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

universe.
    “What?”
    He looked at Sarah as though the question came from Mars.
    “You mean, harm beautiful Zoë? No. Why would anyone want anything bad to happen to such a beautiful, charming actress? That’s completely,” he searched for a word, “insane!”
    Jack nodded in agreement. “That’s just it, Ludo. We don’t have an idea how these things could be happening. Let me ask you this …”
    A pause, Ludo’s eyes trained on Jack …
    “What would happen if Zoë had to leave the production?”
    “Leave the production?” Ludo swivelled his bulky body in his chair as if his head was about to corkscrew off into space. “That would be a total disaster!”
    “You couldn’t simply replace her?” Sarah asked.
    “Replace her? With so many scenes shot, the money invested? That young girl is the movie. Without her …” he blew a stream of air through his rubbery lips, “we have nothing.”
    Ludo looked at his watch, a dramatic look, signalling that he’d had enough chatting in the brightly lit waiting room.
    “I must go. People wanting reports, Bernstein back in Hollywood. Investors get very nervous when they hear stories like this!”
    As Ludo tried to raise his bulky body out of the sculpted chair Jack put a hand on his wrist.
    Ludo looked down at it.
    Right, Jack thought, the man did not like being touched.
    “One more thing, Ludo. And thank you for talking with us.”
    A nod.
    “Is there someone who would benefit if what you were just talking about happened?”
    “Meaning …?”
    Sarah filled in the gap. “Zoë, off the film?”
    Ludo looked away. “I don’t — I mean, a movie always has grievances, rivalries, old grudges. Show me a happy film set,” Ludo said, “and I will show you a fantasy.”
    “So,” Jack pressed on — “there could be people who want harm to come to, what … the studio, the film, the stars … you?”
    Ludo didn’t move or say anything for a long time.
    But his facial expression seemed to show he didn’t like the direction this chat had taken.
    Then he spoke slowly, “Like I said, people … they have their grudges … bad will, hmm? It’s always around.”
    Now Ludo moved as briskly as possible to get out of his chair and again used his stubby finger to make a final point.
    “If the two of you really want to help this girl … you will keep a good eye on her.”
    Sarah stood up and extended a hand to the man.
    “We will. But you know what would really help …” she looked at Jack, “is if we could be given all access to the set, when the movie starts reshooting.”
    Again a pause.
    “Very well, I will tell Alphonso, and Fraser. They will not, as we say — be pleased.”
    “Thank you,” Sarah said.
    Then Ludo turned and rolled out of the waiting room.
    And when he was gone, Jack turned to Sarah.
    “That Ludo … he is something.”
    “Indeed.”
    “But he gave me some ideas. Bit of a talk, while we walk back to the car park? Have some things we could start looking into …”
    Sarah smiled at him, “I thought you would …”
    And they left the room together.

10. A Fatal Sip
    Jack didn’t say anything until they were out of the hospital building, and had walked over to Sarah’s Rav-4.
    “Good one — asking for carte blanche to go on the set.”
    “Thanks. Though I don’t imagine we’ll be very welcome.”
    Jack grinned at that. “Yes. But at least they can’t throw us off.”
    “We’ll see about that.” Then Sarah asked: “That bit of interrogation of Ludo … your thoughts? I’m assuming you have some.”
    Jack laughed, “Yeah, I always do, don’t I? Okay …”
    He looked around. Today was another beautiful blue sky day; had to be frustrating to lose a day of shooting, but even worse to lose a day like this.
    Even in spring such days could be rare.
    “See, it really looks like Ludo is worried about this film …”
    “I’m sure — with his lead actress threatened.”
    Jack nodded. “Yeah, I guess so … and as to who might want