Shakeup (Stone Barrington #55) - Stuart Woods Page 0,14
he had been called in to audition for. He got the part.”
“That was very clever,” she said. “Risky, too. I wonder if I could pull that off?”
“I wonder, too, but I don’t know. It’s just something to consider, especially if the studio head is at the meeting. Directors are smarter about such things.”
“Now I don’t know what to do.”
“Study your lines and give them your best reading,” Stone said.
“Now that is good advice. You don’t look old enough to be Peter Barrington’s father.”
“That means either that Peter is younger than you think, or I’m older than I look. Either way, it was the right thing to say.”
They were quiet for a moment.
“Is Lara Parks your real name, or did someone suggest it to you?”
“My parents are Swiss, and the name they gave me was Helga Glick. Everyone suggested I change it, so I made up Lara Parks.”
“Has anyone ever asked you if you’re related to Larry Parks?”
“No. I’ve never heard of him.”
“He was a talented actor in the forties and fifties, but he ran afoul of a congressional committee investigation into communism in the movie business . . . He was blacklisted, as a result, and didn’t work in films for several years, so the correct answer to that question, as well as the truthful one, is no.”
“I’ll google him, so I’ll know what I’m talking about.”
Stone looked at his Rolex. “I believe the sun is over the yardarm, as they say. Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, I would. May I have a vodka and tonic, please?”
“Of course.” Stone swam to the other end of the pool, climbed out, put on his robe, picked up a phone, and ordered. Then he picked up Lara’s robe, took it to a ladder, and held it open for her, screening his view.
She climbed out and slipped into it. “Thank you for being so nice, but I’m not shy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Stone replied, offering her a seat. The butler appeared with their drinks and left them to it.
“Have you ever been asked not to be shy when auditioning?”
“Yes. When that happens, I become shy. Have you ever noticed that the biggest female stars seem never to show so much as a nipple?”
“I have noticed that. There must be a reason.”
“I think the reasoning is: leave them wanting more.”
Stone laughed. “I expect that’s good advice.”
“I’m surprised that you haven’t made a pass at me.”
“Are you free for dinner this evening?”
“Yes.”
“Then come to my house at seven, and the cook will cook for us. I promise to be on my worst behavior.”
She laughed. “I’ll hold you to that. Now, I have to go. They’re sending a hairdresser over to do me up for tomorrow.”
“The studio?”
“Yes.”
“And they put you up in this hotel?”
“Apparently, they keep a cottage for out-of-town guests.”
“I’d say you’re getting star treatment.”
“I could get used to that,” she said. She kissed him on the forehead and walked away.
* * *
—
He was napping on his bed when the phone rang. “Yes?”
“Dad? It’s Peter.”
“How are you?” Stone asked.
“Just fine. Will you dine with us tonight?”
“I’m afraid I already have plans. I’m sorry.”
“Can’t you bring her with you?”
“I’m afraid not. I’ll explain it all later. I’ll be here for a few days, so we’ll find time.”
“As you wish.” They caught up a bit, then hung up. Stone had a shower and a shave and got dressed, in preparation of being on his worst behavior. His phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Lara Parks.”
“Good evening.”
“Tell me, did you mean what you said?”
“My recollection is that I didn’t say much, but I meant all of it.”
“I’d prefer it if you were on your best behavior, rather than your worst.”
“Granted. Would you like to put another quarter in the machine?”
“See you at seven,” she said, then hung up.
13
Promptly at seven, the doorbell rang, and the butler answered it.
Stone arrived downstairs a moment later and found Lara Parks seated in a chair before the fireplace with a drink in her hand and a magazine in her lap.
“Good evening,” he said, shaking her hand. His bourbon was already resting on the chairside table, and he sat down.
“You didn’t tell me about this,” she said accusingly, holding up the magazine.
Stone peered at the publication. “I believe it’s a copy of People magazine. I believe this, because it says People at the top.”
“Please tell me how this came to be.”
Stone took a swig of his drink and drew a breath. “Well, many years ago—I forget exactly how many—Time magazine had a weekly column