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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CONFIDENT THE SITUATIONwith Anna Lee and Jackson Wardlow was under control, Zach headed back to Continental.Moonbeams and Fairy Dustwas haunting him. Steven Levy, the agent representing the writer, was in town for only a short time, and Zach didn’t want to miss him.
Parking outside the building rather than driving into the underground garage, Zach hurried inside and trotted up the stairs to his office. Placing the call, he said a silent thank you when Steven answered.
“I’ll cut to the chase,” Zach declared. “I don’t know when you’re heading back to New York, but I’d like to meet with you. I think Moonbeams and Fairy Dust is the kind of project I’m looking for.”
“Great, but if you want to talk face-to-face it will have to be tonight,” Steven replied. “I’m leaving in the morning.”
“No problem. Do you know the Homestead Steakhouse in Pacific Palisades?”
“I love that place.”
“How’s eight o’clock?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you there.”
Though he had only an hour to prepare, Zach put together a preliminary proposal, then drove to the high-end steakhouse in the elite community. Steven was already there, and over a delicious meal and red wine, Zach wasted no time outlining his offer. Steven Levy listened, commented, they found a meeting of the minds, and by the end of the meal they had reached an understanding.
“My client will be very happy,” Steven remarked, “but I’m superstitious. I’m not going to say anything to him until I have a deal memo in my hand.”
“It will be waiting in your email when you land in New York.”
“That’s great,” Steven said, rising from the table. “I hate to eat and run, but I’ve still got some last minute things to clear up before I hit the sack and my flight’s early.”
“I get it, and thanks for meeting me at the last minute like this.”
“I had a feeling, and I was right. You know how that goes.”
“Sure do. Safe travels. We’ll talk soon.”
Zach watched him hurry out, then sitting back he sipped his coffee. The day had been successful, but hectic. Wanting a few peaceful minutes to relax, he ordered a cognac.
As he sipped the smooth liquor, he thought about the meeting with Emma the following day. Obviously Jerry was determined to sign Justin Hartman to directThe Missing Willand was pulling out all the stops to make it happen.
Finishing his drink, Zach paid the check and stepped out into the cool night air. It was late, the streets were empty, and walking towards his Bentley, he hit the remote. The sleek, expensive automobile beeped, the tail lights flashed, and it reminded him of the incident with Emma’s car alarm. He chuckled at the memory. Climbing in and checking his phone for messages, he found a text from Anna Lee.
What a relief! I don’t know what magic wand you waved, but Jackson was amazing. He suggested the scene should be more romantic and seductive rather than hot and heavy. We tried it that way and James said it was a stroke of genius. Everyone was stoked. I hope you can come to the dailies tomorrow. I think you’ll be blown away. Call me. Love you.
James Worthy, the director, hailed from Australia, and had an artistic, almost film noir style. Zach could imagine the change would have created a deeper, more intense scene. Happy and relieved, he started the car, but as the powerful headlights illuminated the sidewalk ahead, he saw a group of people leaving a high-end French restaurant. He had almost suggested the eatery to Steven Levy, but decided it was too intimate and dimly lit to discuss business. As he idly watched the merry group, he realized the tall man surrounded by a bevy of women was Justin Hartman.
Then he spotted Emma and Angelo Frattiano. As a limousine rolled to the curb, Emma started to walk forward, but stumbled. Lunging towards her, Angelo caught her elbow in the nick of time. She tried to pull away, but she staggered on her stilettos. Swooping her up, he began carrying her to the car. The chauffeur was holding the back door open, and Angelo was only a few steps away. Suddenly a flurry of flashbulbs began popping around them, and with Emma in his arms, there was nothing he could do to avoid the ferocious paparazzi. Darting his eyes across the scene, Zach saw Emma’s father hastily corralling the other women back inside the restaurant.
