31906844db5c02010017a90f3f2ca805

“Oh, God, no,” said Gran with a laugh. “As if. Though I’m thinking about launching a career. Seeing all these gorgeous women light up the screen, I’m inspired.”

Thaw appeared confused.

“So if you’re not an actress…”

“I’m Odelia’s grandmother. She needed my help, so here I am.”

“How fascinating,” the actor said.

“So, Emerald,” said Gran now, wiping her lips with her napkin.

“Mh?” said the screen goddess, looking up from her musings on Kimberlee’s ultimate betrayal.

“Any pointers for a newbie? I’m thinking about launching myself in the biz,” she clarified.

“Pointers? Oh, you mean acting tips.” She thought for a moment. “Always be yourself and don’t take crap from anyone. Especially directors, producers or studio heads. She directed a pointed look at Odo Hardy, her director, who was seated to her right. He graciously kept his tongue at this harangue.

“Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem for me,” said Gran. “I never take crap from anyone, and I’m always true to myself. Rules to live by, right?”

She then ogled the director for a moment.“Say, listen. Do you have a part for me in your next movie, director dude?”

Odo looked up.“Well, currently I’m working on a remake ofCleopatra. And even though a lot of the roles have been cast, we’re still looking for someone to play the role of Cleopatra’s mother. I’ve been trying to entice Helen Mirren to sign up for the part, but so far she’s proving reluctant.”

“So who’s playing Cleopatra?”

“We’ve cast Alicia Vikander for the role,” he said. “I think she’ll be great.”

Emerald pulled a sour face.“If I were a few years younger, I could have played her.”

“I don’t understand why you have to pick a white actress,” said Verna peevishly. “Cleopatra was Egyptian, right? Why not pick an actress of color?”

“You mean like yourself?” said Emerald. “As if you are good enough to play such a plummy part.”

Verna stiffened visibly, threw down her utensils and got up.“You know what? I think I’ve had enough of your abuse, Emerald. Come on, Thaw. Let’s get out of here.”

“But you can’t go!” said Emerald, clearly sorry about her outburst.

“That wasn’t a very nice thing to say, Emerald,” said Abbey.

“No, not very nice at all,” Alina added.

“I apologize! I’m sorry, Verna,” said Emerald. “It’s just that I have so much on my plate right now. I didn’t mean what I said, darling. You know I love you.”

Verna hesitated for a moment, then returned to her seat.

“You really should cast a woman of color as Cleopatra,” she repeated. “In this day and age, whitewashing will only get you pilloried by your audience.”

“I could play Cleopatra,” said Gran. “I think I’d be great.”

“I don’t…” The director looked at her with a bemused expression on his face. “Wouldn’t you say you’re a little … old for the part, Mrs. Muffin?”

“That’s ageism right there,” said Gran. “I think it’s time Hollywood starts to appreciate senior citizens. We’re a large chunk of audience that goes absolutely unserved. Casting me as Cleopatra would give a signal. A signal that senior citizens count in Hollywood. That we haven’t beenforgotten.”

“You should cast a senior citizen woman of color,” said Verna. “That way you’d hit the two demographics in one fell swoop.”

Odelia glanced over to Verna, and thought back to Max’s words. They sounded pretty damning. But before she talked to Uncle Alec, she needed to be absolutely sure. She needed to hear it from the woman’s lips. So she vowed to have a little chat with Verna later on and ask her straight out. She was pretty sure she’d be able to tell if she was lying or not.

Then again, Verna was a professional actress.

To convincingly tell a lie came with the territory.

Chapter 31

That night, Emerald had planned a movie night in her private movie theater. It should have been a fun night for all, but now of course no one was in the mood. Instead, one after the other people drifted off to bed. Tomorrow was the last day, and even though the itinerary said there was horse riding planned, and a trip to the nearby town of Happy Bays, Odelia had the distinct impression there wouldn’t be much horse riding or visits to quaint little towns.

Verna and her husband had been sitting huddled together on the terrace, nursing their drinks and talking intensely, and the moment Thaw got up, Odelia saw her opportunity and seized it by approaching the actress.

“I’m so sorry,” she said by way of introduction, “but I couldn’t help overhearing you and your husband arguing this afternoon.”

Verna frowned.“You did?”

“I was in my room, on the balcony, and I couldn’t help but hear you say to Thaw that you did what he asked you to.” She lifted a meaningful eyebrow.

“So?”

“So I should probably tell you that I don’t think Kimberlee’s death was a suicide. I actually think she was murdered…”

Verna’s face cleared as understanding dawned. Astonishment mingled with amusement on the actress’s face. “You think I killed Kimberlee? Seriously?”

Odelia shrugged.“Before I talk to my uncle I wanted to talk to you first. I know how words can get twisted and lost in translation, so…”