by Lee Winter
Alex looked around the pub. “I can’t think of what else to say. Have I covered everything?”
“Mention the fallout surrounding Harvey,” Skye said, unfurling more wool from her ball. “Subtly, though. That’ll set the cat among the pigeons over there. Trust me.”
“Weinstein? Isn’t that radioactive territory?”
Skye smiled a secret smile.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Now that would be telling.”
In these heightened #metoo times, it’s especially important to present our studio and our movies as celebrating women, not demeaning them. By providing powerful role models, strong heroines who can find ‘home’ without needing a man, we make Shezan a story of our times.
If you approve my suggestions, I’ll get a new script written ASAP.
On a related note, I’ve cut costs in several areas to allow for any budget increases my above suggestions may incur. See attachment 2 for details.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Alex Levitin
Director, Shezan
Alex added a list of the budget-trimming measures she’d cooked up earlier with Quincy and added that to the email. Then she collected Skye’s costume photos and attached those, too.
After a moment, she typed one last line.
PS: Can we please do something about that title?
She sat back and reached for her beer.
“Very nice,” Skye said mildly. “You’re so good at this.”
“Sometimes I wonder about all the secrets you know.” Alex eyed her speculatively.
“I have no idea what you mean, dear.” Skye gave her an innocent look. She finished her knitting and held it up. “What do you think?”
The maroon sock had the word “Hollywood” knitted in gold up the ankle.
“Very…um…cheery.”
“Exactly!” Skye laughed.
“So how do you think they’ll take my email?” Alex asked, giving it a final, worried look. “Did it sound too…feminist-y for the dinosaur execs?”
“Oh, the old boys will squirm a bit. But they’re very interested in following the money. You made good arguments. For instance, Nolan’s daughters are besotted Frozen fans; he complains about it constantly. Adam failed to get the rights to Wonder Woman, so he knows how successful a female-hero film can be. It’s a sore point with him. Meanwhile, Richard has a vested interest in Melody’s role being boosted. Caroline just wants something, anything, to get her noticed. All that together, and a few other factors, and you might be surprised.”
“Hope so.” Alex slid her finger to the Send button. “Now or never.” She pressed it. Done. Looking up, she asked, “So where’s Chloe tonight? Don’t you two usually hang out over dinner?”
“I don’t think she likes my mother-hen vibe when she’s trying to chat up a certain local boy who’s caught her eye.” Skye smiled.
“Still crashing and burning on Sid, huh?”
“You noticed, too?”
“Well, Chloe gets a little distracted around him. I don’t think he’s aware, though.”
“No. She says he just can’t seem to take a hint.”
“Tough crowd if you’re a gorgeous movie star and can’t get noticed.” Alex laughed.
“It happens more often than you think. Beautiful women often intimidate men.”
“They intimidate women, too. God, you should have seen me the first time I clapped eyes on…” She faded out, realizing Skye didn’t know her secret. And it probably wasn’t the best idea to share it with the mother of the woman Bess was now besotted with. “Oh…um.”
“Elizabeth Thornton,” Skye finished.
“How did you know?” Alex gave her a quizzical look.
“Back on the set of Heaven’s Blood I put two and two together.”
That far back? “You know that Bess and I were over years ago,” Alex said hastily. “And my best friend’s deliriously happy now, in her own terribly reserved, Bess kind of way. Summer, too, by the looks of things.”
“Yes, that’s true. They just seem to click together, don’t they? But that doesn’t make it less hard for those who haven’t been quite so lucky, does it?” She shot Alex a knowing look.
Alex refused to let envy creep in, and she doubly, no, triply, refused to dwell on Skye’s words. “Ancient history,” she said forcefully.
“Oh, I know, dear. Anyway, all I’m saying is that I hope you’ll find someone one day who thinks you’re the most wonderful person they’ve ever met. The way I have with my Brock.” Her eyes warmed. “And maybe next time she’ll be someone who doesn’t ruin your credit rating in the process.”
