The Missing Juliet

by Sam Cameron

  “Juliet!” Robin called out. “Juliet Francine!”

  Juliet didn’t turn around. She was probably used to people shouting her name. But Jake’s head snapped sideways and he made eye contact with Robin. It took only a split second for him to recognize her. He took Juliet by the arm and pulled her down onto the sidewalk, straight into the heart of the crowd.

  “Maybe they just want to be alone,” Molly said. “We should respect their pri—”

  Robin was too busy hurrying forward to hear the rest of Molly’s words. Jake said something to Juliet and she nodded. They pushed forward, heads low, Juliet tugging her hat down further on her head. Any minute now, people were going to take out their cameras or phones, and after that, the paparazzi would descend.

  Robin dashed between slow-moving cars in the street, reached the opposite sidewalk, and followed them down a side street toward Duval Street.

  “Why are we chasing them?” Molly asked, dogged on Robin’s heels.

  A group of tourists wearing identical yellow T-shirts blocked Robin’s way. She darted around them, trying not to lose sight of Juliet and Jake in the gathering darkness.

  “Because he’s no good,” she said to Molly. “He’s probably selling her drugs.”

  Duval Street was even more crowded with drinkers and shoppers. Robin cursed under her breath. She spied a bench and climbed up on the end of it, startling the elderly couple resting there. From her vantage point she saw Juliet and Jake enter the famous bar Sloppy Joe’s, with its neon lights and open windows.

  Molly apparently felt it was her duty to talk Robin out of this. “How do you know he’s a drug dealer? Maybe he’s not perfect, but she’s old enough to figure that out for herself, right?”

  Robin jumped down, maneuvered through the crowd, and tried to follow Jake and Juliet into Sloppy Joe’s. The large bouncer at the door blocked the way and demanded to see her license.

  “I’m not here to drink.” Robin craned her head, trying not to lose sight again. “I’m here to see a friend.”

  “You’ve got to be twenty-one to enter,” he said. “No exceptions.”

  Robin argued with the bouncer. He wasn’t swayed. She backtracked several feet away. Juliet and Jake couldn’t stay in there all night, she figured. Sooner or later, they’d want to go to wherever they’d been staying. But there were side exits and emergency doors. She could call Karen and ask her to come over. Call Michelle Boyle, even, and tell her the whole story. Or maybe get Lina or Toni to come down and go inside for her.

  “Why are we here?” Molly asked. “Why are we following Juliet?”

  Robin didn’t want to explain it to her. Couldn’t, really. She paced, trying to think.

  Trying to figure out whether Karen Francine had ever been sincere about the kidnapping, or if this really had been a scam since the beginning.

  “If you want Juliet’s autograph, there are easier ways to get it,” Molly said.

  “I don’t want her autograph,” Robin said. “I just want to—never mind. Come on. I’ll take you home.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tossing and turning all night didn’t answer the questions in Robin’s head. She couldn’t even sleep in because she’d promised Austin to be on set before Liam’s six a.m. makeup call. Still, it was ridiculously hard to drag herself off the sofa the next morning. Robin splashed cold water on her face, pulled on her least wrinkled clothes, and drove across the island. They were filming at the Southernmost Point again. The guard on duty had an official set pass for her to wear around her neck on a green lanyard. Robin weaved through the equipment and portable trailers and was about to knock on Liam’s door when a sharp voice asked, “Can I help you?”

  Liam’s assistant, Cayleigh, was wearing black and white again today, along with a headset and clipboard and an expression that screamed uptight Hollywood assistant. She didn’t seem to recognize Robin, but Robin thought that was just her being snobbish.

  “I’m here for Mr. Norcott,” she said, because Austin had warned her to avoid mentioning him at all.

  Cayleigh eyed Robin’s shorts and PETA T-shirt. “You’re not on his list.”

  “How do you know I’m not?” Robin asked, bristling.

  “Because I made it, and I know everyone on it. You’re not from People magazine, you’re not from Entertainment Weekly, and you’re certainly not from Vogue. I’d know you if you were important.”

  Now Robin really did want to reach over, pull on her headset, and snap it against her head. “Maybe he doesn’t tell you everything.”

