Dancing in
the Dark – Part 1
Tuesday 29th
November
11 am CET
Rome
As the door
opened, Lucia Bianchini looked over and stood as Maria walked slowly in.
“Aunt Maria,”
she said quietly, “I take it you have heard?”
“I have – not
the way I would have arranged things, but I do think it is for the best all
things considered. How are you feeling,
Goivanna?”
“Strange still
– but it was worth the shock to know that my family now know I am alive. They have agreed, however, that I stay as
Lucia for the moment – when I am not with them.”
“And Andrea?”
“I believe she
has finished talking to your colleagues – we both plan to return to America
with her son next week, and the rest of our family will come and visit us in
Los Angeles and in Victoria.”
As they sat
down, Lucia said “I hear you will be coming to a wedding in a few weeks?”
“A week on
Saturday, yes. You will be there?”
“I will – I
have a conference to attend for the few days before. For the moment, however, I
remain to renew my relationship with Mother and Father – after they take care
of one little bit of business.”
“And that is?”
Lucia looked to
the door as her parents entered.
“Talking, alone, to you – I will go and have some coffee. You should all join me when you have
finished…”
1.30 pm GMT
The House of
Commons
Strangers Bar
“So, as I said
apart from a little excitement, it was a nice, peaceful, restful weekend, and
we all headed home yesterday.”
“Well I’m glad
to hear that everyone had a good time at Shirley’s big weekend Kay.” Margaret
Harker said with a smile as she gestured for the waiter to serve coffee.
“Yes everyone
seemed to have a great time, and most importantly Shirley did,” Kay Cornwall
paused while the waiter finished and walked away, “but I’m sure you didn’t
invite me for lunch at the House of Commons Dame Margaret purely for social
chit-chat. What can I do for you?”
“Well…” Margaret took a sip from her cup, and put it
down before she said “you can assure me that the Intelligence Service was not
responsible for a recent break-in at an Irish government building in Dublin
Commander.”
“Even if that
was my area,” Kay said with a smile and a shake of her head, “you know very
well I can neither confirm nor deny operational details.”
“I know Kay,
and my contact in the Security Service told me exactly the same thing on
Friday.”
“So,” Kay said
as she sat back, “why are you asking Margaret?”
“Firstly
because an old friend in the Irish embassy asked me…”
“Ah that
explains that lunch with Padraig O’Bannon at the Red Lion,” Kay thought to
herself.
“And secondly,”
Margaret continued, “as we negotiate on whether we are going to leave the EEC
relationships with the Irish will probably be the major sticking point.”
“Agreed,” the
woman from the SIS said as she sipped her coffee.
“Look I’ll lay
it on the line. Someone broke into Lardarn House in Dublin recently, and as you
probably know that building houses some very sensitive Irish government
departments.” Maggie took a sip herself. “Nothing seems to have been stolen,
but their government asked a friend of mine, to ask me, if I’d heard this was a
British intelligence gathering operation.”
“Because you
sit on the select committee on Anglo-Irish security matters?”
“Exactly,”
Maggie finished her coffee. “Look Kay I want to keep this quiet and not haul
anyone in front of my committee, but given that we need their co-operation in
the coming difficult times, I want irrefutable proof that this was not down to
‘our’ people. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Kay
nodded, “I’ll pass what you’ve said along Maggie.”
“Thank you, and
the quieter and more informal we can keep this the better.”
“I understand. So, you and Amelia are flying over next
week?”
“For the
wedding? Most certainly…”
Lancaster
Gate
“Didn’t you see
enough of me at the weekend Sigi?” Francesca smiled at the small woman on the screen. She had returned the previous night, after
discussing matters with certain authorities, and now she was in her office,
Peri and Hannah working in the outer office.
“Probably,”
Sigrid von Manschen laughed, “but I have a problem that I must hand off to you
because I have a conflict of interest.”
“Oh?” Francesca
instinctively reached for a pen and pad.
“You know that
my family trust is a shareholder in Norstar SA?”
“The Swiss
holding company that owns the Norstar agencies?”
“Yes,” Sigi nodded.
“Well a Russian company has quietly been acquiring a holding in Norstar, and I
fear that we may be facing some kind of hostile takeover. As a shareholder
myself I think it appropriate that I ask you to handle this for us Francesca.”
“I understand.
So does this have the approval of your brother, Juliette, Missy, etc?”
“I’ve rung them
all, and they agreed we place this in your hands.”
“Well it seems
fairly straight forward…”
“Well, there is
one small fly in the ointment…”
“Oh? Tell me more.”
“It’s
complicated by the fact that the Russian company is owned by Oleg Byushin,”
Sigi said with a rueful smile.
“OUCH!”
Francesca looked worried, “and I apologise for that expression I seem to have
picked up.”
“It’s not a
problem, but I know that you know very well that his name was at the forefront
of ‘certain matters’ this past summer.”
“I do indeed,”
Francesca took her glasses off and started to play with them. “He’s a very big
time player, and has very powerful connections in many places.”
“I thought you
would know who he was.”
“So why would
he be interested in something as relatively small-time as a model agency?”
“I don’t know,”
Sigi said, “but for a man accustomed to investing in companies with multi-multi
million dollar balance sheets it makes little financial sense, even as a front
for laundering some of his ill-gotten.”
