A widower named Martin Baldwin had three sons: George, Paul and Brian. Martin married a divorcee named Christine with three daughters: Marissa, Jennie and Candi. Martin brought along a maid, Abigail and the nine lived happily together in a Los Angeles suburb.
Now George and Marissa were popular in high school. He was a football player, part time musician; Marissa was a cheerleader, part time model. Brian and Candi were the impish children everyone doted on.
Jennie and Paul were both awkward, living in the shadows of their older, more popular siblings. One day the parents persuaded the children to form a singing group. They became an overnight sensation.
Jennie and Paul were pushed aside as nothing more than less talented backup vocals. George and Marissa appeared in magazines and on late night television talks shows. Jennie and Paul plotted revenge on the entire family, Abigail too.
One morning a maid entered a hotel room in Mexico City, finding George and Marissa naked in bed, both shot in the head; in the bathroom was Mrs. Christine Baldwin holding a gun, her brains blown out. Abigail was discovered hanging in a closet. Two miles down the road, the Mexican police found a car with Mr. Martin Baldwin in back, his two youngest children in the trunk.
An international search began for Jennie and Paul. Paul was found six weeks later in a Chicago hotel sitting on a toilet, clutching himself, a rope around his throat.
The FBI went to San Quentin Prison to interview Jennie’s father. Theodore Mars was a former doctor, serial killer and death row inmate. He claimed not to know where his daughter was, but professed his pride in her for coping in such a strange family environment.
From the moment Lacie MacIntosh set eyes on Rodrigo Rodriquez she was smitten. Rodrigo was a promising singer and actor. Sadly for her, Rodrigo had a fiancé, Giselle. Two days before their wedding, however, Giselle died from a freak accident. She tripped while cutting melon, falling on the sharp chef’s knife.
Rodrigo was naturally inconsolable. Lacie offered sympathy, a kind ear, warm embrace. Soon the two became lovers, marrying six months later. They moved into an apartment building owned by Frank and Emma Mintz. The four becoming the best of friends.
Rodrigo cut an album which soared to number one. He was up for a part in a television series based on The Dark Tower novels. He lost to another actor. However, when the other actor died from a fall down an empty elevator chute, Rodrigo got the part.
Rodrigo and Lacie Rodriquez began making rounds of all the smart parties, appearing in magazines, buying a lavish home in Palm Beach. Lacie starred on a show called The Real Housewives of Palm Beach. Emma and Frank Mintz moved into a guest cottage on the estate, tending the grounds, caring for the exotic pets. Emma appearing often as a friend whom Lacie and all the ladies confide in.
One day Frank Mintz was found mauled to death by one of the Rodriguez’ pet tigers. The police investigated, ruling it a tragic accident. Emma and the Rodriquez’ receiving millions from several insurance policies on Frank.
Lacie MacIntosh enjoys sitting on her veranda, drinking red wine, watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean contemplating her life: a handsome, rich husband, a beautiful home, expensive clothes, glittering jewels, status in the community, a yacht and fancy cars.
Once long ago she had been plain Jennie Baldwin, a nobody; but she knew in TV Land, she could be whoever she wanted to be.
Bio
Catherine Cahill was born in East Hartford, Connecticut. She spent thirty-one years working at various agencies for the State of Connecticut. In 2017 she retired and now devotes her time to training in Mixed Martial Arts and writing stories.