  “Unlikely.” Cayleigh clicked her headset. “I need security to Liam’s trailer immediately—”

  The trailer door opened. Liam stepped down. His arm was still in a sling, but his color was much better and his normal cockiness was back. His gaze flicked over Robin as if she were a distant acquaintance and not someone he’d let witness private moments in his hospital room.

  “It’s okay, Cayleigh,” he said. “Robin’s doing a summer project for her high school. I said she could hang out today and watch me work.”

  Robin nearly groaned. The last thing she wanted was for people to think she was still in high school. Then again, it was a perfectly good cover story. She might have to applaud Liam’s inventiveness.

  “High school project?” Cayleigh asked skeptically.

  “She’s harmless,” Liam said. “Where are my new script pages?”

  Cayleigh pulled blue pieces of paper from her clipboard and handed them over. He skimmed them and led her away, asking something about the Entertainment Weekly interview. He didn’t close the trailer door behind him. Robin reached to swing it shut and saw Austin’s finger beckoning her inside.

  “You showed up. I’m impressed,” he said once they were alone.

  “You knew I would.”

  “I guessed you would.” Austin looked flushed, as if he’d been running or doing some other exercise, but he was wearing only thin cotton shorts. Maybe he’d been practicing yoga. He pulled a water bottle from the refrigerator and took a deep swallow. “You met Hurricane Cayleigh, I see.”

  “What’s her problem?”

  “No problem, simply a whirlwind of frantic energy and frustrated ambition.” Austin sat at the kitchen table, where his computer tablet rested next to a thick script bound in leather. The title Then Again Christine and John was embossed in gold on the cover.

  “That’s awful,” Robin said.

  Austin glanced at the script. “You’ve read it?”

  “No. I mean killing trees and wrapping them in animal hide.”

  “It’s worse when you read it,” Austin said.

  Robin paused. She wasn’t sure if she should tell Austin about seeing Juliet. It didn’t seem to be any of his business, but she thought he might be someone to trust—someone who could offer her ideas of what to do next.

  He tilted his head. “Go ahead and follow Liam, my little spy. Any problems, call me immediately.”

  She gave him a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”

  Robin caught up to Liam and Cayleigh near some tables full of fresh fruit, bagels, doughnuts, croissant sandwiches, and other breakfast foods. Enough to feed half of Key West. Lou, the production assistant with the New York Yankees cap, saw Robin gawking.

  “All the food that’s fit to eat and then some,” he said. “Molly didn’t say you were working on the movie.”

  “New intern,” Robin said.

  “Welcome to the circus,” he said. “There’s unlimited coffee, too. Best beans in the world.”

  A flash of gold hair drew Robin’s gaze to an awning where Karen sat, being fawned over by a wardrobe assistant and makeup girl. She was wearing a flowing blue gown, sparkling silver earrings, and improbably high-heeled shoes. She looked happier than she had all week. Robin tried not to stare. Liar or dupe? Schemer or innocent pawn in whatever game Juliet was playing?

  “Hey, good morning,” Molly said, bumping up against Robin’s arm. “Early enough for you?”

  Robin tr
ied not to pay attention to Molly’s tight-fitting green shirt and how it matched her pretty eyes.

  “I think I’d prefer night shoots,” Robin said.

  Molly smiled. “Did you have some breakfast? There’s a ton of food.”

  “I’m good.”

  Molly hefted the box she was carrying. “Okay. See you later.”

  When Robin looked back, she saw Karen was watching. Karen’s smile was gone now, replaced by uncertainty. Robin took a certain satisfaction in that. Karen murmured low words to the assistants and rose as if to come talk to Robin, but just then Michael Lake arrived and intercepted her.

  Robin decided it would be a good idea to fade back into the scenery.

  The first scene of the day was between Liam and Karen by the Southernmost buoy. No helicopter today. The only prop was the time machine motorcycle. The cameras were positioned to hide Liam’s injured arm. From her position, Robin couldn’t hear the dialogue, but it seemed to be an emotional exchange.

