Page 43 of Holding On to a Hero
“You love me and you know I’m right.”
“Fine. You’re right.”
“She is right,” Brian said. “And, Will, the police know what happened but we’ve just told the press that a Good Samaritan saw Cole get injured and stopped to call it in. We’ve kept you out of it completely as far as the public knows.”
“Oh, wow, thanks. I didnotenjoy the press hounding me after the accident in Colorado. Did the police find any clues about the shooter?”
“Unfortunately no. They haven’t told me anything officially, but I know they did find where the gunman was shooting from. But my impression from everything else they’re saying or not saying is that they didn’t have any leads.” He got up out of the chair and put his phone in his pocket. “I’m sorry but I need to get going.”
“Wait! How long do the doctors think Cole is going to be in the coma? And what room is he in – I want to see him.”
Brian grimaced. “You can’t. He isn’t in this hospital anymore. He had to go somewhere more secure. We’re not telling anyone where he is, and I’m really sorry but that includes you.”
“I—I guess I understand why. Uh, does this mean I can’t talk to Jason either?”
“I’m sorry again, but you can’t. We don’t know what technological skills the shooter has, and if you communicate with Jason there’s a risk of the shooter monitoring your calls or emails.” Fuck. “The police have your phone so I left my business card on the table there. Please call if you need anything.”
He paused in the doorway. “Cole is expected to make a full recovery. And keep in mind that’s all thanks to you, Will. You might not have a hero complex, but you were a hero this morning.”
He left then. Ally tried to hug me around the arm brace and bandages, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted Jason’s hug. And to see Cole’s beautiful eyes smiling at me.
Ally stroked my hair while I cried.
* * *
Excerpt from transcript of interview with Felicia Montgomery, owner of Montgomery & Associates and Cole Washburn’s agent:
Special Agent Bardo:Thank you for seeing me today.
Montgomery:Of course. Anything to help find out who would do this to Cole.
Special Agent Bardo:Can you tell me if Cole Washburn has any enemies?
Montgomery:No! Everyone loves Cole. Well, [laughs] his ex-agent wasn’t too happy with him when Cole fired him, but that was almost two years ago.
Special Agent Bardo:Can you tell me this agent’s name, ma’am?
Montgomery:Samuels. Godfrey Samuels. He owns Samuels Representation and have fun interviewing him. He’s a grade-A asshole.
Special Agent Bardo:Do you know why Mr. Washburn fired Mr. Samuels as his agent?
Montgomery:Oh, yes. Cole wanted to retire. He told me up front when he hired me. Charla, that’s Charla Fenton, his ex-girlfriend, she’s, um, one of my clients and she recommended me to Cole. Cole told me he’d informed Godfrey that he wasn’t going to accept any more film roles after the ones he was already committed to, but Godfrey kept talking him up to producers and directors, and they’d come up to him and mention that Godfrey had been discussing auditions with them.
Special Agent Bardo:Did Mr. Washburn tell you what Mr. Samuels’ reaction was to getting fired?
Montgomery:Oh, he didn’t have to. Cole called Godfrey from wherever he was shooting at the time and told Godfrey over the phone that he was fired. Godfrey was in the middle of a restaurant, La Fleur, maybe? Anyway, dozens of people heard Godfrey shouting that he’d made Cole and that Cole should be grateful for Godfrey’s time and help and that Cole would be nothing without him. It was quite the gossip item for weeks.
Special Agent Bardo:Did you hear whether Mr. Samuels threatened Mr. Washburn?
Montgomery:No, no one said anything like that.
Special Agent Bardo:Do you handle Mr. Washburn’s fan mail?
Montgomery:Some of it, yes. He has a post office box for most of it, but some people send things to my office. I’m sure you’re going to ask me about threats, and he did get a few after he announced his retirement. We gave them to the LAPD, but I’ll get you copies before you leave.
Special Agent Bardo:Thank you, Ms. Montgomery. Now, just to be thorough, I have to ask you where you were yesterday morning between 4am and 8am Pacific Time, and if anyone can verify your whereabouts.
Montgomery:Oh! Yesterday was Thursday. When Cole was shot. Oh. Um, well, I was with someone, but I’d really rather not say.
