To Have and to Kill Page 5

  Glenna Brooks swept toward her, wearing a form-fitting green cocktail dress and carrying a champagne flute. Her hair was piled on top of her head and she wore dangling emerald earrings. She embraced Piper, who suddenly felt utterly unexciting in the black sheath she’d gotten at Loehmann’s.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” said Glenna.

  “Thanks for inviting me,” said Piper. “This place is ah-mazing!”

  “I know,” said Glenna. “Won’t it be perfect for the wedding? Just the right amount of space for the people we are inviting. Not too big, not too small.” Glenna looked hopefully at Piper. “Did you ask your mother about making the cake?”

  “My mother says she really can’t, Glenna.”

  “Oh, no,” said Glenna, dragging out the short words, her face registering her disappointment.

  “I’m sorry, Glenna. But my mother had another idea and, if you’re into it, it could work.”

  “What?”

  “I could make the cake. My mother would be there to help with the design and keep me in check.”

  “You, Piper?” Glenna asked. “You know how to make a wedding cake?”

  “I actually do,” said Piper. “I’ve helped my mother lots of times. Don’t worry, Glenna. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t think I could handle it.”

  Considering for just a moment, Glenna shrugged. “Okay, why not? I trust you. What do we have to lose?”

  “Oh, yay!” Piper exclaimed. “I’m so excited. When you and Casey have a few minutes, I have some questions to ask you.”

  “All right,” said Glenna. “Maybe we can do it after the auction.”

  Piper opened her purse, took out the white envelope, and handed it to Glenna.

  “You showed it to Jack?”

  “I did,” answered Piper, “but, to tell the truth, he wasn’t too concerned. He thinks somebody is just jealous. Maybe an old love doesn’t want to see you and Casey happy.”

  “Like Phillip?” asked Glenna.

  “Maybe. Or somebody else. What about Casey? You think one of his exes could have, you know, gone off her meds?”

  “Oh, who knows?” asked Glenna. She cocked her head toward the front desk. “See that woman checking everyone in? Her name is Jessie Terhune. She and Casey were involved for a while. Casey told me she was much more serious than he was. But I can’t imagine that she’d actually write a letter like this.”

  Glenna frowned as she looked down at the envelope. Then she lifted her head and straightened up, shifting her shoulders back. “This is ridiculous,” she said. “I’m not going to give whoever wrote this piece of trash the satisfaction of getting upset.” She handed Piper a program. “In the meantime, check this out and see if there’s anything you want to bid on. And Quent Raynor is over there. Make sure you go over and talk with him. You never can tell what’s going on in that mind of his.”

  Glenna departed to check on some last-minute details. As she passed the fireplace, she tossed the envelope into the flames.

  Chapter 12

  Piper perused the list of auction items. Dinners at Rao, Per Se, and Jean Georges; New York Giants season tickets; box seats for the opera at Lincoln Center; a consultation with a leading plastic surgeon who was throwing in a series of Botox injections; a session with renowned photographer Martha Killeen; a diamond bracelet from Walden’s; and a behind-the-scenes tour of A Little Rain Must Fall hosted by Travis York, Glenna’s costar. Piper noted that Travis had also agreed to act as auctioneer for the evening, with Glenna acting as his assistant.

  Piper had gotten to know and like Travis during her stint on the soap opera. She had always suspected that the love scenes his character played with Glenna’s were more than acting, on his part. She had observed the way his eyes followed Glenna, the way he listened to her every word and was delighted by everything Glenna did. So when Glenna had confided the information that she and Travis eventually did have a short fling right after she and Phillip separated, Piper was not surprised.

  Piper wondered how Travis felt about his costar getting married.

  Scanning the room and looking for Quent Raynor, the head writer and main director of A Little Rain Must Fall, Piper spotted Martha Killeen holding a camera and talking to the woman who used to go out with Casey. What was her name again? Jessie something.

