End Games - 11 Read Online Free Page A

Works outfit? No one’s ever heard of them.”’
    ‘Neither have I.’
    ‘They’re the money behind the whole thing. Hollywood people always look at the bottom line. That’s where the deep pockets are if you need to sue.’
    ‘Why didn’t you know this already, Marcello?’
    ‘I did, but it didn’t seem relevant. Our production company has an excellent reputation for making quirky, low-budget films that do very nicely with a largish niche audience worldwide. They get great reviews and have never ever lost money on a project. And frankly, Luciano, your career wasn’t in the most sensational shape when this came up. It looked like a good deal all round.’
    Aldobrandini sighed theatrically.
    ‘All this business shit gives me a headache. You know that. That’s what you get your cut to shield me from.’
    ‘All right, I’ll keep it brief. Jeremy’s agent’s people reported back that Rapture Works was incorporated just seven months ago and that its money seems to be channelled through a shell company in Bermuda. Now as I said, there may be nothing to worry about. You’ve had your upfront cut for vetting the shooting script and other advance work, and if it proves difficult to find a suitable replacement for Jeremy then you can do those scenes last. But after what I heard I reviewed the contract. Financially, everything’s now in limbo until the first day of principal photography. I would advise you to bring that forward and start work as soon as possible.’
    ‘What’s the hurry? If they’re going to default, they can do it any time.’
    ‘Because it’s just possible that this whole project is some sort of scam.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Some clever tax dodge, or maybe money laundering. What I’ve heard is that the film may never get made. But there’s a quick way to find out, which is to get the cameras rolling. On that day they are contractually obligated to move a significant sum out of escrow and into our account. If they don’t, we’ll start looking for alternative financing. If they do, you can forget all this and get down to crafting the great work of art that I know you still have it in you to make, Luciano, whatever your detractors may say. But my professional advice is to fast-track the shoot and force these people to get real or get out.’
    Luciano Aldobrandini turned off the phone and hollered for Pippo.
    ‘Another cocktail, darling.’
    ‘The doctor said –’
     
    ‘I know what the doctor said. I also know that I need to get drunk right now. Where’s the Narcisso ?’
    ‘Last I heard, she was having her bottom scraped.’
    ‘Don’t be smutty, Pippo. Call the boatyard, tell them to get her seaworthy, then whistle up some matelots. I feel an urge for southern climes.’
     
    ‘So you won’t tell me what you discussed.’
    ‘I don’t remember every detail! In any case, it was all business matters relating to the film project. Nothing that could have the slightest bearing on this tragic event.’
    Zen strolled to the window, looked out for some time, then lit a cigarette. The official ban on smoking in government buildings added a particular piquancy to this gesture, virtually making it part of the interrogation.
    ‘What language did you speak?’ he asked, turning back to face Nicola Mantega.
    ‘Italian, of course.’
    ‘Not Calabrian dialect?’
    The witness hesitated just a moment before answering.
    ‘Dialect? Signor Newman is an American lawyer. How could a man like that know the dialect?’
    ‘Answer the question.’
    ‘We spoke Italian.’
    ‘Newman spoke it fluently?’
    Mantega shrugged.
    ‘For a foreigner.’
    ‘So how did he learn Italian?’
     
    ‘I have no idea.’
    ‘You didn’t discuss it?’
    ‘Certainly not.’
    ‘Didn’t you think it unusual? And perhaps mention it? Some flattering comment …’
    ‘I really didn’t think about it. This wasn’t a personal relationship! As I keep telling you, it was strictly business. Maybe he took lessons before coming