Laurie and Danny gratefully dropped their cheerful facade once they were out in the corridor. They were both still in shock over both Joni's horrific betrayal of their brother's trust and the purgatory which Keith was going through. Neither of them had ever seen anyone in so much pain before. The closest they had come was the occasion a couple of years back with Keith's appendicitis. He had awoken in agony in the middle of the night and his cries of pain had brought the entire family awake. Mom had been first on the scene, closing the rest of the brood out of her eldest son's room, then, a few moments later, popping her head round the door and urging Laurie to call an ambulance. Shirley had left Laurie in charge of the other kids while she had ridden to the hospital in the ambulance with Keith and nothing had been heard from her for several hours. Laurie and Danny had been frantic with worry by the time the telephone did finally ring at 8:15am the same morning and mom had given them the news that their elder brother had undergone an emergency appendectomy and was going to be all right. The relief was palpable. More so because they had caught a frightening glimpse of Keith when he had been led from his room - he had looked so awful. He was pale and a little sweaty and his face was scrunched up in agony. He had been practically doubled over by the time he had reached the bottom of the stairs but had refused a stretcher because he didn't want to scare the kids. It had been too late for that, of course. The kids had already been scared. And that was how they had remained until the long-awaited call from the hospital. None of them had been able to go back to bed, and sleep had been an impossibility so they had sat in the lounge, waiting and worrying. Laurie had bitten almost all her nails down to the quick and Danny had pulled the thread of his dressing gown so much that he had worn a small hole in the weave of the pocket.
A couple of years later, during what they now called the 'hamster incident', Keith had claimed that no-one had gotten as upset over his appendicitis as they were becoming over 'Dean Martin' the Hamster being sick. Little had he known how frightened they had actually been and how much jubilation had filled the little household when they had known he was going to recover.
But even so, he had not looked as sick then as he did now. Nor had the pain then seemed anywhere near as bad as it was now. At least on that occasion the cure was at hand - remove the offending internal organ. What could you do when it was a drug racing through your blood, attacking the whole of your internal system? It wasn't like you could just siphon it out, although if there had been a way, both Laurie and Danny would have done just that to prevent him from suffering any more. The thought that he might have to endure even more before his ordeal was finally over truly terrified them and it was something neither of them wanted to witness again. But they had made a promise to their mother. And besides, not to be there with him to help him through his own personal hell was also unthinkable. They couldn't simply stay away and picture what was going on in Reuben's suite - mental images which would be only too explicit because of what they had already seen. They had to be there with Keith, to let him know that he wasn't alone and that they were there if he needed them, despite his apparent eagerness to see them leave.
"See you in a few minutes?" Danny asked Laurie as he left her at her hotel door.
She nodded. It was almost as if a silent communion had passed between them - a pact to see this through together. "I'll meet you here," she replied. "We'll go back in together."
And thus the matter was decided.
Shirley had been concentrating on Keith for so long that she had practically forgotten there was anyone else in the room. Eventually, Reuben coughed lightly to gain her attention. She turned, smiling apologetically. "Reuben, I'm sorry, I …"
"Shirley …" Reuben cut her off quickly. "It's all right. I was just wondering what you want to do about Tracy and Chris. I guess Danny and Laurie are going to come back once they're showered and dressed - nothing could keep those two away now. But Tracy and Chris should be kept out of here."
"You're right," she breathed, mortified at the realisation that all thoughts of her two youngest children had slipped right out of her mind. "Reuben, someone will have to take care of them, entertain them … I can't leave Keith, I …"
Reuben leaned over, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "It's okay, Shirl. I'll take care of it."
"You?" she exclaimed, eyes wide with astonishment. "But Reuben, you always try to stay away from the little ones. How are you going to keep them entertained and …"
"Hey, it's okay!" he interjected as she worried. "I know I always say I hate kids, but you're not gonna be able to drag Laurie away from your side now - and she's the only other logical choice. Look, what could be so hard about keeping a couple of kids amused anyway?" She just looked at him. Her expression spoke volumes. "Yeah, well, you know, " he stammered. "Okay, so it might be harder than it looks but someone's gotta do it and as manager, I'll take responsibility."
Her smile this time was one of relief and gratitude. Rising from the bed she drew him into her arms and hugged him fiercely. "Thank you, Reuben," she whispered. "I don't know what we would do without you."
Embarrassed now, he wriggled free from her embrace. "Aw, Shirley, it's nothing. Don't give it a second thought!"
As he left the room, however, and she sank back onto the bed, running her hand absent-mindedly up and down her unconscious son's arm, she felt a pang of regret. Reuben had been a rock solid presence in this room for so many hours now. Someone she could turn to without reservation; someone who would know what to do without having to be asked; and someone whose support was given unconditionally and without second thoughts. He had also been the only other adult. What was she going to do without him for the next few hours?
*****
Laurie and Danny seemed to be back before she had had the chance to draw breath. In reality, she knew they had been gone over 40 minutes - after all, Laurie had had time to wash and dry her long hair and that usually took a while. They were seemingly eager to do what they could to help, although she could see the muted fear in their eyes. When Danny questioned Reuben's absence she explained about his mission and the middle Partridge snorted derisively.
"Danny!" she admonished him.
"I know, mom, I know," he temporised. "But Mr Kincaid - amusing Chris and Tracy for the day??? I'm not sure who'll have the nervous breakdown first - him or them!"
