He was standing in front of a picture of Brad Hollows with his arm around a buxom scantily clad female when a voice reached his ears. “Not really what you’d call hero material, is he?”
Blake turned. A tall man in a dark suit was watching him, holding out his hand.
“Paul Steenburg, head of the studio and good friend of Delilah’s. You must be Blake. Del told me about you.”
“Did she now?” Blake jammed his hand in the pocket of his jeans.
“Follow me.” He turned on his heel and walked past the reception desk, down a corridor lined with similar pictures. Blake noticed one of Delilah holding up a gold statue and stopped to look at it.
“Yes, she has done this studio proud. That was last year and we are expecting much more from this very talented young lady.” Paul held his door open and waited until Blake walked in before closing it behind him. He held his hand out. “Have a seat.”
“I didn’t come here to get comfortable, thanks all the same. I came to find Delilah.”
Paul walked around his desk, sitting down before speaking. “Del isn’t here at the present time.”
Blake gripped his hands together and raised an eyebrow.
“I saw her yesterday. We sorted out a few…shall we say…minor issues regarding the current series she is contracted to. She also showed me the manuscript she was working on when she was staying at your farm.”
“So, you’re going to make her honor the contract then?” Blake’s stomach tensed and he felt the bile rise in his throat. The trip was wasted after all. Del wouldn’t walk away from this. She didn’t have it in her to walk away from something that big and for a moment he couldn’t blame her. He had been a holiday diversion for her and the bitterness tasted sour in his mouth.
“We have come to an arrangement, yes.”
“Well, I guess there is nothing more to say. Thanks for your time.” He stood up wondering if he should grab a meal before he hit the road or just get on with it. The sooner he was out of the city, the happier he would be.
“Just a minute. Take this.” The studio boss held out a card.
Blake looked at him for a few seconds before reaching over and taking it. It was the same card he had in his hire car. He flipped it over and saw a hand written address on the back of the card. Glancing up, he saw a ghost of a smile crossing the man’s face.
“Thanks.” He walked to the door, the card clutched tight in his hand. When he got outside to the sunshine, he stood for a moment, trying to get his bearings. Blake gave up. The last time he had been in the city was when his wife had died, and he’d rarely left the hospital ward. Just looking around, he swore the city was so much busier than it had been then. He would need help to find Del’s apartment.
* * *
Del walked to her door. The thumping got louder and she called out. “Coming.”
Brad Hollows pushed past her, slammed the door and stormed into the apartment. She followed him, determined not to let him get under her skin.
“What’s the big idea, you selfish little bitch? Think you can get them to kill me off, do you? It’s not going to happen, understand?” He pointed a finger at her and Del paused. This was a side of Brad she had never seen before. He was beyond angry and it was obvious Kim had spoken to him already and given him her version of the story.
“I don’t have to answer to you.” Del backed away from him. “I only answer to Mr. Steenburg.”
“I was going somewhere until you came back. Why the hell couldn’t you have done what you were told? Go and vegetate in the Outback and find some new stories for me to look good, but no. You had to decide I’m over it and bring your prissy little attitude back to town.” He stalked over to her, pushing her against the wall. She gasped as her head hit the concrete and she saw stars.
“You don’t want to do it anymore, Del.” He sneered at her. “Well guess what? You’re going to pay for this. Don’t think you can come back here and ruin my career like that.”
He breathed over her and Del recoiled at the alcohol fumes making her eyes water. “No. It’s the last season. Get used to it, Brad. Time to move on to something else. I’m not going to do it, so take your prissy little attitude and get out.”
He brought a hand up and wrapped it around her throat. “Listen here, bitch. You’re going to change your mind, beg if you have to and suck up to the main man but you are going to keep me alive in the next season. I have no intention of going quietly. Got it?” He squeezed hard and she struggled. Del clawed at his hand, fighting for breath. Brad grinned and relaxed his hand. “Hurts doesn’t it? Guess what? I’ll do whatever it takes to make you change your mind.” He squeezed again and darkness loomed in front of her eyes, her lungs burning from lack of air.
No, it can’t end like this. I have to see Blake and the children again. I love them so much. Please don’t let this be me writing the last scene in my own life. Her hands grasped at him again but it made no difference. The pressure on her throat didn’t ease. Why didn’t I just stay at the farm and be thankful for what I had? I’m so sorry Blake, so very sorry for not listening to you.
* * *
Blake walked down the path again and stopped at the security hut to ask the easiest way. His head full of directions by the time he found his car. It was still reeling when he paid