“So this could
be purely a personal motive?”
“That’s what
I’m hoping you can tell us Francesca,” Sigi smiled. “Given your sources, and
resources, I’m hoping you can give us an explanation quite quickly.”
“Well I can
try,” Francesca’s mind leapt to all the files still safely secured in the
offices of Jameson Security in New York.
“Let me call a few people, and I’ll report back with a plan of action
later today.”
“Sounds good –
I’ll talk to you then,” Sigi said as she ended the call, Francesca sitting back
and thinking…
8.30 am
New York
“What the hell
ever possessed me to go see that band play as Krys?” Tommy Boynton asked
himself for the ten thousand and twenty fifth time since he’d been dragged onto
the stage the previous Saturday night.
Up until then
he’d actually been thoroughly enjoying the experience, but having all those
people looking at him, and then worse, Krys’ name and picture appearing in the
Sunday editions of the newspapers, and even a couple of magazines, had turned
what had been a fun night out into a recurring nightmare.
So now it was Tuesday
morning, and thanks to Heather and Sandy, he now knew that not just Missy
Auerbach was on his trail as a potential model, but most of the other agencies
in the western world.
“I did look hot
though,” a thought passed into Tommy’s mind and made him smile, and he hadn’t
been insulted that both the lead singer, and the drummer has tried their luck.
Still far too many people now knew his secret identity and he wasn’t sure how
he could both keep that identity secret, especially from Holly, and deal with
the pressure that was starting to build from Missy Auerbach and her colleagues.
The good thing
was that whatever Heather had done to create the identity of Krys seemed to be
holding up to scrutiny, and no one other than the Tripp sisters seemed to have
worked out ‘she’ was really a ‘he’.
“How the hell
had she done it?” Tommy asked himself. He was far from dumb himself but he knew
he couldn’t have manipulated all the computers that Heather had done to give
Krys the appearance of reality.
“I’m just glad
she did,” Tommy smiled at his reflection on the other side of the subway car,
“I do actually love being Krys.”
Still what to
do next? Looking at his schedule for the
day, he smiled and dialled a number.
“Hey – can I
come and see you at about four?
8.50 am
St Angela’s
“Before you
leave for your classes,” Miss Tennant said as she looked round the room and
smiled, “I wish to congratulate both Ama Jameson, and Jessica Murchado, both of
whom have been selected to join the under 18 women’s squads for Scotland and
Spain respectively. Please, join me in
wishing them well.”
Jess and Ama
blushed as the assembled school clapped and cheered them.
“So, let us
sing the school song, and then set forth for a new week of learning…”
9.30 am
Complete Style
“This is beginning
to frustrate me,” Missy looked pained as she slumped into a chair in Juliette’s
office.
“Oh? And what particular thing is frustrating you
today Missy,” Juliette said as she looked across from her desk. “This Russian who is buying in?”
“Well, I admit,
I could have done without coming back to that…”
“It’s too early
to get upset yet,” Juliette said with a smile, “I’m sure Francesca can do
something to get this Russian off our back.”
“I trust her to
do that,” Missy sighed, “no, it’s this whole Krystle Ernst thing. Heather Smith
is being totally uncooperative, and neither the Yale, nor Boston University
alumni offices will give me her either her phone number, or her address.”
“You know that
legally they can’t hand out that sort of information darling.”
“I know,” Missy
sighed again, ‘but in the meantime I know my rivals are also trying to hunt her
down, and I worry they are having better luck then I am.”
“You know you
are totally obsessing again?”
“I know, I
know,” Missy said as she stood up and paced the room, “but you’ve seen that
clip of her on stage dancing, and just as appearing to be pulled out of the
crowd by Bruce Springsteen on the Dancing in the Dark video helped make
Courteney Cox a star, so that little clip is working magic for Krys Ernst. I
can already book her solid for months if she signs.”
“It has reached
England already I know,” Juliette nodded.
“You know
something I don’t know Ju?”
“Only that
Rebecca Wesley rang and asked me if I knew Krys because she sees her as the
perfect girl to be Lady Dorothy on the covers of the new paperback editions of
her books.”
“See,” Missy
almost screamed, “even more work we could book her for.”
“First if we
can find her, and second if she signs,” Juliette grinned, “and Sandy is offering
no better than even money that we can do either thing.”
“No – I signed
Caroline, and if I got her into an agreement, I can do it with Krys. But Ju, darling, I need you to talk to
Heather…”
5 pm GMT
Lancaster
Square
"How is
filming going this week Caroline?" Francesca asked as she spoke into the
phone.
"Better, I
think I'm starting to understand what they want from me and how this works
Francesca."
"Well
that's good. Look I'll get straight to the point - a Russian oligarch is
starting to sniff round Norstar, probably looking to buy, and Sigi has asked me
to lead the legal defence.'
"Okay,”
Caroline said, “and this affects me how?"
“Apart from the
fact you work for NorStar?”
“Well,
technically, they represent me, I don’t work for them – but go on…”
"Well… It's Byushin who is doing
the looking..."
"CRAP!" Caroline didn't allow Francesca to finish what she's saying.
"I know,” Francesca said with a sigh.
“Anyway, I can't remember all of what we dug up on him, can you tell
your people to give Eleanor access to the files?"
