Lanie checked her watch. “Hair and makeup will stop by to make sure you are all camera-ready and then crews will be around shortly to film you for the opening credits. One final meeting in thirty minutes while the audience fills the stands and then we’re set to roll.”
Kaitlyn slowly walked along the shelves of supplies to memorize the layout. Once she had a pretty good idea of where to find things, she headed back to her area. She found the key to her safe so she unlocked it, grabbed her bag from under the counter and withdrew the box holding her knife before she locked up her purse.
“Kaitlyn.”
She spun around, surprised to see her boss walking towards her with a charming smile.
“Dion, what are you doing here?” She hugged him and then stepped back.
“I wanted to check everything out before the first taping. I helped design the workspaces. You like?”
She glanced around the area. “Very much so. It’ll be easy to work here.”
He smiled. “Good. Well, I’d better head back. I’m not supposed to favor anyone but I did hire you and Darrin so I know what you two are capable of. Good luck.” He bussed her cheek and then headed over to greet Darrin. She felt eyes on her and she turned to see Dan glaring at her from across the room. He’d no doubt seen Dion kiss her cheek. She smiled sweetly at him. He scowled harder.
She spun around and busied herself so he wouldn’t see the pleased grin on her face. He was jealous.
#
Dan watched Kait’s boss hug her and then kiss her cheek. The man was too damn handsome for his own damn good. He was rich and successful and several heads turned when he walked by. Judging by the looks he gave Kaitlyn, all she had to do was bat her sooty black lashes and he’d be on her like white on rice. He crushed the can in his hand. With a disgusted snort, he tossed it into the trash.
“What was that for?”
He turned at the voice and smiled at his sister-in-law. “You look gorgeous, as always.”
“You smooth talker.”
“Are you sure you should be doing this?”
With a roll of her eyes, she said, “You sound just like your brother, and for the one hundred and eighty-ninth time, yes. Slugger isn’t due for months.”
“Still, the cameras, the lights…”
She grasped his hand. “Dan, sweetie, this is my life.”
He sighed. “I know, I just worry.”
She pulled him in for a hug. “And I love you for it. But save your worry for Kaitlyn.”
“Oh she has plenty of it, too.”
“And your love?”
“Quit fishing, sis.”
She smiled cheekily. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.” Someone called her name and she held up a hand. “Gotta go. Make-up is calling. See you after the show.”
He kissed her cheek. “Break a leg.”
After Jade hurried away, he studied the set, memorizing the layout and exits. If anything happened and he needed to hustle Kait to safety, he wanted to be prepared.
“Hey, Bradley, how’s it going?”
Dan turned to see Dorian Demarchis and Alex Mylonas striding towards him. They both sported visitor passes clipped to their jeans pocket, matching the one he wore. “What are you doing…ah, Kendall.”
“No way am I missing her debut.” Dorian gazed at his fiancée with adoration. Dude was totally whipped. Sickening, really. He finally tore his gaze away to face Dan. “What’s this I hear about someone stalking Kait?”
“How did you know?”
“Kendall.”
Dan gave them the rundown of events.
“Suspects?”
“Co-worker was upset Kait made the cut for the show and she didn’t. She’s been vocal about her displeasure. She denies slashing her tires and apparently she has an air-tight alibi around the time the car tried to run her down.”
“What about one of her competitors?” Alex asked.
“Could be. We have no leads. We decided to keep the information from the other contestants. If they knew she had a stalker, they might try something and blame it on him or her.”
“I wish we’d been able to provide the security for the show,” Dorian groused.
“Me, too,” Dan agreed. CuisineTV had a contract with a company they used for all of their shows so they nixed Kendall’s strong suggestion of hiring them. The security company that the network used was good, they just weren’t COBRA Securities good.
Dan rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t like the idea of a live audience. If the set were closed, it would be much easier to control the environment. But when basically anyone and their brother could waltz through the door, his job got a thousand times harder. He’d spoken with the head of security and was glad to know that the audience would be required to pass through a metal detector, so someone couldn’t sneak a gun inside. But there were other ways to cause trouble.
