I've Got You Under My Skin

74

“How do you think that went?” Laurie asked with concern as she stepped into Alex’s car.

Alex was starting the engine and putting up the top of his convertible. “I think we could use some air-conditioning. To answer your question, I think it went great.”

“I think it did, too. But it’s twenty of seven. I’m so afraid that if we hit traffic we won’t be at the hospital when Timmy calls, and Dad will miss talking to him.”

“I checked the traffic report a few minutes ago on my iPhone. It’s okay. I promise I’ll get you to the hospital by seven-thirty.”

“One more left,” Laurie sighed as Alex drove out of the grounds of the Powell estate. “And now the usual question. What’s your take on George Curtis?”

“He’s a class act,” Alex said promptly. “He’s the kind of guy people look up to. Well, why not? He’s been on the cover of Forbes magazine.”

“And it doesn’t hurt that he is downright handsome,” Laurie said. “Think about it. Curtis is a billionaire, charming, good-looking. Compare him with Robert Powell, at least as far as money goes.”

“There is no comparison, Laurie. Powell may be worth half a billion, but Curtis is worth billions.”

“Now, think of that frame in the Gala films where George Curtis and Betsy look pretty serious, almost as though they’re arguing.”

“Are you using that in the background, Laurie?”

“No. That wouldn’t be fair. But I do know this: the George Curtises of this world don’t get involved with this kind of program unless they have something to hide. Think about that.”

“Laurie, you continue to amaze me. I did think about it. And once again, I agree with you,” Alex told her.

Laurie pulled out her phone. “I’ll just alert Dad that we’re on our way.”

Leo answered on the first ring. “I’m still alive,” he said. “I’m now watching All in the Family. Another golden oldie. Where are you?”

“On our way down. Traffic is good so far.”

“Didn’t you say Alex Buckley was driving you here, then back to the Powell place?”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t let him cool his heels in the car. Bring him up. I’d like to meet him.”

Laurie looked at Alex. “Would you be interested in meeting my dad?”

“Of course I would.”

“Alex accepts with delight, Dad. See you.”

Bruno was putting on his police uniform when he listened to the call. Countdown! he said to himself. After all these years, I get my revenge. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, he thought. Oh, Leo, how sad you are going to be. Your daughter. Your grandson. And all the while they’ve been searching through hospital records to see if the doctor had made a mistake on a patient. You were the one who made the mistake, Leo. When you were a tough young cop. Too tough. You could have given me a break when you arrested me but you wouldn’t. You wrecked my life. You cost me thirty years in prison and then another five for good measure.

Bruno stood in front of the full-length mirror on the closet door of his shabby apartment. He had been renting it month to month because, as he had explained to the landlord, he wanted to be sure that his job with Perfect Estates worked out. The landlord, happy to avoid necessary repairs for the present, was delighted with his temporary tenant.

He wouldn’t care that I left suddenly, especially since I paid him to the end of the month, and I’m not going to claim the month’s security.

As if anyone could damage this dump, Bruno thought.

As Laurie and Alex were driving out, the production crew was closing down for the day.

The graduates had changed from their gowns, and all of them as one turned down the offer to keep them. “Laurie really wants you to have them,” Jerry explained. “And I can tell you, they were very expensive.”

Nina spoke for all of them. “That’s just what we need, another reminder of that night.”

Their cars were waiting to drive them to their hotels.

When Rod and Alison arrived at their room, they happily closed the door behind them. Then Rod reached for her. “Alie, it’s all right.”

“It’s not, Rod. It’s not all right. You know what’s on that tape. You know what Josh can do with that.” She turned from him and angrily reached into the closet, grabbing clothes from their hangers and throwing them on the bed.

Rod sank onto the couch and unconsciously began to massage his aching knees. “We are going to have a scotch now,” he said emphatically. “Then we are going to order a fabulous dinner, either here or out-your choice. We’ll order the most expensive items on the menu, courtesy of Robert Powell.”

“I couldn’t eat a thing!” Alison protested.

“Order it anyhow.”

“Rod, you make me laugh when I have no reason to.”

“Alison, that’s what I’m here for,” Rod said cheerfully. He was not about to tell her that he absolutely shared her concern about Josh’s tapes-not because of the money, but because of what it would do to Alie if, once again because of Betsy Powell, her chance to go to medical school without taking on a heavy financial burden, was snatched from her.