  With her short red hair, freckles, and small, upturned nose, Martha Killeen was as well known to people in the entertainment world as those she photographed. Over the years, Martha herself had been the subject of magazine and newspaper articles touting her creative genius, her ability to dream up fabulous ways for her subjects to be photographed. No setting was too exotic, no costume too fantastic, no situation too outlandish if Martha thought they would enhance the photo shoot and end up expressing the essence of her subject’s personality.

  But lately, the articles about Martha Killeen mentioned her remarkable talent only in passing. Instead, they focused on the severe financial problems with which she was struggling. The last story Piper read reported that Martha had negotiated some time from her creditors.

  For as long as she could remember, Piper had fantasized about having her picture taken by the award-winning photographer. During high school, she must have thumbtacked to her wall over a dozen portraits taken by Killeen found in assorted magazines. Some girls liked the Backstreet Boys; Piper liked Meryl Streep in black-and-white. Being photographed by Martha Killeen was like being asked to step into a work of art.

  Piper could only imagine what the bidding would be later for the photo session. She knew that this wasn’t going to be her chance to step in front of Killeen’s lens, but there was nothing wrong with fantasies.

  The diamond bracelet rested on a black velvet pillow. Piper stared at it with no particular longing. Jewelry wasn’t her thing.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

  Piper looked up at the middle-aged man who stood next to her.

  “If you’re into that,” she answered.

  The man raised his eyebrows. “And you’re not?” he asked.

  Piper shrugged dismissively. “I’d rather have a Prius.”

  “You could have two of them for what that bracelet’s worth,” said the man.

  Piper smiled. “Think the bracelet will bring that kind of money tonight?”

  “I’m counting on it. I’m Arthur Walden.”

  It took Piper a second to make the connection. “Oh, Walden’s Jewelers.”

  “Right.”

  “I’m Piper Donovan.” She held out her hand. “Sorry about the comment.”

  He shook her hand perfunctorily. “No problem. To each his own.”

  “I’m a friend of Glenna’s,” said Piper. “You’re Casey’s brother?”

  “That’s right.”

  Arthur Walden was an older, heavier version of his brother, also fair-skinned and blue-eyed, but Arthur’s blond hair was combed over from one ear to the other in a vain attempt to camouflage his receding hairline.

  “I have to admit, that was a gorgeous ring Casey gave Glenna,” said Piper. “I’m guessing it came from Walden’s.”

  “Of course,” said Arthur.

  “It must be nice going to work every day, surrounded by such extraordinary things.”

  “It’s been the family business for three generations,” said Arthur. “But Casey never really developed a passion for it. He’s more interested in astronomy and the stars than in anything sparkling in our jewelry cases.”

  “Not for long, I heard,” said Piper. “Glenna told me he’s planning on getting more involved at Walden’s.”

  Arthur’s face showed no emotion, but his voice betrayed annoyance. “Now that he’s going to be a family man, all of a sudden Casey is a lot more interested in what’s happening in the business. You’ll excuse me, won’t you?” he said abruptly.
“I have to go find my wife.”

  Chapter 13

  The caterers were set up in a room at the back of the mansion, which was now the student cafeteria. Long tables were covered with sparkling glassware, trays of finger foods, and cases of wine. The waiters scurried in and out, depositing empty trays and exchanging them for full ones prepared by the kitchen staff.

  Jessie Terhune walked into the room, her mouth set in a tight line. She observed the organized chaos, wanting every single aspect of the evening to go right. Certainly not out of any desire to see the event, organized by the lovebirds, do well; she would relish seeing Glenna Brooks and Casey Walden crestfallen and embarrassed. But Jessie’s department, the drama department, stood to benefit from every dollar raised this evening. At least, that had been the theory of it when she and Casey had originally talked last summer about having the auction. Now, there was talk that the drama department was only going to get a small slice of the proceeds and the rest would go to scholarships. Fetching a pitcher of water for the auctioneer, Jessie reflected on how quickly life could change. Just a few months ago, she and Casey were spending long days on Main Beach in East Hampton, lying in the sun, eating lobster rolls, and walking along the ocean’s edge. Three generations of Waldens had enjoyed their summers on the eastern shore of Long Island in a sprawling shingled “cottage” with a garden full of rambling roses and bushy hydrangeas. Jessie had anticipated that her first summer there would not be her last.