"Of
course," Caroline paused, "I'd look myself but I'm tied up with this
filming."
"It's why I'll get Eleanor to do it."
“All right –
I’ll let the office know she is coming in…”
1 pm
NYU Dining
Hall
"What has you laughing Hol?" Tommy asked as they sat down to eat
their lunch.
"Oh just an e-mail from Heather,” Holly said with a smile, “complaining
about all the phone calls asking about her friend Krys?"
"From that Missy Auerbach woman?" Tommy tried to not sound nervous as
he put the straw in the juice carton.
"No, it
seems from a lot of people, somehow it has leaked out that Heather knows
her."
"Sounds bad."
"Yeah poor
Heather, it's not going to be fun until all this dies down."
"You met
this woman, what did you make of her?" Tommy now tried to sound relaxed as
he asked the question.
"She's
gorgeous, and she's truly nice..." Holly giggled, "if I wasn't
already in love with both you and Sands I might even be interested
myself."
Tommy raised an eyebrow as he looked at his girlfriend. "You liked her that much?"
"Yeah,” Holly laughed. “In a way
she reminds me of you, but in other ways she's very different."
"Oh?"
"Don't
take this wrong darling, but she's comfortable in her own skin in a way that
you often aren't."
"Okay,"
for a few seconds Tommy tried to think out the implications of that statement.
4 pm
Complete
Style magazine
“Okay, young
Thomas,” Mary said as she stood at her table, her hands in her waistcoat
pockets, “what is on your mind?”
“Merlin there
is a question I want to ask that never in my life did I ever think I’d be
asking,’” Tommy took a deep breath, “is there any possible way that I can have
even a partial life as Krys without it coming out that I’m really Tommy
Boynton?”
“Oh? And what has you asking this?”
“I guess
because I really have fun being Krys, and I’m more than just flattered that so
many people seem determined to believe that I could be a top model.”
“You’ve heard
of the stampede to sign Krystle then?” Mary smiled a very amused smile.
“Of course I
have, and do you know what? I actually
think I want to do it, but then I remember that before a model is photographed,
or goes down a catwalk, that she has to have clothes fittings, hair done,
makeup done, etc. How can I do all that without someone noticing I have silicon
breast forms on, that I wear a wig, and most importantly, that I have a penis?”
“Not easily,”
Mary conceded. “If the shoot was for me then I could run cover for you and
ensure that no one knows, but…” She
cocked her head to one side and said “I think you are dreaming of a proper
modeling career aren’t you Tommy bach?”
“In a way…oh I
don’t know,” Tommy put his head in his hands, “since I took that damn dare I’m
not sure I know anything anymore.”
“I think I
implied it might be life changing.”
“I know, and at
times I’ve been thinking about going as far as a sex change and really becoming
Krys, but then I remember Holly and my parents, and I know they’d never
understand.”
“So what do you
want me to tell you Tommy?” Merlin looked him straight in the eyes.
“I guess, is
there something practical I can do.”
“So you can
have everything,” Mary laughed.
“Is that so
bad?”
“No, but is it
doable? Let me be honest, even I don’t know the answer to that.”
“Well if you
don’t, then who does?”
“Someone does
come to mind, but they would need to be read in. Are you willing for me to do that?”
“Sure – but
who?”
“I’ll call you
tomorrow if I can fix a meeting up.”
“Okay folks,”
Juliette said as she sat in her office with Missy, “let’s collect our
thoughts. Sigi?”
“Well according
to what Francesca was able to quickly find out, Byushin may owe his huge
fortune to mining and chemicals but he seems to be something of a model
chaser,” Sigi smiled at her screen, “he has dated a lot of mid-level
Russian girls Ju, and even the odd top girl.”
“So he wants
Norstar as his personal harem?”
“I’m guessing
it’s something along those lines yes,” Sigi giggled slightly.
“Several
Russians have done this,” Juliette looked grim, “and in the process they have
bankrupted and killed several great agencies.”
“No offense to
you Klaus, but the business was so much better back in those days of yore when
the agencies were owned and run by women and gay men.” Missy too stared at her
screen.
“None taken
Missy, and I do get your point. I’ve read enough, and talked to enough people,
to know that sex has been as bad for your business as drugs.”
“So do we try
buying him off?” Juliette asked, “Make him an offer for his shares at above
market price and hope he takes his profits and go’s away?”
“That or some
kind of whitemail strategy,” Klaus said quietly. “Either way we make it
economically unfeasible to keep trying to acquire Norstar shares.”
“Well we have
to do something,” Missy declared, “I don’t want this man in MY agency. I have
enough trouble signing promising girls anyway…”
“Which brings
us round to Krys Ernst.” This time Ju did laugh.
“I was thinking
more of the Mel Eckholm’s of this world Juliette. Remember what we talked about
in Italy?”
“The Gross book
and sex with underage girls.”
“Exactly. How
can I in good conscience sign a kid like Mel Eckholm to a contract when I’m
working for a man who is just in the biz for sex with the girls?”
“I do get your
point darling.”
“So are we all
agreed I tell Francesca to contact Byushin and try to present a way of getting
him out of our company?” Sigi asked.
“Yes,” Klaus
said, “and quickly.”
