Her Forbidden Millionaire

Chapter 4

Phoebe couldn’t believe the stories Sheryll told her about the man known around the film industry known as Jimmy B. James Banks was a sleazy station manager who demanded deplorable things from the actors and actresses around him to get them on screen. He’d been arrested a number of times for various assaults, drugs and weapons charges, along with a slew of other criminal offenses.

“How did Lincoln get wrapped up with someone like that?” Phoebe asked her.

Sheryll always felt bad about not coming into Lincoln’s life sooner. She felt like she could have saved him from where his life had gone once he took a break from acting. A heavy sigh came through the phone as she told Phoebe. “I only know the stories I’ve heard. I didn’t come into Lincoln’s life until he began his emancipation process from his parents a few years ago. This Jimmy guy was the one who told Lincoln’s agent, at the time, about the upcoming auditions. It was supposed to be a closed casting, but Lincoln went in and got the part even though they never asked him to audition. Jimmy always took credit for it even though Lincoln is a phenomenal actor. Lincoln wouldn’t listen to reason that it was his talent that got him the role. He’s always felt like he owed something to that slime ball. I thought he’d finally shaken him loose. But now that you say there’s a company bearing the namesake of that devil, I have a feeling Jimmy’s still around.”

Phoebe listened to a few more revolting tales about Jimmy B. before getting off the phone with Sheryll. After hanging up, the next call Phoebe decided to make was to the number she had down for the place. She probably should have done that first.

The phone rang a few times before someone actually picked up. “Hello!”

“Hi!” Phoebe replied ecstatically, surprised to hear a voice at the other end. “I’m looking into the Jimmy B.’s Vault business. I wanted to know if you’ve seen or heard from Jimmy B. or Lincoln Gold recently?”

“Who the fu*k is this?!” the raspy voice shouted.

“I’m just an adviser looking into some businesses for Mr. Gold. I want to tie up some loose ends, but I can’t seem to find this Jimmy B. place, the manager, and Mr. Gold isn’t exactly forthcoming so I wanted to call and see if anyone was there. You’re not in that warehouse. are you?”

“Listen bi*ch, I don’t know who you think you’re talking to. but you’re messing with something that don’t need messing with!” The caller hung up the phone.

Phoebe stared at the phone wondering if that was Jimmy B. himself. She was almost ready to call Lincoln, but called Pam instead.

“How are you feeling?” Phoebe asked with sincere concern in her voice.

“I’ve had better days. I already have a new phone and my wallet’s here. Have you heard anything from the police about your car? What about your insurance company? What did they say?” Pam rattled off her questions.

“They said they can’t do anything until they get the police report which won’t be for a few days, but they’ll probably just cut me a check to replace it. I have a new phone waiting for me at the store. I just gotta go pick it up after I get off. Can I ask you a favor?”

“I’m not goin’ nowhere else with you today!” Pam exclaimed.

Phoebe sighed. “I need you to find where this number is for me. I tried a reverse lookup online and everything. Don’t you news people have access to all kinds of tips and tricks to find addresses?”

“Girl, I’m a news reporter, not the DMV. Give me the number.” Pam chuckled. Phoebe gave her the number she’d just called. “Okay, I’ll have one of the guys run it and get back to you. You’re going to go to this address too, aren’t you?”

“If it’s in a safe neighborhood then yes,” Phoebe said matter of factly.

“Fine, if it’s in a safe neighborhood, I’ll go with you. But this time we’re bringing some fu*king pepper spray!” Pam demanded. Phoebe agreed as she got off the phone to get some actual work done while Pam worked her magic on the phone number.

It took Pam a while but she managed to locate the actual address associated to the number Phoebe gave her. The address was located in a gated community which the girls were fine with. They decided to take one of the station’s cars instead of Pam’s. She wasn’t trying to get her car stolen again.

The trees were full of flowers and bloomed in greens. Even though a black iron gate lined the sidewalks, they were majestic in their placement. Evergreen trees stood behind the fence, blocking anyone from peeking in. The sun was beautiful as it set against it. They wanted to see over that hedge so badly but as they followed the gate it only led them to the guard’s post.

There was a barrier for the guard to raise and lower for people driving in and driving out of the gated area. The young man was dressed impeccably in his pressed suit with a shiny badge on his lapel. Pam drove up to the guard slowly wondering if she could use her feminine wiles to get him to do her bidding.

Pam flashed her brightest smile, and batted her beautiful green eyes. “Good evening, sir.”

“Good evening, ma’am.” The guard smiled back. “Entry code please?”

Pam laughed. “I’m sorry, I don’t have one. You see I’m supposed to be visiting a friend of mine. She wanted me to feed her cat while she was away on vacation and I completely forgot the code she told me to use.”

The guard pulled out a clipboard with his pen. “What’s the address, ma’am?”

Pam took the piece of paper Phoebe had the address written on and read it aloud to the guard. “893 Pulaski Drive.”