“Ugh, Bettina! I still don’t know how you found out.”
“I know many people and many things.” Skye’s smile was mischievous.
“Yes,” Alex agreed, glancing back at that sent email. “You really do. Thanks for your help on this, by the way.”
“Nonsense.” Skye resumed knitting, a serene look on her face. “I’m never one to interfere.”
CHAPTER 9
Reflective
Two bloody weeks of desk work, and Sam had been officially going crazy. She’d rather be falling off bikies’ walls or chasing dope-head messengers around town than pushing paperwork from one pile to the next. She’d also been really missing Dino’s dogs. At least Bruce had kept her company at work most mornings, curling up at her feet when she’d been most prone to climbing walls. Metaphorical ones, of course. She’d never felt so useless, but at least her ribs felt better.
Her incapacitated state must have become common knowledge, because this morning she’d found “hukapapa” spray-painted across her home’s front door in red and black—the bikies’ club colors. Brazen, brash, and newly emboldened. Just great. When she finally had enough dirt to bring down the Wild Boars, it’d be the sweetest damned day of her whole career.
“Wake up.” Dr. Linn clicked her fingers. “I don’t know where your mind just wandered to. I asked if you’d been taking your drugs daily these past two weeks.” She pressed into the ribs at Sam’s back.
“Shit,” Sam protested at the pain. “And yes.”
“I know it hurts, but it’s much better. And the X-rays confirm it.”
“It was even better before you started prodding me.”
“I thought you were a big strong cop, all bravado last time. Or to be exact, every time I’ve seen you in the past ten years.” Dr. Linn smiled. “What’s changed?”
Sam’s expression fell. “Nothing.”
The doctor’s smile disappeared. “Are you okay? Officers manning police stations alone have so much on their plate. I’m researching it. Did I mention that?”
“Yeah.” She only brought it up every single visit.
“Aside from the physical toll, there’s anxiety, stress…” Dr. Linn paused and weighted the next word meaningfully: “Depression.”
“Are we done?” Sam wasn’t about to be the doc’s prime guinea pig in some new study, no matter how well-intentioned she was.
“Yes. Get dressed. I’ll give you some privacy.” Dr. Linn stepped away from the examination bed, closing the curtain behind her.
That seemed a little silly, since Sam had been sitting here in only her work pants and sports bra for ten minutes, but whatever. She drew her uniform shirt back on and was buttoning it up when Dr. Linn spoke through the curtain.
“I can recommend some people to talk to here at the hospital, if you need that. It’s free and discreet. No one would know.”
“I’m fine. I’m just…” She cast around for the right words. “Kind of wound up a little tight?”
“Well, I do have that love-struck intern if you need to…relax.” Dr. Linn sounded amused now “She’s most attractive, according to her peers. I couldn’t possibl
y comment because I refuse to notice such things.”
“I’m sure you’re not supposed to be pimping out your underlings, Doc.” Sam tucked her police shirt into her belt. “Probably some rule about it.” She drew the curtain open with a flourish.
“Probably,” Dr. Linn conceded. She studied Sam thoughtfully. “So, why are you so pent up?”
“My bike’s still in the shop.”
“Ah. It has been a while since you roared up our main street.”
Sam inhaled. It felt too…juvenile to admit how much she missed it. A grown-ass woman wanting her shiny toy.
“I love to dance,” Dr. Linn suddenly said, and her brown eyes became unfocused. “My husband and I take every opportunity to whisk ourselves around the local club and dance the night away.”
“O-kay?”
“But three weeks ago, Eric broke his ankle. It’s made us grumpier than caged cats.” She paused. “We need dancing as an outlet. Everyone needs a way to blow off steam. You’re not special in that regard, and it doesn’t make you weak to need it.” She leaned in. “While I’d prefer you chose a safer outlet…”
Sam rolled her eyes. She’d heard that speech a few times too, along with motorcycle accident statistics.