  Michael Lake shot the scene several times. Robin couldn’t see how any one take was better than another. After several takes, the cameras were moved to provide different angles, and Karen and Liam did the scene again. And again. And again. Robin rapidly lost interest. She wanted to see if Jake the Mermaid was on set today, but her promise to Austin kept her in place. When a camera glitch delayed the next take, Robin allowed herself one chocolate doughnut from the buffet table.

  She had just taken a large bite when Karen said, behind her, “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

  Robin swallowed hastily and pivoted around. Karen’s expression was puzzled. Up close, the silver blue gown lay perfectly against smooth skin and the swell of her breasts. She smelled good, too, like strawberry shampoo, and her eyes were crystal clear.

  “How did you get on the set today?” Karen asked.

  Robin swallowed quickly. “Someone else gave me a set pass. I waited for you to call last night.”

  “Call?” Karen asked. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked stricken. “I’m so sorry. I was with Michael going over lines all night.”

  More cast and crew had come over for food. Karen nodded toward the nearby awning, and Robin followed her to the chairs labeled with Juliet’s, Liam’s, and Michael Lake’s names.

  “I really am sorry,” Karen said. “Everything’s been happening so quickly.”

  “You must be happy about the part,” Robin replied stiffly.

  Karen picked up script pages from her chair and sat in it gracefully. “No. Of course I’m not. This is Juliet’s role. It kills me that she’s not here for it. And I know what people are going to say—that I stole it from her, that I’m so ambitious I’d knife my own sister in the back.”

  “They wouldn’t say that,” Robin protested. But of course they would. Hollywood was full of backstabbers and gossipers. Juliet’s fans would blame Karen for stealing her role. Movie critics would rehash it over and over. Surely people were already commenting on Monica Mell’s site. On the other hand, Karen was probably getting a hefty sum of money, and more screen time than she’d had in years, and the chance to shine in a leading role alongside Liam.

  Karen wrinkled the pages in her hands. Her voice dropped. “I saw you talking to Molly. She’s really sweet, but she’s kind of infatuated with me. It’s been uncomfortable.”

  “It’s not two-way?” Robin blurted out.

  “I don’t even know her last name.” Karen smiled shyly. “But I know yours.”

  A glow of pleasure warmed Robin’s chest. So they were back to flirting. That was a good sign. She felt bad that Molly was under the wrong impression. She’d be unhappy when she found out. The idea of Molly unhappy brought an unexpected twinge. Why did everything have to be so complicated?

  A production assistant approached. “Miss Francine, they’re ready for you.”

  “There’s something I need to tell you,” Robin said, ready to share the news of Juliet on Duval Street.

  Karen shook her head. “I can’t keep Michael waiting. Tonight I’ve got to memorize the remaining scenes, but tomorrow night is the wrap party. You should come, hang out, and then afterward we’ll go out. Just the two of us.”

  With a brilliant smile, Karen went off to film her next scene.

  “Hey, Robin.” Tierra from the coffee shop came her way. “There’s some delivery guy who says he has a package for you. They’re not letting him come on and he won’t let anyone have it but you. “

  “Me? You’re sure?”

  “You better go check.”

  Puzzled, Robin headed off. When she glanced back over her shoulder Karen smiled at her, warm and sweet, and Robin felt that thrill again. She counted all the positives in her life:

  (1) Karen really liked her.

  (2) Juliet wasn’t really being held anywhere against her will.

  (3) Robin had a top secret internship on a Hollywood blockbuster film.

  What could go wrong?

  Chapter Sixteen

  The mystery of the unknown delivery was solved when Robin saw Sean at the guard shack. He was holding a small box.

  The guard on duty asked, “Are you Robin McGee?”

  Sean spoke up quickly. “Package for you, ma’am!”

  With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Robin said, “I’ll take care of this,” and walked Sean away from the ropes. The crowd of gawkers and paparazzi today was even bigger than before, with more curiosity seekers drawn by news of Liam’s accident.

  “What are you doing here?” Robin asked. “You’re supposed be at the Bookmine.”

  “Denny volunteered to take my shift.”

  “You made an injured person take over for you?”