8 pm
The Richmond
Mansion
“As Krys he is
totally conflicted,” Mary Thomas sipped the coffee that Heather put in front of
her. “He knows all the dangers and problems, but he finds it all just so
tempting.”
“Thanks for
coming over tonight and telling us,” Heather said as she picked up her own
drink, “I hadn’t realized quite how things had developed.”
“I think at
first those who knew thought it was all quite amusing,” Sandy looked at her
daughter, “but it really now is a very serious matter.”
“Ai that it is,”
Mary looked at the other three women. “He wants advice and help, and I’m
honestly not sure what I can do.”
“I guess it
really was bad of me and Katy to ask him to come with us on Saturday,” Sands
spoke, ‘but honest we never even hinted that he should come as Krys, we
expected him to be there as Tommy. All we really wanted was to go see that
band.”
“Now that you
hadn’t told me before darling?” Heather looked at the young woman intently,
“going as Krys was ‘his’ idea?”
“Yes, we just
wanted an adult who could vouch for us and buy drinks.”
“It doesn’t let
you totally off the hook young lady,” Sandy said as she looked at her daughter,
“but it does put things in a slightly different perspective. Put simply, Krys has created a situation for
herself and needs make some decisions.”
“That’s why I
used the word conflicted,” Mary nodded.
“Well I’ll have
a word with him tomorrow,” Heather paused, “the immediate problem is dealing
with the agents, if I can help Krys buy some time and space with them, then
maybe a solution to the bigger picture might emerge.”
“There is a
logic to that I have to agree lover.” Sandy nodded her approval.
“Call me if you
need help Heather,” Mary put down her cup, “but while you see to Missy et al
I’ll apply myself to the problem of how to give Tommy a real life as Krys
without gender surgery.”
“I think Holly
would appreciate it if he doesn’t have his cock removed,” Sands laughed.
“Princess…”
“Sorry, I
couldn’t resist…”
“So what is
your first likely move Mary?”
“A call to
Australia…”
The Pentagon
“Admiral
Preminger?”
Ed Preminger
looked up from his desk as his adjutant said “call on line 4 – the Marchesa.”
“All right,” he
said, waiting for the door to close before he picked up the handset. “Francesca – how can I help you tonight?”
“Admiral can I
please beg a favor?”
“Is it one I’m
going to regret doing Francesca?” Ed Preminger asked cautiously.
“In so far that
I can see it blowing up in your face Sir? Then no.”
“Well ask then
please.”
“Is Oleg
Byushin still a name that you are interested in?”
Ed sat straight
up before he said “you could say that. Why are you interested in him?”
“At this moment
for a reason that as far as I can tell has nothing to do with intelligence
matters.”
“Oh?”
“He is
acquiring shares in the Norstar model agencies, and Sigrid von Manschen has
briefed me to handle the legal part of any defense if a takeover bid is
launched.”
“Alright, that
I understand, but why ask if I’m still interested in him?”
“I guess I’m
basically doing due diligence,” Francesca paused, “my initial research
indicates that his motive in this is that he sees an agency like Norstar as a
private stock of beautiful women for him to date.”
“That occurred
to me.”
“However given
what we learned earlier this year, and that your new man himself has had more
than flirtations with the model industry, I’m just I guess curious about
things.”
“I certainly
would like to know everything you can find out on Byushin Francesca, I get the
distinct feeling that my time in this position might be limited…”
“You think they
will go after the agencies?” Francesca interrupted.
“I hope not,
but given the stated views of the incoming administration.”
“Plus what we found
out?”
“Then I think
that a lot of us might be on borrowed time.”
“Okay if I find
anything you might need know I’ll pass it on Ed.”
“Thank you
Francesca, at least I can get in the official record, even if it is never acted
upon.”
“I will keep you
briefed, Admiral,” Francesca said before the line went dead.
9 pm
Annapolis
Looking out
over the bay, Eleanor shook her head before she took a sip from her glass. The call from Francesca had been unexpected,
but when she explained why she had called, Eleanor understood perfectly.
"Can you
go in, look at what we put in the files, and prepare me a report on Byushin
Eleanor?"
"Easily darling, but why the rush?"
"I have to
talk to the guy regarding his interest in Norstar, and put basically the more I
know about him the happier i will be."
"Did you
tell Ed Preminger that you are about to start talking to a man who we had
pretty near the top of our hit parade?"
"I rang
him, and he's still interested in anything that i can find out that goes above
and beyond a takeover bid for a model agency."
"I guessed
he might be."
"If I
remember several of our incoming president's 'friends' know Byushin, even if he
doesn't personally."
"That is
rather what i remember, and i also remember we reported him making frequent
phone calls to the embassy, the consulate, and to their UN delegation."
"He's definitely
a well-connected man."
"Alright
I'll go in to Caroline's place first thing in the morning."
“Thank you
Eleanor…”
Wednesday 30th November
8 am GMT
Bayswater Road
“There you go,
Tippy Toes,” Miley said as she put the cat’s water and food bowl down, hearing
the purr as it rubbed against her and then started to eat.
“So what is on
the timetable for today,” Agnes said as she drank from her coffee cup.
“English – Mrs
Coombe is sitting down with us to watch To Kill A Mockingbird, and then we talk
about what we saw,” Laura said with a smile.
