Take Two (A psychological thriller)

‘Be handy if we could get a look at her passport,’ said Halpin, dropping the broken mug and wet kitchen towel into the rubbish bin.

‘Seeing as how she’s at the bottom of the North Sea, I don’t see that’s going to happen,’ said Richards.

‘I meant the sister. Jenny. If you can get her passport we’ll have her name and her date of birth.  Even if the sister has changed her name we’ll have the date they were born and I can look for twin girls born on that day.’

‘Let me see what I can do,’ said Richards. He finished making the coffees and handed one to Halpin.

‘And the other thing was the truck driver. He’s up in Scotland tomorrow. I’ll go up and do it myself.’

‘You’re not planning to use me as an alibi, are you?’

Halpin shook his head. ‘Sorted on that front. I’ll be playing poker with four other guys.’

‘Be lucky,’ said Richards.

‘I always am. Just make sure you’re in the club all tomorrow night, early until late.’

Richards raised an eyebrow. ‘You wouldn’t be trying to teach your grandmother to suck eggs, would you?’

‘Wouldn’t dream of it, boss.’

CHAPTER 79

Day ambled into the studio, his hands in his pockets.  He found Phillippa on the set that was used as Seb’s office, deep in conversation with the lighting director. She looked up as he walked over. ‘How’s it going?’ asked Day.

‘We’re on schedule,’ said Phillippa.

‘And Jenny? How’s she holding up?’

‘She’s fine.’

‘You’re sure? I’ve had the network on and they’re asking for rushes. Is there anything we can send them?’

‘Paul, really, she’s fine.’

Day looked at his watch. ‘Where is she?’

‘Make-up. We’ve shot the hairdressing scene and we’ve got to tidy the hair up. We’ll be ready to go in about twenty minutes.’

‘Can you show me what you shot?’

‘Sure.’

‘No pressure, I just need to reassure Sally and Lisa.’

‘Paul, it’s fine.’

‘I just don’t want you to think I’m second-guessing you.’

‘Thought hadn’t even crossed my mind,’ she said as she walked with him over to her monitors. Her script editor, Jamie, was in one of the seats, checking timings. ‘Sorry, Jamie, can we sit down?’ asked Phillippa.

Jamie scuttled away and Day and Phillippa dropped down into the canvas seats.  Phillippa hit the playback button and the black and white screen flickered into life.

Day groaned when he heard Jenny’s Australian accent. ‘Don’t worry, that was the first take,’ said Phillippa.  She fast-forwarded the video and pressed play again. It was one of the takes of the final part of the scene where Diana was on the phone to her lawyer. Jenny was sitting in the chair and the camera was behind her and to the side giving a double shot of her in the mirror.  Day nodded his approval. It was a clever bit of camerawork.

Jenny was looking off-screen as she spoke. ‘I’m not going to pay a penny more than twenty-grand,’ she said, her voice virtually indistinguishable from Carolyn’s.  ‘And I don’t care what their lawyer says.’  Jenny frowned and nodded as if she was listening to someone on the other end of the line. ‘Well, I’m the one paying your extortionate bills, Ronnie, and if you want that state of affairs to continue then I suggest you go back to them and tell them that twenty-five grand is our final offer.’ Jenny ended the call, shook her head and tossed her mobile into her bag. ‘What was it Shakespeare said? First kill all the lawyers? He knew what he was talking about.’ She sat back in the chair and looked at her reflection, then tilted her head to one side. ‘Maybe I should go blonde? I might have more fun.’

Day laughed as the scene came to an end. ‘Brilliant,’ he said. ‘Lighting could have been a bit more subtle but she hit it just right.’ He sat back in the chair and stretched out his legs. ‘Get me a copy of that by this afternoon, will you. I’ll courier it over to the network.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘It’s going to work, isn’t it?’

Phillippa nodded enthusiastically. ‘I think it is. She learns quickly.’ She switched off the recorder.  ‘What about Carolyn? Any news?’

Day shook his head. ‘I’ve been on to her agent again and he hasn’t heard from her. Laura’s ringing around the Priory and the usual suspects.’

‘You think she booked herself into a clinic?’

‘She’s done it before,’ said Day, standing up. ‘Or she might be playing some negotiating game with the network.’

‘She’d do that?’

‘Who knows? But if that is her game, it’s backfired now that Jenny has turned up. It’s a bit hard to argue you’re invaluable when your twin sister can do the same job.’ He flashed her a thumbs-up. ‘You’re doing great, Phillippa. Just make sure you keep it up.’

CHAPTER 80

Terry’s mobile rang and he reached for it. The caller was withholding his number, which Terry always hated. So far as Terry was concerned, getting a call with the ID blocked was akin to opening your front door and finding someone there wearing a ski mask. It was just plain rude. He considered ignoring the call but curiosity got the better of him and he answered. ‘Terry?’

Terry didn’t recognise the voice. ‘Yeah?’

‘It’s Warwick, Warwick Richards.’

Terry frowned. ‘Yes?’ he said cautiously.