Kissed Blind (Hot Pursuit #2)(88)
“You’re insane. It’s been long enough, and it’s time for the truth to come out.” Both remained silent for a few beats. Oliver turned to Vance and me. “Twenty years ago—”
“Oliver don’t!” Camille’s lips pulled back in a snarl. “I swear to God.”
His icy stare landed on her face. “I’m finished listening to you and trying to be rational. I have to tell someone for my own protection, since killing people comes so easily to you.” He returned his gaze to Vance and me. “Like I was saying, twenty years ago, Camille and Lindy Hollon were up for the role of Sember Adler in Acts of Desperation—”
“I won’t let you do this to me.” Camille lunged for Oliver and wrapped her hands around his throat.
In an instant, I pulled her off him, and Vance forced her to the ground.
“Christ!” Oliver clutched his neck. “You’re certifiable!”
Vance lifted Camille to her feet and held her hands behind her back. “Should I call the police?”
“No, not yet. I’m going to finish what I have to say, and I want to watch her face as I do it.”
“Oliver…” Camille offered her final warning and struggled to free her hands.
“The day before Camille and Lindy were supposed to audition for the role of Sember Adler, Camille decided she’d stack the cards in her favor. She arranged a lunch with Lindy. Her plan was to have her become so ill she wouldn’t be able to show up for the audition. Solanine, as you asked before, is a poison. It’s odorless and tasteless. It should have only made Lindy sick, but because she was starving herself with the popular diet of cocaine and diet Coke, her body couldn’t handle it and she died. Her death was ruled an accidental overdose, but Camille and I both know that’s not the real reason, don’t we?”
“No one will believe you, and you’ll look just as bad as me if you come out with this now, twenty years after her death. What will they say about you?” Her hot stare focused in on Vance and me. “And you two, if either of you speak to the media, I’ll sue you both for everything you have, and then I’ll go after your families. I don’t need to remind you of the nondisclosure agreement you both signed. You’re bound by that little piece of paper, you understand?”
I opened my mouth but only grunts came out.
“Camille!” Oliver barked.
“Don’t you ‘Camille’ me, and don’t you dare underestimate me.”
He laughed. “Don’t you dare underestimate me. I’m going to finish filming my movie, and then I’m going public with the divorce. Don’t fight me. I can spin Lindy’s death any way I want, or I don’t have to mention it at all. If anything should happen to me though, Vance and Diana know the truth. I’m just as smart as you. I’ve made enough money that if it destroys my career, then so be it. It won’t destroy me, and my conscience will be clear. But you are the public’s perception of you. There is no real Camille Pierce. Your life will be a shell of an existence, and I will see to it that it’s as miserable as I can make it.”
Camille’s nostrils flared, and her jaw clenched.
“You’re not coming back to Cincinnati with me,” Oliver added. “I’ll have all your things sent here. As far as I’m concerned, we’re officially separated. The only way this stays clean is if you sign the papers. Sign them, or I will go for your jugular.”
Camille panted the rage from her body.
Cici rapped on the door and spoke through a crack, “I heard you’re feeling better. Can I come in?”
Oliver looked to Vance, and in a silent exchange, told him to release Camille. She snatched her hands free and rubbed her wrists.
“Come in,” Oliver said.
“Hey, how’re you feeling?” Her voice was syrupy sweet, but her concern genuine. “I told everyone you’re exhausted because of the grueling filming schedule and all the travel.”
“How right you are. Stress can take a toll on our bodies. Thanks for handling that.” He adjusted the covers on his chest.
“No problem. I’m happy to help.” Cici stopped suddenly and looked at all of us. By the expression on our faces, she saw something was up. “Do you need me to do anything else?”
He looked at Camille and back to Cici. “Actually, I’ll need you to go to the house and pack my bags. As soon as I’m released, I’m going back to Cincinnati. Diana and Vance, please gather your things and be ready to leave.”
“Sure,” Cici answered but knitted her brows together. “What about Camille?”
“She’s not coming with us. Camille, please leave.”
Camille thrust her shoulders back and held her head high as she waltzed out of the room.
Thirty
After being released from the hospital with no lasting effects from the solanine poisoning, Oliver returned to Cincinnati to wrap shooting on the film. Camille stayed in Hollywood. She wasn’t responding to any media inquiries and had gone into seclusion. It took no time for rumors to resurface about their marriage being on the rocks.
A media frenzy followed Oliver onto the set. Everyone wondered what had really happened in California and demanded more explanation, knowing “exhaustion” was usually a broadly used term for a bigger problem. Tabloids circulated theories ranging from pain pill addiction to heroin abuse, but he discredited all of them like a professional. Even I believed him when he said he’d been working himself too hard. He also didn’t respond to any of the speculation about his marriage. Somehow, despite almost being murdered by his wife, Oliver managed to take the high road, and it got me thinking.