Cherringham--Final Cut by Neil Richards Read Free Book Online Page A

between his two bear-sized paws.
    Obviously, Jack thought, a big wig with the film company.
    “Thank you, Ludo. Um,” Zoë nodded at her doctor, then to Sarah.
    “This is my producer, the film’s producer—”
    With the introduction, the man turned. “Ludo Pesciak, proud producer of The Rose of Cherringham !” Then with his eyes narrowing, eyebrows expressing suspicion. “And you two?”
    “Friends,” Zoë added quickly. “Jack has been serving as my driver, and Sarah … keeping an eye out for me.”
    The producer nodded.
    “Not such a good eye then, hmm? What happened?”
    First checking that Zoë didn’t mind, the doctor gave a summary of the toxic drugs found.
    Ludo raised his hands up, palms out. “But how? You … I mean, you would never …?”
    Jack intervened. “Don’t think Zoë knew she was taking anything, Ludo.”
    The producer now rolled his yes.
    “Another accident!”
    Everyone seems to like that word, Jack thought.
    “That — remains to be seen.”
    The producer touched his forehead. “My sweet Zoë, what can I do … anything … tell me …”
    The doctor walked over to the monitor.
    “Maybe best we give her some more time to rest, hmm? For now.”
    “Oh, yes,” Ludo was quick to agree. “What am I thinking? Rest, get better.“
    Then: “But … when can she be back on set?”
    Zoë looked at the doctor. “I feel fine now, really.”
    And Jack saw the doctor look right at the actress.
    He felt that — like him — the doctor may not be worried about her patient’s current state.
    But more about how this happened.
    And what might happen next.
    “Well — I’d recommend a night’s rest here.”
    “Of course,” Ludo said, a finger jetting into the air. “And then?”
    “Tomorrow you could be released. And if you are feeling strong enough, maybe a few hours of work. But only—”
    “Everyone’s depending on me,” Zoë said. “The entire production.”
    “It’s your health that must come first,” Ludo said. “Nem igy van ?”
    Whatever that meant, Jack thought, his Hungarian a tad rusty.
    He looked at Sarah.
    Be interesting to find out the story about this producer that everyone called ‘Dracula’.
    “So maybe … tomorrow … for a bit …” Zoë looked from the doctor to her producer.
    “See how you feel,” the doctor said. “But light days only.”
    “Screw the crew,” Ludo said. “You, Zoë, you are the priority now. If better, you work, If not, you don’t.”
    Quite the character, Jack thought.
    And then …
    “So, some rest right now sounds good,” Zoë said.
    Jack watched Sarah walk over to the bed.
    “I’ll stay in touch. Text, call? Yes? See how you get on.”
    A smile for the actress. “Thank you, Sarah, I don’t know what I’d do …”
    “And I’ll be ready to drive you over to the set … assuming …” Jack started.
    He shot a look at the producer — “the First Assistant gives us the correct location …”
    Ludo looked confused about that.
    He might be producing this epic but he definitely wasn’t ‘hands on’.
    “And I will look in later,” the doctor said, walking away from the windows, herding all out of the room …
    *
    Ludo sat in one of the sculpted plastic chairs.
    When the attendant who had tried to bar his way walked back, Jack saw the producer raise a meaty finger.
    “And that one … he actually put his hands on me!”
    “Guess it’s part of their job,” Jack said.
    Ludo had agreed to chat a bit before they all left the hospital.
    And based on the man’s habits — as reported by Gary — this might be the only chance to talk … unless they dropped in on him for dinner at The Spotted Pig.
    “People in this country — barbarians !”
    “Different world, different customs,” Jack said, looking at Sarah.
    She picked up the ball. “Ludo, do you have any idea how this might have happened … or the other accidents?’
    Jack hoped that Sarah’s voice might calm this bear who seemed ready to rage at the