  “Did you really think I was going to stay on Fisher Key while you hang out with Liam Norcott?”

  “I’m not hanging out with him,” Robin said crossly. “I’m just—I can’t explain it. But you shouldn’t have come. I can’t do anything for you.”

  Sean demanded, “Why not? I can be your assistant.”

  “You can’t be an assistant to an assistant.”

  “Sure you can,” Sean said. “Happens all the time.”

  “Hey,” said a voice behind Robin. It was Steven Anderson, looking tall and cool in his sunglasses and T-shirt that said U.S. NAVY. He wasn’t even supposed to be wearing that shirt, Robin thought resentfully. He hadn’t gone to boot camp yet.

  “How’s life in Hollywood?” Steven asked.

  She wanted to poke both of them. “You’re supposed to be tracking down my sister’s stalker!”

  “Yeah, about that,” Steven said. “Big huge mystery. It’s this ten-year-old kid in her day camp. Billy Hooper. I think he’s about as likely to stalk her as I am to sprout wings and fly over the Gulf of Mexico.”

  Billy Hooper. She should have known. He was a goofy kid, not even five feet tall yet, and maybe eighty pounds soaking wet.

  “You could have texted,” Robin said, hiding her relief.

  “What’s the fun in that?” Steven asked with a big grin. “Juliet Francine’s nice to look at. You should introduce us. Has she turned up yet?”

  Robin raised her eyebrows at Sean.

  “I had to tell him,” Sean said defensively. “He knows how to interrogate terrorists.”

  “Look, if you want to be useful, find this guy.” Robin hastily showed them her picture of Jake the Mermaid, explained about his tattoo and Sloppy Joe’s, and said, “I think he and Juliet are holed up somewhere around here. He’s not a nice guy.”

  From behind his sunglasses, Steven eyed some nearby girls in Daisy Duke shorts and bikini tops. “That’s okay. It’s more fun when they’re bad guys.”

  “What’s in it for us?” Sean asked.

  Robin snapped, “Job satisfaction.”

  “I’m not getting paid,” Sean pointed out. “Tell you what. If we find him, you have to get me into Liam Norcott’s trailer.”

  “I can’t,” Robin said.

  Sean’s voice rose in agitation. “Y
ou got in. You were supposed to send me the video. You said you were in his trailer, but where’s the proof—”

  Tourists started looking their way. He always did like to be the center of attention.

  “I’ll get you his autograph, okay?” Robin exclaimed. “Go find him.”

  She hurried back to the set in time to see Liam and Cayleigh sitting with a reporter and cameraman. She was very happy he hadn’t been thrown over a seawall again in her absence. Not that she was beginning to like him or anything, but she had an obligation.

  *

  After lunch, Karen and Liam changed costumes to reflect the 1940s and shot more scenes around the Southernmost Buoy, which of course hadn’t been around then and would have to be digitally erased from the scene. Karen’s smart skirt and tailored blouse made her look like Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. Liam’s roguish aviator uniform made him look, well, roguish. Both of them seemed to be enjoying themselves, but between takes Liam rested under the awning with a misting fan nearby.

  The trouble with shooting outdoor scenes in summertime in Key West was, of course, the heat. Even Robin wasn’t used to being outdoors out of air conditioning all day. The misting fans helped only a little. Everyone was encouraged to drink lots of fluids, so she drank cup after cup of unsweet iced tea mixed with lemonade. Meanwhile she tried to stay out of everyone’s way, watched Liam without trying to be too obvious about it, and pretended to take notes for her school project.

  Michael Lake passed her a couple of times without giving any sign he recognized her. Cayleigh had obviously decided to snub Robin entirely, which freed Robin from having to answer any more awkward questions. Molly was always busy, running back and forth doing the peon duties that Hollywood movies always inflicted on the most junior workers. The only one who took an interest in Robin was Charlie the gamer, who worked as a grip. Today he was wearing surf shorts and a bright yellow T-shirt.

  “What’s your school project?” he asked.

  Robin waved her hand and tried to keep it vague. “Modern moviemaking. Pros and cons.”

  “Huh,” he said. “What are the cons?”