Karen met her at the gate and before she knew it they were both in the back of a limo on their way into Manhattan. Val started to tell her how dangerous Marco was and described his connection with drug trafficking and the intricate system he’d worked out with people in the Everglades. She was sure he would follow her and the thought scared her out of her mind. Karen asked about Sharon. Val said she had only seen her the one time, but heard from one of the girls who came to the house that she’d been beaten up for some reason. That was all she knew.
They went straight to Karen’s place where she gave Val a couple of yellows and told her to get some sleep. Karen thought it best they wait until she was rested before she called her mother. Val had no problem agreeing with that.
When she was settled, Karen went straight to the phone and called a lawyer friend of hers who knew the DA. She didn’t have to wait long before he called her back. She told him exactly where they could find Marco and where to look for his boats and contraband. He promised she would remain anonymous.
The next day, the FBI was ready to make their bust. They had been trying to get something on Marco and his cocaine cowboys for some time. When they raided his house, Marco put up a fight and was hit on the head with a club by one of the Feds. He fell to the floor in the foyer and hit the marble so hard he cracked his head and became unconscious; he was dragged out and taken to the hospital, where he went into a coma. He died the following day from his head injuries.
In New York they were unaware of what had occurred. Val woke up long enough to have some soup, take two more lovely little yellows, and go back to sleep.
The following day, Karen woke her with a breakfast tray and the newspapers. Val couldn’t believe the headlines! How had it happened so quickly? Karen was only pissed about one thing. She had wanted to find out about Sharon. Now with Marco dead, she didn’t have any leads. For a short time she and Val celebrated with mimosa’s and croissants. Feeling better than she’d felt in ages, Val put down her glass and made a face before she picked up the phone to call her mother. They didn’t want her to see the papers or hear about what had happened from anyone else. Luckily Anne was still asleep when the phone rang and still totally unaware of the bust in Florida. Half-asleep she decided to let her new answering machine pick up; then she heard Val’s voice.
“Mummy, it’s me. I’m in New York.”
Anne nearly fell out of bed rushing to pick up the receiver.
“Valerie, my goodness. What a surprise. Where are you?”
“I’m at Karen’s. It’s a long story. I, we would love you to come over here as soon as possible.”
Karen was on the extension and butted in.
“Hi, Anne. I can’t begin to tell you how important it is for you to come here immediately. Just get dressed, jump in a cab, and we’ll be here waiting for you.”
Before Anne could say anything, Karen gave her the address and they hung up.
Val told Karen about all the Percodan and coke she’d been doing with Marco. Karen said her old line, “not to worry,” suggesting they should both take a couple of greenies and a yellow. She told Val she was going to call Dr. Anderson to find out what to use in place of Percs. When she explained the situation to him, as much as he didn’t give a hoot about what happened to Val, he could never refuse Karen anything. He assured her he would come by later and give Val a shot and a ’scrip, sure that was all she needed.
Anne arrived, and over tea they showed her the newspapers and brought her up-to-date on what had transpired. She couldn’t believe it. Her biggest worry was Val’s name and reputation. Val bit her tongue. She didn’t want to say what reputation and start an argument, so she let Karen answer. What she said shocked both of them. She told them about her movie deal with Sydney Greenspan and how Val had the part in his film if she wanted it. She said the reason she’d sent Sharon to Miami in the first place was to tell Val about the film. It was going to be shot in London.
“If you’re both agreeable, I think it seems like the perfect solution. Val would have to leave New York immediately, and would therefore not be available for any consequences that could crop up because of her relationship with Marco.”
Anne loved the whole idea. Truth was, she was happy enough to see Val, but her own life had become, as she put it, “serene and calm,” and she liked it that way. Of course she didn’t say this. She could only imagine the time the columns and trade papers would have with this newest scandal. It would be so much nicer for her to be able to say ‘my daughter is in London shooting a film.’
“When does this film start shooting?”
For her, it couldn’t be soon enough.
“I spoke to Sydney last night. Shooting starts in three weeks. He said he knew someone who was subletting a flat in Bayswater: a good neighborhood, as you probably know—safe, lots of restaurants, etc., and I told him to go ahead and rent it. As far as what the next step should be, I tend to think the sooner Val leaves the better.”
With that, Anne stood and shook Karen’s hand. “I couldn’t agree with you more. Honestly Karen, I really don’t know how to thank you. I’m sorry I have to leave, I have an important appointment for lunch. I’m thrilled we’ve sorted out this problem so quickly, now I won’t even have to cancel. When will Valerie be coming to pack and pick up her passport?”
“She’ll come tomorrow afternoon.”
“Fine then. I’ll be waiting for you both.”
Anne and Karen hadn’t once included Val in their conversation. They seemed extremely satisfied with what had transpired and that seemed to be the most important outcome. Val had heard it all, but it hadn’t sunk in. Something about London and a film. By the sound of it, it was another decision she didn’t have to make; she was grateful for that. She was included for the walk to the door to say good-bye. Val’s mother even managed a small peck on her cheek.
“Be a good girl, Valerie. God bless.”