Sunset Boulevard
Miss Audrey Hepburn
Speaking Greek, Theo glanced at Simo in the passenger seat of the Escalade. “We have a tail…”
“Yeah, ever since we left the gym.”
“Any idea who it is?”
“Maybe…”
“Joel?”
“No.”
“They are bad at tailing…”
“Yeah.”
“What do you want to do?”
Simo didn’t answer as he watched the black Mercedes two cars back follow them down Santa Monica Boulevard. “Hamburgers?” Simo finally replied.
“In-N-Out on Sunset?”
“Sure.”
Theo turned right on Orange Drive and was soon pulling into the parking lot at In-N-Out. Theo parked where Simo indicated and they both got out, ignoring the black Mercedes as it passed the restaurant. They went inside, ordered their burgers, came outside, and sat down.
Between bites, Theo spoke as if they were simply chatting. “They parked up the street at your five o’clock.”
Simo nodded as he took a big bite of his double cheeseburger.
“So far I see one driver. No passengers.”
“Male or female?”
“Can’t tell.”
“They are being too obvious.”
Theo nodded and took the last bite of his burger. When he wiped his mouth, the Mercedes door opened. “Definitely female,” Theo replied and finished off the last of his fries.
“How so?”
“A ten.”
“Someone we know?”
“I wish,” Theo chuckled as he discreetly pulled his gun from under his waistband.
Theo turned away from her, but kept her in his periphery as he spoke to Simo.
“No purse. Nothing in her hands. With that dress, I doubt she has a gun. But… maybe like Jessie it’s strapped to her thigh. Looks like we are going to meet her.”
Simo finished his fries off. “I’ve got nothing behind you or to my right. You got anything?”
“Nothing. She is heading right for you, off your right. She will be next to you in five… four…”
Simo took a long sip of his drink and set the cup down. He saw the reflection of the young woman in Theo’s sunglasses. She was stunning indeed.
“Excuse me, Mr. Simo?” said a soft yet sensual voice beside him.
Simo cocked his head and glanced up at the gorgeous, dark-haired woman. “Maybe. Who is asking?”
“My apologies for interrupting your meal, but it is my employer who is asking. You most definitely fit the description of Mr. Simo, sir.”
Simo held the woman’s dark eyes with his own for a moment, then gestured to the seat next to Theo. Theo instantly moved over and spread out a napkin on the cement chair for the woman.
She smiled. “Thank you… Theo.”
“Parakalo,” Theo grinned.
The young woman gracefully sat on the napkin, then looked directly at Simo. “My employer would like a meeting.”
Simo remained quiet as he watched the young woman. After a moment, he wiped his hands on a napkin and held out his hand to the woman. “Simo Petras, a pleasure to meet you, Miss…” The woman reached out and shook his hand.
“Audrey.”
“Audrey…”
“My apologies, Mr. Petras. Audrey… Hepburn.”
Theo grinned. “Really?”
“Yes, really. My… uh, mother was a fan of the late actress. Much to my chagrin…”
Theo looked to Simo. “What is this word?”
Simo shrugged.
“Oh. Apologies to you gentlemen. It means to my embarrassment.”
“There you go, Theo. Your new English word for the day.” Simo looked into the woman’s dark eyes and gave her a single nod. “Well, Miss Audrey Hepburn. Who is your employer?”
The stunning woman leaned forward slightly and spoke quietly. “Mr. Irwin Miller. Joel Miller’s father. He is… desperate to meet with you. That is the word he told me to use, Mr. Petras. Will you come with me now?”
“Now?”
“Yes, please.”
“And what are you supposed to do if I don’t go with you?”
Simo watched as she genuinely flushed and began blinking rapidly. “I… I am to do anything to try and convince you to come with me.”
“That could mean a lot of things…”
“Exactly, Mr. Petras.”
“What exactly is your position with Mr. Miller?”
“I am his personal assistant.”
Simo could see she was more than uncomfortable answering his questions. “Maybe I will go with you… if you truthfully answer me. Deal?”
With a barely concealed look of relief, Audrey answered, “Yes.”
“What exactly do you do for Irwin Miller?” Her eyes shot open wide before she could stop herself. It told Simo everything he needed to know, and that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. “I… I help Mr. Miller any way I can. Will you please come with me now?”
“Do you like your job?” Simo followed.
“What?” she replied.
“You heard me.”
“I… I…”
“Never mind, Miss Hepburn,” Simo said as he began to stand up.
Audrey shot unsteadily to her high-heeled feet. “Oh no! Please, you have to come with me, Mr. Petras. Please?”
Simo smiled as he reached out, along with Theo, to steady the young woman. “I meant ‘never mind’ as in you don’t have to answer.” A look of relief swept over the young woman.
“You are coming with me?”
“Yes. Theo will follow in his car.”
“I am only supposed to bring you…”
“That is the ‘anything’ you are supposed to do to get me to come with you.”
“Oh. Of course, then.”
