Jem noticed too. "She seems on edge."
"Yes."
Annelie watched Carolyn snub out her cigarette and toss down the last of her drink. She looked furious, every taut movement a testament to her control. Of course Carolyn would not permit her public to see her having some kind of tantrum. The actress stared into her glass, only to follow the smoke's journey toward the ceiling, and gazed out over the ocean. When she turned back to Grey, her face was serene.
A waiter brought the actress a new drink, and the sight of Carolyn holding onto the glass with both hands made Annelie frown, then look quickly away. So far, it seemed Carolyn hadn't noticed Annelie and her party. She briefly wondered what the New York–based agent was doing in Florida. Not wanting Grey Parker on her case this evening, she decided not to acknowledge the two unless Carolyn spotted her.
"I don't get it," Jem said. "Why aren't we asking her to guest speak at the convention? She'd be such a draw."
"Because if we do, the entire planet will assume she's going to be playing Diana Maddox in the movie."
Clearly Jem thought this was ideal. "I don't see the problem. I mean, I know you have to go through the motions of casting, but—"
"The problem is distribution," Annelie said. "I'm negotiating with prospective distributors as we speak, and, frankly, no one is talking about Carolyn Black. Those guys are hot for Sylvia Goodman."
Jem looked startled. "But she's too young. And that voice— Marilyn Monroe on helium."
Annelie laughed at the description. Jem was right. Sylvia's squeaky breathlessness was totally wrong for Maddox. But although Annelie was financing the movie, she was not a distributor. If she didn't get decent distribution, it would make no difference how good her film was. It would wither at the box office or, worse, end up going straight to video.
"I know she's not ideal, but I have to consider her," Annelie said. "I can't afford to cast an actress they won't get behind."
"I see the problem." Jem's dismay was palpable. "What are you going to tell Carolyn about the convention?"
"Nothing at all. She's a busy woman. With any luck, she won't even realize it's happening until it's over."
When Jem's sister and her husband joined them at the table, Annelie was thankful for a change in topic. But despite their friendly banter, she found it hard to focus on the conversation.
As the evening continued, more people entered the restaurant, now and again obscuring Annelie's view of Carolyn, who sat smoking an endless number of cigarettes after finishing her meal. Still her eyes constantly sought the actress out, staring hungrily, feasting from a distance, which was utterly unsatisfying. But it was all Annelie could ever do.
***
Driving up to Annelie's house the next day, Carolyn felt resolved and oddly detached. She parked and, pulling her bag toward her, stepped out of the Navigator.
To her surprise Annelie, dressed casually in white slacks and a light yellow top, appeared in the doorway and waved at her.
"Hello! You're early today, Carolyn."
The bright sunlight reflected in Annelie's long hair, which hung down around her shoulders today. Her smile was friendly and open.
"Yes—" Carolyn broke off before she let the other woman know she hadn't slept a wink the night before. Adjusting her features to not betray her cold determination, she returned the smile.
Annelie gestured toward the hallway. "Before you swim, I need to run something by you if you don't mind. Join me in my study?"
"By all means." Carolyn pushed her sunglasses on top of her head.
Fastening her gaze on Annelie, she donned a bright expression. "As you said, I'm early."
In the study, her eyes immediately fell upon several large glossy photos stacked on the desk. She was still amazed at how well they had turned out. Corazon was talented, making her look young and vibrant in every shot. Not that it had made any difference to Annelie, who quickly picked up the glossies and put them aside.
"I see my promotion pictures arrived," Carolyn remarked pointedly.
"Yes, Grey Parker sent them. They're wonderful. Corazon Perez is a very good photographer. I admire her work tremendously."
Still looking at the picture of herself in the ethereal outfit with the silver threads, Carolyn saw, out of the corner of her eye, Annelie move to the other end of the desk and stealthily lay the picture of the nineteen-years-younger Carolyn facedown.
Amazed, her heart pounding at the unexpected movement, Carolyn continued, "I needed new pictures taken since I've received so much mail from Maddox fans wanting to put a face to the voice." Instinctively, she pretended she hadn't noticed Annelie's subtle maneuver and filed this information away for future reference. Looking up at the other woman, she gave a broad smile, knowing from experience how it could entice people. She touched Annelie's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Anything for the fans, right?"
"Of course." Annelie sounded collected, but her shoulder felt tense beneath Carolyn's touch.
Letting her hand drop, she removed her sunglasses from the top of her head and put them into her bag. "Are you going in to work today?"
"Yes, in a little while. I thought we could go over the contracts first."
"Oh, yes, the contracts. Well, Grey advised me to hang on to them. He takes care of these matters for me, and I trust his opinion." Carolyn shrugged. "We talked things over last night, and if need be, I'd be happy to screen-test, to prove I'm the right one for the Maddox role."
Folding her arms, Annelie seemed taken aback. "I still intend to withdraw the audiobooks as they stand from the market," she pointed out. "This will mean a significant loss of royalties to you. I think Mr. Parker's advice is not in your best interest, financially."
"Perhaps. Grey, of course, agrees with me that I'm right for the role and stand a very good chance compared to the other actresses on your list. A screen test ought to prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt." Carolyn let the steel in her voice become more apparent. "Regardless how you look at it, I'm more experienced and the one closest to Maddox's age. I also know the character in a way they don't."
Leaning with her hip against the desk, Annelie hardened her eyes. "A screen test is of course always useful for a comparison, and I know it's a stretch for someone of your fame to have to do one. Why put yourself though this when I've already explained to you how the marketing experts reason?"
"As I recall, you also promised I could read and you would watch with an open mind," Carolyn said, not acknowledging Annelie's attempt to put her off. "So how about sometime this week?"
The other woman seemed to force back a deep sigh. Shrugging, the politeness only marginal in her voice, she said, "I'm sorry, but my schedule is full. I can't fit you in that quickly, and also I have to have the director present, as well as the casting director."
"Next week, then? Surely that will give everyone ample time to coordinate." Carolyn adopted a cheerful tone of voice. "I'm available any time, except the weekend."
"I'll see what I can do and get back to you through your agent." Her eyes narrowing, Annelie took the promotion pictures and put them back into the envelope with rigid movements. "Now I have to get ready for work."
Remaining completely charming despite the barely concealed irritation in Annelie's voice, Carolyn hoisted her bag over her shoulder, giving the other woman a wide smile. "Well, I better go take my swim. Have a great day, Annelie."
Looking at her with an unreadable expression in her eyes, Annelie nodded regally. "You too, Carolyn."