Dead Celebrities by Christopher Calix

Author:Christopher Calix
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Lethe Press
Published: 2016-10-14T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

THE STUDIO BEHIND Sam and Mandy’s movie had fronted the bill for her funeral. And it was very much a studio production. Looking around the service, you would have thought you were at an awards show, albeit one with a very somber dress code. The service was a short affair. Mandy had only a brother to represent her and he was MIA. Instead, several of her costars and her agent spoke about her. The recurring themes in each eulogy were Mandy’s smile and laugh. They might have been describing a small child. It didn’t seem like anyone really knew Mandy, if only because there was so little there to know.

After it ended, people were milling about outside the church. There was more networking being done outside the Presbyterian church than a holiday party at William Morris.

Veronica was by my side, smartly clad in a black pantsuit. She was currently pontificating on her favorite subject: Grant Stephens.

“I have been trying to get two of my clients on that new Soderbergh project. The problem? Grant’s studio is the distributor. He cock-blocked both of them. I’m screwed.”

“Why exactly does that man hate you so much?” I asked.

“Who the fuck knows? And now, I hate him so much that it barely matters. All of his enemies seem so arbitrary. It could be anything. You ever hear that story about how he berated his head of finance for his shoes in front of investors?”

“Actually, it was his socks.”

“Whatever. The point being that it doesn’t take a lot to get on his shit list but once you’re on it, you’re on for life.”

“If it’s any consolation, I’m right on there with you.”

“He’s still gunning for Sam?”

“Determinedly. But some good news. He tried to get Sam off that gangster pic and the studio told him to go fuck himself. You see? There is a definite wane in that man’s power.”

“Maybe. But you have to have a trump card,” Veronica replied.

“Some trump card. I still don’t know where Sam is.”

“Do you think something might have happened?”

“I don’t know.” I changed the subject. “And what about your love life?”

She smiled. “Love? What’s that?”

“Wait a minute, Miss Clifton. There is someone, isn’t there?”

“Yes. Well, sort of. Let’s just say he serves a purpose. The sex is amazing.”

This was surprising in the extreme. I had heard of Veronica using sex as leverage but sex for pleasure was a new thing altogether.

“But I’m going to end it.”

“Why?”

“He’s completely inappropriate for me. And it’s not like it’s going to go anywhere…”

Veronica gave a little gasp then, which was quickly followed by a slight grimace.

I followed her gaze and saw Grant Stephens, hair slicked and dyed, skin tight and bronzed, exiting the church, his arm around his wife. Sylvia waved when she saw us and looked as if she was about to make her way over to us before her husband saw us and jerked her in the other direction.

“I fucking loathe that man,” Veronica seethed.

“His wife must be some kind of saint.”

“Sylvia? Please.

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