Shirley had to smile at the picture this conjured up, and Danny breathed an inward sigh of relief, pleased to have brought a little relief to his mom.
"How's Keith doing, mom?" Laurie asked softly at this point, returning their attention to the reason for their combined presence here.
Shirley glanced back down at the inert form on the bed. There had been no further movement from her eldest son since he had lapsed back into unconsciousness nearly an hour before. She didn't know at this point whether to be relieved that he was not suffering any more pain for the present or fearful because he wouldn't wake up. "He's been .. asleep ever since you guys left," she said, at length.
Mom sounded tired, reflected Laurie with concern. This must have been so hard on her, even with Reuben here, offering his support and help. Crouching beside the bed, Laurie looked up into Shirley's face, gauging the fear and worry and flinching at the new lines of strain she could see there. "Why don't you take a break, mom?" she asked, gently. "Danny and I can look after Keith for the time being. There's that nice big sofa over there …"
"Oh, I couldn't," interjected Shirley, in dismay. "I can't leave him now, Laurie! Suppose he wakes up and I'm not here? I …"
""Mom, Mom," Laurie cut her off gently. "You will be here. You'd just be over the other side of the room. If Keith needed you we'd only have to come over and wake you - if you were even asleep. Come on, how about it?"
Shirley vacillated for a few moments. She desperately wanted to remain with Keith, watching over him, protecting him from any further harm, and so she could be there beside him when he regained consciousness, just like she had promised him. But at the same time, she had to admit that she was exhausted. The last few hours of stress and anguish had taken its toll on her and she knew that if she relaxed for even an instant then she would fall asleep. Not that she had been able to relax over the last few hours. And Laurie was so adamant, so persuasive. "You'd wake me as soon as Keith started to wake up?" she demanded of her eldest daughter.
Laurie nodded. "I promise, Mom. As soon as there's any movement from him whatsoever. We'll wake you up"
Shirley relented, surrendering to her daughter's logical argument. "I'll be just over there," she said, pointing toward the sofa and with a last loving look at Keith. She leaned over, placing a tender kiss on the soft brown hair which was splayed out across the pillows. He still looked so pale and his brow was furrowed in pain even in sleep - or unconsciousness. Despairingly, she wondered how long this torture was going to keep her poor baby in its vicious grip; when it was going to start relinquishing its hold and allow him some respite. She even felt guilty about her intention to get a little sleep. How could she sleep, without pain and worry, if he was unable to? It just wasn't fair!
"Mom …" She was so absorbed in her own torment that she barely heard Laurie's soft voice. "Mom .. go. We'll look after everything. Mom?"
Slowly she focused on the concerned gaze of her eldest daughter. The pert, attractive features were twisted into frown and there was anxiety in her green eyes. Summoning up a smile from somewhere, she stroked the long auburn hair and rose from the bed, starting what seemed to be the longest journey of her life - the few short steps across the room to the sofa.
*****
Danny and Laurie watched their mother surreptitiously whilst she made herself comfortable on the large, comfortable piece of furniture, closing her eyes reluctantly. A few moments later she was asleep. Laurie sighed in relief and turned back to the bed, where her older brother lay, quiescent. She studied him carefully. He truly looked terrible. The dark shadows beneath his eyes seemed even more pronounced in the soft bright sunshine pouring into the room through the large window. She had seen his pain for herself earlier but without experiencing it for herself could never hope to gauge the depth of it, nor what it was doing to him - although the external effects were devastating. His long, dark eyelashes swept over wan cheeks which appeared hollow, the fine boned features seeming even more prominent. Her throat constricted at how ill he truly looked and she longed to do something to help but knew that all any of them could do right now as be there to offer their support. There was no quick solution this time.
Greg Novak glanced up at the mid morning sun, shading his eyes against its brilliance. He felt like he'd just been to war. After leaving Reuben Kincaid's suite, he had commenced a search for Joni. His fury had not abated, but had muted to a smouldering rage, which all but consumed him. Joni had carried things too far this time. Her last conquest had barely been 19, a good four years younger than she was. He was the lead singer of a band who had just been starting out and had, therefore, been susceptible to Joni's habit of namedropping. Convinced that she could set him and his band on the road to stardom, he had been flattered by her apparent interest in him. They had indulged in a brief affair. More than that, though, she had introduced him to the world of drugs - and he had become a willing victim. Greg had then watched his up and coming career deteriorate as he became more and more involved in the drug scene. Vast amounts of money had been spent - more than he could afford, and much more than their record company had paid them for their upcoming single release as he had succumbed. As his life spiralled out of control, Joni had relinquished all responsibility, but Greg knew where the blame lay, although he had never been able to prove that she was the one who had introduced him to drugs in the first place. He knew her well enough, however. Enough to know that she liked to share her experiences - particularly the one involving heroin. That seemed to be how she got her kicks these days, helping some poor innocent hook himself onto the drug and watching as his life span out of control.
Despite the lack of evidence, but because of his suspicions, he had warned her then that she should stay away from the 'merchandise' from now on. She was a makeup artist, nothing more. It seemed, however, that she had not taken him seriously. Not only that, she had used an under-age kid to get her jollies this time. The Partridge kid had a tough time coming - and Greg had no desire to see him go through it. However, he had one thing the last victim didn't have - his family and a manager who truly cared about him as a person, not just as another contract. Maybe this young man would come out the other end okay. He would remember the experience, and it would not be a pleasant memory, but he would survive. Which was more than could be said for the other singer. The last Greg had heard he had overdosed and now lay in a coma in a hospital somewhere near his home town. He was not expected to recover but instead remain in a vegetative state until the day his machines were switched off. It was such a godawful waste. Of a talent, of a career and of a young life. And Joni was ultimately responsible for that. Just as she was responsible for what the Partridges were going through at that very moment.
