Page 2 of Obsession

With his lead role inStorm’s Eye, Teddy was making enough from Mark Weldon’s acting work to live quite well. Given the even larger amount he earned as Billy Barnett, and the tidy sum he’d already amassed before entering the film business, Teddy was more than comfortable.

“Do we need to go again?” he asked.

Peter clapped him on the back. “I’ve got what I need. You’re wrapped for today. Go back to the hotel. Grab a drink and enjoy some time by the pool.”

“I like the way you think.”

“Then you’ll love this. If I’m not mistaken, you’re off tomorrow morning, too.”

“You’re full of good news today.”

Peter chuckled in a not-so-fast kind of way. “I was thinking that if you see Billy, you could tell him tomorrow morning might be a good time for a set visit.” Unlike Luke the camera truck driver, Peter knew all about Teddy’s identities.

“If I happen to run into him, I’ll let him know.”

2

Teddy felt the familiar sensation of being watched the moment he stepped into the lobby of the Santa Barbara Hills Hotel.

At least two-thirds of the patrons were sneaking glances at him. Since receiving his Oscar for best supporting actor, Mark Weldon could no longer roam the streets—or in this case, walk through a hotel lobby—unrecognized. It was all rather unfortunate. The persona had served Teddy well when no one had known who Mark was. But gone were the days of conducting any truly covert work as the actor. He had no choice now but to limit Mark’s appearances toshoot days like today, and big events at which Mark’s attendance was expected.

“Hello, Mark.”

Teddy turned toward the familiar voice of Ben Bacchetti, head of Centurion Studios, the studio behind all of Peter Barrington’s movies. Like their fathers, Peter and Ben were best friends. Some friendships might be strained by working together, but theirs had only grown stronger.

Ben walked toward Teddy from the direction of the hotel restaurant, in the company of Peter’s father, Stone Barrington. A successful lawyer with a reputation for being an expert at handling difficult situations, Stone was on Centurion’s board of directors. He was also the man responsible for Teddy working with Ben and Peter.

“Ben, Stone, isn’t this a pleasant surprise.”

“Good to see you, Mark,” Stone said.

“Here to check up on the shoot?”

Ben shook his head. “Not this trip. We’re here for a meeting with a production company looking for a studio partner. I’ll be heading back to L.A. when we’re done.”

“Don’t production companies typically come to you?”

“This isn’t a typical production company. Have you heard of Carl Novak?”

“The tech billionaire?”

“That’s the one. You’ve probably seen his wife before,too. Rebecca Novak? She used to be a model. You name a fashion magazine, and she’s been on the cover.”

“They want to get into the film business?”

“They already have a few productions underway, documentaries and films that deal with problems that don’t get a lot of attention. Without a studio partner like us, they’d be stuck making only a film or two a year. They’d like to do more than that. We’re one of several groups they’re talking to.” Ben’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen. “Our car’s here. We’ll see you later, Mark.”

Ben headed for the exit, but Stone turned to Teddy instead of immediately following. “Could you do me a favor?”

Teddy arched an eyebrow. “Depends on the favor.”

“If you run into Billy Barnett, can you tell him I’d love to have dinner with him? Say, seven-thirty?”

Teddy twisted his head to the side, attempting to look at his back.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to see if someone put a Billy Barnett’s personal assistant sign on my back. He has a secretary and anactualpersonal assistant now, you know. You could call one of them, and they’d let him know.”

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