Page 9 of Wicked Shadows
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CHAPTER THREE
“It’s your favorite sister, calling to report in as ordered by her older and demanding brother,” Elle announced when Jeff answered his phone.
“Smartass little sister,” he laughed. “Have you called Ray Burke, the worst agent in Hollywood yet?”
“I call him that every day,” she joked.
“Very funny. You know what I mean. My mouse is hovered over the ‘purchase’ button for my plane ticket so I can kick your ass before I protect it myself.”
“I’ve talked to Ray, and two bodyguards will be waiting outside my apartment first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Why do you still live in an apartment, Elle? You’ve made more than enough money to buy an outrageously big house in Bel Air or Malibu with a security system to rival Tony Stark’s.”
“I have commitment issues. This way, I only have to agree to a year-long lease, and I can pay my way out of it if I need to break it. Plus, the threat of finding a new roommate is the only way I can guilt Beth into never leaving me.”
“Have you told Mom, Dad, or Mark about this yet?” Jeff asked, suddenly serious again.
“No, there’s no need to alarm them. I don’t even know for sure anything’s wrong. I could be overreacting to nothing at all.”
“So, you only wanted to alarm me because I’m the one who’s clear across the country from you? The one who’d get to you last if anything did happen?”
“Exactly!” She burst out laughing. “No, Jeff, because you’re the level-headed one. You were supposed to tell me I was imagining things and I needed to get over myself. You broke the rules when you agreed with me.”
“I could tell you were scared, and you don’t get scared for no reason. Elle, I did some research this morning on what you told me about that missing girl. Do me a favor, and don’t walk anywhere without an armed escort, even around the lot. Those bodyguards need to be there with you today. Since you haven’t called Mark to get him to come down and stay with you, I’ll call and talk to Ray myself if I have to. But those guards need to be there today.”
“What did you find out, Jeff?” Elle asked slowly, clearly not actually wanting the answer.
“Let’s just say the entire story has already been all neatly tied up with a pretty pink bow on top. Pictures are posted that any idiot with a smidgeon of technical savvy can tell have been doctored. Quotes from unnamed sources that draw sympathy for her circumstances without giving any details or verifiable information are plastered everywhere. The director wishes her well and has promised to be patient while she deals with what life has handed her.”
“What’s the story?”
“The articles claim Katrina and her costar Oliver fell in love on the set and took off to Cabo for an extended lovers’ vacation. Both spouses were left at home, reeling from Katrina and Oliver’s deceitful actions. The articles say both soon-to-be-former spouses left town, headed for undisclosed locations, so they can grieve without the prying eye of the media watching them.”
“It’s all a cover-up, from the highest level down,” Elle replied in disbelief.
“No doubt about it.”
“Okay, I’ll call Ray back and insist he have two armed bodyguards waiting for me on the lot today.”
“I’d rather you not go to the sound stage at all until they’re with you,” Jeff urged.
“Jeff, I don’t have enough clout yet not to show up for work and have the director be okay with that. Today will be a long day. There’s no break in the schedule until early afternoon, so I’ll be inside the sound stage at least until then. I’ll be fine.”
Jeff released a heavy sigh, conveying his annoyance without words. “You are so hardheaded, you know that?”
“I love you, too. Thanks for looking out for me.”
They disconnected with Elle promising to call Jeff immediately if her agent gave her any trouble over when her protection would be onsite. She repeated the conversation to Beth before calling Ray.
“Someone is lying, Elle. Katrina wouldn’t have done that. Jeff needs to have someone check the pictures and verify the dates. I’d bet my entire year’s salary none of them is recent,” Beth objected.
“I agree, Beth. I’m calling Ray right now. Whatever is going on will not happen to us.”
She scrolled through her contacts and hit the number for her agent. She held her breath, dread filling her with each ring that passed without an answer.
“Elle, my darling, it’s not often I’m graced with two phone calls from you in one morning. What can I do for you?”
