by Zara Keane
I rolled my eyes. “Puh-leeze. Have you seen the facilities? My range of motion is compromised, and those little cabins don’t leave enough space to swing a rat, never mind the proverbial cat. If our situations were reversed, you know I’d offer to share my room with you.”
My sister darted a nervous look at the crowd that had gathered to witness this unexpected slice of domestic drama. “If sharing with me is that important to you, you can sleep on my sofa.”
“Why? Is the floor not hard enough for me?” I snapped, indifferent to the attention we were drawing.
Beth’s enormous eyes brimmed with tears. They might’ve been genuine, but I wasn’t in the mood to give her the benefit of the doubt. “I can’t believe you’re upset with me, Maggie. I made sure Harper put a camper bed in your tent so you wouldn’t have to sleep on the ground, and I asked her to place you near the restrooms. And what do I get for my consideration? Abuse from you.”
“If you think my pointing out that you’re a self-absorbed diva is abuse, then you have a rude awakening coming your way.” I gestured to our audience. “Do you realize the number of people on this set you’ve upset with your attitude? Keep on like this, and you’ll usurp Judd’s position as the movie’s Lead Butthole.”
“What did you just call me?” Judd demanded from his golf cart. Now that the cameras had stopped rolling, his shades were back in place.
“You’re a bona fide ass,” I informed America’s Favorite Bad Boy. “Deal with it.”
Leaving my sister to her crocodile tears and Judd spewing profanities, I stomped off and began the trek back up the hill. I was fuming. Why did Beth feel the need to belittle me? What had I done to deserve it? Had my efforts to repair our fractured relationship over the holidays been for nothing? Preoccupied with my thoughts, it took me a moment to register that a golf cart had drawn up beside me.
“That was quite a show back there,” Con remarked from behind the wheel. “I wish Judd and Eliza brought such emotion to their scenes.”
My bark of laughter ended on a sob.
“Want to get in?” he asked in a gentler tone. “Sounds like you’re having a rough day.”
“Yes, on both counts.” I sniffled.
With Con’s help, I made it into the cart without falling on my face. He handed me a tissue before we took off. “Is the job too much with your injury?”
I blew my nose. “The job’s not the problem. I’m in pain, and my sister annoyed me. How do you work with actors? I can’t imagine having to deal with inflated egos all day.”
Con’s smile was wry. “Some say my ego is inflated.”
“Yeah, but I like you, and I haven’t yet seen you be mean to anyone.”
“I can be plenty mean when I want to be. As for the actors, they’re not all difficult to work with. To be frank, I find the intense, method-style actors harder to deal with than Judd and Eliza’s ego trips.”
We started to climb the hill at a far higher speed than I’d managed on foot. “Has old age mellowed you?”
He laughed. “Maybe a little, but not enough to stop me cursing at my phone every time it won’t work, which is all the time on this island.”
“Serious question, Con, because it’s been bugging me all day. Why did you hire Judd? Does he have some kind of hold over you?”
He hesitated a second too long before responding. “What makes you ask that?”
“Dude, please. I know your personal assets are on the line. You face ruin if this movie flops.”
“Who’s gossiping about my affairs?” Con demanded, his face darkening.
“You’re paying me to get people to gossip. I’ve got a list of suspects taller than I am. Help me narrow it down. Do I need to make Judd my number one?”
The tension in the director’s shoulders eased a little. “I don’t think so. Judd needs this movie to be a success just as much as I do. After his stint behind bars, no one in Hollywood would hire him until I gave him a chance.”
“I don’t get it. Why cast the guy if he’s considered toxic? There are plenty of actors suitable for Judd’s role.”
“Judd gets viewers,” Con hedged. “He has a loyal fan base.”
I was skeptical. “Even after all his legal woes?”
“Everyone likes a good redemption story,” the director replied with a touch of asperity. “All Judd needs to do is pretend to be contrite.”
“You don’t strike me as the bleeding-heart type, Con. What’s in it for you?”
He sighed. “This is confidential, okay?”
