by MJ Miller
“Or Chris,” Luce replied, hands clasped in her lap, fingers intertwined tightly. “No one will believe us anyway.” She sighed. Just like her sighting of the ship all those years ago. Nobody called her a liar, but they had all been more amused than concerned.
“I know. Believe me. They’ll humor us, but that’s all.” Andy shook his head. “I’m not sure what I believe when it comes to this stuff Luce, I like to deal in facts. But at the same time, I can’t discount what happened.” Pulling out of the driveway, he turned onto the winding tree-lined street and headed towards the Bowers estate, just a few minutes’ drive away. They’d practically snuck out of the house to avoid conversation with anyone. They’d all be there to help set up production later in the day. No need to stir the pot just yet.
“Maybe it was one of those shared dreams you see on unsolved mysteries,” Luce mused. “Maybe we’re psychically connected.”
Andy glanced over at Luce and smirked. “We’re connected all right.”
Returning his gaze, with a half-smile of her own, she chuckled. “Focus here Andy, we’ve got a show to do. You know, priorities?”
“Oh, I have priorities too Luce, keep that in mind.” He chuckled and turned his attention back to the roadway. Too many little creatures like to scamper across, and he knew Luce wouldn’t appreciate participating in any roadkill adventures.
“Looks like the crew’s arrived early,” Luce murmured as they pulled through the gates to Adeline Bowers’ estate. “I see Jamie’s van, and Kat’s here as well. I feel like I’m late to the party!” Luce chuckled.
“This historian, when does he show up?” Andy was curious.
“Rodney, yes, he won’t be here until tonight for the opening dinner segment. Then after that, he’ll come by once or twice a week to help explain whatever findings we have. You and Chris will be the investigators, so most of the time the cameras will be on you.”
“How many camera guys do you have?”
Luce smiled. “Just one and his assistant. Mostly we’re going to have cameras mounted throughout the house so we can capture all movement and then one handheld to follow you for close-ups and things.”
It was actually far more complicated, but Luce figured it was best to keep it simple. He didn’t need to know all the technical details, or bits of trickery involved in filming.
“Will they run all the time?” Andy wondered aloud.
“That’s the plan.” Luce chuckled. “Why, were you planning a midnight rendezvous?”
When he didn’t respond, she looked over and saw the cheeky grin and flare in his eyes.
Shaking her head and laughing, she knew he’d be a handful. And the butterflies in her stomach told her he might just be a bit more.
“Ladies, gentlemen, if I may have your attention.” Mr. Peabody was in full-on butler mode. Standing at attention in the foyer, trying to make himself heard over the din of noisy voices echoing throughout.
When he got nowhere, he began clapping his hands. “May I please have your attention!” This time his voice was louder and quite a bit more stern. The noise level quieted down, and he cleared his throat.
“Mr. Holman and Ms. Porter, you will be staying upstairs here in the main house. Your crew, with the cameras and things, will be in the guesthouse. Ms. Downing, if you’ll follow me, please, you will be in the lower level guest suite. I’ll get you settled first. The rest of you, please wait here until I return."
Kat smiled at the stern looking man as he did exactly what she’d hoped. Instead of taking the handles and pushing her chair, he simply nodded at her to follow along. Too many people simply assumed she needed help. She decided as grumpy as he seemed, somewhere inside he had some redeeming qualities. She followed him down the hall past the stairwell, and down toward the library.
“Oh my, can we just poke our head in here?” Kat was surprised when he stopped and set her bags down.
“But of course, Miss.” He said. Kat grinned as she suspected he’d almost cracked a smile.
He opened and held the door while she wheeled herself in and simply paused. Looking about, her eyes widened.
“This is amazing. I mean look at this!” She quickly wheeled over to get a closer look at the bookcases. Gazing up at one of the shelves, she pointed. “That’s not what I think it is, is it?”
Mr. Peabody headed over to the shelf to get a closer look at the target of her curiosity.
