Chapter Thirteen

Bethany just reached the line of deck chairs when Jake arrived. He walked over to her, looking pale. He wore the laptop bag over his shoulder and carried two paper cups of coffee in a cardboard tray.

“Hi. I brought coffee,” Jake said as he handed the tray to her.

“You look very pale. I told you this was a nasty virus. On the upside, you will feel better tomorrow if it’s the one I had.”

She took a paper cup of coffee and held the tray for Jake. He took out the laptop, sat down, rested it on the case, which he balanced on his knees, and booted it.

“It must be the same illness. I don’t know anyone else who was sick. Listen to this. I got the inside gossip on Sara Smythe and Seth Carbery.” He took his coffee from Bethany and, after sipping it, continued, “The public reports were inconclusive about if they ever had a relationship. The split was also only rumor but apparently she dropped him like a stone the minute the first letter arrived and accused him of screwing around. As you know, those were the words. The interesting part is that Dougie, who runs the canteen, says she told her friends she was about to drop him anyway because she has a new job. She leaves the studio at the end of this month. The company is fuming but she’s within her contractual rights.”

Bethany quickly considered this. It wasn’t feasible to her that anyone would gladly let go of Seth. Maybe Sara didn’t love him and the job offer was more to her taste. Bethany raised her eyebrows at Jake and then told him her worries.

“I’m seriously concerned that if someone is out to hurt Seth, they will be able to. Look at us—we have no idea where he is or what he is doing. Why haven’t the producers just come out in the open with his need for a bodyguard? Then, I could be there close enough to protect him.”

Jake sniffed, took out a Kleenex, and sneezed. Bethany held onto the laptop and he held his coffee out at arm’s length over the grass. They both laughed.

Jake continued with his information, “I’m suspicious of the whole thing, to be honest. Not of the producers, although Brandt and I concluded on the phone this morning that they hired us because of insurance needs. They have to look after him or the insurance on the movie is void. Hiring us means they have tried.

“I’m sure the threats are not real. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I do have these facts. The makeup artist has no close connection to Seth at all. Gina does his make-up. Dianne’s in a relationship with the second AD and it’s long term. She’s clean—not even a parking ticket. Nothing about her connects to Seth. She joined this film obviously to be with Tony Wheeler. Why would she possibly receive death threats? She’s not high profile.”

Bethany nodded.

“She could be a diversion and the real target is Seth. Some psycho stalker is clouding the field with notes to others first, before they zoom in on Seth? Has he ever been involved in anything weird? His file reads like a glowing reference. Not one aberration, perfect family background, and completely dedicated to his work. Have you found out anything about him?”

Jake sniffed again and shook his head. “I haven’t dug that deep yet—but no, he’s a bloody paragon of virtue. I find that suspicious.”

“Why? He does seem like a really nice guy. You said so yourself.”

Jake shrugged. “Well, it’s the lack of women in his life. You know seriously, a man in his position is usually involved with a few women. He isn’t or at least he’s kept it very secret. There might be a scorned woman somewhere. Bethany, I don’t want to put you in an awkward situation but you might be able to get this kind of information out of him.”

She knew Jake was uncomfortable about something when he got a pained look on his face.

“I like him. I don’t think he’s been involved with many women. He’s only our age. I mean, he’s mid-twenties, just a little older. Having been to university and working long hours, it’s not unbelievable. Look at us.”

Jake finished his coffee. “Yes, I know.”

Bethany drank her coffee, thinking about her brother. Did he ever wish for someone the way she had? “Do you ever feel lonely? For love I mean.”

Jake sighed. “Yes and no. I think sometimes I don’t have time to give to someone. Then again, I think I’d like to be loved and to love someone. What about you?”

“I’d like it, for sure.” As she said this, she was thinking of Seth. He was the one she’d like to love her.

“Back to the job, I can’t imagine what the motive is for harming Seth. It’s got to be something hidden or nothing at all. Could a rival actor be trying to put Seth off his game and take over the part?”

Bethany shook her head. “I doubt that. They might want him to botch this acting job so he’s not offered something they want. It’s all guesswork since there’s so little to point us toward a motive.

“Why not leave the computer with me and go back to the trailer? Get some rest. I might be here for a very long time. I can do a little research and read the files on the case again. You’ve got the other machine down there anyway.”

Jake considered this for a moment and then nodded. “Yeah, I will. I do feel bad.”

Bethany took the laptop. Jake stood, placing its case on the seat he vacated.

He gave Bethany a little wave and left.