Deadline by Fern Michaels Page A

eyebrows Groucho Marx style. “Actually, she’s been seeing him on the sly and doesn’t know that I know, so when we’re in Charleston, keep this between us.”
    â€œSo does this mean you’re planning a trip south?” Mavis asked. “Hello.”
    â€œAbsolutely not. Until I know what’s happened to Chris, I’m staying right here,” Toots assured them.
    â€œThere is a simple explanation. I just know it.” Sophie grabbed her pack of cigarettes from the kitchen table and went to the sliding glass doors. With one foot inside and the other on the deck, Sophie lit up, blowing the smoke outside.
    â€œI hope there is. If he’s off with some bimbo, he is really going to be in a heap of shit with Abby. She’s crazy about him, and I could see the worry etched in her face. Those two have something going on, big-time. If they’d only acknowledge it and make me a grandmother, I would be the happiest woman alive.” Toots brushed past Sophie and stepped outside, whereupon Sophie stepped fully onto the deck.
    â€œI think they’re cute together, but don’t tell Abby I said that,” Sophie said.
    â€œShe’s too independent for her own good,” Toots observed. “At this rate, I’ll be six feet under before she decides to settle down, let alone get married and have children. Of course, I want her to do the marriage thing once. Not eight times. Why do you suppose I felt the need to marry so many times?”
    Sophie took a deep draw on her cigarette and blew the smoke out through her nose. “I think you’re the nurturing kind. You attract men you can take care of. Or at least that’s my take on it.”
    Toots appeared to be in deep thought. “Who knows? I do know that I won’t be adding a number nine. I don’t have time for a relationship anyway. Speaking of relationships, just how close are you and Goebel?”
    â€œI haven’t slept with him if that’s what you’re asking. I’m sixty-six years old, Toots, I’m not sure I could ever again have an intimate relationship with a man. It’s been my experience when you give that part of yourself, he thinks he owns you. I wasted too many years of my life on Walter. I enjoy Goebel’s company, he’s a great friend, and for now I’m not looking for anything else. Does that answer your question?”
    Toots crushed her cigarette out in the seashell ashtray. “Yes. Now, if we don’t get our asses in gear, Goebel will have to take a taxi. Do you want to invite Ida along for the ride?”
    â€œSure, why not? I thought she was going anyway. Just because her hair is hot pink, why should that matter?” Sophie teased.
    Toots stood brushing the ashes from her slacks. “It shouldn’t, but maybe you don’t want to be seen in public with her.”
    â€œI don’t care, but I have to ask, did you really tell her hairdresser to give her the latest style, or did you give them specifics?”
    â€œLet’s just say I gave them the idea and leave it at that.”
    The two women looked at one another before both hooted with laughter.
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    After sending her two ace reporters Brandy Collins and Chuck Pierce to stake out Hot Wired and The Buzz, Abby called May Marchand, who’d spent the night staking out Laura Leigh’s apartment.
    â€œAnything to report?” Abby asked, concise and to the point.
    â€œAbsolutely nothing. Not even a newspaper delivery. The media is all over the place, though. Entertainment Tonight, E!, and Inside Edition all have their big guns out. Sure looks like this is turning into a major media event,” May said.
    Abby took a deep breath. Damn. She knew this was going to happen. If the major networks were parked and waiting, then the story was going international. They didn’t send the big guns out for petty news. Against her better judgment, she decided she had to cover the story