“Then Suzanne
is coming this afternoon for my art class, while Laura has a history lesson.”
“Well, a
productive day,” Agnes said with a smile as the phone went. “Let me go and see who that is.”
The girls sat and
listened as Agnes went into the hallway.
“Hello, McAdam?
“Donnie – a little
early for that call isn’t it?
“Oh…
“OH. Yes, I can see that.
“Of course – we
can talk when you get here on Saturday.
And congratulations.”
Miley and Laura
looked at each other, wondering what was going on.
"Girls
there is a secret I need to tell you," Agnes smiled as she put the phone
down, "and you must promise me you will tell no one."
"We promise," Laura smiled, "is it what you were just talking
about to Dad?"
"It is,"
Agnes smiled back, "Donald has been officially informed that he will get a
peerage in the New Year’s Honours list, and we agreed that he will take the
title of Baron Ardray."
"So you'll
be Lady Ardray Mum, and we will be Honorables?" Miley smiled broadly.
"Well once
your father and I are married yes."
"It really
is like something out of a fairy tale," Laura's smile turned to a broad
grin. "It's hard to remember how recently it was Mile's and me were living
in that rotten room in Paddington..."
"My place
wasn't much better you know," Agnes shook her head.
"At least you
weren't having to sell yourself Mum."
"Some
people will always think domination is prostitution you know darling."
"All that
is behind us," Miley said with a decisive tone, "from now on we only
look forward."
"Well
forward means the wedding," Agnes sat down, "I'm sure you have
questions about that, what do you want me to tell you darlings?"
“What sort of
wedding will it be like – like Sue and John’s?”
“No – for one
thing, it’s a Catholic wedding, so it’s going to be a bit more like when your
father and I finally tie the knot. The
church is Father Richmond’s own parish, so he will conduct the wedding.”
“What’s it like
in New York in December,” Miley asked.
“Cold – very
cold, which is why we will all have warm dresses on.”
“Do you know
what Aunt Shirley will be wearing?”
“No – I think
the only person outside of the party who does know will be Kylie, and that’s
because she designed it. Anyway, after
the wedding, we all go back to the hotel for the reception. I know Katy Carter and Sands Richmond are
coming, so there will be some girls your age Mylie, as well as Ama and her
friends.”
“I wonder if it
will be snowy?”
“Who knows,”
Agnes said as she stood up. “When I get
back tonight, we’ll start to sort out what we need to take – but for now, time
for work girls…”
8.30 am GMT
Beneden School
“So why aren’t
we going to this wedding,” Clodagh said as she and Edwina Treharran collected
their books in their room, “and our parents do?
More to the point, Laura and Miley get to go?”
“I guess
because they don’t have a headmistress who said we could not get the time off,”
Edwina said with a sigh, “but there is one point to bear in mind.”
“And that is?”
“You’re not the
only ones,” Aileen said from behind them as both of the year 7 girls turned
round, to see Elizabeth Cuthbertson, Christine Mahan-Gaunt and Eve Gaunt with
her.
“So we have to
spend the weekend here?”
“Yup – but it
means we get our Christmas shopping sorted out…”
9.30 am
McAdam
Associates
The Bank,
London
“Surely the
baby is not kicking already,” Agnes said as she saw Sue holding her back.
“No – we
started to put a crib together last night, and I overstretched,” Sue said with
a smile as she brought in the post and a coffee. “You might want to look at the letter on the
top first.”
“Oh – why… Ah, the Oban postmark?”
“And the seal
of the cathedral – does that mean the date is set?”
“I hope so,”
Agnes said as she opened the letter and looked at it, then dialled a number on
the phone.
“May I speak to
the ambassador please? It’s Agnes
McAdam.
“Donald? The cathedral have confirmed – the 25th
of January…”
9 am
Jameson Security
“The director
will be with you shortly, Captain Ball,” the receptionist said as she handed Eleanor
her identity card back.
“Thank you,”
Eleanor said as she looked round the lobby.
Since she was last there, the entrance had been redesigned to look like
a typical office front, from the reception desk manned by the two smartly
dressed women, to the security guards in discrete, but efficient positions.
She saw the
doors open behind the reception desk and a grey haired man come out, his beard
neatly trimmed, wearing a tailored suit, the silk tie knotted under the collar
of his white shirt.
"Hello Captain,
and welcome back," George Simpson said as he came through the gate,
signalling to one of the guards to come forward as he shook Eleanor's hand.
"Thank you George," Eleanor stood still as the security guard passed
a wand over her, while another looked at the contents of her bag.
"I know
this is a formality," George apologized, "but even for you we need to
follow procedures. The boss is very
insistent on that."
"I
understand," Eleanor smiled as the girl gave her back her bag. "So
did Caroline tell you what I'm here for?"
"Only that you are needing to look at something in the vault, and that I
should not ask questions," the Englishman laughed softly. "I took
that to mean this wasn't any of my business."
"Well it might be something serious, or it might just be a very horny
Russian trying to find a way to meet beautiful women," Eleanor walked with
George towards the elevator. "The problem is we can't be sure which it
is."
"So you
have to do some background checks?"
"If you
reduce it to basics then yes."
"Well you
know what to do down in the basement, I'll leave you here."
"Thanks
George, and if i need help I'll call out.
