eight

“But getting back to the tapes,” said Janice. “How will it work exactly? You edit them and then publish the whole thing? Don’t the people in the videos have to sign off on them first or something?”

“Of course,” said Nigel. “And, obviously, we won’t include anything that those involved would rather we not. But I can’t imagine it being a problem,” he continued. “A Winter’s Night is an American Classic. It’s like finding behind-the-scenes footage of Gone with the Wind.”

Janice chewed the lipstick off her bottom lip before answering. “Still, it’s just that while they are off camera, sometimes the actors and the crew tend to—oh, you know—let their hair down. There may be footage that might prove embarrassing. Not to me, of course,” she added quickly, “but to others.”

Sebastian leaned his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands. With an impish grin, he said, “Me thinks the lady protests too much. Come on, darling. Let’s hear it. Did you let your hair down? What did you do? Try and find out why they call him the Best Boy? You did, didn’t you? Come on now, give. Tell us the whole sordid story, you saucy minx.”

Janice’s skin flushed. She pursed her lips together and turned her head in Sebastian’s direction. “Don’t be ridiculous. I did no such thing,” she said stiffly. “Unlike others in this town, I have always conducted myself as a lady. I never indulged in any of that kinky hanky-panky stuff.”

I wondered what kind of activity would meet the definition of both “hanky-panky” and “kinky.” From the befuddled expressions of the others at the table, I suspected I was not alone. I decided it was not a question I wanted answered. Ever. “Of course you didn’t, Mother,” Christina said after a moment. “Bash is only teasing.”

“Not that I wasn’t asked to, mind you,” said Janice. “I was. A lot. Oh, I could tell you some stories if I wanted to.”

“What do we have to do to make sure that you don’t?” Sebastian asked, his expression earnest.

“I’m only saying that there are some nasty things that go on in this town,” Janice said with an air of importance. “Some are done by the very people in this room, too.”

Sebastian suddenly tensed in his chair at the sight of something behind Christina. Glancing in that direction, I saw Barry Meagher heading toward our table with a purposeful stride. “Drop it, Mother,” Sebastian muttered quickly as he stood. “Barry’s heading this way.”