Chapter 27
“I apologize for the clandestine conditions,” Damian said after greeting Billy, Peter, and Ben.
“Billy’s an expert at all things clandestine,” Peter said. “It’s the mark of a good producer.”
“Is it?” Damian said.
They were in a private dining room at the back of a restaurant owned by a friend of Damian’s. He’d chosen the location to avoid being seen by the press and paparazzi.
Ronan was present, too, having been the one to drive to the location, with Damian hidden under a blanket in the back seat.
Wine was poured and lunches ordered.
Once they were alone again, Damian said, “Hopefully, nothing will interfere with our conversation today.”
“Well, now you’ve gone and jinxed us,” Ben said.
Damian laughed. “If I did, I take full responsibility.”
“How about a toast?” Billy suggested, holding up his drink.
The others raised theirs.
“To new friends and bright futures,” he said.
“Lovely,” Damian said.
Everyone touched glasses and took sips.
“I want to apologize for unintentionally dragging all of you into the mess at my house last night,” Damian said.
“You tried that last night, and we already told you it was unnecessary,” Billy said. “And unless you’re about to confess that you had something to do with it, any apologies remain so.”
“No confession here. I was as surprised as you all were.”
“Have you heard anything new from the police?” Ben asked.
Damian shook his head. “They seem uninterested in sharing anything they’ve learned with me. Now, enough about last night. I have the impression that your desire to meet with me wasn’t to just shoot the breeze.”
Peter smiled sheepishly. “It was not.”
“Not that we wouldn’t mind shooting the breeze with you,” Ben said.
“Peter, why don’t you lay it out,” Billy said.
Peter nodded. “The reason I’m in Palm Springs it to put the finishing touches on the script for my next picture, which we will start shooting in the fall.”
“That’s fantastic news,” Damian said. “I’ve enjoyed all of your films and look forward to anything new you create.”
“That’s very kind. The thing is, I’m hoping you’ll do more than simply look forward to it.”
Damian raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“I won’t beat around the bush. There’s a role I’ve written with you in mind. It’s not the lead, but it’s a sizable part, and crucial to the plot.”
“That’s very touching. But as you know, I’m retired.”
“We may have heard that rumor somewhere,” Billy said, smiling. “But there’s retired and then there’s retired.”
“Those words sound remarkably similar to me.”
“Many excellent actors have retired and then unretired for a picture or two. Cameron Diaz, for one. And Joe Pesci.”
“Audrey Hepburn did it several times,” Ben said.
“As honored as I am to be compared to Ms. Hepburn,” Damian said, “I’m sure audiences were much happier to see her on-screen again than they would be to see me.”
“Not true,” Peter said. “And even if it were, this isn’t a part Audrey Hepburn could have played.”
“Because she is no longer with us.”
“Because it’s written for you.”
Ronan, who’d been scrolling on his phone, looked up and said, “What about James Cagney?”
“I’m pretty sure he’s already passed, too,” Damian said.
“No, I mean, he’d been out of the business for a couple of decades when he came back for Ragtime.”
Damian put a hand over his heart. “Et tu, Brute?”
“I, uh, was just, um, adding to the conversation.”
“Did you happen to know ahead of time what Peter wanted to discuss?” Damian asked, his eyes narrowing dramatically.
“Uh…”
Billy jumped in and said, “He made it clear you were retired, but we still pushed him to set this up.”
“Sure he did,” Damian said, sounding more amused than upset.
“I just thought it might be something you’d want to consider,” Ronan said, his confidence returning. “You’ve seemed restless lately.”
“I have?”
“You have.”
“Hmmm.”
“We’re not looking for you to give us an answer right now,” Billy said. “Read the script first, then tell us what you think.”
“I suppose you brought a copy with you?”
“As a matter of fact, I have,” Peter said, tapping the messenger bag he’d slung over the back of his chair. “But I won’t give it to you if you don’t want me to.”
Damian looked at each of them in turn, including Ronan. “I do enjoy reading good scripts, so I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to take a look at it.”
Peter immediately pulled it out and set it on the table in front of Damian.
“This isn’t the final, but it’s very close. I’m also happy to discuss any ideas you might have.”
“How about I just read it as a fan for now?” Damian said.
“That works for me.”
Ronan’s phone buzzed. When he looked at the screen, his brows knit together in confusion.
“Sorry,” he said to everyone, then turned away and answered the call. “Emma?…Oh, yes. I remember you. How can I help you?” Ronan suddenly sat up. “What? When?…She wanted me to do what?…Um, yes, I can meet you there…. Okay…. Thank you, Marty.” He hung up, looking dazed.
“Something wrong?” Billy asked.
“The police just took Emma to the station for questioning.”
“About the body?” Damian asked.
“I assume so.”
“I guess I did jinx us.”
“Who were you talking to?” Billy asked.
“One of her coworkers,” Ronan said. “He’s taking her dog back to her place. I need to meet him there to open the door.” He quickly stood up, then seemed to realize what he’d just said. He glanced at his boss. “If that’s okay?”
“Of course,” Damian said. “But you look a little shaken. Are you all right to drive?”
Before Ronan could answer, Billy stood. “I’ll drive him.”
“Thank you,” Damian said, relieved.
“Wait,” Ronan said, looking at his boss. “How are you getting home?”
“Don’t worry about Damian,” Ben said. “Peter and I can give him a ride.”
“Thank you.”
Billy put a hand on Ronan’s back. “Come on, son. Let’s take care of your friend’s dog.”
“Ari,” Ronan said, still in a daze.
“Then let’s go take care of Ari.”
Within minutes, they were on the road in Ronan’s car, heading to Emma’s place.
“Tell me exactly what the person on the phone told you,” Billy said.
“He said the police had just taken her from work to the police station for questioning.”
“He didn’t say why?”
“No. He just said she asked him to call me so I could take Ari to her place. He has a meeting out that way and said he’d meet me there.”
“Does Emma have a lawyer?”
“She’s used lawyers for contracts, but nothing like this.”
Billy inserted an AirPod into his ear and called Stone.
“Miss me already?” Stone asked. “It’s barely been twenty-four hours.”
“I’m actually looking for a referral.”
“What kind of a referral?” Stone asked, his tone now all business.
Billy quickly explained what had happened the previous night and how Emma had been picked up this morning.
“Is she a suspect?” Stone asked.
“I don’t know, but I’m assuming yes. I also think they’re trying to question her without any representation. Do you know a good lawyer in the area who can help her out?”
“As luck would have it, I do. Herb is still in town. There’s no one better for something like this.”
“Can you text me his number?”
“Will do,” Stone said and hung up.
As soon as the text arrived, Billy called the number.
“Herb Fisher.”
“Herb, it’s Billy Barnett.”
“Hello, Billy. What can I do for you?”
“You’re still in Palm Springs, correct?”
“I am.”
“Any chance you’re free right now?”
“My next meeting isn’t until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Perfect. I need your help with something.”
“Help is my middle name.”
“Your parents must have really hated you.”