“She should be safe during taping with all of us here. Dante’s headed over soon to be here for Taylor, and Logan for Jade. Luke and Ben are coming, too. After the show’s over, I’ll be staying at the house with Kait and the other contestants.”
“Mason Rossi’s there, too, right?” Dorian asked.
“And his wife, Abby. They’re both capable.”
“I’m available if you need more manpower,” Alex offered.
“Thanks. Depending on how things go, I may take you up on it.”
Dante Costa passed through the security and then gave his fiancée a kiss before heading over to meet them. “Heads up, Luke is on his way. He looks like he’s ready to explode.”
“Dammit,” Dan mumbled. He wasn’t surprised Luke was still keyed up. He just hoped he kept his promise and didn’t do anything to upset Kait. Soon he arrived with Ben and his wife Rachel, as well as Logan. They had a decent cadre of COBRA Security agents present, so he lowered his guard. Kait would be safe for a few hours.
“Kendall arranged seating for us.” Dorian led them to the middle of the bleachers and indicated the first few rows marked reserved. With the exception of a couple of cameras blocking different angles, they could see pretty much everything. A woman wearing a headset gathered the contestants and they all followed her like baby ducklings, exiting through a set of double doors at the back. The woman on the sky-high spike heels looked ridiculous tottering along after the group. The others wore cotton pants or jeans, clothes that were easy to maneuver in. She had on a short white skirt that peeked beneath the jacket. She was attractive in a Marilyn Monroe sex appeal kind of way, but she was nothing compared to Kait.
Once the contestants were ushered away, large panels suspended from the ceiling slid together to block the set from view. The outer doors opened and the audience began to filter inside. Dan stood and moved closer to the curtain to watch for any threat. Alex flanked his side to help keep an eye out. Dan reached out for a fist bump. Guy speak for “Thanks, man.”
Kait gave her allotted tickets to Lauren Dianetti, who arrived with Dorian’s sister Daphne and Alex’s sister Allie, who was spending the summer with Daphne from Chicago. Alex hugged Allie as she walked by. Lauren also had Gracie Hudson and Kai Costa—who looked like the happiest kid on the planet—with her as well. He bumped fists with Kai with an added explosion on the end, which was basically opening your hand and wiggling your fingers. Kid loved it. Kai did the same with Alex and then hurried back to Lauren’s side with a wide smile and an eyebrow wiggle. Dan laughed. Gracie ran to Dante and climbed onto his lap.
“Unca Dan!”
He turned to see Isabella darting towards him as fast as her little legs would carry her. He bent down and scooped her up, much to her happy, squealing delight. His aunt Trudy strolled in behind her having obviously recuperated from her afternoon babysitting session. She looked regal and elegant.
“Hi, Aunt Trudy.” He kissed her cheek.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” She lifted her nose in the air with a sniff. “You look like a boy I knew once, but haven’t heard from him in so long, I’m sure he mu
st be in Siberia or something.”
“Boy,” Alex smirked and then covered the laugh with a cough. Dan narrowed his eyes at him and then turned back to his aunt.
“What’re you talking about? I saw you like two hours ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, am I supposed to be happy with five distracted minutes of your time?”
He sat Bella on her feet so she could run to her dad and then pulled his aunt in for a hug. “I’m sorry, Aunt Trudy. I’ve been busy on a case and it’s taken up all of my concentration.”
She hugged him back and then patted his cheek. “I forgive you. You know I love Kaitlyn. Be sure to keep my future niece-in-law safe.”
“She’s not—”
Trudy waved over her shoulder as she walked away. Dan sighed.
When the doors were closed and the audience was in place, he and Alex took their seats. A red light on the front camera flicked on and the curtains swished open dramatically to reveal Jade. She smiled and the audience began cheering.
“Mommy,” Isabella screamed, bouncing up and down on Logan’s lap.
“Hello, America, I’m Juliet LaRue. Welcome to Killer Cuisine.”
