talents—hang gliding, rock climbing, karate, parachuting, and racing motorcycles—so he introduced me to some stunt directors he knew and that was that. I’ve been diving, driving, rolling, racing, flipping, and falling ever since.
On top of getting me my start, Archie gave me a Sig Sauer nine-millimeter handgun, taught me how to use it, and helped me get my carry license.
Because I was a fast learner and mastered every weapon Archie put in my hand, he quickly grew to respect me. But I knew it was more than that. We both did.
Archie answered the phone on the first ring. “Arch,” I said a little tentatively, knowing he’d have heard about the hang-glider spin and wouldn’t let it slide.
He blurted, “You want to kill yourself, you can use the Sig I gave you. That would be perfect. First Danny, then you. Aw, Christ. What’s up?”
“You’ve been such a good friend to me,” I said. “I need your help.”
“Been a good friend, huh? That doesn’t sound like a compliment. Sounds like last words. What is it—Emily? Come on over, we’ll drive up to my joint in Big Bear, talk it all out. What do you think, you’ll never fall in love again?”
“You know I wasn’t in love with her.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’ve never been in love with anyone. Me, too. So?”
“That’s not why I called. Look, I’m going to Venice—not the beach,
I filled the painful silence.
“I’m sorry, but I know you’ve got that buddy from Nam who sells guns. I can’t travel internationally with mine and I can’t wait for the paperwork to go through.”
“And?” he said. “You have my full attention. Don’t hold back.”
“It has to do with Leonardo da Vinci and my parents. That’s all I can say.”
“Come on,” he said angrily. “This is the real goddamn world. People actually get
I knew it. I’d just triggered Danny memories. Archie would be watching a video of
“Look,” I told him. “Just forget it.”
“Forget nothing! Shit! Leonardo da Vinci and your parents . . . what the hell is this all about?”
“Did you get the
He told me he had.
“You read it?”
“The Lakers lost. No, I didn’t read it. Christ, cough up.”
“Page three. Top.”
He told me to hold on. I heard rustling, then mumbling for a minute, then, “Jesus! So what are you going to Venice for? It says the page was lost in the fire.”
I told him everything—Greer, Tecci, the Dagger, the works.
There was a long pause.
I said, “So, will you set me up or not?”
“I’ll do you one better. I’ll come with you.”
That stunned me. “You would do that?”
“You sound surprised.”
I felt embarrassed, confused. It hadn’t occurred to me that Archie, or anyone, might place himself in danger for me. On a film shoot, yeah. For money. But this had nothing to do with that. Loyalty, selflessness—these were precious things that were hard for a shaky hand to hold. I sensed their great value, perhaps for the first time. I wanted to say,“Help me out.” But I couldn’t knowingly put Archie at risk.
“Arch,” I said. “Your offer means more to me than I can tell you, but I’ve got to do this alone. I need an answer on the gun.”
Tension prickled over the line.
“Goddamn you!” he shouted. “You turn me down, then you want me to make up my mind right this second?”
“Yes,” I stated flatly. “I’m sorry, but I need to know now.”
I heard a deep sigh. “I guess we’re both sorry, ’cause I can’t do it.”
Silence.
“Okay, then,” I said. “I shouldn’t have called. I apologize for getting you involved. I’ve got to go.”
“Wait. Please don’t go.”
“Really, I’ve got a plane to catch.”