Pulling it down, he read the title. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy,” and this time Kat knew he was smiling.
“May I?” She held out a hand.
“Wow,” she sighed, flipping the cover open. “It’s a first edition! Holy prefect!”
“It is, I’ve had the pleasure of reading it myself. Good choice. You may take it to your suite if you like.”
“Awesome,” Kat breathed out slowly as she placed the old paperback carefully in her lap.
“Ok, I know they are all waiting for you back there so I suppose we better get me settled, eh Peabody?” Kat grinned and he returned one of his own. He rarely softened his stance for anyone, but this young woman had something special about her. Peabody was only human after all.
As she followed him out of the library she heard him call out a greeting.
“Good morning sir, we didn’t expect you until lunch.”
Coming toward them was a vision, Kat thought. Couldn’t be. She recognized him immediately but decided to keep her mouth shut for now.
“Good morning Peabody, and who’s this?” His voice held a touch of humor, as his eyes raked over her.
“Lionel Bowers, may I introduce Kat Downing? She’s interning for the station this summer and will be working here on the project.”
Lionel grinned. “Really? I see you’ve already hijacked my book collection,” he commented, nodding at the book in her lap.
“Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t know,” Kat gasped, lifting it up to give it back and biting her tongue before saying anything to get her into more trouble. She was already in too deep. Lionel Bowers, aka Sticks, was the drummer for her favorite band. The one she went to see play every chance she got. The poster on her wall. Her major crush. And now she’d stolen his book? How did no one tell her? She realized her mouth was still open and she was staring.
He laughed outright then. “No please, I haven’t read it in years, enjoy it. It’s rare anyone pulls it off the shelf and gives it a proper reading. You know books are like instruments. They need TLC and attention. They need to be read.”
He caught her eye then and flashed a look she couldn’t quite read as he turned to go. Then turned back suddenly.
“I’ll see you at lunch, Kat. Pleasure meeting you,” he said with a wink.
Kat simply stared as he turned back around and continued on his way down the hall, then she looked at Peabody. She knew she must be ten shades of crimson by the expression on his face.
“What? I’ve made a fool of myself, haven’t I?” She put her hands over her face and shook her head.
“Don’t be silly. I’d say you made quite an impression. Come, we’ll get you settled before they all send a search party after us.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Gazing out on the water from her guest suite balcony, Luce had to admit the accommodations were first class. She’d already received a text from Jamie that the crew quarters consisted of a 3 bedroom guest house rivaling a 5-star villa. She smiled as she recalled his exact words; My ship has landed.
She’d been given, of all things, the MorningStar Suite. It was truly unbelievable she thought as she gazed around the room. It was designed to replicate a first-class stateroom, albeit from days gone by. Gleaming wood-paneled walls with brushed bronze lighting fixtures. A palm frond ceiling fan was the only off-kilter element, being more tropical than stately. Though more effective too. The canopy bed was invitingly warm with an abundance of soft cream throw pillows and sheer flowing drapery tied back to the mahogany posts.
The full sitting area by the French d
oors leading to the balcony featured not only a sofa and recliner but a chaise as well, perfect for reading. The ensuite was large, offering a claw foot tub, walk in shower and a vanity complete with stool, mirror and all the amenities one could need for an extended stay. She barely needed to unpack her own things. Not even the Ritz could compete with her current situation, Luce thought. The walk-in closet was large enough for her entire wardrobe, and even had a small bench in the center. Her favorite piece though was the armoire.
She’d expected it to hold a TV and was only slightly disappointed when upon locating the old brass key and pulling the carved mahogany doors open she discovered it was a pull-out desk. Designed to replicate an antique Secretary Desk, but with the hidden modern accessories essential for the 21st century. It even had a full panel of plug-in outlets to accommodate any of her electronics. Opening the bottom cupboard doors, she found a small stool tucked neatly away as well. She knew she’d explore more later, but no time for that as she’d asked everyone to meet up out back for their initial production meeting before lunch.
