Free Hollywood Kids by Jackie Collins Page A

Lily's doing her best to remember, aren't you, sweetheart?'
    Lily was shaken. Jerking a cheaply bejewelled finger at Michael she said, 'What's the matter with
him
?'
    'It's
his
kid, Lily,' Quincy explained. 'You can understand him being upset, can't you?'
    'You
sure
he's a cop?' Lily asked, peering at Michael suspiciously.
    'Just as much as I am,' Quincy lied smoothly. 'Now come on, Lily, let's try an' jog that memory of yours.'

* * *
    Poring over Bobby Rush's clipping file, Kennedy soon reached the conclusion he was a driven workaholic mightily striving to overcome the handicap of having a famous father. One of the things she took note of was that every time Jerry Rush's name came up Bobby went on automatic response. Exactly the same answers kept on appearing.
    My father is a wonderful actor.
    We're very different.
    Jerry never helped me.
    Yes, I've seen all of his films. Growing up in the Rush household they were required viewing.
    We are not alike at all.
    I don't know whether Jerry has seen
Hard Tears
or not
.
    No. We have no plans to work together.
    Hmm, Kennedy thought, I wonder what a psychiatrist would make of Bobby's telling remarks. In fact, it wasn't such a bad idea to write the interview and intersperse Bobby's answers with a top psychiatrist's comments, that could be interesting.
    Just as she was about to pick up the phone to contact Bobby's publicist, Rosa called. 'Honey, you've got to do me a big favour,' Rosa pleaded, sounding breathless.
    Kennedy groaned. 'Beware of friends asking favours,' she said, wondering what Rosa wanted this time.
    Rosa was at her most persuasive. 'Don't be like that, sweetie. I really
need
you.'
    'For what?'
    'Dinner.'
    'Why?' she asked suspiciously.
    'Because Ferdy's best friend from Atlanta is visiting, and we want you to have dinner with us.'
    'Rosa,' Kennedy said patiently. 'Ferdy is a black, twenty-five-year-old basketball star, and much as I love you, I refuse to have dinner with his best friend. Cradle-snatching is not my thing.'
    'I already promised Ferdy you'd come.'
    'That was foolish of you.'
    'He's going to think you're prejudiced if you don't show.'
    'That's ridiculous.'
    'So prove it.'
    'No, Rosa. I don't want to do this.'
    '
Pleeease!! I
never ask you for anything!'
    A lie, but Kennedy weakened. 'Oh, all right,' she said, knowing she was making a mistake.
    'You're the best!' Rosa exclaimed. 'The Ivy. Eight o'clock. Look sexy - it's his first visit to LA.'
    'Rosa -'
    Too late, Rosa was long gone. Oh, God! Why had she agreed to go?
    Just lonely I guess.
    Lonely, ha! She was never lonely. She loved spending time by herself taking long walks on the beach, reading, driving along the Pacific Coast Highway in her 1986 Corvette. In fact she didn't even mind dining alone in a restaurant - something most people wouldn't consider under any circumstances.
    Oh well, dinner at eight and out.
    She called Bobby Rush's publicist. The magazine had already set the interview. Elspeth, his publicist, had set the ground rules. Now all she had to do was arrange a time and a place.
    Elspeth spoke in short sharp bursts. 'Breakfast. The Four Seasons. Friday. He can only spare an hour.'
    'No,' Kennedy replied pleasantly. This is a major piece - a cover story. I need to spend a day with him. A couple of hours for the interview and the rest of the time I'll follow him around and blend into the background.'
    'It won't fly,' Elspeth said snappishly.
    'I think you'll find it will,' Kennedy replied, remaining calm. 'I'm sure we all have the same goal in mind - plenty of coverage for your client, and I can't do that unless I spend time with him. Call me back.'
    Click. She was gone before the woman could argue.

* * *
    Ferdys friend, Nix, was six feet four inches of sinewy chocolate-coloured muscle. He had tight curly hair, puppy-dog eyes and a sweet smile. He spoke eloquently and intelligently. He was polite and charming. They had a terrific evening with Rosa and Ferdy, and when dinner was over Nix