"Yeah, very useful boots," Annelie teased.
Helen rolled her eyes at her before sending Harvey a broad smile.
"I'll say." Harvey stroked his mustache, trying to keep a straight face. "But I don't think the girl would've reacted the same way if I'd worn those boots."
"Don't sell yourself short," Carolyn said. "Who knows?"
"Hardly! However, I'm glad we're not doing any more conventions for a while. My hand needs to recover first." Harvey wiggled the fingers on his right hand in the air.
"Your hand? What happened to it?" Carolyn frowned.
"I must have signed more than a thousand autographs. I'm an old man, remember? I can't imagine how many you two beauties signed."
"At least twice that, old man," his wife teased. "I think even Annelie signed more autographs than you."
Carolyn smiled as she glanced at her lover, sitting next to her. "You got a lot of attention, didn't you?"
"More than I was comfortable with initially, but, once I got over my first panic, I was fine. People were really kind."
Carolyn hadn't realized until after the performances how people had surrounded Annelie, eager to show their support and wanting autographs. She could well imagine Annelie's first reaction.
"Annelie? I've got faxes coming in for you," Gregory said from behind them. "Want me to bring them to you?"
"No, I'll come back there." Annelie disappeared to the desk area.
"Monday is business as usual, then," Helen mused. "I'm actually excited about continuing the readings. Was it Friday we're starting the first studio rehearsals?"
"Yes, I believe so." Carolyn nodded. "As far as I know, they've completed Erica Becker's apartment. By then, they should've come close to finishing Maddox's place and the interior of the police station."
They continued to talk shop for a moment until Annelie returned with an odd expression on her face.
"What's up?" Carolyn felt her heart flutter.
"The security company faxed a copy of the police report from Friday afternoon. Trevor White is in custody, as we knew, and they expect the ADA to go after him with a list of charges." Annelie sat down next to Carolyn again. "I'm just relieved he didn't turn out to be my father."
Carolyn reached around her, squeezing Annelie's shoulders. "I know, love. So are we."
"Also, Regina left a message. She wants everyone to take tomorrow off and work on your scenes at home. Apparently she has to take care of some problems that have cropped up, but she'll be ready for Tuesday's readings."
"You know, that's not such a bad idea. I get jet-lagged even with the three-hour difference," Harvey said and then suddenly sniffed the air. "Oh, dear God, tell me that's what I think it is."
Annelie, breaking out of her reverie, smiled at the hopeful look on Harvey's face. "If you mean the best hamburgers with all the extras money can buy, it is. The chef's fixing them in the kitchen."
"French fries? Onion rings? Quarter pounders?"
Harvey's eyes widened as Annelie nodded at each suggestion. "And a salad," she added.
"God, are you trying to kill him?" Francine moaned. "He's not a young man anymore. He can't be on a diet like that."
"He won't be after today. This is a special occasion," Annelie said. "We've had so much Italian, seafood, and Japanese food lately. I was in the mood for a regular burger. I can see I'm not the only one."
"All right," Francine muttered. "No onion rings and lots of salad, Harvey."
"Yes, dear." Harvey rubbed his hands. "I'll go see if I can help the chef. Just to carry things out here, dear. Not doing any tasting, I promise." He disappeared toward the back of the plane.
"For an actor, he's such a bad liar," his wife sighed, making the others laugh.
"I'll have to issue a statement tomorrow," Annelie murmured to Carolyn. "Margo said several newspapers and networks won't give up."
"Can't you do it through her?"
Annelie considered. "No, she spoke for me all last week. If this has taught me anything, and you have a big part in this, it's that I have to know when to stop hiding. I'll call a press conference and read a brief statement. If anyone wants any comments after Monday, they'll have to settle for Margo."
"Good girl. I'm proud of you. I know it's not in your nature to do this, but you have a point. You'll do fine." She patted Annelie's knee.
"You're good for me."
Carolyn's heart picked up speed. "And you're even better for me," she whispered.
"Look here, isn't this heaven, I ask you?" Harvey's delighted tone of voice made them turn their heads. He stood next to the coffee table in front of the couch, holding a tray weighed down with hamburgers. "French fries and onion rings coming up!" He shot his wife a sheepish grin. "And salad."
***
Carolyn pulled her cell phone from her pocket, switching it on as she walked through LaGuardia. Her shoulders ached from sleeping in an uncomfortable position on the plane.
"One missed call," she observed, frowning. "Who on earth's calling me at this hour?"
Annelie reached for the phone. "Here, let me show you how to check it. There, it says Joe's Cell. If you press Dial, it'll automatically call his number."
As Carolyn dialed her brother-in-law, an unsettling feeling soured her stomach. No one answered. No one answered at their house either. "Oh, my God, what's wrong?" she murmured. "Why would he call me in the middle of the night, unless—"
Annelie joined Carolyn in the backseat of the waiting limo.
"Do you have any other number you can try? The help they hired?"
"No, I don't have her number. She doesn't work weekends, anyway."
"Did you try your voice mail?"
Wanting to slap her forehead, Carolyn punched in the numbers. She turned the phone sideways so Annelie could listen too.
"Carolyn, it's Joe. Beth's in the hospital. Call me as soon as you can. If I can't answer the phone, call my parents." He gave another D.C. number, making her scramble through her purse for a pen, cursing violently.
"Easy, Carolyn. Wait till I find a pen, and then let me listen to it again."
Carolyn stared at the passing traffic with unseeing eyes while Annelie wrote down the number.
"There. Now you can dial."
"I…What if she's lost the baby?" Carolyn's voice was barely audible. "It'll destroy her. Oh, God…"
"Don't think the worst. Make the call, and then we'll figure out what to do."
Reaching for Annelie with one hand, Carolyn began to dial with the other. Vaguely she noticed her fingers had gone numb.
Chapter Sixteen
Annelie glanced at Carolyn, who sat with her hands clenched in her lap. Driving the Volvo down I-95 toward D.C., Annelie was relieved about the lack of traffic at this hour. The car, which handled easily, was more comfortable than her own small sports car.
"I'm glad we decided to take your car. It's only a four-hour drive, probably less at this time of day." Annelie reached out and caressed the fisted hands. "Why don't you take a nap? You'll be exhausted when we get there."
Cold fingers curled around Annelie's hand. "I know. I'm just so worried."
"I'm sure Joe will try your cell phone again as soon as he can. His parents seem nice."
"Yes, they are. When I talked to his mother, she kept trying to comfort me, even though she's worried too. They've really taken Beth to their hearts."
"So no in-law problems for your sister?"
"Perhaps in the beginning, but that was mostly because of me."
"Because of you? Whatever for?" Annelie frowned, surprised at Carolyn's desolate tone of voice.
"I suspect they thought I was this dubious Hollywood person who'd spoiled her young sister rotten. Finally, they came around and started treating Beth like a long-lost daughter. They even warmed up to me eventually."