He had been unsuccessful in his search, however, This time she seemed to have taken him at his word and had split. To what destination he couldn't even begin to fathom. She wouldn't go home. Her folks had disowned her years ago. Only Greg had been fool enough to give her the opportunity to work. No-one else would have been willing to hire her. But he was never one to judge someone without at least giving them a chance to redeem themselves. Now he heartily wished that he had been a little less trusting. The consequences of his lack of suspicion were too terrible, the price far, far too high.
As he entered the bus, he found Willie lounging on the cushions at the back - the same cushions on which he had found the evidence of Joni's latest escapade. Greg frowned. Where had Willie been during all of this? Although he had known the guy for a few years and trusted him implicitly, he would be surprised if Willie didn't have at least a little knowledge of some of what Joni had been doing last night. He liked her, and would never have snitched on her, even if he thought what she was doing was wrong. He would, however, have tried to put a stop to it. Thoughtfully, Greg walked down the bus toward him, determined to discover just what Willie knew - and also if he could help him to ascertain her whereabouts.
"Hey, boss," the cameraman greeted him as he glanced up from the book in which he was engrossed to see Greg coming down the bus toward him.
"Hey," Greg reciprocated. Then, nonchalantly, "Hey, Willie, seen Joni around?"
There it was - a flash of guilt sweeping across the man's face. There and gone in an instant. But not quickly enough Just how much did he know?
"Uh - haven't seen her," same the evasive response. "Someone need making up, then?"
"Cut the crap, Willie." Greg's voice was harsh. He intended to find out exactly how much Willie knew and how culpable he was in the situation.
"Wha ..?"
"I said, 'cut the crap'. I want you to tell me what you know about what went on here last night and I want the truth. I can always get another cameraman. You're expendable."
Willie half-rose, startled by the threat and the venom in Greg's voice. He'd never heard his boss so angry. Novak was the very epitome of calm, laid-back cool. He was pretty okay for a boss and for a guy in general. Willie enjoyed working with him, meeting the acts they shadowed, indulging himself in his favourite hobby. Filming was his entire life. The last thing he wanted to do was antagonise Greg and thereby threaten his own career. He wasn't about the take the rap for anyone, least of all Joni. Rising fully from the cushions, therefore, he started toward the other man, holding out his hands in a placatory gesture. "Greg, you gotta believe me, I didn't know she was gonna seduce the kid. She got him drunk - spiked his 7-Up, you know? I left her here with him. Never occurred to me that they were gonna get it on, not that he seemed to be very into it. Seemed pretty far out of it, you know? Look, I came back in time to stop her and she promised to leave him alone. I - well, I trusted her. Maybe I was wrong but she promised, you know?"
It was a familiar refrain. Hadn't Joni done exactly the same thing to him, Greg reflected, bitterly. And he had trusted her, too. How could he condemn Willie for taking her at her double-crossing word when he was guilty of doing the same thing after the last time this happened? "It'll never happen again, Greg, I promise." Oh yeah. Sure. Until the next time. At length, he realised that he had not responded to the cameraman and Willie was still standing there, regarding him somewhat nervously. "It's okay, Willie," he said, with a heavy sigh. "Cool it." Then, "So you didn't know she pumped young Partridge full of heroin?"
Willie stared at him in utter shock. That more than anything he could say revealed to Greg his lack of complicity in Joni's plans. "Is the kid okay?" he demanded in a stunned voice. "He's not …?"
"He's got a ways to go," Greg told him, icily. "Fortunately, Joni didn't give him a full dose - either time. Knowing her, she didn't have a lot to spare and whilst she might be willing to share her stash, she's not that generous. She would have needed some herself before she went out to score again - which is probably where she is now. But in a kid who's never done drugs before, even the tiniest amount can be bad. Plus it was mixed with alcohol …"
"She could've killed him!" Willie exclaimed, appalled.
"Yeah - she could," agreed Greg, heavily.
"So - what are we gonna do?"
"Do?" he echoed. "Willie, when I found them, I fired her. Now I want to find her to make sure she knows what she's done. I want her to face the consequences of her actions."
Willie snorted. "Good luck!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Joni? Face the consequences of her actions? Come on, boss, you've got more of a chance of the moon being made from blue cheese!"
"Dammit, Willie, I'm being serious here!"
"So am I," came the reply. "Boss, Joni doesn't understand that drugs are wrong. She doesn't get it. She doesn't get that a lot of things are wrong. I think she may border on being a sociopath."
"A what?"
"It's a term I came across in one of the psychology books I like to read," Willie explained. "It means someone who has no social conscience. Someone who doesn't see the difference between right and wrong …"
"Well, that sounds like Joni all right," mused Greg in a heavy voice. "But I still need to find her. You have any ideas where to look?"
"Me?" Willie shrugged helplessly. "You might as well go looking for a needle in a haystack, man. Once Joni's gone to ground it's gonna be impossible to find her."
"Still, we gotta try." Greg was adamant. Willie could see that. So, heaving a huge sigh of his own, he started down the bus after his boss. As he was about to disembark, he caught the flash of something underneath the driver's column. Reaching over, he picked it up and shook it, allowing the dust from the floor to fall off. Then he turned it over and …
"Uh, Greg?"
