Hudson had reached the waterfront when he realised he’d got so preoccupied with the podcasters, he was walking in the wrong direction to get a taxi.Should he turn around, or keep going?He was practically upon the bridge.It would take him another five minutes to double back.Oh, what the hell.He would keep on going.It was a fine night, and if he kept powering through, he would soon reach the gay triangle and be home.
It wasn’t even six-thirty and there were plenty of people out on the streets.If it was after dark, then things might have been different.He wouldn’t have taken the risk.But what harm could there be at this moment?
He continued onwards, his thoughts returning to Corman and Amber.He’d have to keep his wits around those two.They had only been on the production for one day and had managed to unsettle him.He couldn’t afford that.There was too much at risk.He’d have another go at Rav in the morning.Maybe he could convince him that their presence was detrimental to the show.Perhaps he could even convert some of the other actors to his side.
It was worth a try, and better than doing nothing.
He crossed the bridge to the other side of the city.It was great to be out in the open after spending the day holed up in a rehearsal studio.And yesterday he’d been confined to the apartment.He couldn’t continue like this.He needed fresh air and space.
At least he had dinner with Luke to look forward to later.Nothing too fancy.Hopefully somewhere laid-back and relaxing.Maybe tomorrow night they could go back to The Blue Pearl.He hadn’t been there since the night they first met.Live music and good food might be exactly what he needed, especially now the press wasn’t following him around.
In no time at all he reached the bottom of Salvin Road, and the path steepened on the route into the gay village.He was almost there and feeling exhilarated after the negative exit from the concert hall.His emotions were all over the place.Up one moment and way down the next.Darkest Bluewas turning into the most stressful experience of his entire career.And he’d played in his fair share of jinxed productions before now.
He waited for a gap in the traffic to cross the road.As he reached the other side, he caught sight of sudden movement behind him.A figure, dressed in T-shirt and jeans, darted into a doorway, too fast for him to take much in, but odd enough to trigger a reaction.He paused, waiting.Was it someone in a genuine hurry?Trying to catch a store before it closed for the night?
Or was it, as he suspected, someone who didn’t want him to see them?
His pulse quickened while uneasy fingers skittered down his spine.
Years in the public eye had given him an instinct for when something wasn’t right, and this didn’t feel right at all.
Get a grip of yourself and get moving.
He was on a busy main road with lots of traffic about.People were still heading home from work while others were coming into the city for all the evening attractions.A bus went by that was packed with commuters.
Hudson continued on his way, quickening the pace.He was understandably jumpy, but there was nothing for him to worry about.
After another twenty yards, he whipped around suddenly.
The figure behind did not have time to react.
Robbie Wiseman.Even from the distance there was no doubt.The balding grey hair, the stout figure.Robbie came to a halt, realising he’d been seen.He glanced around, considering his options.
Hudson was torn between the choice of confronting him and getting the fuck away.
If Robbie was responsible for killing Julian, there was no telling what he would do now.He could be carrying a knife or a gun.
Hudson’s survival instinct kicked in and he broke into a run.
He still didn’t know this area well enough, and the apartment was a good five minutes away.Where the hell was he going to go?
When he risked a look over his shoulder, he saw Robbie in pursuit.
Whatever he decided, he’d have to make a decision fast.
Hudson kept running.
Chapter Seventeen
Hollywood Stories
There was nobody in the street ahead of him.No one to run to for help.
Robbie was too close for Hudson to pull out his phone and call the cops.
Time was running out.
He needed an escape right now.