She took one last look outside and her eyes landed on the focus of all her attention now; Execution Rocks. The lighthouse was clearly visible at this angle, with its wide red band around the stark white tower. It was innocuous during the day, she thought. Nothing unusual about it at all. But if last night were any indication of how things can change rapidly, she had to prepare herself. She knew she saw something explode. Andy saw it too. She knew he found her asleep in the sand and his story about waking up there as well rang true. She should be terrified by it. She should be in high-anxiety mode. Or at least nervous. But when she awoke this morning, wrapped in Andy’s arms, she was as calm as she’d ever been. She’d slipped out of bed and back to her room, feeling perfectly at ease. Maybe that should be her biggest worry. Turning towards the door, she took a deep breath.
“Show time,” she said quietly to herself as she headed down to meet the crew.
Everything was in place. Filming would begin as soon as the first car pulled up, with Chris being filmed as the first to arrive at the opening night dinner. The guest list was complete, the cameras in place. Jamie would capture the primary footage while remote cameras captured the rest of the activity throughout the property. Luce stepped back and surveyed the scene. The shadows cast by the stone façade added the perfect aura. As host, Chris would stand at the entrance; Annie on one side and Mrs. Bowers on the other, to greet the guests as they arrived. A narrator would record the voice-over to be added later, introducing the participants and offering additional explanations to any scene as needed.
She sensed Kat coming up next to her and turned, offering a smile and a shaky laugh. “OK Kat, this is it! Do or die!”
“It’s gonna be awesome. Are you kidding? Just wish we could be there at dinner.”
“We, my friend, are not invited to this party. We have to remain in the background. Our fun is later on when we view the footage. Our job is to make sure it all plays out and nothing is overlooked. You have your cue cards, just in case they forget something?”
“Got it all boss lady. We are good as gold.” Kat gave a mock salute.
“And it looks like Chris and Annie are right on time. Cue Jamie they’re headed this way, then let’s slip back a bit and make ourselves invisible. I want to see each entrance, make sure we won’t need a retake.”
“Who’s that?” Kat whispered as the last car rolled up.
Luce looked down to check her list. “Friends of Lionel’s.”
Watching them step out of the car, Kat gasped softly.
“What?” Luce murmured. “What did I miss?”
“That’s Jackson Tulley!” Kat whispered excitedly.
“You know him?”
“Geesh Luce, don’t you listen to the radio? Like ever?”
Luce grinned. “On occasion, but humor me.”
“I told you Lionel plays drums for Pluto’s Plan, remember?”
“Yes, you mentioned it about a hundred times at last count, Kat.”
“Jackson is the bass player for Pluto’s Plan. Damn, is that his girlfriend?” Kat practically whined seeing him turn and help a young woman from the car. “Well that’s two down. There’s still two more though.”
“Two more what? Come on, you're not one of their groupies are you?”
“I am, and damn proud of it.” Kat laughed softly. “Hey, a girl can dream, right?”
“Well, don’t give up on Lionel quite yet. I saw the way he eyed you at lunch. Like you were his next meal.” Luce smiled as she saw Kat blush. She wasn’t even stretching the truth on this. Lionel Bowers had been watching Kat most of the day. It would be fun for Kat to have a summer fling. As long as it didn’t get out of hand. As long as she didn’t get hurt. And as long as Andy stayed out of the way.
As Jackson escorted the woman inside, Luce and Kat followed the camera crew, at a safe distance. Once inside, they quickly blended into the background to watch as the guests were seated in the dining hall. Mrs. Bowers stood at her seat at the end of the long table and looked at her guests, nodding to each one by one. Luce took a deep breath and nodded at her to begin. And with that, Adeline Bowers picked up the dinner bell in front of her, rang it twice, and launched an adventure that Luce hoped would solve a mystery that had long plagued her.
