Leading Lady

CHAPTER 24

Jackson stared at Jesse's body in shock. His hands shook violently at his sides as the realization of what just happened was dawning on him. He found himself opening his mouth to say Jesse's name, but no sound would come out. Jackson looked up and scanned his surroundings. He brought up a hand to dab at his eyes but stopped when he noticed his knuckles were covered in Jesse's blood. Jackson let out a cry and he fell to the ground in tears.

He had killed Lucille's brother.

His life was over. How had he let this get out of control? How had he let Jesse's words get to him this much? Jackson looked at Jesse's body and slowly crawled towards it. Jackson continued to cry, hovering his hands over Jesse, wanting to touch him and see if there were any subtle signs that he could still be alive. But he knew he wasn't. The horrifying sound Jesse's head made when he fell was more than enough to tell Jackson his fall had been fatal.

"I'm sorry," Jackson cried silently over Jesse, trying to keep himself from sobbing loudly. His head hurt and his heart felt like it was mere seconds from bursting through his chest. Jackson had to get out of there quickly. He couldn't be found here with Jesse. He had killed him. There would be no coming back from this. The cops wouldn't care it had been an accident, Jackson would be going to jail without a doubt.

Before Jackson could move, his eyes fell on Jesse's back pocket. He reached out a hand and pulled Jesse's wallet out. Jackson then proceeded to turn Jesse over, and his sobs grew more intense when he saw Jesse staring lifelessly up at him with his broken camera around his neck.

"I'm sorry," Jackson moaned as he put Jesse's wallet into his own pocket before standing back up and leaving him there in the park.

Late Night Studio

Lucille walked out of the soundstage where she'd just filmed her interview. It had gone incredibly well and much better than she could have ever imagined. She grinned and twirled, unable to believe how happy she felt. She had been charismatic, funny and so calm despite her nerves nearly sending her right out of her chair during the interview. The audience absolutely loved her. Now, as Lucille was escorted out to her car where her driver was waiting for her, she was surprised to see a small crowd eagerly waiting for her.

"Lucille!" one girl screamed, and everyone turned and started waving their little notepads and pens.

"Can I have your autograph?"

"When are you filming your next movie?"

"I want to have a fairy tale wedding like you and your husband!"

Lucille laughed happily and took time to give an autograph to each and every one who was waiting there for her. She posed for photos with several of them and coyly answered questions without giving too much information away.

After all, I need to have them wanting more.

"Thank you all for your love and support," Lucille exclaimed with a huge grin before blowing a kiss at her fans. The driver, who was looking very uncomfortable by the crowd that had formed around the vehicle, opened the door for Lucille and helped her inside the car.

Baez Residence

Jackson stood in his study staring at Jesse's wallet on his desk. His eyes were wet and bloodshot from all the crying. A half empty glass of whiskey sat right near the wallet before he grabbed it and downed the rest of it.

I killed someone, he thought with guilt, I killed Lucille's brother. I'm a murderer.

Jackson suddenly heard the door in the foyer open and could hear Lucille sigh happily and greet Matilda, despite this one never bothering to answer. Jackson grabbed Jesse's wallet and threw it underneath some papers in his drawer. He glanced at his hands, which he had washed as soon as he'd gotten home. He frowned, for they still looked a little raw from the beating he'd given Jesse.