Although – any chance of a coffee?"
“I’ll get a pot
sent down,” George said as Eleanor stepped in. the doors closing as the car
went down. When the doors opened, she
stepped out into the corridor, noting the security cameras as the female at the
vault door stood up.
“Captain Ball –
Caroline has assigned me to find any information you need.”
“Good to see
you again Valerie – shall we begin?”
10 am
Tottenville
The Eckholm home
As Missy
Auerbach pulled up outside the house, she looked round before getting out. It was a nice neighbourhood, so different
from the city – and as she inhaled, it was a wonderful change.
She started to
walk up the pathway from the sidewalk, the hells of her three inch leather
pumps clicking on the flagstones, and as the door opened she looked at her
designer suit, then at the other woman’s grey NYPD sweatshirt and grey
pants. Never was the contrast more clear
– or more welcome.
“Hello Eva,”
she said as she came into the house, “I was surprised to get your call, but I’m
glad you did.”
“Thank you for
coming out here Missy,” Eva Eckholm replied as she gestured for her guest to
sit down, “but I think it is time that you and I talked.”
“About my
thoughts that Mel could have a career as a model?”
“Yes,” Eva
paused while she started to pour coffee. “I’ve always had an interest in
fashion…It’s why I buy so many magazines…and I know that Mel has also been a bit
of a model fan.”
“Okay,” Missy said
as she took the offered cup. “What does that mean?”
“Basically
that,” Eva said as she put some sugar in and stirred her cup, “that your
industry has always been a little glamorous fantasy of mine.”
“Well, in that you’re
not exactly alone,” Missy said with a smile.
“almost every mother in this state – heck, in this country probably had
the same dream at one time or another.”
“Fair
point. However… I’m not naïve enough to be blind to the fact
that the fashion world has had far more then it’s share of tragedy,
exploitation, and scandal. I’m flattered you think my daughter has the looks to
be a model, and I guess I can see what you see in her, but before I even really
start to think if I’ll let her model I need you to convince me why I should
consider this?”
“I understand
Eva, and yes if I was a mother myself then I’d probably thinking just what you
are. Our new president elect has brought
all those concerns to the fore.”
“And could you
convince yourself?” Eva took a sip from her cup, and continued “my daughter
above all wants to be a doctor. She loves playing soccer. Even if I didn’t have
all these objections I’d maybe be questioning if she has the time to fit being
a model into her life.”
“I’m not
proposing she quits school or anything stupid like that,” Missy smiled, “but I
do think she can make some good money for herself just basically fitting in
jobs around her current life.”
“Or in other
words if she treats it like a little part-time job?”
“Exactly,”
Missy took a deep breath, “let me be totally honest with you Eva, I’m an agent,
I make money for the company I work for by finding models and marketing them.
It’s all about money, it’s not a charity.”
“Even with the
Jameson clause?”
“Okay, you got
me with that one,” Missy laughed. “That
aside, however, NorStar profits by me doing my job.”
“So you make
money while Mel would be making money?”
“That is how it
works, and I think Mel can do just as well as she wants to doing this, and in
the meantime Norstar will make money as well.”
“Alright I
appreciate all that, and I do understand agencies work and have no problem with
all that. What worries me is all the crap that seems to accompany the model
industry. Can you totally guarantee me this will not adversely affect my
daughter’s life?”
“Can I totally
guarantee it? No. But if you ask Jeannie or Abby or Doc, they
will tell you the part of my job that never gets seen in the public eye. I work hard to ensure that nothing happens to
my girls that is illegal, or is likely to harm them. If I did not do that, I would not be able to
look them in the eye and say I have their best interests at heart.
“You know I was
ill earlier this year, before Rhenia was hired?”
“I remember –
you seem to have made a full recovery.”
“Well, let me
tell you a secret – part of the reason I was working so much then was to get
two of my girls out of a connection with a certain Eastern European
company. I was so focused on that, I
didn’t realise how tired I was.”
Eva
nodded. “Okay, you’ve convinced me of
your intentions. So what happens now?”
1 pm
Tavern on the Green
“Did you ever
do that ‘Look of the Year’ contest Ju?” Claire Morse asked as the friends
started to gather for lunch.
Juliette looked
across the table and said “that thing Elite ran? When?”
“Back when you
were a teen model I guess.”
“I was already
signed with another agency,” Juliette said as she perused the menu. “The prize
of a contract with Elite didn’t have that much appeal.”
“It had
launched several major careers though…”
“And gained a
word of mouth reputation that to get anywhere you were expected to put out,” Ju
shook her head. “No way my Mom was ever going to let me do anything like that.”
“What are you talking
about?”
“Brooke – this
is a rare treat.”
“I have a clear
day,” Brooke Hutton said as she sat down.
“So that is the topic of conversation?”
“The Look of
the Year.”
“Oh lord – two
minutes and he enters the conversation?”
“Park that for
a moment,” Claire said as some of the other Sinners sat down. “If it had such a bad reputation why did so
many girls do it then?”
“I can tell you
why I did it,” Brooke shook her head, “I knew that I’d never be able to afford
law school if I had to rely on my parents paying for it. A friend of mine had
heard about it and she suggested we audition.”
“Did you get
anywhere Brooke?”
“No,” the judge
shook her head.