What she didn’t realize was that there were others in the room that desperately wanted the same answers, but for very different reasons.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“I’m afraid your historian is a snooze fest, Luce,” Kat shook her head and leaned back. “And the camera does not like him. He comes across pasty. Is that a word?”
“That’s the least of our worries! That little floozy that Jackson brought had her hands in all the wrong places.” Luce let out a breath and started pacing. “She better not come back sniffing around again.”
“I’ve never seen my uncle quite so embarrassed, I have to say,” Kat mused. “She was practically crawling all over him.”
“I want her cut out of every shot. Every damn one.” Luce barked.
“We can do our best, Luce, but really, I mean it will get the audience’s attention.” Kat’s eyes widened when she realized Luce was not laughing.
“Come on Luce, he wasn’t interested. He made that abundantly clear when he literally picked her hand up off his thigh and moved it.” Kat grinned. “I wish I were that bold.”
“No, you don’t. That was really quite slutty of her.” Luce snapped back.
“She just wanted to attract the camera’s attention, of that I’m quite sure, Luce.”
“Well, you may not see it the same way, but I know what I saw. And your uncle, FYI? He’s hot. You’ve said so yourself.”
“Yeah but I like hearing you admit it,” Kat laughed outright.
“Yeah yeah, listen, let’s just get a rough cut on the dinner and a few of the scenes in the library afterward. Then we can call it a night.”
“You know what? I got this, Luce. You go ahead and get some rest and I’ll go ahead and finish playing back and marking up the footage. Let me show you how good I am!” Kat knew this was her one shot to show Luce how good her skills were.
Luce stretched her arms above her head and swiveled her neck. Rest sounded heavenly. Especially after all she’d been through in the last 24 hours. She looked around the room they’d been given to set up their editing bay. Luce and Kat would select the bulk of the raw footage for each episode, and hand it off to their studio production team.
It was an office near the Library on the main floor. It was spacious, and comfortable, but had none of the character of the other rooms. Almost as if it had been neglected. She guessed it was one of those rooms only used by staff. Knowing they’d spend a lot of time in it, she quickly decided to have some décor brought in. Some plants or flowers, a print or two for the walls. She’d have to check with Peabody, but she was fairly certain he wouldn’t mind. Turning back to Kat, she made up her mind.
“Deal. Kat, I
know you have a tremendous eye.” She paused. “Just remember to stay tuned in. Listen for snippets of conversation that may be off camera. Let your intuition guide you.”
“Aye Aye Captain.” Kat grinned.
“Oh and Kat?”
“Yes?”
“Make sure to edit out the slut.” Luce turned and headed out into the hall making her way towards the stairs. She paused then, and smiled. Kat was a wonder, and with her help, this show was going to be a hit. As long as the cameras love Andy as much as they seemed to hate Rodney. It was a shame really, but they could interview him in dark shadows and create an atmosphere. They had a few other changes they’d need to make as well, she thought, as she headed into her suite.
“Nice night.”
Luce jumped. She’d been so relaxed, sitting on her balcony, enjoying the soft glow of the moonlight reflecting on the dark rippling waters of the sound. A glass of wine in one hand and her other tucked behind her head. Of course, now the wine was all over the sheer tank and shorts she’d chosen to relax in. Luckily it was white wine not red, but the minute the liquid sloshed on her chest it made no difference. Thank god it was dark. Though from the look in Andy’s eyes, standing not 3 feet away it didn’t help matters.
“Do you always sneak up on people in the middle of the night?” She tried to keep her voice calm and relaxed. But she was most definitely annoyed.
“Free country, Luce, and it’s only 9:30. Plus, my balcony my choice, right” He chuckled.
She could see he was still standing there staring at her, and it wasn’t her face he was looking at. Looking down, she realized how transparent her tank top had become. Two choices, she thought. Go in and hide or flaunt it.
“Our balcony it would seem.”
“It would,” he grinned then. “Mind if I sit with you?”
“Would you care if I did?”
Andy laughed then and sat down in the lounge chair next to her, imitating her pose.