Box Office Poison

“I believe so. I talked to someone who has lived in Fey. He said a really powerful Alfar, trained in their techniques—mental powers, magic, whatever you want to call it—could control someone’s actions.”

“Meaning Kerrinan and Jondi weren’t…” Jeff stopped, snapped his fingers irritably. “What’s that Latin phrase?”

“Compos mentis.”

“That’s it. In their right minds”

Jeff crossed to me and leaned in close. “If you think he’s going to do something at the Awards we’ve got to warn the authorities.”

“And tell them what? That I think a respected representative of the Alfar Council is a murderous manipulator who has mysterious powers that can cloud men’s minds and force them to do horrible and violent acts? I couldn’t get a deputy this morning to believe I had nearly been murdered because Qwendar had used his powers to establish an alibi.”

“Whoa. Wait. Whoa. You do not get to just casually toss out that you were nearly murdered and not give me the whole damn story.”

I pressed my fingers hard against the skin above each eyebrow where an incipient headache was lurking. I blew out a breath. “I guess I’m just tired of going through it again and again. Suffice it to say that Qwendar realized I had figured out his game, and he decided to stage my suicide. I didn’t oblige.”

Jeff gave me a quick, hard hug. “Holy crap, Linnet, that’s awful.”

“Which is why I really don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“Right, right. Okay.” Jeff was back pacing again. “Okay, so if our authorities won’t listen to us, how about we go to the Alfar authorities? Talk to this council of theirs.”

I shook my head. “I’d rather not, and here’s why. They might deal with Qwendar, but they’d probably just yank him back into Fey and sweep it all under the rug. That won’t help Kerrinan and Jondin.”

“You think the Alfar would actually throw Kerrinan and Jondin under a bus?” Jeff asked.

I shrugged. “They’re the Alfar equivalent of politicians. Are they really going to want to tell the world full of nervous humans that there’s Alfar magic that can turn any Alfar into a killer? Better to let the humans think these were isolated incidents with a couple of nutty actors. But if Qwendar acts again, and I can prove he’s doing it, it may clear them.”

“You’d do that, take this terrible risk for a couple of people you don’t even know? Why?”

“Because I’m a lawyer, and I have to believe that occasionally justice prevails.” I once again got a hug.

“You’re sure it’s going to happen at the Oscars?” Jeff asked after he released me.

“No, but I’m pretty sure. Qwendar wants a shocking incident. What better place? We’re talking about a worldwide audience, a live feed, and movie stars.”

“Will he have to be there to do his magic shit?” Jeff asked.

“I think so. He was on the lot when Jondin went nuts.” I chewed at a hangnail. “I’d love to find out if Qwendar was somewhere in the neighborhood when Kerrinan killed Michelle, and when he made his run for Fey. Also, I think Qwendar will want to see and enjoy the mayhem.”

“So we can stop him by just not letting him into the ceremony,” Jeff said.

“Nice thought, but it won’t work. He’ll come in through Fey.” I stopped. “I just figured out where Jondin’s guns came from. He had them stashed in Fey and just brought them through once he had control of her. Hell, they could have been right outside the door of her trailer.”

“And this helps us how?”

“It’s something we need to consider. He’ll find a way to arm the Alfar once he’s taken control of them.”

“So, we keep all Alfar out of the ceremony.”

“Like that’s not going to cause any problems or comment. Besides, Qwendar will use it to whip up anger against humans because the Alfar were excluded. A lot of Alfar actors are going to defy the ban and come in through Fey. Qwendar still gets his bloodbath, and we’ve pissed off their council. Let’s not do his work for him.”

Jeff gave me a rueful smile and sat back down. “We don’t have any really good choices, do we?

“No,” I said bleakly.

“And how, exactly, are six people at the ceremony going to help?”

“They can knock down maddened elves and protect humans.”

“And who handles Qwendar? He’s the guy with all the magic whammy. He’s going to be tough.”

“That would be me,” I said.

Jeff stopped pacing, turned, and stared at me. “You.”

“Me.”

“All five-feet of you?”

“He can’t affect me.” I hesitated, thinking back on all my near miraculous escapes, then added, “And no matter what is going on around me, I suspect I’m going to be able to get through it pretty much unscathed.”

We sat silent for a few minutes with Jeff just looking at me. It was one of those awkward, uncomfortable silences, but I was too tired to break it. Finally the actor stirred, slapped his palms against his thighs, and stood up. “Okay, then, it’s time to enlist Kate.”

He led me back into the kitchen. There was the sweet, rich scent of hazelnut coffee in the air. Kate finished arranging cookies on a plate and set them on the table. Jeff moved to her side and gave her a kiss. She smiled down at him. He pushed a long strand of auburn hair behind her ear. “Sweetie, Linnet is going to be going to the Oscars, and she’ll need a gown. I can’t think of anybody better to help her out.”

“Oh, what fun.” Her eyes raked over me, head to toe, as she walked in a slow circle around me. “Petite and very feminine. Elie Saab, I think. He made Natalie’s Oscar gown, and she’s a tiny little thing.” She checked her watch. “It’s too late today to make it over to Rodeo Drive. We’ll go tomorrow, and we can hit Tiffany’s for your jewelry.”

“Wait, I can’t afford—”

“Not to worry: unless you’re Liz Taylor you borrow everything.”

I glanced over at Jeff. “I’d rather not be wearing anything really valuable.”

“I think no jewels,” he said.

Kate looked from one to the other of us. “You both look grim.”

I could read Jeff’s thoughts as clearly as if I’d been telepathic. He looked at his wife. He considered what I’d said about a bloodbath. He steeled himself and took Kate’s hand. “Honey, let’s go upstairs for a minute. I want to talk to you.”

The actress shook her head and planted her fists on her hips. Though the stance was combative, the smile she gave her husband wasn’t. “You’re going to tell me I can’t go to the Oscars because it’s too dangerous, but if what you discussed is true you’re going to need me there.”

“You eavesdropped?” Jeff asked.

“Yes. You were talking about the Alfar, and you know how I feel about them and about Phase Change. Look, these people are our friends and colleagues. The other actresses know me and trust me. If I tell them to move they will move. Same for you with the actors. If something happens this could easily turn into a panicked stampede. You need more help, not less. And this is something I can do to help the Alfar.”

“This could be very dangerous,” I said.

“I know. Which is why I don’t what him to face it alone. I want to be with him, not sitting at home alone worrying.” She stepped to her husband’s side and wrapped an arm around his waist.

“I don’t want you in danger,” Jeff said.

“And I don’t want you in danger. So, let’s face it together. Okay?” Kate gazed fondly at her husband, and he took her in his arms and kissed her. I looked away.

Kate turned back to me with a glowing smile. “So, tomorrow. Shopping. We can face anything if we’re in a couture gown, right?”

“Right,” I said. I wondered if they made one designed for ease of running and fighting.

* * *

I collapsed in the armchair in my room at the Beverly Garland Hotel and contemplated just sleeping there. Even the effort of taking off my clothes and moving to the bed seemed beyond me. I lifted my arm and checked my wristwatch. Almost seven o’clock. Ten o’clock in Philadelphia. Late, but not enough to terrify people in their beds