“Because you
are a Lesbian?”
“No,” Brooke
said with a smile, “because it was intimated that aged 19 I was too old.”
“Ageism that
young?”
“Have you read
the papers recently, Claire?”
“Did either of
you know girls who did the main contest?” Kelly joined the conversation.
“Yes, and I
heard some of the horror stories,” Brooke paused a few seconds, “I ended up
getting signed by one of the small agencies that did everything by the book,
but I got to know what several girls who did do that contest said they were
forced to do.”
“A lot of
hopeful girls saw it as their way into the biz,” Juliette looked grim briefly,
“a lot of very nasty men took advantage of those girls hopes and dreams.”
“So Jeannie’s
quote about the models still needing to be freed?”
“For some of
them, it almost ended up like that.”
“Were any of
the girls we know victims in all that?” Rachel McNally asked quietly, “and if
they were why have they never spoken out about what some of these men did?”
“It wasn’t just
men who were involved,” Brooke took a drink, “there were women who helped
recruit and groom these kids for sex with the sicko’s.”
“You actually
might know a couple of them,” Diana added.
“We might?”
Paulie asked.
“Ask Karen just
who it was who drew her into all of that,” Juliette nodded, “it will shock
you.”
“Karen was one
of the victims?” Claire asked as she watched Juliette quietly nod her head. “Why did she never tell?”
“She tried
Claire, but these were rich, powerful, and famous men. She was 14 years old,
who back then was even prepared to listen, let alone believe her.”
“It’s an age
old story,” Brooke quivered inside, “and it’s not just the celebrities of this
world who get away with molesting girls because no one listens to the
youngsters.”
Diana noticed
Brooke’s comments, and said “which is why we always, despite what we say, thank
Missy for her protective eye. On which note,
you know Allison and Vicky Clarke are coming this weekend? Abby and Jeannie will be spending the weekend
with them as well…”
“Good – so what
are you doing this afternoon Ju?”
“I’m talking to
my publisher about Fiona’s book – and he wants me to meet with someone.”
11 am PT
Xavier International, Los Angeles
“Boss?”
Maddie looked
up to see Tracey at the door.
“I have Missy
Auerbach on the video line for you.”
“Okay,” Maddie
said as she sat back, “put her through.”
She watched her laptop screen as Missy appeared in a window.
“I’m sorry it
has taken me this time to get back to you Maddie,” Missy said as she sipped
from a mug, “but I was out in Tottenville talking to Eva Eckholm about her
daughter maybe signing with Norstar. I got your message when I got back to the
office, what can I do for you?”
“Well there are
a couple of things I want to chat about Missy.” Maddie said as she looked at
some papers on her desk. “The first is
that I’ve had an offer from the Russians to buy my little personal stake in
Norstar.”
“And?”
“Of course I’m
not going to sell,” Missy said with a smile, “but I think it’s time that Sigi
filed a formal complaint with the Swiss authorities forcing the Russian to
formally declare if he is launching a takeover bid.”
“In that I
think you are right Maddie,” Missy replied as she nodded, “I will tell Ju to
tell Sigi, to tell Francesca it’s time to start filing our defence documents. I know they were doing some background checks
on the person of interest first.”
“I think you
have to do it, whether or not they’ve completed the checks.”
“We’ll get onto
that. So what else do you want to talk
about?”
“You know that
the two younger Clarke sisters are flying into New York to shoot this young
teen catalog thing?”
“Yes,” Missy
said, “it’s a nice piece of work for them.
I’ve already lined Jeannie and Doc up to be there with them.”
“Well the
advertising agency that is managing this has decided that it wants a third girl
on the shoot. They don’t like any of our girls, and I was wondering if you have
someone suitable.”
“Have you had a
word with Ashley,” Missy said, “she books our young models board?”
“Well… I
thought I’d have a word with you first.”
“What are they
looking for?” Missy reached for a notepad.
“Tall, blonde,
athletic, and very clean-cut.” Maddie laughed lightly, “They think all our
possibles look too much like models.”
“A model who
doesn’t look like a model…They don’t want anything easy do they?”
“I agree – and
yes, I thought of Jo, but she has exams.
Anyone leap to mind?”
“Actually there
is someone who might just be perfect,” Missy said as she rubbed her head, “if I
can ever convince her mother.”
“Katy?”
“Nope – not
with Allison and her sister. Thing is,
I’m still in the process of negotiation.”
“Oh… OH.
Right – well, can you try and get back to me?”
“I can – talk
to you later,” Missy said as the line went black.
3.30 pm
Complete Style
“I have to
admit,” Iain Brookes said as he looked across the table at Ju, “this is going
to be a blockbuster. We’d be proud to
act as the publisher – we’ll have the contracts drawn up in the next day or
two.”
“All profits to
go to the charities I stated?”
“Of course – as
you said in your initial letter, her wishes were very clear.”
There was a
knock on the door, and Tracey put her head in.
“Your next appointment is here Juliette.”
“Well, I need
to be on my way,” Iain said as he stood up, smiling as he left and the couple
came in.
"Hello,"
the tall blonde haired woman said as she came in and held out her hand,
"I'm Alexandra Head, and this is my husband RJ."
"Ah Doctor
Head, Professor Rucker asked if we would meet," Juliette smiled as
she indicated the seat.
