Page 41 (1/2)

She fuon roll she’d just picked up "Are you related to the Claymores ned the studio and the land around it?"

He nodded "Distantly"

"You were born in Ohio! At least, that’s what I’ve read"

He grinned "I was born in Ohio All of that is true My dad’s great-great-uncle was the original owner of the property here We don’t have anything to do with it anymore, and I don’t know if the farandfather told ht be why I wanted to be an actor Oh! And azines and trash-azines and I’ve even ed to keep it off Wikipedia!"

She shook her head "I don’t tell people what others say You know that"

He nodded "I do You’re the one totally trustworthy person I’ve met out here, Madison"

"Well, if soh I can’t see why it would come up--Eddie owns the studio now and Alistair is the one who’s been accused It doesn’t have a thing to do with you Anyway, it was Clayo," Madison said

"Yeah, that’s true…"

"What kind of stories did you hear?" she asked

"Oh, funny stories about actors and about the birth of special effects, and how everything’s changed over the years My grandfather used to come to Hollywood on vacations to visit and spend time here He was an Ohio far for him He did become an actor himself He was fairly successful on Broadway and did lots of tours My dad, however, became a scientist and decided that since ere fro a better strain of corn" He wagged a chopstick at her "I’ll have you know that farmers consider hirinned "Maybe, butas hell Not really I lovehoood-old-farmboy land, no one knows much about me I’rew sober "That’s why I feel so bad for the girl as murdered--Jenny I knohat it’s like to be a hopeful I never thought I’d be this successful" He shook his head "I still feel like a fake, and I’ry voice suddenly reached them from the reception area Athe hallway, her little dog in her arner workout clothes She came to an abrupt halt, in front of the doorway to the conference room

Winston Nash was hot on her trail "Mrs Archer, if you’ll just give me a minute, I’ll call up and tell Eddie that you’re here"

"I don’t need anyone to announce me to my husband!" Helena shouted "Eddie! Eddie!"

"She doesn’t know his office is upstairs?" Oliver whispered to Madison

"Of course--I think they stopped her when she started walking toward the elevator," Madison whispered in return

"Mrs Archer!" Winston Nash pleaded "The studio is in lockdown, and we’ve had a murder, and there are police all over the place They’ve asked that any visitors be announced and then escorted in--"

"I’m not any visitor! I’m Eddie’s wife!"

"Mrs Archer, if the president caton, he’d still have to be escorted in This is lockdown!" Winston Nash insisted

Winston Nash was Colin Bailey’s physical opposite--he was about thirty years old, tall as a beanpole and skinny as could be His lean face was taut with frustration as he spoke, and iven his orders, and he was following them

Helena LaRoux must have heard either Oliver or Madison rustle a paper or do so that drew her attention She looked into the roo breath "There’s Madison And Oliver Marshall Oliver, you beautiful thing, how lovely to see you Madison can escortin reception when my husband owns the whole place!"

Madison rose quickly, and Oliver did the sa over to Helena, giving her a kiss on the cheek and a hug, stroking her little dog’s ears "Helena, this must be hard for you We all know you love Eddie and Alistair," he said

Madison was astonished that he’d been able to say the words so sincerely--but then, he was an actor, and a very talented one He’d spoken with just a hint of sarcasht over Helena’s head

"Oh, yes, of course, Oliver, dear Thank you," Helena said She had a good two decades on Oliver and she wasinto flirtto his ar here"

Madison didn’t think she’d ever seen a better perforracious woed on the silver screen

"Helena, coed her He was either really being kind or having the time of his life Madison wasn’t sure which

Nash stood by the doorway and peered in as Oliver led Helena to a chair He looked at Madison in desperation "Mr Archer is with one of the policeot a call that he wasn’t to be disturbed By anyone"