"Yeah?"
"I think you oughta see this."
Greg turned, irritated. He didn't want any further delays in his mission but when he saw Willie's expression, his heart sank. What now? "What … what is it?" he asked, reluctantly.
Wordlessly, Willie handed over the object he had found on the floor of the bus and Greg winced as he turned it over and studied it. It was a photograph of Keith - in a highly compromising position, with Joni just moving away from him. It was obvious to anyone who saw it just what had been going on and Greg swallowed convulsively as he realised that someone else had to have been here last night. Someone who had witnessed her dose the kid up and seduce him - and instead of stopping her had instead photographed the entire thing. "Who …?"
"Max!" Willie exclaimed, snapping his fingers as realisation dawned. "It had to be, Greg. No-one else was around last night. We found this under the driver's column and he's the driver … I wonder how many of these there are and where the rest of them are right now?"
"Max!" Greg was livid now. "That lowdown dirty piece of scum! I'll have his hide for this! He could've stopped her! Could've helped the kid! But instead ..."
"Instead he takes photos, which he has developed and probably intends to sell to the first tabloid which'll have them for a good price," Willie concluded. "Boss, we gotta get to him before he has a chance to do that!"
"Before who has a chance to do what?"
Greg closed his eyes and groaned inwardly. It seemed very time he found something he didn't want anyone else discovering on this trip, Reuben Kincaid happened by. Before he knew what was happening, the photograph had been removed from his hands and the Partridge Family manager was staring at it in total horror. "Keith …" he breathed. "Oh my god … Who took these?" he demanded furiously, waving the photograph in front of Greg. His face was florid with anger and outrage.
"Reuben …"
"Don't you 'Reuben' me!" The manager refused to be pacified by Greg's placatory tone. "Answer my question! Who took these - and what the hell is going on!?"
"It was Max," Willie cut in, noticing that a number of people around the hotel had stopped and were now staring at them with open curiosity. "Max the driver. He must have taken these …"
"Last night!" Reuben cut in. His voice was like shards of ice, and still a little loud. Unfortunately, he had not noticed their growing audience. "Are there more of these? And where is this 'Max'? I think I want a 'word' with him!"
"You're not the only one," Greg muttered, his own anger with first Joni and now Max bubbling to the surface as he was yelled at by the Partridge Family manager. Any moment now it would break free and he would give the crowd which were now gathering a real show.
"Hey, cool it, you guys, " Willie warned them, directing Rueben's attention to the increasing number of people around them. "Don't you think we should take this somewhere more … private?"
Reuben was horrified to see the crowd they had attracted and forced himself to calm down, to approach this more logically. But it was difficult - especially as he glanced once more at the photograph in his hand - incriminating evidence of one of Keith's escapades last night - and evidence he had no intention of ever sharing with the boy's mother. It was bad enough that he had been plied with alcohol and drugged. She didn't need to know about this as well. It would only upset her further. He took a deep breath, but before he could speak, a little voice from beside him piped up.
"Mr Kincaid, why are you yelling at Mr Novak? Did he do something wrong?"
Flustered, Reuben stared down at Tracy, who was looking up at him with open curiosity. Quickly, he concealed the photograph from view and tried to smile reassuringly at her. "Uh, no, Tracy. Mr Novak and I are just having a … conversation. Isn't that right, Mr Novak?"
Greg flinched as Tracy turned her redoubtable gaze on him. She was so trusting, so innocent, yet her eyes seemed to demand the truth. "Uh - yeah," he agreed, finally. "Yeah, that's all it was. It was a conversation, Tracy. A loud conversation."
"You were arguing," she pointed out, zeroing in directly to the truth of the matter as children often do. "What were you arguing about?"
"Yeah, Mr Kincaid." Now her brother, Chris, joined in. He had come to stand beside his sister and both of them were staring upwards at the two men as if they were oracles. "What were you arguing about?"
Reuben grew even more flustered. "Uh .. I … well," he began, running his fingers under his shirt collar, feeling very uncomfortable with the way this whole thing was going. "Mr Novak and I - we
were …"
"Just having an argument about how best to film you two guys," Willie cut in, suddenly. Greg shot him a look of gratitude as he continued, "See, Mr Novak wanted to film you outside, but Mr Kincaid thought it would be better to do it in your hotel room. Personally, I think we should go to the amusement park to film - after all, what better place to see you guys as you really are? What d'you think?"
At the words 'amusement park', Tracy and Chris had lost all interest in the argument and the fact that Rueben and Greg were engaged in one. They exchanged looks with each other and, as one, turned beseeching faces up to Reuben. "Oh, please, Mr Kincaid - can we go to the amusement park?"
"Please, Mr Kincaid - we'll be good. We'll act great for the camera!"
"Well, kids," Reuben began. "I don't know. I …"
"I can take 'em," Willie offered. "After all, I am the one with the camera."
"Oh, and you think I'm gonna entrust two more of the family to another one of your helpers?" demanded Reuben angrily of Greg.
The film maker glared back. "I can assure you, Reuben - Mr Kincaid - that Willie is entirely trustworthy. Unlike some I could mention. He's been with me for a number of years and he has kid brothers and sisters. Tracy and Chris couldn't be in safer hands."
"And I've got your word on that?" Reuben was still highly sceptical.