"She told you that RJ works as an editor at Snetterton's?"
"Indeed
she did," Ju shook the thin, bespectacled, man’s hand. “I’m glad you were open to coming into a
rival’s office for the meeting.”
“Not a
problem,” RJ said as they sat down.
"I know you are busy, so I'll get to the point," Alex smiled,
"this idiot husband of mine wants me to write a book about pioneering
women in academia, and I'm rather hoping you will let me look at some of your
research on Jane Huntingdown's academic career."
"It's a book I'd like to read so i nagged her into writing it," RJ
laughed gently.
"And since
I'm at that stage of my own career where I need to have something published if
my own career is to progress to the next level, I was stupid enough to
agree."
"Well I don't have any problems with sharing my notes," Juliette
smiled, "as long as i get a proper thank you.”
"Oh I'll
make sure she does that," RJ also smiled.
"Can i
make arrangements to see your research then your Highness?"
"Please
call me Juliette, and yes if you can give me a couple of days to get things in
order then I'll send you what i have."
"Thanks,"
Alex relaxed and looked around. "Is that a picture of you with Rebecca
Wesley?"
"It is
indeed."
"It's a
small world," RJ laughed gently, "she and Milly are friends of ours,
and I'm about to supervise the publishing of the new paperback editions of
her books."
"She and I spoke just recently about a certain woman she'd like to play
Dorothy on the book covers."
“Oh – who do
you have in mind?”
“Very, very
good question…”
NYSU
“Hey Heather,” Tommy
said as he got into the car, “I got your message.”
"I have a
little secret if you want to hear it Tommy," Heather asked as they sat in
her car.
"And what might that be, and is it going end up getting me deeper in
trouble."
"In itself then no," Heather smiled, "Juliette was telling me
that new paperback editions are being published of the Lady Dorothy Paine
mystery novels."
"And that
affects me how?"
"It seems
that Rebecca Wesley has seen a face she'd like to be Dorothy on the new
covers...Guess who?" Heather couldn't resist laughing.
"Oh
no!" Tommy couldn't stop himself groaning.
"It seems
like it's not the only work on offer out there if Krys Ernst wants to become a
model."
"You know
much as I'd love to that it can't be done. Even Mary Thomas can't see a way to
overcome the problems."
"Actually
she had an idea and asked a friend. It's this friend of Mary's I'm taking you
to see."
“Where?”
“Her place,”
Heather said as she pulled in on the kerbside on Lafayette Street, and stopped
the car. As she and Tommy got out, Mary
Thomas opened the door.
“Ai you made
it, good – come in, come in,” she said as she showed them into her drawing
room, a thin blonde haired man standing as she did so.
“Shane, this is
Tommy. Tommy, Shane.”
“Pleasure to
meet you,” the young man said with an Australian accent as they shook hands.
“Likewise –
have we met before?”
“In a way – you
may know me better as Courtney. Mary has
told me of your problem – Let’s talk…”
9 pm BST
Lancaster
Gate
“So have you
learned anything Eleanor?” Francesca asked quietly as she sat in her lounge,
the screen showing Eleanor in her home in Annapolis.
“Only that I’d
be far happier knowing that my granddaughter wasn’t under contract to an agency
that man has anything to do with.”
Eleanor actually grimaced as she said that.
“You think he’s
that bad?”
Eleanor glanced
down at a notepad and nodded. “I think
he’s a vicious, nasty, totally ruthless operator who has a history of being
involved in things that as a former intelligence officer interest me greatly.”
“And is all that
why he wants to buy Norstar?”
“Probably not,”
Eleanor said as she sipped from a cup. “I
think he enjoys being with, and being seen, with beautiful women.”
“He’s trying to
buy Norstar as a way of stroking his own ego?”
“Maybe,”
Eleanor paused, “though I’d not put it past him using Norstar as a way to
procure girls for some of his friends and other contacts.”
“So your
suggestions old friend?”
“Force him to
make a formal takeover bid and get this all in the realm of financial
regulation.”
“I filed all
the relevant paperwork today.”
“I’d also…”
Eleanor stopped.
“You’d also
what?”
“Oh it’s probably
nothing,” Eleanor sighed.
“Let me judge
that.”
“It’s just
something nagging in my brain that some very powerful, and soon to be very
powerful, men around this world, might benefit a lot from having someone they
trust able to exert pressure on certain models, and former models, who might
just have interesting stories to tell.”
“And you
think?”
“That having
one of their own running an agency like Norstar might be a very good place from
which to make them keep their mouths shut.”
“But don’t
these men get the girls to sign non-disclosure agreements?”
“It never hurts
though to have another way of forcing them to keep quiet.”
“You make a
good point,” Francesca paused for thought, “maybe you need talk to Juliette and
ask her what she might know.”
“I’ll also ask
a few of the other models I know.”
“It sounds like
a plan Eleanor. Can I suggest that you maybe also contact Katy Rucker and see
what the bdsm world knows of all this, I’ll ring Agnes myself and ask her if
she knows anything.”
“Given how Agnes
has – helped – organizations in the past, that makes sense. I’ll book a call with Professor Rucker
tomorrow. By the way – how’s the boat?”
“It looks perfect
– we hope to go out this weekend…”
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