Authors: Nancy Hopper
"No. I've got a room already." He assured her. "You know that I'm very sorry I wasn't able to do more to protect you; don't you, Tasha?"
"Yes." She answered shortly.
"She sure is determined to make hamburger of your relationship with Tim, isn't she?"
Tasha smiled woodenly, suddenly wishing he would just shut up, and go. "Yes. She's done an admirable job." She agreed with trembling lips.
He looked at her uncertainly. "Well, I left my card on the entry table, in case you should need to reach me. I'll be in touch, Tasha. And if things don't work out with Tim, maybe I could give you a call." He offered hopefully.
Tasha recoiled in horror, and looked at him with sheer loathing. "Please go." She said coldly.
"I'm sorry. It's too soon, isn't it?" he asked worriedly. He shoved his hands in his pockets, and shrugged. "Can't blame a guy for trying. I didn't mean any harm, Tasha. I'm really not a bad guy. Think it over." He suggested brightly.
Tasha turned her face away. "Please, go now. Helene, Mr. Snyder is leaving!" she called loudly. "Please see him out." Then, she walked by Rick Snyder with her arms crossed. She went to her room and locked the door, to give expression to her shock and grief.
It was late morning when Tasha’s eyes flew open. The sun was bright, and a breeze tickled her face when she opened the window. She turned on the television, and flipped channels listlessly. When she came to a talk show, she stopped and sat down hard on her bed.
The guest on the show was Pattie Danniels, and she was all big eyes and pretty smiles. “Well I’m not sure, but you know how I feel about this. A woman whose name is linked to rich, married men at such a tender age? She was clearly involved with a rich and powerful man her father’s age, while she was still in puberty.”
"It is not a good thing! Something has to be wrong there. I’m just trying to find out what is going on. Tim seems to feel I’m slinging mud at him; but honestly, I’m really feeling very concerned for him personally
and
professionally. This woman cannot be good for him, either way.”
Tasha swallowed hard, and picked up her phone. She dialed zero. “Operator, get me through to Norman Nielsen on the Western World Network. Tell the studio that Tasha Charles Taylor is calling. They are discussing me on their show, right now.”
“
Ma’am,” the operator hedged.
“
I know that’s not a number you can give out. But, they'll want the call, trust me. I’m the hottest item on their show today. Why don’t you give them a call, and see if they don’t want to hear from me?”
In response, the phone rang again, and a woman answered. It was the network secretary.
“
This is Tasha Charles Taylor. I have a slight problem with Pattie Danniels talking about me on your show without my permission. You tell Norman Nielsen he’d better call me.”
“
Ma’am, I can refer your call to our publicity department.”
“
You tell Norman I will sue his pants off if he doesn’t call me back within 90 minutes.”
She gave the woman her number, hung up the phone, and watched the rest of the show, doing a slow burn. It wasn’t more than an hour before the phone rang.
“
Hello?” She asked anxiously.
“
Is this Tasha Taylor?” A familiar male voice asked.
“
It is.”
“
Tasha, this is Norman Nielsen. It’s incredible that you called.”
“
I can’t imagine why. Most people would tell you about it, if they’d been smeared on your show the way I have.”
“
I’ve been praying that you’d come out of the woodwork, and tell us your side of the story.”
“
That’s exactly what I had in mind, Mr. Nielsen.”
“
Can you come tomorrow, Tasha?”
“
You get me a plane ticket, some decent accommodations and transportation, and I will be there.”
“
You’ve got it. I’ll have Tammy call you with the travel arrangements in about an hour.”
“
Mr. Nielsen. I want privacy on the plane, and privacy in my accommodations. I want no harassment from Pattie Danniels or any of her goons.”
“
Well, I certainly won’t tell her, but she certainly seems to be good at following you.”
“
Mr. Nielsen, tell you what.” She said flatly. “If she’s around, or I see anyone that even smacks of the press, I will disappear. I will sue you, and I will win.”
“
Okay, okay. We’ll keep your visit a secret until you’re here. But we’re going to have to do some advertisements the night before the show, or there isn’t any point in your coming. I really want to thank you for calling.”
Tammy called back promptly, and Tasha was on a flight to Los Angeles that afternoon. She gave Helene instructions to tell only Tim where she’d gone.
Pangs of worry and doubt assailed her on the way. It was so awful to think of what lay ahead, and what could happen. She had nothing at the Idaho lodge that she felt confident about wearing on the show.
Tim was on the phone immediately when he heard about Pattie’s latest fiasco, though he had no idea of the impact on Tasha. He didn’t know the details of the story. He only knew that Pattie had done another number on Tasha, and that didn’t bode well, at all.
“
Mr. Tim, she is out. Away.” Helene informed him tentatively.
“
Away? Did Rick go with her? Where was she headed?”
“
No, Mr. Snyder is not with her. He was going to stay here last night; but then, Miss Tasha asked him to leave. He called early this morning, but I don’t know where he might be. And Mr. Tim, I don't know, but ... I think he upset her, somehow. I heard him make some comment about how beautiful she is, and I heard him suggesting that she call him sometime. And the way he looked at her was … inappropriate.”