"Mr Kincaid, I won't let anything happen to them," Willie assured him. I'll treat 'em the same as my own brothers and sisters back in Illinois. They're just gonna have a good time at the amusement park - I won't even let them on any of the dangerous rides. Just the smaller ones."
Reuben still wasn't sure. After all, Shirley had entrusted the care of her youngest children to him and he wasn't about to betray that trust so easily. But he needed to find out exactly what was going on here and try some damage control. That was going to be impossible with the two little ones hanging onto his every word and action. "I have your word?"
The cameraman nodded. "I'll get 'em back here for 4:00'o'clock - how's that?"
Reluctantly, Reuben agreed and Willie, escorted by two small, very excited Partridges wandered off in the direction of the amusement park.
Once they were out of sight, Reuben turned back to Greg. "Now," he said, icily. "Tell me about these photographs and where we can find your 'friend', Max."
A couple of years later, during what they now called the 'hamster incident', Keith had claimed that no-one had gotten as upset over his appendicitis as they were becoming over 'Dean Martin' the Hamster being sick. Little had he known how frightened they had actually been and how much jubilation had filled the little household when they had known he was going to recover.
But even so, he had not looked as sick then as he did now. Nor had the pain then seemed anywhere near as bad as it was now. At least on that occasion the cure was at hand - remove the offending internal organ. What could you do when it was a drug racing through your blood, attacking the whole of your internal system? It wasn't like you could just siphon it out, although if there had been a way, both Laurie and Danny would have done just that to prevent him from suffering any more. The thought that he might have to endure even more before his ordeal was finally over truly terrified them and it was something neither of them wanted to witness again. But they had made a promise to their mother. And besides, not to be there with him to help him through his own personal hell was also unthinkable. They couldn't simply stay away and picture what was going on in Reuben's suite - mental images which would be only too explicit because of what they had already seen. They had to be there with Keith, to let him know that he wasn't alone and that they were there if he needed them, despite his apparent eagerness to see them leave.
"See you in a few minutes?" Danny asked Laurie as he left her at her hotel door.
She nodded. It was almost as if a silent communion had passed between them - a pact to see this through together. "I'll meet you here," she replied. "We'll go back in together."
And thus the matter was decided.
Shirley had been concentrating on Keith for so long that she had practically forgotten there was anyone else in the room. Eventually, Reuben coughed lightly to gain her attention. She turned, smiling apologetically. "Reuben, I'm sorry, I …"
"Shirley …" Reuben cut her off quickly. "It's all right. I was just wondering what you want to do about Tracy and Chris. I guess Danny and Laurie are going to come back once they're showered and dressed - nothing could keep those two away now. But Tracy and Chris should be kept out of here."
"You're right," she breathed, mortified at the realisation that all thoughts of her two youngest children had slipped right out of her mind. "Reuben, someone will have to take care of them, entertain them … I can't leave Keith, I …"
Reuben leaned over, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "It's okay, Shirl. I'll take care of it."
"You?" she exclaimed, eyes wide with astonishment. "But Reuben, you always try to stay away from the little ones. How are you going to keep them entertained and …"
"Hey, it's okay!" he interjected as she worried. "I know I always say I hate kids, but you're not gonna be able to drag Laurie away from your side now - and she's the only other logical choice. Look, what could be so hard about keeping a couple of kids amused anyway?" She just looked at him. Her expression spoke volumes. "Yeah, well, you know, " he stammered. "Okay, so it might be harder than it looks but someone's gotta do it and as manager, I'll take responsibility."
Her smile this time was one of relief and gratitude. Rising from the bed she drew him into her arms and hugged him fiercely. "Thank you, Reuben," she whispered. "I don't know what we would do without you."
Embarrassed now, he wriggled free from her embrace. "Aw, Shirley, it's nothing. Don't give it a second thought!"
As he left the room, however, and she sank back onto the bed, running her hand absent-mindedly up and down her unconscious son's arm, she felt a pang of regret. Reuben had been a rock solid presence in this room for so many hours now. Someone she could turn to without reservation; someone who would know what to do without having to be asked; and someone whose support was given unconditionally and without second thoughts. He had also been the only other adult. What was she going to do without him for the next few hours?
*****
Laurie and Danny seemed to be back before she had had the chance to draw breath. In reality, she knew they had been gone over 40 minutes - after all, Laurie had had time to wash and dry her long hair and that usually took a while. They were seemingly eager to do what they could to help, although she could see the muted fear in their eyes. When Danny questioned Reuben's absence she explained about his mission and the middle Partridge snorted derisively.
"Danny!" she admonished him.
"I know, mom, I know," he temporised. "But Mr Kincaid - amusing Chris and Tracy for the day??? I'm not sure who'll have the nervous breakdown first - him or them!"
Shirley had to smile at the picture this conjured up, and Danny breathed an inward sigh of relief, pleased to have brought a little relief to his mom.
"How's Keith doing, mom?" Laurie asked softly at this point, returning their attention to the reason for their combined presence here.
Shirley glanced back down at the inert form on the bed. There had been no further movement from her eldest son since he had lapsed back into unconsciousness nearly an hour before. She didn't know at this point whether to be relieved that he was not suffering any more pain for the present or fearful because he wouldn't wake up. "He's been .. asleep ever since you guys left," she said, at length.
