Death of a Blue Movie Star (Rune 2)

"Uh, not exactly."

"Blackmail."

"Blackmail? Shelly was blackmailing him?"

"Nobody here knows for certain but there're rumors about Michael. A few years ago he was traveling through some small town in, I don't know, Colorado, Nevada, and we think he got arrested. For picking up a high school boy--the story was that he was just seventeen."

"Ouch."

"Uh-huh. Also around that time there was an announcement that Michael had paid two hundred thousand for the rights to a play. Nobody pays that kind of money for a straight, nonmusical play. It had to've been a phony transaction--I'm sure he used company money to pay off locals and keep out of jail."

"I thought he was a deacon in his church?"

"This was before he saw the light."

"You think Shelly found out about it?"

"Like I say, she did her homework."

Rune said, "He fired you. You're a little prejudiced against him."

Becker laughed. "I respect Medea's strength. Can I forgive her for killing her children? I respect Michael for what he's done for New York theater. Personally, I think he's a pompous ass. Draw your own conclusions about what I tell you."

"One last question. Was he in Vietnam? Or was he ever a soldier?"

"Michael?" Becker laughed again. "That would have been a delightful sight. When you're in the army I understand you have to do what other people tell you. That doesn't sound very much like the Michael Schmidt we all know and love, now does it?"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

His eyes squint, picking up golden light from the sun, as he gazes over the sagebrush and arroyos for signs of Indians or buffalo or strays. His .45 is always on his hip....

Rune was using her fingers as an impromptu camera viewfinder to frame Sam Healy. She waved to him and he ambled slowly toward her.

He'd be great in her film.

There was something different about him today. Two things, in fact. One, he wasn't somber anymore.

And, two, he gave off some kind of quiet strength she hadn't seen before in his face.

Then Rune looked past him and she realized why the change. The ten-year-old boy, who Rune had thought just happened to be walking beside him, was undoubtedly Adam, his son. Healy's face revealed the protective, authoritative, aware nature of a parent.

Sam seemed to stop just short of a hug and a kiss and nodded to her. "Thanks for meeting me. Well, us."

"Sure," she answered, wondering why he hadn't told her he was bringing the boy. Maybe because he'd been afraid she wouldn't show up.

Healy introduced them and they shook hands. Rune said, "Nice to meet you, Adam."

The boy said nothing, just looked at Rune critically. Healy said, "Come on, son, what do you say?"

The boy shrugged. "They're getting younger all the time?"

Rune laughed and Healy, blushing a bit, did too. The successful joke had been delivered so smoothly she knew he'd used it before.

They started down the sidewalk in lower Manhattan.

"You like U2?" Adam asked Rune as they walked along Broadway past the Federal Building. "They're so totally awesome."

"Love that guitar! Chunga, chunga, chunga ..."