  One afternoon, as they walked up the beach in August, Jessie told Casey that she had just gotten word that her budget was being severely cut. The school’s endowment had fallen off sharply and the board of trustees was demanding that operating expenses be reduced. The drama department budget had been whittled down to almost nothing.

  Casey had come to the rescue, suggesting the fund-raising auction. He’d offered to organize it and declared that he would get his brother to donate something wonderful from Walden’s. Their enthusiasm grew as they brainstormed together about what they could obtain from the accomplished and connected parents of the students. By Labor Day, they had a long list of items they thought it could be reasonable to obtain as auction prizes. When the summer ended and they went back to school, Jessie looked forward to spending any free time she had working on the auction with Casey.

  Then came parents’ night. My knight in shining armor found a new damsel, Jessie thought. A beautiful queen who was famous to television viewers and magazine readers around the country. When Glenna Brooks heard that the auction was to benefit the drama department, she volunteered to be involved. Or so she said. Jessie was convinced that the reason the actress wanted to help with the auction was to spend more time with Casey.

  As Jessie saw it, Glenna Brooks was overrated as an actress. Audiences loved her, but Jessie didn’t understand the allure. It was amazing that Glenna had risen to such heights with such mediocre talent.

  Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. The old saying flashed through Jessie’s mind. But she wouldn’t allow herself to dwell on the idea that she had only turned to teaching when her own acting career hadn’t panned out.

  Grudgingly, Jessie had to give the devil her due. Glenna had gotten her soap-opera friends involved, and that was adding excitement and glamour to the event. It galled her, though, to watch Glenna waltzing around tonight, acting like she owned the place. It bothered Jessie even more to see the way her former lover followed Glenna around like an eager puppy.

  Jessie was trying her best not to show that she cared. She wondered if she was really pulling it off. She wondered if Casey had any idea that her heart still ached. She hoped not. When he had broken it off with her, Jessie had said she understood and told him there were no hard feelings. She said they could still be good friends as well as professional colleagues. She had her pride. Maybe she couldn’t compete with Glenna in the looks and charisma departments, but she could hold her head up high and be proud of her own talents and accomplishments. She’d be damned if anyone was going to look at her with pity.

  Anyway, Jessie hadn’t given up. Casey and Glenna hadn’t walked down the aisle yet. There was still time.

  Chapter 14

  Piper caught sight of Quent Raynor. He was talking to Glenna and he didn’t look happy. Nor did she.

  It must be killing Quent that Glenna’s leaving the show, thought Piper.

  Quent was the mastermind behind A Little Rain Must Fall. A total control freak, who needed to be on top of everything, Quent had led ALRMF to countless daytime Emmys, including nine for himself for writing and directing, as well as three for Glenna. Quent’s story lines had made Glenna a star. And now, just as all the soaps were in serious danger of cancellation, Glenna was deserting the show.

  Quent Raynor couldn’t be a happy man.

  Piper considered going over to say hello to Quent and rescuing Glenna. As she started toward them, she watched in disbelief as Quent grabbed Glenna’s arm, the unexpected gesture spilling Glenna’s drink all over the front of her green dress.

  Quent dug into his pocket for his handkerchief, but Glenna didn’t wait. She turned and walked away.

  As if he could feel Piper’s eyes upon him, Quent glanced her way. Piper was surprised and a bit apprehensive when he waved for her to come over.

  “Hi, Quent.” Piper held out her hand.

  “I can’t believe what I just did.”

  Piper wasn’t sure what to say. Reassuring Quent that accidents happened didn’t seem appropriate. He had deliberately grabbed Glenna’s arm. Piper decided not to take it on. “How have you been?” she managed.

  “I was just thinking about you the other day, Piper.”

  “You were?”

