Free Deadline by Fern Michaels Page B

give you their number. You might want to consider adding some highlights to your hair. It’s become quite dull.”
    Toots wanted to bitch slap Ida but managed to refrain. She’d let Sophie have that pleasure. Ida obviously thought she was Mrs. Senior America—if there was such a thing. Ida was indeed beautiful, and she certainly knew it, but Toots thought her vanity had an ugly quality to it that detracted from her beauty. She laughed out loud.
    â€œI’m glad you think it’s funny. Remember, we are in Hollywood, and looks matter. I, for one, am not dead yet. As a professional makeup artist, I do have a certain image to uphold.”
    â€œFor all of those dead people you glam up? I’m sure they appreciate looking their best before they get baked,” Toots joked. Actually she was quite proud of Ida, who had come a long way in the past two years. Her Drop-Dead Gorgeous line of cosmetics was quite successful. Toots also wanted to add that her clients probably didn’t care about Ida’s looks, but bit her lip. She’d gone far enough that morning.
    â€œDon’t let Mavis hear you talk this way. You will hurt her feelings,” Ida informed her.
    â€œI wouldn’t even think of it,” Toots said.
    â€œThink of what?” Sophie said as she padded into the kitchen. She helped herself to a cup of coffee before settling down at the table.
    â€œHurting Mavis’s feelings,” Ida offered up.
    â€œWhy would Toots want to hurt Mavis’s feelings? Why would anyone want to hurt her feelings? She’s the most honest, kind, and loving woman I know.” Sophie shot Ida a dirty look.
    â€œI simply commented on Ida’s dress. She looks like a movie star ready to make her first appearance of the day before a camera,” Toots explained to Sophie.
    Sophie looked at Ida and rolled her dark brown eyes up at the ceiling. “Maybe from a silent movie.”
    Toots couldn’t help herself, she burst out laughing. Sophie joined her. Ida stuck her nose up in the air.
    â€œYou have no class, Sophie Manchester,” Ida stated in a matter-of-fact voice.
    â€œI know. I gave it all to you, which is why you have so much,” Sophie teased. “Speaking of class, who’s going with me to pick up Goebel?”
    â€œI suppose I could accompany you,” Ida said. “I should be finished with my hair appointment. He arrives around one o’clock this afternoon?”
    Toots saw the look on Sophie’s face. Rather than giving Sophie a chance to go ballistic at Ida’s “generous offer,” Toots kicked Sophie under the table just in time to prevent her from doing just that. Sophie caught her eye, whereupon Toots winked and gave a slight nod.
    â€œI think that’s very generous of Ida, Sophie. As a matter of fact, I think we should all go with you to the airport. You might get lost.”
    Mavis and Coco chose that precise moment to enter the kitchen. The little Chihuahua danced from one foot to the other, then raced through the doggie door and was back within a matter of minutes. “She’s such a good girl,” Mavis said, reaching down to stroke the little brown ball of fur. She filled Coco’s dog bowl with sliced turkey breast and her water bowl with natural spring water. Since Mavis had gone on a health kick, she’d insisted that Coco follow suit. The dog certainly didn’t seem to have any problems with her new diet.
    Mavis poured herself a cup of coffee, then started a second pot. It was a house rule that whoever drank the last cup had to start a new pot. Among the four of them, they often went through five or six pots a day.
    As soon as Mavis sat down, Coco jumped onto her lap and peered over the table, her miniature head tilted up as though she were snubbing them. Toots was convinced the dog had been royalty in another life.
    â€œSophie, you need to read for Coco,” Toots said.
    They all