William Rabkin - A Fatal Frame of Mind

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Acknowledgments

At the risk of disillusioning those readers who are in the process of booking their flights to London, I have to confess that, as far as anyone knows, William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti never engaged in a search for Excalibur or gave any thought to claiming the throne of Britain. If it seems like a terrible calumny to suggest such a thing even in a work of fiction, I can only remind youSPOILER ALERT for those three of you who read the acknowledgments firstthat the entire theory was crafted in the mind of a crazy person.

That said, I have drawn on some aspects of Morris and Rossettis real lives. And as is so often the case, their true story is much more fascinating than any fictional account. If you are interested in learning more about their odd Arthurian triangle, you cant do better than Fiona McCarthys William Morris: A Life for Our Times. It is unaccountably out of print but well worth searching for.

Rossettis painting of The Defence of Guenevere is as fictional as his search for the sword, but the poem is real and can be found in its entirety online.

There is a real Santa Barbara Museum of Art, but it in no way resembles the one portrayed here, which is purely a fictional creation, as are all its employees and benefactors.

And Im almost positive that the sword of King Arthur is not hidden in the time capsule beneath Cleopatras Needle in London.

About the Author

William Rabkin is a two-time Edgar-nominated television writer and producer. He has written for numerous mystery shows, including Psych and Monk, and has served as showrunner on Diagnosis Murder and Martial Law.

Chapter One

Are you sure this is absolutely necessary?Shawn examined himself in the full-length mirror that had appeared in the Psych offices earlier in the day along with the two tuxedos.

Absolutely, Gus said. Are you ready yet?

Gus slipped the rental studs through his French cuffs and flicked them open, locking them in place. He yanked his cummerbund into position, then slid into his dinner jacket. Even though the clock was ticking down and there was no time to waste, he took a moment to wonder why he didnt wear a tuxedo all the time, like Dean Martin or the maitre d at Cappys Steak and Stein. He looked that good.

I was born ready, Shawn said. Of course, I was also born naked, and that tells me theres no actual reason for dressing up.

Its the social event of the season, Gus said as he smoothed his hand over his already smooth hair. We were incredibly lucky to get an invitation. And that invitation specifically called for black tie.

I dont wear ties, Shawn said, flicking open his unbuttoned collar to emphasize the point. And even if I did, I dont see what that has to do with the rest of this ridiculous outfit.

Black tie is a dress code for semiformal events, Gus said.

I definitely agree that this event is semiformal, Shawn said. Because its only Ponyboy. I cant imagine what wed have to wear if Sodapop was going to be there, too.

Gus hesitated. Hed been putting off telling Shawn the truth for so long he had begun to believe hed never have to. Ponyboy. Right. Look, theres something I need to tell you about the C. Thomas Howell Film Festival, Gus said.

If youre going to say that the mans career is too vast to be shoehorned into one evening, Im well aware were coming in partway through, Shawn said. Last night was his formative work from the eighties, when he grew from sensitive man-child into a solid, if still sensitive teen lead. Tonight, of course, is his timeless nineties material, which saw him mature into the hard-boiled hero of neo-noir classics like Jail Bait and Teresas Tattoo. And tomorrow is truly special, since so much of his work in this millennium was made for DVD and is being shown for the first time on the big screen. Or anywhere.

Glad to hear you wont have to miss the best part, Gus said.

Miss? Shawn said.

Weve got to go, Gus said. Were going to be late.

Gus scooped his car key off the coffee table and let it drop into the surprisingly roomy pocket of his rental pants, then headed for the street. Normally Shawn would have pushed past him just as he reached for the knob, showing a need equal to any golden retrievers to be first through a door. But when Gus glanced back to see what had happened to his partner, Shawn was still sitting behind his desk.

I dont think youre taking me to the C. Thomas Howell Film Festival at all, Shawn said.

This was the moment. The absolute last second Gus could tell Shawn the truth before his small deception turned into a big lie.

Were going now, Gus said.

This time Gus didnt look back to see if Shawn was following him. He stepped out into the cool evening fog and crossed the curb to his waiting Echo. By the time hed walked around to his door and slid behind the wheel, Shawn was already buckled into the passengers seat. Gus put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb.

Chapter Two

The Echo cruised down State Street. Gus glanced over at Shawn to see if he was getting suspicious. But the Bijoux Theatre, where C. Thomas Howell was being feted, was in the same direction as their real destination, and Gus figured he had another minute or two before the truth became apparent. And Shawn seemed to be completely oblivious to the deception.

Gus felt a momentary thrill of triumph at successfully fooling his best friend and partner. At least he tried to feel it. This was a huge moment for him, one of the few times hed ever gotten away with lying to Shawn, whose ability to see through other peoples lies was surpassed only by his skill at spinning his own.

But instead of victory, Gus felt ashamed. Hed lied to Shawn to get what he wanted, and now he was afraid that hed ruined the evening for both of them. And maybe more than the evening. It was possible Gus had done ineradicable harm to their friendship.

I cant tell you how much Im looking forward to this film festival, Shawn said. Youre going to think Im crazy, but it could be the high point of my existence.

Im sure it wont be, Gus mumbled. Just a bunch of crummy movies you could get from Netflix any day.

Its not just the movies; its the sense of community, Shawn said. To know for once in my life that Im not all alone in the world. That Im not a freak.

Youre not a freak, Shawn. And you dont need a C. Thomas Howell Film Festival to Gus broke off, suddenly hearing his words echoing in his head. How long have you known?

The puzzled look on Shawns face was so pure and innocent that a Renaissance painter could have used it as the inspiration for one of the cupids hovering around the corners of his painting, if there had happened to be any Renaissance painters hiding in the backseat of the Echo and they were able to get over the shock of being transported in a coach with no visible means of locomotion in time to pay attention to their model.

Known what? Shawn said.

You know what, Gus said. If hed felt lousy at having tricked Shawn, it was only fair that he should feel better, now that he realized Shawn hadnt been fooled. Instead, he felt even more annoyed at himself.

That youre not taking me to the C. Thomas Howell Film Festival? Shawn said. That in fact you never intended to take me to the C. Thomas Howell Film Festival and instead have duped me in some cruel and manipulative manner?

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