“…I know I can’t change what you love. Would you like me to call up your mechanic and tell him it’s a matter of some urgency he fixes your motorcycle? For the good of Ika Whenu, of course?” Dr. Linn’s eyes sparkled at her joke. “I’d do it if it’d stop you brooding.”
“Wouldn’t matter anyway. Mechanic’s left a message it’s ready. But I just can’t find the…” Money. Sam sighed. The timing of this was crap. Her savings were non-existent since she had been pitching in to help out Gina’s ancient pub kitchen with a flashy new commercial oven. Gina had grand plans to turn Te Wharariki into a big-deal gastro pub to lure in tourists from all over with gourmet delights.
“No time?” Dr. Linn guessed. “Make it happen.” She wagged her finger at her. “As your doctor, I’m telling you that’s your top priority, okay? Don’t need you getting into a funk. Well, a deeper one.” She paused. “Were you always this moody when we were at school together, or did I suppress the memory?”
Sam snorted.
“Well, anyway, we’re just going to assume that I’ve also lectured you once again on riding safely, and not doing any of those stunts you’re infamous for.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “I haven’t jumped Dry Creek in years. Everyone else keeps bringing it up.”
“Well, you know my thoughts on that by now. But, apparently, it’s another reason my intern adores you. You have attained mythical status.”
“Uh-huh.” Sam’s thoughts drifted. The doc was right: She needed Tiger. It was messing up her equilibrium not being able to escape. Maybe she could ask Roger for a payment plan? “Thanks. I’ll make my bike a priority.”
“Meanwhile, are you absolutely sure you don’t want to meet my intern? Cathy’s smart, funny, sweet, and, I’m sure you’ll appreciate this bit, not prone to breaking the law.” Dr. Linn winked.
“Not this time,” Sam said diplomatically. Or ever. She sounded young and star-struck; tragic mix. “Maybe when I’m in a better mood.”
“Yes. There is that. You’d only scare her off today. Your black storm cloud was evident from three blocks away when you came in.”
It was?
“Go on then.” Dr. Linn pushed a prescription for more painkillers Sam’s way. “I expect to see you roaring past us in Te Aroha again soon.”
Sam smiled at that image, just as her phone rang. Her enthusiasm faded, hearing the ringtone. A call had automatically switched through from the station. “Sorry, I need to get this. It’s work.”
Alex sipped her coffee in Craft Services, going through her notes after breakfast. They were in an unsettling pause, waiting for studio approval of her script overhaul ideas. They’d been filling in time doing only technical prepping and second-unit location filming that wouldn’t be affected by any of the suggested changes. The actors not needed by the second unit were spending their time being drilled in stunts.
Meanwhile, Skye had finalized her prototypes and was starting costume fittings. The outfits looked incredible—even better than her sketches.
Finishing her coffee, Alex went over the day’s rundown. They should be on schedule for a Wairere Falls shoot this afternoon thanks to the weather clearing. It was just a few sweeping establishing shots for use near the start of the movie, unaffected by any script rewrites. Shezan would be breast-stroking around the waterfall’s pool, looking all ‘forest mistress-y.’ It’d be freezing. Alex shivered in sympathy with Chloe and her stunt double.
This morning involved a scene at the so-called Reflective Pool. Shezan was supposed to catch a glimpse of her reflection. A special effect sequence would be added later, where she’d glimpse the girl she once was. Originally, that had been listed as a flashback of growing up with wolves. If their script changes were approved, they’d instead drop in a montage of her life as an Amazon child.
She sighed in impatience. How long did these people need to decide whether to greenlight a new direction for a middling holiday flick on a shoestring budget?
Sid suddenly sprinted into view, his body rolling to a heaving stop. “Boss, you gotta come with me,” he panted, pausing to suck in a breath. “Sorry, there’s a problem.”
Alex jumped up. “What sort?”
“Aren’t you shooting at the pond today? On the call sheet, it says Reflective Pond?”
“Yes.”
“Right,” Sid nodded. “And, the thing of it is, it’s been drained.”
