Page 21 of Beyond the Darkness
“You sound like an expert on the city.You’ll have to give me some tips for places I can check out.I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface.”
“I’ll show you around when you have the time.”
Hudson tasted the tomato sauce.It was even richer than he’d imagined.“What else do you do for fun?Besides eating out and theatre.”
“I think I’ve already told you.I spend what little time off I have at home.Just enjoying the beach, watching movies.I try to get to the gym two or three times a week.”
“What kind of movies are you into?Art house stuff?”
“Well, yes, but only for work.When I’m relaxing, I like to watch pure trash.Escapist stuff, you know.Action, horror.That’s why I was a bit starstruck that time I saw you in London.”
“Because of the trash I’ve made?”
They chuckled together.
“That makes it sound worse than it is,” Luke said.“I’m a bit of a horror movie buff.I especially love all the old stuff, especially slasher movies.Actually, one of your old movies is one of my favourites.”
Hudson froze with the fork halfway to his mouth, his mouth suddenly dry.“Oh, yeah.Which one?”
“I doubt you remember much about it.It was so long ago.But it’s calledRed Hills Massacre.The one with Baby Face—the killer.”
That motherfucking film.Hudson lost his appetite.
Chapter Nine
“Stay Out of Trouble”
Hudson waited until the Uber was right outside the building before exiting the lobby.The three photographers who were waiting on the doorstep started clicking their cameras before he’d even opened the door.
“Any news on Julian’s murder?”one of them yelled.
“Who do you think did it?”another shouted.
“Will the play be cancelled?”
Assholes.
“Guys, just let me be.I’ve lost a friend.I’ve nothing further to say.”He pushed past them and jumped into the back of the car.
“Do you think it’s a copycat killer, Hudson?”
What the fuck does that mean?He pulled the door shut and locked it, keeping his head down to deny them a decent picture.“Just go, please,” he told the driver.
One of the photographers had his camera right up to the window.It banged against the side of the car as the vehicle pulled away.
“What was that all about?”the driver asked.
“You don’t want to know,” Hudson said, sinking low in the back seat and breathing deeply.
The Vermont Hotel was on the waterfront, just across the river from the Concert Hall.He was relieved to see there were no press people waiting outside.Hudson thanked the driver and credited her with a tip, before hurrying inside.
The hotel foyer had high ceilings and marble tiles on the floor with lots of dark wood and brass railings.The concierge gave him directions to the lounge, where he found more white marble and lots of plush soft furnishing, all cream and gold velvet.In the corner of the large room, a pianist played a decent rendition of an old Bond theme.
“Over here, my darling.”
Jo Peel was on her feet to greet him with open arms, a vison of big blonde hair, cleavage and statement jewellery.Unlike most showbiz people, Hudson was not into hugging and kissing, but Jo was not the woman to say no to.He allowed himself to be enveloped in her warm, sweet-smelling embrace.Once done with the hugs, she stood back, holding him at arm’s length in a formidable grip to look him up and down.
“My God, you’ve been through it, haven’t you?Have you slept at all?”