Chapter Nine
Kaitlyn’s pulse kicked into hyper-drive as the rumble of a cheering crowd shook the floor. Ronald squeezed her hand so hard, she was afraid he’d crush some bones. They were standing behind a closed set of double doors, waiting to be individually announced. As soon as their name was called, the door would open as their cue to run out and greet the audience.
Even though this was being taped, they were shooting it like it was live so they only stopped if absolutely necessary. Jade delivered a brief overview on the concept of the show and then the introductions began. Since they were going in alphabetical order, she’d be up first.
She heard her name announced and then they played her montage. When the doors swung open, Lanie pointed to her. “You’re up, Kaitlyn.”
She took a deep breath, hugged Ronald and jogged outside. The audience applauded as she waved, several standing on their feet. She saw her brothers and several of the COBRA Securities agents. Lauren Dianetti was leading cheers like the cheerleader she was. But her eyes zeroed in on Dan and stayed. He smiled and winked at her.
She stopped on the designated spot, trying to calm her racing heart as she waited for Ronald to be announced, and then Darrin, Joy, Keisei and finally Shandee.
“Now let’s meet our judges.” Jade said. She read the script for Lucretia Lettiere and Grady Cannon. “And now for our special guest judge.” They all turned as the double doors swung open again. “Our guest judge for today is renowned for her cooking, television shows and best-selling cookbooks. She’s fresh off a stint with Waltzing with Celebrities…it’s Cora Crenshaw.”
The audience erupted again as Cora walked out waving. She was in her late sixties with silver hair cut short and her trademark red tortoiseshell glasses. She padded over to Jade and spoke into the microphone to the contestants. “I know you’re all excited to be here, but my advice is to have fun. You’re doing what you love so let it show. Bon appetite.” She waved again and moved over to stand with Lucretia and Grady.
“Contestants, you know the format,” Jade said. “No one will be voted off tonight. The first elimination will happen on Thursday. You’ll have three ingredients you must use in creating a dish. Let’s see what you’ll be working with tonight.” Jade turned to the large screen. Up flashed chicken, asparagus and basil. Jade faced them again. “We’re making it super-easy on you for the first show. You can make one dish or several, but you must use the ingredients, and it’s dinner for four. Head back to your stations. The clock starts…now.” A digital clock mounted on the wall started the countdown backwards from one hour.
Kait hustled back to her kitchenette, ideas flashing through her mind. She’d been expecting something wild like rocky mountain oysters and chick peas, so the ingredients were right up her alley. She decided on seasoned chicken breasts wrapped around asparagus, tomatoes and mushrooms with mozzarella cheese. She wrote down what she would need and then headed to the pantry. She met Ronald there.
“This is so exciting,” he gushed.
She gathered her ingredients in a basket and hurried back over to her station. She looked up to see Shandee and Darrin practically collide. Shandee accidently stepped on his foot and he howled in anguish, while her ankle twisted and she went sprawling to the floor. Kait winced. At least her pink thong matched her chef jacket. Hmm, two down and the show wasn’t even five minutes old. They both managed to pick themselves up and hurry to their stations, but each sported a distinctive limp.
Kait lost herself in the preparations and everything else faded away. She spoke to the camera and explained her process, adding quips and antidotes. She filleted the breasts while she sautéed the asparagus with minced garlic and onions in white wine. In a separate pan, she added more garlic and onions with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and then seared the breasts for a few seconds on each side for added flavor. She removed the chicken and seasoned it with salt, pepper and the basil. She turned off the burner and used tongs to arrange the asparagus spears on the breasts, and added some of the roasted onions as well. Next went the fresh mushrooms and tomatoes. She topped it all off with the cheese. All that was left was to wrap the breasts and secure them with toothpicks. The oven was preheated so she grabbed an oven mitt, slid the dish inside and checked the clock. Plenty of time for them to roast. “See, it took no time at all to prepare the breasts. Not only will they be delicious and packed with flavor, but they’re also low carb and healthy.” She didn’t use any cream or butter and the cheese she used was part skim.
