you say makes perfect sense.”

“But?”

“But it’s not that easy.”

“Of course it’s not. These things never are. But in six months’ time, with all you have going on, you won’t even remember her.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“Call me in six months and tell me what you believe,” he said sharply because that was just the way he felt.

“You don’t know anything,” she retorted.

“I know this much. You’re not the only one to get hit with something like this. Only in your case you got lucky as hell. Because at some point Eleanor Lamb would’ve fired one right between your eyes. Trust me. She tried to do it to me.”

Ransome looked shaken by his harsh words.

“Good,” said Archer in response to her expression. “You’re a gal who likes to explore the gritty and troubling instead of the flowers and sunshine. Well, guess what? That crap really exists. Guys like me roll in it all day. So take your broken heart, channel all the hell you’re feeling right now, make a film, and go win that little statuette everybody in Hollywood is so keen on. It’ll be loads better than the best therapy money can buy.”

He rose, tipped his hat, and left.