Tim made a sound that Helene couldn't really interpret.
"She looked very upset when she went up to bed, last evening. I do believe she threw him out. And I was so foolish, but I was so upset. I shouldn’t have, but I told Rick Snyder where she’s gone.”
“
Where is Tasha, Helene?” he demanded softly. A cold, hard knot was forming in Tim’s stomach. Rick couldn’t possibly have gone after Tasha. Or had he done exactly that? Tim knew that it must have taken something heavy duty, to flush her out of hiding.
Helene sobbed. “Oh, Mr. Tim, I am so worried for her.” she confided.
Tim braced himself. “What is it, Helene? Out with it, now.”
“
She has gone to Los Angeles. I was not to tell anyone but you, but she didn’t want you to know until tomorrow. She didn’t want you to stop her. But that Snyder man seemed so threatening – I had to tell him, and now here you are calling from Venezuela; and I am so very frightened for her! You sent Mr. Snyder here, so he must be all right, and yet...”
“
You are right to tell me, Helene. I can’t take care of her if you won’t help me find her. What’s up? Why did she go to L.A.?”
“
She is going on television.” Helene confided in a whisper.
“
What?” Tim snapped in disbelief. Nothing could have shocked him more.
“
She has decided that she will tell the world her story tomorrow on live television.”
“
On whose show?” Tim snapped.
“
Norman Nielsen.”
“
Oh, dear God in heaven!” Tim groaned. “Why him?”
“
Well, he had that nasty Pattie Danniels on his show this morning. Tasha saw it and it did her in, Mr. Tim. She got on the phone, and told him a thing or two. She was quite upset. He wanted her to come on his show and tell her side of the story, so she's gone!”
“
Okay. All right, Helene. Listen, now. I’m getting a plane ticket and I'm leaving Venezuela as soon as I can get a flight out. I’ll go to L.A., and see if I can intercept Tasha. If I can’t find her, I’ll come there to the house. I’ll call you from L.A.”
“
Thank you so much, Mr. Tim.” Helene sobbed.
“
All right. Now, you keep yourself together, and don’t you tell anyone anything. It’ll be all right.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Rick Snyder had a similar reaction when he called and was told she was gone. He bolted to Boise to catch a plane for L.A., without so much as a call ahead.
And, Tasha was alone in L.A. There was a limo waiting for her at the airport. It was at her disposal for the duration of her stay, the driver told her.
“
Well, then. Take me to Rodeo Drive.” she requested with spunk. It was quite a drive with the traffic, but Tasha didn’t mind. It gave her time to think.
She went through the exclusive shops on Rodeo Drive, but found nothing she wanted to buy. She got back in the limo and closed her eyes. “Lord, what shall I do?” she asked softly.
“
Go downtown.” an immediate answer came. Surprised, Tasha obeyed. She had the driver stop outside a small, simply but richly decorated shop front. “I’ll check this one out.” she said with greater assurance than she felt. The driver nodded, and parked.
May I help you?” a slim woman with a wide smile asked, as Tasha entered the shop.
Tasha turned to take a look at her. In a black suit, with her dark hair in a French Roll, she was elegant and chic. She looked familiar to Tasha, yet she couldn’t place the woman, either.
“
I hope so. I need something very nice, and quite conservative. But not too boring.” she added impulsively.
The woman smiled. “Sophisticated and very elegant for you, my dear. You’ll wear it well. Any preference for color?”
Tasha shrugged. “Something good for me under lights and camera. Not white. Not black. Oh, I don’t know. Navy? Royal? Teal? Not red!”
“
How tall are you?” the woman asked thoughtfully.
“
Five-eight.” Tasha supplied.
“
And your measurements?”
“
Thirty-six, twenty-four, thirty two.”
A slow smile lit up the woman’s lovely face. “Amazing. Come with me, dear. I have a few things to show you.”
Tasha followed, intrigued. The dressing room confirmed Tasha’s suspicion that this was a very exclusive shop. It was rich and elegant, in burgundy and dark green, with a floral Tapestry chair. The woman brought in five outfits for Tasha to try.
“
Now, I know that not all of these will fit your requirements for this outing; but please bear with me, and try them all. I have my reasons.” she insisted gently.
Tasha nodded curiously, and smiled tentatively.
The first was a black crepe, polka dot suit with a short coat and tulip skirt. It was smart, and elegant. There was a hat to match, with a hat band and handkerchief in the same white Brocade, to match the buttons on the coat. It fit as if it had been custom made for her.
“
That’s what I thought.” the woman chuckled. “I didn’t think I’d ever find another Isabelle.”
Tasha raised an inquiring eyebrow.
“
All of these were made for a niece of mine who lives in Europe. She comes to visit me often, and pick up her orders while she’s here.”
“
Oh! Then these outfits aren’t available?” Tasha asked with obvious disappointment.
“
Actually, they are. My niece was killed in a plane crash last month.”
Tasha impulsively put a hand on the woman’s arm. “I’m very sorry.” she said softly.
“
Thank you. You have no idea what a favor you would be doing me if you’d take them all with you. Nobody else can quite do them justice, and I spend far too much time looking at them and wishing Isabelle would come get them.”