“Drained?” Alex’s stomach clenched. “How?”
“You’ll see.” He led her to the tree-shrouded location, five minutes away.
When they reached the area, Alex could make out a lithe female figure leaning back against a tree, in running gear, looking unsettled. She recognized her. Kiri Cooper, Chloe’s stunt double.
Alex eyed the now-empty mud hole and cursed. The artificial pond had been created near a beautiful stand of weeping willows. The set-design team had dug it a month ago, lined it with rubber, and filled it with mud and water. The idea was that by leaving it awhile, it would attract moss, bugs, and various other natural elements that would make it look real. Now muddied scuff marks replaced where the moss had been. Some rocks had been overturned and looked out of place. Even when they pumped water back in, it’d look less than ideal.
“What happened?”
“I was doing my morning run,” Kiri said. “I saw this. Called Sid ASAP.”
Alex glanced from face to face and back to the hole. “Why call Security? What am I missing here?”
Sid squatted and wiped away some mud against the rubber. “Puncture holes all over it. Someone did it on purpose.” He squinted up at her.
Her lungs deflated. “Why would anyone do that?”
Sid shrugged. “Dunno. Maybe Fletch wanted payback? You did make him look like a bit of a goose at the pub.”
Kiri cleared her throat. “Or it could be that someone wanted to stop filming. Some locals don’t like the direction of the film—the revealing costumes and so on. They think it’ll make Ika Whenu a laughingstock.”
“But we’re changing that! For God’s sake, we’re waiting on getting changes approved and the costumes are now incredible.”
“Well, yeah, boss,” Sid said, “but that’s not common knowledge, is it?”
No, it wasn’t. Alex regarded them. “You’re both locals. Can you spread the word?”
“Sure.” Kiri thrust her hands into her tracksuit pant pockets and hopped from foot to foot a little to warm up. “But people believe what they want to. Minds get made up and stay made up.”
“Then unmake them.” Alex glanced at Sid. “Call the cops. Or…cop. We need to get to the bottom of this. Whether it’s Fletcher o
r protesting locals, it’s unacceptable, no matter the reasons.”
He nodded. “Yeah, sure thing. I’ll do it and come right back.” He jogged away.
Staring at the empty mud hole, Alex sighed. Great. Just what she needed. She’d have schedule delays, repair bills for Quincy to grumble about, and more immediately, she’d have to deal with one of those people whose minds “get made up and stay made up.”
Wiping her hands down her jeans, Alex hoped her meeting with Senior Constable Keegan would go better than the last one. Which wouldn’t be hard, would it?
Sam arrived an hour later. Alex wasn’t nearly suicidal enough to ask why the delay.
The woman’s dark expression was more imposing than usual. Her crisp uniform encased Sam’s strong, tall body with a sky-blue short-sleeved shirt, and a dark blue multi-pocketed vest. Around her waist was a bulging black utility belt, stuffed with what looked to be a yellow Taser, various pouches, and pepper spray. Sam’s navy police cap kept her short blonde hair out of the way. Her uniform pants stretched across her ass in a pleasing way that Alex was absolutely not noticing.
She strode over, looking no-nonsense and commanding. “Sid, Kiri, ’morning.” Sam’s gaze slid to Alex. “And…Ms. Levitin. I understand you have an urgent matter of minor sabotage?”
“Actually, it’s major sabotage to me because it’ll put a big dent in our schedule and cost us time and money to fix. It took us a month to prep this to make it perfect.” Alex waved at the empty pool. “Now we have a bunch of holes in a rubber-lined pond where there should be water and healthy plant life.”
“I found it wrecked when I was jogging,” Kiri said. “Little puncture marks all over it. The rocks were kicked to the side, too, and the moss all disturbed.”
Sam crouched beside it and inspected the damage.
“I’m told it wasn’t like this last night,” Alex added. “Had to be done first thing today.”
Sam pulled out a pocketknife and cut a small square out of the rubber lining.