Chapter 24
The next morning, Billy’s phone vibrated on the nightstand, waking him up.
He snagged it and looked at the screen. The ID read Cathy Reigel. She was head of publicity for Centurion Pictures.
He accepted the call. “Cathy?”
“Oh, good. You’re up.”
“I am now. What time is it?”
“It’s seven-fifteen in L.A.”
“I’m in Palm Springs. We’re in the same time zone.”
“Right, right. Look, we have a situation.”
Billy had a feeling he knew what it was. “Don’t tell me, Pike Westin didn’t show up on set.” This was the day Pike was supposed to return to Regina’s movie.
“What are you talking about? Is there a problem with Pike?”
“Forget I said that. What situation are you talking about?”
“Are you near a TV?”
There was one in his room. “I am.”
“Turn it on.”
He grabbed the remote and hit the power button. “Which channel?”
“Any of the local morning shows. Wait. Do you get the L.A. shows there?”
“We do.”
“Go to KTLA.”
He flipped to the channel. On the screen was a reporter standing in front of the giant Marilyn Monroe statue in downtown Palm Springs.
“…occurred about seven p.m. last night at the home of movie star Damian Leon. Paramedics showed up soon after and determined that the woman was deceased. The Palm Springs Police Department has opened an investigation into the incident. At this time, the victim’s name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. ”
The video switched to footage taken outside Damian’s house the night before, featuring Ben driving Billy and Peter off of Damian’s property.
“In addition to Mr. Leon and members of his staff, Oscar-winning director Peter Barrington, producer Billy Barnett, and Centurion Pictures president Ben Bacchetti were also at the house when the body was discovered.”
Billy blew out a breath. “Well, that’s unfortunate.”
“You’re telling me,” Cathy said. Then in a hushed voice she asked, “You guys didn’t have anything to do with it, right?”
“Other than pulling her body out of the pool, no.”
“That’s great,” she said, relieved. “I mean, not great. I’m sorry you had to do it. It’s just—”
“I understand. Besides, if I was involved in anything like what happened, no one would ever know.”
Cathy laughed. “That’s what I like about you, Billy, your sense of humor. I’ll let you—”
Cathy cut herself off as someone on the other end said something Billy couldn’t make out.
“Which site?” she asked.
More garbled conversation.
“You still there?” Cathy asked Billy.
“I have the feeling I’m going to wish I weren’t.”
“A couple of websites are reporting that the dead woman is an actress named Katy Lane. Do you know if there’s any truth to that?”
“Officially, no.”
“Unofficially?”
“The sites are correct. Though to be fair, I didn’t know she was an actress.”
“Fan-fricking-tastic,” she said, sounding like it was anything but. “I can see the headlines now. ‘Young Actress Found Dead in Pool of Hollywood Legend by Oscar-Winning Team from Centurion Pictures.’ ”
“That’s a little long for a headline, isn’t it?”
“That’s not the point. An actress found in a famous actor’s pool? That’s the kind of thing that gives a story legs.” She blew out a breath. “You guys aren’t making this easy for me.”
“As a reminder, we had nothing to do with what happened.”
“Doesn’t matter. You should be prepared for the press to find out where you’re staying.”
Someone knocked on Billy’s door.
“Hold for a sec,” he said, and put his hand over the receiver. “Come in.”
The door opened and Ben stuck his head inside. “We have a problem.”
Billy motioned at the TV. “I’ve been watching.”
Ben glanced at the screen. “Not that. Well, I mean, yes, that, but…”
“But what?”
“There are at least half a dozen reporters on the street, in front of the house.”
Billy put the call on speaker and said, “Bad news, Cathy. The press is already here.”
“Dammit.”
“Also, I have Ben with me now.”
“Good morning, Cathy,” Ben said.
“Too late for good,” she said.
“Maybe we should go out and explain that we don’t know any more than the press does,” Ben suggested.
“Whoa there, boss,” Cathy said. “While that’s not a terrible idea, let’s not do anything until my team’s had a chance to fully assess the situation.”
“Whatever we decide to do, we should probably talk to Damian first, and make sure he’s okay with it,” Billy suggested.
“No one’s planning anything yet,” Cathy instructed.
“Can we at least run some ideas by him?” Billy asked.
“I suppose that would be acceptable,” she said. “But I think it would be best if my team and I come to you. That way we can run interference, if needed.”
“Not a bad idea,” Ben said. “Take the company jet. It’ll get you here faster.”
“Thanks, boss. In the meantime, no talking to anyone until we arrive and discuss options.”
“Except for Damian Leon,” Billy said.
“Except for him.”
“Get here quick,” Ben said. “I have a feeling the crowd outside will only get larger.”
“Consider us already on the way.”
As soon as the call ended, Billy and Ben rang Damian. They told him the situation at the house and ran the idea of giving the press a preemptive statement. He gave them his blessing and confirmed that they were still on for lunch.
After, Ben left to inform the others about what was going on, and Billy got ready for what he was sure was going to be a very long day.
—
Cathy and her PR team arrived at the house at nine a.m. and by nine-thirty, an impromptu press conference was set up at the end of the driveway.
As head of the studio, Ben spoke to the gathered reporters with Billy and Peter at his sides, his message short and sweet. Yes, they were surprised when the body was discovered. Yes, the police had taken their statements. And no, they didn’t know anything else.
The questions came loud and on top of each other.
Cathy quickly stepped in front of Ben and said, “I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Misters Bacchetti, Barrington, and Barnett will not be taking questions at this time.”
“Did Mr. Leon act surprised when you found the body?” a male reporter shouted.
Cathy opened her mouth to repeat what she’d just said, but Billy stopped her with a raised hand.
“Mr. Leon did not act surprised,” Billy said. “He was surprised, as were we all. There was no acting.”
“Can you confirm the dead woman is actress Katy Lane?” another reporter yelled out.
“That’s something you’d have to ask the police, not us,” Billy said.
More questions were shouted, but Cathy once again took center stage and said loudly, “That’s it, folks. That’s everything we know. We will be making no further statements about the case. Like Mr. Barnett said, you should direct questions to the Palm Springs Police Department.”
Billy, Ben, and Peter headed back into the house, where they found Tessa, Hattie, Mari, and two of Cathy’s staff watching the end of their press conference on TV.
“Nice job, darling,” Tessa said to Ben.
“Very professional,” Hattie agreed.
The two staffers gave the men thumbs-up.
“I still can’t believe the dead girl is the same one from the pool fight at the party,” Mari said.
Billy eyed her. “Which is something you shouldn’t say outside of these walls.”
“My lips are sealed.”
The front door opened, and Cathy joined them.
“I think that went about as well as we could have hoped,” she said, then grimaced at Billy. “Though I do remember saying not to answer any questions.”
“I think Billy’s response was perfect,” Peter said. “If he hadn’t said anything, we would have been tacitly agreeing that Damian might be responsible.”
“What Peter said,” Ben chimed in.
“So, does this mean we can leave the house again?” Tessa asked.
“Good question,” Ben said. “Peter, Billy, and I have a lunch meeting at one.”
“Give it another half hour and I think most of them will be gone,” Cathy said. “If anyone sticks around, my team and I will deal with them.”
“Thanks, Cathy,” Ben said.
“Just do me a favor and try to keep a low profile for the rest of your time here.”
“Billy, I think that comment is directed at you,” Peter said.
“Me?” Billy said.
“Cathy, have we told you how Billy almost got into a fight with someone on a golf course the other day?”
Cathy stared at Billy, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.