“It’s easy to cook healthy and you don’t have to sacrifice taste for nutrition,” she stressed. With a few tweaks to the ingredients, you won’t even miss the fat.”
She gathered ingredients for the presentation. She purposely left a few asparagus spears in the pan to add to the plate, along with a garnish of lemon and parsley. “Staging is key as well,” she explained. “You know your food tastes delicious, but you want it to look good as well.” She showed how to slice the lemon so it made a spiral.
The timer dinged and she peeked inside. The breasts were brown, juicy and perfect. She grabbed the mitts and removed the sizzling dish from the oven. Using the tongs, she added one to each plate, making sure the garnishes were in place and glanced at the clock. Seconds to spare.
A loud beep sounded. “Time’s up,” Jade announced. “Put down your knives and pot holders.”
Jade walked to Keisei’s station first. “Tell me what you’ve created.”
“I used the ingredients to make a stir-fry with pea pods, onions and watercress over a bed of wild rice.”
“That looks amazing,” Jade said. A cart was rolled over and Keisei placed his plates on top. “These will be kept warm back stage until judging,” Jade explained as the cart was wheeled away. She padded to Kait’s station next and gave her a wink. “What have you made, Kaitlyn?”
Kait described her baked chicken breasts. “Oh my,” Jade said. “I claim the extra helping.”
The audience laughed as her plates were wheeled away.
“Shandee, what have you made?”
“Well, I took a risk,” she admitted. “I wanted something different and unique. I blended the ingredients and then made a casserole, topped with cracker crumbs and cheese.”
“Well, I think the risk paid off,” Jade said. “It looks delicious.” Shandee beamed.
Jade crossed the stage to Ronald. “And what have you made for us, Mr. Foley?”
“Ronald, please,” he insisted. Jade smiled at him. “Okay, Ronald, this smells divine. Tell us about it. Ronald had cubed his chicken, and marinated it in his special blend creole sauce. Then he skewered it with the asparagus, red and green peppers and onions and grilled it. Kait definitely wanted to taste it.
Darrin was next. He cut up his chicken into nuggets and then used the same breading to coat the asparagus.
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Joy was last. Her face was flushed and sweat had plastered her bangs to her forehead. But she looked pleased with her fried chicken with asparagus sprinkled with basil and sautéed in real butter. Kait had no doubt it would taste good but she could hear arteries clogging from here.
Jade threw it to a commercial as a crew set up three chairs in the middle of the set.
The judges were kept out of sight. There could be no accusations of favoritism for Kait or Darrin since they worked for Lucretia’s son. She would have no idea who created which meal. The judges were escorted out to the chairs and once they were seated, the cameras started to roll again. The first cart was wheeled out. Kait held her breath but it was Darrin’s dish.
Lucretia stabbed a piece of chicken and sniffed it before taking a bite. Her nose wrinkled. “Dry.”
“Interesting texture,” Cora Crenshaw said.
“Bold choice to fry the asparagus in the same oil as the chicken, but I’m not buying it,” Grady said. Darrin looked disheartened.
Ronald was next. He looked ready to faint. She tried sending positive vibes his way.
Lucretia tasted a bite and tipped her head. “Exquisite flavor.”
“Hot and spicy, just the way I like my men,” Cora quipped.
“Wonderful blend of spices. Excellent.” Ronald’s jaw dropped at Grady’s praise.
Joy’s chicken was next. Kait bet Lucretia rarely ate food with her fingers, but she picked up a breast and bit into it. “Crispy and delicious.”
“Delightful taste but I can hear my arteries clogging as I chew,” Cora lamented, echoing Kait’s earlier thoughts.
“Mediocre at best. Nothing special to make it stand out in my mind. I could get the same meal at KFC.”
Joy blinked rapidly, probably trying to stop the tears from Grady’s critique.
Kait’s plate was next and she had the sudden urge to run to the bathroom and vomit. She willed her queasy stomach to settle as they dug in.
“Wow, I know it’s not my turn to talk, but I can’t hold my tongue…this is sensational,” Grady praised.
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