Gun Brooke: Course of Action

She hugged a pillow tight as she curled up beneath the covers, letting her mind wander to Carolyn Black once more. The actress had done a lot for Key Line, playing the role of criminal investigator Diana Maddox in their hugely successful audiobook series. It was hardly surprising that she saw herself as the logical choice for the lead in the movie.

Annelie's stomach clenched at the thought of having to disappoint her. Carolyn obviously wanted the role, and she had the necessary acting credentials. She'd won a Tony in her younger years and various film awards later in her career. But her impressive record cut little ice with Annelie's potential distributors. They'd already decided a younger star would have more box office appeal and had their sights set on Sylvia Goodman, an up-and-coming actress who'd attracted attention for her supporting roles in several major films. The fact that Diana Maddox was forty plus in the novels made no difference. In screen adaptations, everything was up for grabs.

Fastening her grip around her pillow, Annelie sighed. She was trying to keep an open mind about Goodman. The tall, fair-haired beauty had been pronounced the new Sally Field by some gushy columnists, and she certainly had the right look for Maddox when she wore a dark wig as she had in several recent supporting roles. Still, in Annelie's mind she lacked certain key sensibilities Carolyn Black possessed in abundance. Carolyn brought maturity and dimension to her roles that few younger actresses could equal. But what did that really buy these days? Audiences had been trained to accept shallow performances as long as a movie was exciting and delivered some titillating sex scenes. Annelie wanted to make more than one Maddox film, so everything depended on how the critics and the audience received the first movie. As far as she could see, sacrificing Carolyn for Sylvia came down to simple pragmatism. Annelie didn't have the luxury of indulging her own personal preferences; too much was at stake.

***

Carolyn reached for the phone, automatically checking the bedside clock. Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw the caller ID. What was her younger sister doing calling at two in the morning?

"Beth? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Really." Her voice was high-pitched. "Sorry to call you so late, but I just couldn't wait to tell you."

"It's okay." Carolyn elbowed herself upright. She could hear a male in the background, her sister's husband Joe.

"I'm pregnant!" Beth's voice cracked, and she started to cry.

"Oh, honey. That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you and Joe."

After a muted rattle, her brother-in-law started talking. "Hi, Carolyn. Beth just got a little emotional. She'll be fine, but I wish she could've waited until tomorrow to tell you."

The actress felt a pang of guilt for not remembering to return Beth's call earlier. "Is everything okay with her and the baby? When did you find out?"

"This morning. Everything seems normal this time. But she's only six weeks pregnant, so she's nervous. We both are."

"I know." Beth had suffered two miscarriages in a row, both in her eighth week. After the second, she had fallen into a deep depression. "Put her back on, would you, darling," Carolyn said, thinking quickly.

"I'm here." Beth's voice seemed a little stronger.

"Beth, honey, listen to me. Why don't you take a leave of absence until you're past the first trimester? I'll help with the bills. You and the baby are all that really matter right now. Please, kiddo?"

"Oh, Lyn. I don't think Joe would like that, but thanks anyway."

"Talk to him. Joe only wants what's best for you. He knows this isn't about his pride. Please."

"All right." Beth paused. "You're happy for me, aren't you? You don't think I'm asking for trouble, trying again?"

Carolyn's heart almost broke at the tentative voice of her little sister. Beth had needed her more than ever when their father died. She was only ten and heading for puberty. A cousin of their father had offered to raise the young girl but was not interested in their teenaged brother John. Not about to let anyone break up what remained of her family, Carolyn resisted and became her younger siblings' legal guardian.

She had carried the burden of supporting them on far too narrow shoulders. Maintaining their childhood home swallowed most of the monthly allowance from her father's life insurance, and she'd constantly hunted for part-time work until she landed the daytime soap role that had launched her career.

Like her, her brother John grew up too quickly, and she sometimes thought this was why his behavior was so often spoiled and childish now. Beth was different. Always interested in and proud of Carolyn's professional achievements, her warmhearted sister made it clear in her unaffected way that she loved Carolyn deeply regardless of her star status. The fact that her sister was now a grown woman of thirty-four didn't matter. Carolyn still felt responsible.

"I'm delighted for you, honey," she said. "Now you be careful and take good care of yourself. I promise to be better at keeping my cellphone battery charged in case you need me, all right?"

"All right. Thank you, Lyn."

"Don't be silly. You'd do the same for me, and more."

"In case you became pregnant, you mean?" Beth teased with a glimpse of her normally wicked sense of humor.

"Smart-ass."

They continued some of their usual sisterly bantering, easing the mood.

After hanging up, Carolyn curled onto her side. Her neck and her temples hurt a bit, so she was relieved to be swimming tomorrow. It usually kept her headaches at bay. Yet again she wondered why Annelie had invited her. She had no trouble picturing the statuesque blonde. Annelie had looked down at her, masking whatever was going on behind those pale blue eyes. Carolyn sensed something was on Annelie's mind, a special reason the publisher was making her welcome this way. It had to be the movie.

This was her chance, her shot at proving they didn't need to consider anyone else for the role. Surely it was obvious to Peterson— and if not, could it be all that hard to make her see reason? The readers already knew Maddox's voice through the audiobooks; they already identified her as Maddox. She wondered about her competition. Could Supernova seriously be considering anyone else? Whoever it was, she had to convince Annelie no one else could do Diana Maddox justice. She was the one. And she would not be going home without the role.

Chapter Two

Carolyn lowered the backseat window as the cab stopped at the gate and the security guard stepped out of the booth.

"Carolyn Black. Annelie Peterson is expecting me."

The guard ducked back into the booth, then motioned the cabdriver through the gate.

Looking around the exclusive residential area, Carolyn saw several different types of architecture. Most of the houses were either white or pastel and screened by large palm trees. The torpid Miami heat was already gathering, and she could hardly wait to get into the pool.

The cab stopped at the end of a cul-de-sac at a large white house set back from the road in a lush tropical garden. With its tall windows creating an exciting façade, the house seemed to wrap around its semicircular driveway. A brand-new-looking, red vintage sixties Ford Mustang sat in front of the house. She glanced to the right, spotting a vast garage with a garage apartment.

The grounds were enclosed by a high concrete wall punctuated with ornate black wrought iron. Carolyn raised an eyebrow, thinking about Jared's comments. Annelie was obviously a very private person. Was her rumored lesbianism the main reason, or was she one of those wealthy people who preferred to keep the world at arm's length? Either way, it was amazing that she'd invited Carolyn here, and little wonder Jared was speculating on her motives.