Mom sounded tired, reflected Laurie with concern. This must have been so hard on her, even with Reuben here, offering his support and help. Crouching beside the bed, Laurie looked up into Shirley's face, gauging the fear and worry and flinching at the new lines of strain she could see there. "Why don't you take a break, mom?" she asked, gently. "Danny and I can look after Keith for the time being. There's that nice big sofa over there …"
"Oh, I couldn't," interjected Shirley, in dismay. "I can't leave him now, Laurie! Suppose he wakes up and I'm not here? I …"
""Mom, Mom," Laurie cut her off gently. "You will be here. You'd just be over the other side of the room. If Keith needed you we'd only have to come over and wake you - if you were even asleep. Come on, how about it?"
Shirley vacillated for a few moments. She desperately wanted to remain with Keith, watching over him, protecting him from any further harm, and so she could be there beside him when he regained consciousness, just like she had promised him. But at the same time, she had to admit that she was exhausted. The last few hours of stress and anguish had taken its toll on her and she knew that if she relaxed for even an instant then she would fall asleep. Not that she had been able to relax over the last few hours. And Laurie was so adamant, so persuasive. "You'd wake me as soon as Keith started to wake up?" she demanded of her eldest daughter.
Laurie nodded. "I promise, Mom. As soon as there's any movement from him whatsoever. We'll wake you up"
Shirley relented, surrendering to her daughter's logical argument. "I'll be just over there," she said, pointing toward the sofa and with a last loving look at Keith. She leaned over, placing a tender kiss on the soft brown hair which was splayed out across the pillows. He still looked so pale and his brow was furrowed in pain even in sleep - or unconsciousness. Despairingly, she wondered how long this torture was going to keep her poor baby in its vicious grip; when it was going to start relinquishing its hold and allow him some respite. She even felt guilty about her intention to get a little sleep. How could she sleep, without pain and worry, if he was unable to? It just wasn't fair!
"Mom …" She was so absorbed in her own torment that she barely heard Laurie's soft voice. "Mom .. go. We'll look after everything. Mom?"
Slowly she focused on the concerned gaze of her eldest daughter. The pert, attractive features were twisted into frown and there was anxiety in her green eyes. Summoning up a smile from somewhere, she stroked the long auburn hair and rose from the bed, starting what seemed to be the longest journey of her life - the few short steps across the room to the sofa.
*****
Danny and Laurie watched their mother surreptitiously whilst she made herself comfortable on the large, comfortable piece of furniture, closing her eyes reluctantly. A few moments later she was asleep. Laurie sighed in relief and turned back to the bed, where her older brother lay, quiescent. She studied him carefully. He truly looked terrible. The dark shadows beneath his eyes seemed even more pronounced in the soft bright sunshine pouring into the room through the large window. She had seen his pain for herself earlier but without experiencing it for herself could never hope to gauge the depth of it, nor what it was doing to him - although the external effects were devastating. His long, dark eyelashes swept over wan cheeks which appeared hollow, the fine boned features seeming even more prominent. Her throat constricted at how ill he truly looked and she longed to do something to help but knew that all any of them could do right now as be there to offer their support. There was no quick solution this time.
Greg Novak glanced up at the mid morning sun, shading his eyes against its brilliance. He felt like he'd just been to war. After leaving Reuben Kincaid's suite, he had commenced a search for Joni. His fury had not abated, but had muted to a smouldering rage, which all but consumed him. Joni had carried things too far this time. Her last conquest had barely been 19, a good four years younger than she was. He was the lead singer of a band who had just been starting out and had, therefore, been susceptible to Joni's habit of namedropping. Convinced that she could set him and his band on the road to stardom, he had been flattered by her apparent interest in him. They had indulged in a brief affair. More than that, though, she had introduced him to the world of drugs - and he had become a willing victim. Greg had then watched his up and coming career deteriorate as he became more and more involved in the drug scene. Vast amounts of money had been spent - more than he could afford, and much more than their record company had paid them for their upcoming single release as he had succumbed. As his life spiralled out of control, Joni had relinquished all responsibility, but Greg knew where the blame lay, although he had never been able to prove that she was the one who had introduced him to drugs in the first place. He knew her well enough, however. Enough to know that she liked to share her experiences - particularly the one involving heroin. That seemed to be how she got her kicks these days, helping some poor innocent hook himself onto the drug and watching as his life span out of control.
Despite the lack of evidence, but because of his suspicions, he had warned her then that she should stay away from the 'merchandise' from now on. She was a makeup artist, nothing more. It seemed, however, that she had not taken him seriously. Not only that, she had used an under-age kid to get her jollies this time. The Partridge kid had a tough time coming - and Greg had no desire to see him go through it. However, he had one thing the last victim didn't have - his family and a manager who truly cared about him as a person, not just as another contract. Maybe this young man would come out the other end okay. He would remember the experience, and it would not be a pleasant memory, but he would survive. Which was more than could be said for the other singer. The last Greg had heard he had overdosed and now lay in a coma in a hospital somewhere near his home town. He was not expected to recover but instead remain in a vegetative state until the day his machines were switched off. It was such a godawful waste. Of a talent, of a career and of a young life. And Joni was ultimately responsible for that. Just as she was responsible for what the Partridges were going through at that very moment.
He had been unsuccessful in his search, however, This time she seemed to have taken him at his word and had split. To what destination he couldn't even begin to fathom. She wouldn't go home. Her folks had disowned her years ago. Only Greg had been fool enough to give her the opportunity to work. No-one else would have been willing to hire her. But he was never one to judge someone without at least giving them a chance to redeem themselves. Now he heartily wished that he had been a little less trusting. The consequences of his lack of suspicion were too terrible, the price far, far too high.