Simo gestured up the street as Theo cleared the table of their mess. Simo watched the woman walk in front of him and was nearly hypnotized by her sway in her skin-tight red dress. Irwin was a crafty devil, Simo already decided.
As they approached the Mercedes, Simo casually opened the driver’s door before Audrey could open it.
“Thank you, Mr. Petras. You can sit in the back if you care.”
“I prefer the front.” Simo closed the door, walked around to the side, and got in next to Audrey.
Simo settled in and turned to Audrey. “By the way. It’s just Simo.”
“Of course, Simo.” She started the car, pulled out, and soon they were headed in the direction of Ari’s home. Simo ignored the driveway to Ari’s as they passed it and began some small talk. “How long have you worked for Mr. Miller?”
“Three years this January.”
“You like the job?”
“It’s a good job, Mr… I mean, Simo.”
“Pays well?”
“Uh… I have great benefits.”
“Ah, really?”
“Oh. Yes.”
“How does Mr. Miller know about me?”
“What? I—I really don’t know, Simo.”
“What do you think of Joel?” He saw her blink rapidly under her large sunglasses.
“I… he is a successful producer. Mr. Miller, Senior, is very happy that his son did not perish in the plane crash.”
“Yes. Very lucky.”
She quickly glanced at Simo and shrugged. Simo guessed that the young woman did not know if the Mercedes was bugged and was playing it safe with her answers.
“Do you make yourself look like Audrey Hepburn on purpose?”
“Oh. Mr. Miller likes it. I do it for him. Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“I heard Mr. Miller say you were kicked out of Greece, and that you were some Commando there.”
“Mr. Miller is very nosey…”
“I apologize…”
“It’s ok. Yes and yes.”
“You mean you can’t ever go back?”
“No. Not legally…”
“That is sad.”
“Yeah. Where are you from?”
“Oh. Uh, Seattle area. I don’t like the rain… and here we are.”
Simo saw the house as they approached. It looked more like a grand hotel. In fact, Mr. Miller’s ‘home’ was bigger than many hotels. It was about twice as big as Ari’s home.
“You ever get lost in there?” He heard Audrey’s cute giggle and she nodded her head.
“It took a while to learn my way around.” She parked, set the brake, and sighed with relief. “Mr. Miller’s housekeeper will meet you at the front door and take you wherever he is.”
Simo watched as Audrey stuck out her hand. He took it gently and gave it a tender shake.
“Thank you, Simo.”
Simo knew what she really meant and gave her a nod. “Sure. Take good care of yourself, Audrey.”
“I will.”
Simo hopped out and walked to the steps. As he looked for a doorbell, one of the huge double doors opened. There stood a stodgy, middle-aged woman in a gray maid’s uniform.
“Hello, Mr. Simo. Mr. Miller is waiting. Please follow.”
With a nod, Simo followed the woman through the huge home. Eventually, they ended up in front of two tall double doors. The maid knocked and a voice boomed out from behind.
“Come!”
The maid opened the door for Simo and stepped aside. Irwin Miller’s desk sat up on a dais. It was as if he were an old king looking down on his subjects. Simo watched the tall, rather regal, old man make his way down. Irwin Miller was all business as he extended his age-freckled hand.
“Well met, Mr. Petras.”
Simo returned the strong grip, so much unlike his son’s handshake. “Yes, well met, Mr. Miller, but please, it’s just Simo.”
“Of course. Come, have a seat if you will.” Irwin pointed to a red leather couch as he pulled up a chair to face him. Simo took his seat and Irwin followed.
“I bet you already know why I asked you for a meeting.”
“Because of your son.” Simo heard the old man sigh.
“Yes. I won’t waste your time. I am prepared to pay you handsomely if you care to regale me with what my son told you. The real truth, that is.”
“How much?”
“How much would it take?”
“How much is it worth?”
Irwin Miller grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Simo, I like you already! How does fifty thousand cash sound?”
“Good enough for a start.”
“Deal!” Irwin chuckled, reached under his blue blazer, produced a large bundle of cash, and handed it to Simo. Irwin then leaned back in his chair and waited.
Simo put the cash away and proceeded to regale Irwin with the events Joel divulged under duress at the park. He conveniently left out JJ and what Joel wanted done.
Irwin nodded several times but remained quiet the entire time. When Simo was done, he leaned forward. “What did he say about Jenny Jones?”
Simo smiled. “Who?”
Irwin chuckled, reached into his blazer, and produced a smaller bundle of cash. He handed it to Simo and once more leaned back into his chair and waited.
“Your son has contracted me to entertain Miss Jenny Jones. He wants it to be a bad accident. I told him no.”
“No, you won’t… entertain her?”
“No, that I will not make it a bad accident.”
“I see. Do you plan on… entertaining Miss Jones?”
“It would be best for you and your son…”
Irwin leaned forward. Close enough that Simo could tell the man dyed his hair dark brown to cover the white. “I want to pay you to keep Miss Jones alive. How much would something like that set me back?”