“I know how to keep my lips zipped.”
“Judd agreed to play the part for a pittance. Depending on how well the movie does, he’ll get a bonus, but he’s basically working for food and board and free clothes.”
“What about the insurance costs? Don’t they offset whatever you’re saving with Judd’s contract?”
“Nah. I’m still making bank. As long as Judd stays sober and smolders on screen, I’m good.”
From the bits I’d seen of Judd’s acting, I wasn’t convinced. Perhaps Con’s post-production team worked magic. “I assume you know about Gretchen’s fall.”
Con’s thunderous expression answered my question. “That was a bad business.”
“Does the ballroom have security cameras? If so, I’d like a look at the surveillance footage from this morning.”
Con shook his head. “No cameras, I’m afraid. There’s one in the entrance hall, if that’s any help. I’ll ask Harper to get you a copy of the footage.”
“Thanks. That’d be great.”
“Have you any idea who’s behind it all?”
“My suspect list is so long and convoluted that it’s growing tentacles.” I turned to face him. “I appreciate you giving me a chance to crack this case, but it’s time to hand it over to the authorities.”
The director’s shoulders sagged. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
“Liam, my boyfriend, is one of the extras in Coco’s dance scene. We should talk to him and let him arrange backup.”
“I know you’re right, but can it at least wait until after we wrap for the day? I don’t want more disruption on the set if we have police invading the place.”
“Are you willing to take the risk of another so-called accident happening tonight? You’ve got to tell Liam now, Con.”
“I’ll get every security guard on the set to watch over tonight’s shoot. Even if we involve the police, what can they do to protect us between now and midnight?”
I let out a ragged sigh. The guy had a point. Whisper Island’s police force consisted of Liam, Sile Conlan, and a couple of reserves. Con’s security team outnumbered them by quite a margin. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“I promise I’ll take every precaution, Maggie.”
“Okay, but at the first sign of trouble, I’m telling Liam.”
The director gave a curt nod. “Deal.”
We pulled up outside the castle, and Con helped me out of the golf cart. “Thanks for the ride,” I said.
“No problem.” He nodded in the direction of the marquee. “You going to Coco’s drinks party? The one I’m not supposed to know about?”
“I am, yes. Aren’t you worried you’ll have a bunch of drunk extras falling around during filming?”
“Nope.” He grinned. “Coco’s one smart cookie. She tells people her shots are hopping with booze, but they barely contain a drop. She’s all about relaxing her dancers before a shoot, particularly the extras.”
“Clever.”
The director opened the castle door. “I’m going to take a short break in the library before the next scene starts shooting. Enjoy Coco’s gathering.” He winked at me. “Don’t go too wild.”
“I’ll try to behave. See you later.”
After Con disappeared into the castle, I mulled over our conversation. I was convinced the director had answered my questions about Judd truthfully, yet my gut said he was holding something back. But what? And did it have any relev
ance to the attacks on set?
18
I used the slice of time I had before Coco’s soiree to freshen up. Although “freshening up” in a porta-potty, and its corresponding porta-shower, was not an experience I cared to repeat.
At eight-thirty, I limped across the lawn to the marquee that housed the cafeteria. My wrist hurt to the point of bringing tears to my eyes. The last thing I wanted to do was mingle, but I had a case to solve. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and stepped inside.
Coco had gone all out with her pre-shoot drinks. Several of the cafeteria’s utilitarian tables were shoved together and covered with an array of pre-filled shot glasses. Streamers decorated the tent’s ceiling, and every shade of the rainbow was represented. Judging by the crowd clutching colorful glasses, half the set was in attendance, including most of Con’s security team. The mood was buoyant. If Coco’s aim was to relax everyone before shooting one of the movie’s major scenes, her plan was working.