As he entered the bus, he found Willie lounging on the cushions at the back - the same cushions on which he had found the evidence of Joni's latest escapade. Greg frowned. Where had Willie been during all of this? Although he had known the guy for a few years and trusted him implicitly, he would be surprised if Willie didn't have at least a little knowledge of some of what Joni had been doing last night. He liked her, and would never have snitched on her, even if he thought what she was doing was wrong. He would, however, have tried to put a stop to it. Thoughtfully, Greg walked down the bus toward him, determined to discover just what Willie knew - and also if he could help him to ascertain her whereabouts.
"Hey, boss," the cameraman greeted him as he glanced up from the book in which he was engrossed to see Greg coming down the bus toward him.
"Hey," Greg reciprocated. Then, nonchalantly, "Hey, Willie, seen Joni around?"
There it was - a flash of guilt sweeping across the man's face. There and gone in an instant. But not quickly enough Just how much did he know?
"Uh - haven't seen her," same the evasive response. "Someone need making up, then?"
"Cut the crap, Willie." Greg's voice was harsh. He intended to find out exactly how much Willie knew and how culpable he was in the situation.
"Wha ..?"
"I said, 'cut the crap'. I want you to tell me what you know about what went on here last night and I want the truth. I can always get another cameraman. You're expendable."
Willie half-rose, startled by the threat and the venom in Greg's voice. He'd never heard his boss so angry. Novak was the very epitome of calm, laid-back cool. He was pretty okay for a boss and for a guy in general. Willie enjoyed working with him, meeting the acts they shadowed, indulging himself in his favourite hobby. Filming was his entire life. The last thing he wanted to do was antagonise Greg and thereby threaten his own career. He wasn't about the take the rap for anyone, least of all Joni. Rising fully from the cushions, therefore, he started toward the other man, holding out his hands in a placatory gesture. "Greg, you gotta believe me, I didn't know she was gonna seduce the kid. She got him drunk - spiked his 7-Up, you know? I left her here with him. Never occurred to me that they were gonna get it on, not that he seemed to be very into it. Seemed pretty far out of it, you know? Look, I came back in time to stop her and she promised to leave him alone. I - well, I trusted her. Maybe I was wrong but she promised, you know?"
It was a familiar refrain. Hadn't Joni done exactly the same thing to him, Greg reflected, bitterly. And he had trusted her, too. How could he condemn Willie for taking her at her double-crossing word when he was guilty of doing the same thing after the last time this happened? "It'll never happen again, Greg, I promise." Oh yeah. Sure. Until the next time. At length, he realised that he had not responded to the cameraman and Willie was still standing there, regarding him somewhat nervously. "It's okay, Willie," he said, with a heavy sigh. "Cool it." Then, "So you didn't know she pumped young Partridge full of heroin?"
Willie stared at him in utter shock. That more than anything he could say revealed to Greg his lack of complicity in Joni's plans. "Is the kid okay?" he demanded in a stunned voice. "He's not …?"
"He's got a ways to go," Greg told him, icily. "Fortunately, Joni didn't give him a full dose - either time. Knowing her, she didn't have a lot to spare and whilst she might be willing to share her stash, she's not that generous. She would have needed some herself before she went out to score again - which is probably where she is now. But in a kid who's never done drugs before, even the tiniest amount can be bad. Plus it was mixed with alcohol …"
"She could've killed him!" Willie exclaimed, appalled.
"Yeah - she could," agreed Greg, heavily.
"So - what are we gonna do?"
"Do?" he echoed. "Willie, when I found them, I fired her. Now I want to find her to make sure she knows what she's done. I want her to face the consequences of her actions."
Willie snorted. "Good luck!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Joni? Face the consequences of her actions? Come on, boss, you've got more of a chance of the moon being made from blue cheese!"
"Dammit, Willie, I'm being serious here!"
"So am I," came the reply. "Boss, Joni doesn't understand that drugs are wrong. She doesn't get it. She doesn't get that a lot of things are wrong. I think she may border on being a sociopath."
"A what?"
"It's a term I came across in one of the psychology books I like to read," Willie explained. "It means someone who has no social conscience. Someone who doesn't see the difference between right and wrong …"
"Well, that sounds like Joni all right," mused Greg in a heavy voice. "But I still need to find her. You have any ideas where to look?"
"Me?" Willie shrugged helplessly. "You might as well go looking for a needle in a haystack, man. Once Joni's gone to ground it's gonna be impossible to find her."
"Still, we gotta try." Greg was adamant. Willie could see that. So, heaving a huge sigh of his own, he started down the bus after his boss. As he was about to disembark, he caught the flash of something underneath the driver's column. Reaching over, he picked it up and shook it, allowing the dust from the floor to fall off. Then he turned it over and …
"Uh, Greg?"
"Yeah?"
"I think you oughta see this."
Greg turned, irritated. He didn't want any further delays in his mission but when he saw Willie's expression, his heart sank. What now? "What … what is it?" he asked, reluctantly.
Wordlessly, Willie handed over the object he had found on the floor of the bus and Greg winced as he turned it over and studied it. It was a photograph of Keith - in a highly compromising position, with Joni just moving away from him. It was obvious to anyone who saw it just what had been going on and Greg swallowed convulsively as he realised that someone else had to have been here last night. Someone who had witnessed her dose the kid up and seduce him - and instead of stopping her had instead photographed the entire thing. "Who …?"
