06.1 The Virago

At the Virago Head Office, 32^nd Floor, 35 Wacker Drive, she waited in the lounge expecting an appointment with Jeff Lonnell. In a red lace corset bustier and a high-waist, asymmetrical, button wrap pencil skirt in porcelain white, black strap sandals and black fishnet tights. She sat stooped, cross-legged, with a black leather handbag and porcelain faux leather coat under her tummy.

A casually dressed man walked out, “Miss Phol! I’m Jeff Lonnell.” He looked like one of the guys featured in the tape.

“Mr Lonnell, I come to ask about an article in the November ’85 edition, ‘Nicotine Overdose’, you wrote.”

“Who wants to know?”

“My client,” replied Natalia.

“Come! Have a cup of coffee!” Jeff offered, “You know, it’s going to cost you.”

“I can’t ask how much. I’m doing this voluntarily. I cannot pay. My client is a confidential matter.”

They sat beside a two-seater high table. The view of Chicago skyscrapers and the river below was insane from the coffee bar panels.

“It is a big story!”

“I know.”

“I know nothing about it,” he sighed.

“You know Heidelinde Klutz, don’t you?”

He raised a brow, “I do know her.”

“It seems she is not happy with the sex tape.”

“No reason,” he shrugged, “she can’t blame me.”

“Can you please explain?”

“Alright. I saw her at a film shooting with Bonny Group.”

Natalia took her notebook and pen from the bag, her lips painted red.

“She played a small role in the movie ‘One Night in the Windy City’. A fine picture, 1977, she was sixteen. She thought she could have a career in acting,” he shook his head and continued, “She is not cute, she is not hot, she is too old for her age. Linda acts like too mature and failed to pass another audition. Linda asked me to give a chance for an entrance. I decided to model her in Virago. It didn’t work. I set her in the movie ‘Termagant’ and it’s with her consent. She felt she’s been declined everywhere because of this movie thing…exposure in the scenes. She thinks I made her cheap.” Jeff slammed a palm calmly, “I leaked nothing. I don’t know about the sex tape.”

“Did she ask you to write the article?”

“I thought you knew!”

“I am just making sure.”

“She did. She wanted me to be the author of the article. That comes with a price. Don’t you agree?”

“What was it?”

“I did it for her. It’s because this Martin boy was supporting her financially before he died. I saw him few times. We never talked. In August, I remember, 1983, he took her on a trip to Turks and Caicos and she produced some good pictures on a beach, she won a cover page in a big magazine. She’s doing alright.”

“Why do you think she wanted this story out?”

“It’s pointless. I edited the article so not to prove he was murdered because of failed talks. She claims that she drove him to Madison to a law office.”

“Hulsen & Quinn?”

“Correct.”

“She did not mention that to the police.”

“That was the reason why she wanted me to be the author. She wanted to escape from the scene as soon as possible and remain in hiding.” Jeff demanded, “I can tell you more with a modicum.”

“I don’t know what to say!” she desisted.

“Do you want to hear the rest?”

“Of course, I do,” she admitted.

“Perhaps, you give a photo shoot with copyright. And a little interview to add. You look photogenic.”

“I can’t do nude…”

“No, no, Miss Phol, not nude. In a bikini.”

“Alright,” agreed Natalia, “Will you give me the original copy of the article?”

“No, I don’t have it,” he lied.

“Okay.”

“Fair enough,” Jeff carried on, “Thomas did not mention to the siblings about his father’s confession. He talked to the lawyer. Jacob Lawrence suggested that he keep the house worth six million dollars and a priceless piece of antique. Linda claims that they knew the guys at Carmen Law Office in Indiana. It was all arranged. Martin was offered half a million dollars. They thought this boy would fall for it. A guy came tapping on his door. Asked to meet the lawyers at Madison. Only then he discovered a will protected in a fireproof case at his mother’s home. She was dead by then. Martin made a mistake by taking it to his house in Milwaukee. Linda saw it. She said it was a holographic will. Maybe, Jacob Lawrence paid Carmen to shut down a probate trial. Who knows!”

“What about the two women from Whiting?”

“Them?” he shook his head, “You’ll have to find her and ask. Linda says they signed as witnesses. I edited the article and published what is basically true. I have no proof for her story.”

“Where can I find her?” asked Natalia.

“I have no idea,” said Jeff Lonnell, “That was the last time I saw her. Three and a half years ago. I don’t like that type of women. Distasteful. She is very strong-willed and seeking dates with weedy guys.”

“You may be wrong!”

“I was wrong about her. She’s got a big heart. She made it in the end to the magazines. I was wrong. She is so determined and lucky.”

“What made you agree to publish the article?”

“Mutual, I guess,” he laughed, “She always wins her way. Let’s go to the studio!”