  Quent nodded. “Yeah. We’ll be needing you on the show again. Next week, actually.”

  He took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The gesture gave him away. She remembered that whenever the director was angry or frustrated that things weren’t going smoothly on the set or that the ratings were down, he’d take off his glasses and rub at his nose. All the cast and crew recognized the sign and braced themselves for the inevitable outburst to follow. His diatribes could be vicious.

  Piper cocked her head to the side and a puzzled expression came over her face. “Really? Is Mariah Lane coming back from the dead?”

  “The entire writing department has been working on a huge dream sequence for the last week of episodes we shoot in New York before we move out to the West Coast. We’ve just decided to include as many of our past characters as possible. It’s just a few days’ work, but hopefully you’ll be available?”

  “I’ll make myself available!” answered Piper, her pulse racing. “I’d love to come back.”

  “Great,” said Quent, replacing his glasses. “Gabe Leonard is your agent, right? Have him call the casting office to work out the details.”

  Piper was so happy that she didn’t let it bother her when Quent downed the rest of the wine in his glass and said he had to go out for a cigarette. In fact, she was relieved. She didn’t want to be around if Quent had one of his tantrums.

  Chapter 15

  Time was running out.

  If it was going to be done, it had to be done right now. In a few minutes, it would be too late. Soon the guests would be moving from the grand lobby toward what was once the ballroom of the mansion, for the auction.

  A wide stage had been constructed along one wall and now the scene of so many dances and parties served as a theater and assembly hall. In the middle of the stage was a podium with a microphone. A small table next to the podium held a glass and a pitcher filled with water.

  Now. You’ve got to do it now.

  Donning gloves, mounting the steps, grabbing the pitcher, and taking it behind the curtains at the left side of the stage was done in just seconds. Removing the cyanide from its hiding place, pouring it into the water,
and replacing the pitcher on the table took only a few more.

  But the short pause to watch the crystals dissolve was a mistake. In those few seconds, a figure with white hair rushed past the entrance to the ballroom.

  Chapter 16

  The guests began streaming in and selecting the gilded ballroom chairs that were arranged in neat rows facing the stage. Piper took a seat at the back of the room. Phillip Brooks sat a few chairs away.

  Piper noticed that Phillip was a little grayer than he was in the photos that had appeared in the New York tabloids at the time of his arrest for embezzlement. There had been no trial. A plea deal had been reached. He had served only a few months in jail but had been ordered to make restitution to the clients he had cheated. Glenna told Piper that it would take years.

  Glenna insisted that the marriage had frayed long before her husband got enmeshed in his legal problems. Her theory was that because Phillip was a cheat, he didn’t trust others not to cheat as well. Phillip was insanely jealous, wanting to know everything Glenna did and everyone she talked to. Piper remembered Phillip’s repeatedly showing up at the soap opera set, as if letting Glenna and everyone else know that he was protecting his “property.”

  He was constantly accusing Glenna of being romantically involved with her costar. Glenna wasn’t, and denied it, but Phillip never believed her.

  Glenna had confided in Piper, recounting the jealous rages Phillip flew into at night, fueled by his insecurities—and scotch. Glenna worried about what it was doing to Susannah, yet she hung on, not wanting her daughter to come from a broken home.

  The notoriety surrounding Phillip’s embezzlement only exacerbated an intolerable marital situation. For their daughter’s sake, Glenna was helping him pay back the money he owed his victims. But, in the aftermath of her breakup, Glenna had taken up with Travis York, the man Phillip had accused all along of romancing his wife. The affair hadn’t lasted long.

  Piper stole a glance at Phillip, who was craning his neck to see the stage. His facial expression was grave and his jaw rippled as he clenched his teeth at the sight of his ex-wife. Glenna, now wearing a red silk dress, was standing at the platform, holding the first item up for bid. Travis adjusted the microphone, wearing his tuxedo with the ease of a man who was confident in his appearance and accomplishments. His rugged good looks and Glenna’s sparkling beauty held the attention of every person in the room.