"Max!" Willie exclaimed, snapping his fingers as realisation dawned. "It had to be, Greg. No-one else was around last night. We found this under the driver's column and he's the driver … I wonder how many of these there are and where the rest of them are right now?"
"Max!" Greg was livid now. "That lowdown dirty piece of scum! I'll have his hide for this! He could've stopped her! Could've helped the kid! But instead ..."
"Instead he takes photos, which he has developed and probably intends to sell to the first tabloid which'll have them for a good price," Willie concluded. "Boss, we gotta get to him before he has a chance to do that!"
"Before who has a chance to do what?"
Greg closed his eyes and groaned inwardly. It seemed very time he found something he didn't want anyone else discovering on this trip, Reuben Kincaid happened by. Before he knew what was happening, the photograph had been removed from his hands and the Partridge Family manager was staring at it in total horror. "Keith …" he breathed. "Oh my god … Who took these?" he demanded furiously, waving the photograph in front of Greg. His face was florid with anger and outrage.
"Reuben …"
"Don't you 'Reuben' me!" The manager refused to be pacified by Greg's placatory tone. "Answer my question! Who took these - and what the hell is going on!?"
"It was Max," Willie cut in, noticing that a number of people around the hotel had stopped and were now staring at them with open curiosity. "Max the driver. He must have taken these …"
"Last night!" Reuben cut in. His voice was like shards of ice, and still a little loud. Unfortunately, he had not noticed their growing audience. "Are there more of these? And where is this 'Max'? I think I want a 'word' with him!"
"You're not the only one," Greg muttered, his own anger with first Joni and now Max bubbling to the surface as he was yelled at by the Partridge Family manager. Any moment now it would break free and he would give the crowd which were now gathering a real show.
"Hey, cool it, you guys, " Willie warned them, directing Rueben's attention to the increasing number of people around them. "Don't you think we should take this somewhere more … private?"
Reuben was horrified to see the crowd they had attracted and forced himself to calm down, to approach this more logically. But it was difficult - especially as he glanced once more at the photograph in his hand - incriminating evidence of one of Keith's escapades last night - and evidence he had no intention of ever sharing with the boy's mother. It was bad enough that he had been plied with alcohol and drugged. She didn't need to know about this as well. It would only upset her further. He took a deep breath, but before he could speak, a little voice from beside him piped up.
"Mr Kincaid, why are you yelling at Mr Novak? Did he do something wrong?"
Flustered, Reuben stared down at Tracy, who was looking up at him with open curiosity. Quickly, he concealed the photograph from view and tried to smile reassuringly at her. "Uh, no, Tracy. Mr Novak and I are just having a … conversation. Isn't that right, Mr Novak?"
Greg flinched as Tracy turned her redoubtable gaze on him. She was so trusting, so innocent, yet her eyes seemed to demand the truth. "Uh - yeah," he agreed, finally. "Yeah, that's all it was. It was a conversation, Tracy. A loud conversation."
"You were arguing," she pointed out, zeroing in directly to the truth of the matter as children often do. "What were you arguing about?"
"Yeah, Mr Kincaid." Now her brother, Chris, joined in. He had come to stand beside his sister and both of them were staring upwards at the two men as if they were oracles. "What were you arguing about?"
Reuben grew even more flustered. "Uh .. I … well," he began, running his fingers under his shirt collar, feeling very uncomfortable with the way this whole thing was going. "Mr Novak and I - we
were …"
"Just having an argument about how best to film you two guys," Willie cut in, suddenly. Greg shot him a look of gratitude as he continued, "See, Mr Novak wanted to film you outside, but Mr Kincaid thought it would be better to do it in your hotel room. Personally, I think we should go to the amusement park to film - after all, what better place to see you guys as you really are? What d'you think?"
At the words 'amusement park', Tracy and Chris had lost all interest in the argument and the fact that Rueben and Greg were engaged in one. They exchanged looks with each other and, as one, turned beseeching faces up to Reuben. "Oh, please, Mr Kincaid - can we go to the amusement park?"
"Please, Mr Kincaid - we'll be good. We'll act great for the camera!"
"Well, kids," Reuben began. "I don't know. I …"
"I can take 'em," Willie offered. "After all, I am the one with the camera."
"Oh, and you think I'm gonna entrust two more of the family to another one of your helpers?" demanded Reuben angrily of Greg.
The film maker glared back. "I can assure you, Reuben - Mr Kincaid - that Willie is entirely trustworthy. Unlike some I could mention. He's been with me for a number of years and he has kid brothers and sisters. Tracy and Chris couldn't be in safer hands."
"And I've got your word on that?" Reuben was still highly sceptical.
"Mr Kincaid, I won't let anything happen to them," Willie assured him. I'll treat 'em the same as my own brothers and sisters back in Illinois. They're just gonna have a good time at the amusement park - I won't even let them on any of the dangerous rides. Just the smaller ones."
Reuben still wasn't sure. After all, Shirley had entrusted the care of her youngest children to him and he wasn't about to betray that trust so easily. But he needed to find out exactly what was going on here and try some damage control. That was going to be impossible with the two little ones hanging onto his every word and action. "I have your word?"
The cameraman nodded. "I'll get 'em back here for 4:00'o'clock - how's that?"
Reluctantly, Reuben agreed and Willie, escorted by two small, very excited Partridges wandered off in the direction of the amusement park.
Once they were out of sight, Reuben turned back to Greg. "Now," he said, icily. "Tell me about these photographs and where we can find your 'friend', Max."