I strained to get a good look at everyone present. With the elaborate makeup and costumes, it was hard to recognize people. There was no sign of my sister, but then, there was no love lost between her and Coco, so maybe she hadn’t been invited. I also didn’t see Liam anywhere, but Hannah stood at the back of the marquee, chatting with Caoimhe and Sammy. Gretchen, the dancer who’d fallen this morning, sat in a corner with Coco’s assistant, Merry. The dancer’s injured leg was propped up by a spare chair. She looked tired and pale, but otherwise cheerful. If I managed to battle my way through the crowd without bashing my sore arm, I’d go and join them.
“Yo, Maggie.”
I whipped around at the sound of my name. A glassy-eyed Lenny stood by the drinks table, waving wildly. He still wore his wild makeup, but no costume as yet. Beside him, Storm held a shot glass filled with neon-green liquid.
“Having fun?” I asked when I joined them.
“Deffo.” Lenny handed me one of the brown-colored drinks and selected a purple one for himself. “The chocolate-orange and grape-flavored shots are alcohol-free.”
I sniffed at my glass. The enticing aroma of chocolate warmed my soul. “Sláinte.”
We knocked back our drinks in unison, and Storm grabbed a replacement. “Lenny and I are on a mission to try every flavor. Wanna join us?”
I scanned the array of drinks. Seven varieties in total. “Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
“Wise decision.” Lenny pounded me on the back, making me wince. “I think I might be drunk.”
“How many have you had?”
He considered my question for a moment. “Dunno. What do you say, Storm? Maybe five of the alcoholic ones so far?”
“Sounds about right.” Storm leaned closer, conspiratorial fashion. “Not to mention a nip from my hip flask.”
Ah. That would explain Lenny’s disheveled look. If Con were correct, there shouldn’t be much booze in the shots.
“Aren’t you supposed to dance in a few minutes?” I asked Lenny. “And don’t you need to apply makeup to someone?”
Storm raised her glass in a salute. “I’m done for the day. Actually, I’m done for the entire shoot.”
I blinked in confusion. “What do you mean? Have you quit?”
“Got it in one.” She hiccupped. “Judd threw his phone at me, and I quit. First week on the job, and I am dunzo.”
“Wow. What caused him to flip out this time?”
Storm’s jaw tightened. “Some idiot put dye in an eyeshadow palette. When I applied shadow to one of the actresses’ lids, she started howling in pain. Then I wasn’t able to get it off. We had to treat her eyes for puffiness and use a crazy amount of concealer to cover up the stains.”
“How did this impact Judd’s life?” I asked, confused.
“It made me late touching up his makeup,” Storm said, her derisive tone indicative of her feelings toward the actor. “When he learned what had happened, he accused me of being incompetent. We had words, and he threw his phone at me. I told my boss I’m catching the next available ferry off this island.”
“What will you do now?” I asked. “Will you stay on Whisper Island? Or go back to L.A.?”
“I don’t know where I’ll live, but I’m going to do what I planned on doing five years ago. I want to open my own online makeup school, complete with quality video tutorials, virtual consultations, and a step-by-step course.”
“That sounds like a great idea. Good luck.”
She gave me a vague smile, making me wonder just what she had in her hip flask. “Thank you.”
I touched Lenny on the arm. “Before you down your sixth, can I have a word?”
“Sure.”
I dragged him to a quiet corner of the tent. “What are you doing? You’re supposed to be on duty.”
His body language did a one-eighty. From languid and vacant, he went to animated and alert.
“Chill, Maggie. I’ve had two shots, not five, and enough eye drops to make me look wasted. I’m feeling sufficient buzz to fake being drunk, but I’m sticking to the alcohol-free options for the rest of the party”
“Why?” I asked in exasperation.
“Because people underestimate me, and I want to play on that.” He cocked his head to the side and grinned. “You’d be amazed at the stuff they say in my presence. After all, who’s going to take a tipsy stoner seriously?”
For a second, I wasn’t sure how to react. Then shame washed over me. “I’m sorry for doubting you, dude. In case I don’t say it often enough, you’re an awesome assistant. Hiring you was one of the best decisions I’ve made since moving to Ireland.”
Lenny flushed. “Aw, thanks, Maggie. I love working with you.”
“Okay, now I’m listening. What have you found out?”
Three makeup artists, pushed past, chattering loudly. My assistant waved his now-empty glass in the air. “You should try the green one, Maggie. Pretty sure it’s got absinthe,” he said loud enough for them to hear. After they’d moved past, he dropped his voice. “Judd owes money to a drug kingpin.”
“Whoa.” I sucked in a breath. “Is this debt recent? Or is it a remnant from his previous troubles?”
“It’s an old debt. From what I hear, Judd’s clean and sober.” Lenny waggled his eyebrows. “His sparkling personality is all-natural.”
This made me laugh. “To use one of my aunt Noreen’s favorite expressions, Judd is a dose. I wonder if this debt triggered the argument he had with Merry outside the Poison Garden.”
“That’d be my guess, but I don’t know for sure.”
“So this money he owes,” I mused, “how much are we talking?”
“Mid six figures.” My assistant leaned closer, a sly grin on his face. “And despite his expensive shades, no, Judd isn’t good for it.”
And his lack of a hefty paycheck from the movie wouldn’t help. “What are the implications of this information for our case? Doesn’t his debt make him less likely to sabotage the movie?”
“In theory, yes.” He rolled his eyes. “If Judd were a man of sense. Maybe he thinks a series of crazy on-set accidents will draw attention to the movie and get him in the press.”
“I don’t buy it. Judd doesn’t strike me as the smartest person on the planet, but he’s not stupid. Self-destructive and mean to others, yes. Con’s giving him a chance at a comeback, and he has to know he’s unlikely to get another if he blows this opportunity.”
“Fair enough.” Lenny fell silent, brow creased in thought. “If we flip this theory,” he said after a moment, “does the debt make it likely that Judd is the target of the attacks, not the perpetrator? Maybe the dude he’s in debt to is sabotaging the movie to scare Judd into paying what he owes.”
“That’s way too subtle for a drug kingpin, Lenny. The attacks appear to be deliberate and malicious, but not aimed at one particular person. As far as I’m aware, the only potential harm Judd’s received is a case of food poisoning that’s unlikely to be down to anything more than a bad mussel.”
He held his hands up. “Okay, but I’m not taking Judd off my suspect list. I’d happily see the dude arrested.”
“By all means, keep him on your top five. I am. Here’s the thing, though. I’ve looked into Luke’s theory that my sister was the target of the most dangerous attacks. Yet the fact remains the only person who’s sustained an injury is Gretchen, the dancer.”
“I talked to her earlier,” Lenny said. “Harper let her use her bedroom to rest, and I paid her a visit.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised Harper shows anyone consideration.”
He chuckled. “Harper’s a bit snooty, but she’s sound. From what I’ve seen, she doesn’t play nicely with other women, but she seemed genuinely concerned for Gretchen.”
“Hmm…” I turned this information over in my mind. “Maybe they’re friends. A lot of cast and crew members on this shoot have worked together before. Gretchen’s around Harper’s age. It would make sense. What did Gretchen have to say?”
“Not a lot. She has no idea who’d put Pledge on the dance floor. Until her fall, she didn’t believe the rumors about an on-set saboteur.”
“And now she does?”
“Oh, yeah.” Lenny’s jaw tightened, all trace of levity gone. “Whoever’s doing this needs to be stopped.”
The sound of metal hitting glass drew our attention to the back of the tent. Coco stood on a makeshift platform, holding a shot glass and a spoon. “Thanks for coming to my not-so-little pre-shoot party. I want to take this opportunity to thank every one of my dancers for their hard work over the last few weeks. And thanks also to the fabulous group of extras who’ve worked so hard today learning their routine. We’re going to rock tonight’s scene.” Coco raised her glass to the crowd, and an enthusiastic round of applause followed.
“Are you ready to dance?” I asked Lenny.
“With Theresa? Never.” He mimicked throwing up. “Seriously, though, I’m looking forward to experiencing what a real film shoot is like, but I wish I didn’t have to experience it with her.”
“Yikes. How did your rehearsal go?”