Tessa waited impatiently down below while Teddy scrambled up the side of the building. He was quick about it; still, it seemed to take forever. Finally he reached the window ledge and Peter yelled, “Cut.” Peter was down in the street, talking over a bullhorn.
“Come on down, we’re going again,” Peter called. He lowered the bullhorn. “Tessa, after the next take we’ll probably need you and Brad up there. It’s a new setup, we’ll tell you when.”
Tessa nodded and moved off toward the catering cart to avoid getting into a conversation with Peter. She was too keyed up to talk about the scene.
When Teddy came out she waved him over.
“He called me again.”
“What did he say?”
“Wanted to know where you are.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him I didn’t know.”
“How’d that go over?”
“He didn’t believe me.”
“I don’t blame him. What else did he want?”
“He said he didn’t burn down your house.”
“How did that come up? Did he just volunteer it?”
“No, I accused him of doing it. He said he didn’t.”
“Interesting.”
“You think he didn’t do it?”
“I think he’s very good at playing the game. If I wanted to claim I didn’t do it, that’s what I’d say.”
“Who else could it be?”
“Who burned down my house?”
“Yes.”
“Any number of people might want to, but it had to be someone who knew I was there.”
“And no one did?”
“I wouldn’t say no one. I cover my tracks as best I can. There’s always something you don’t plan for.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can. But you lost everything in the fire. I’d feel better if you were armed.”
Teddy pulled his jacket back and showed his shoulder holster.
“Ta-da!”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Where did you get that?”
“I’m a bad guy. Guns seem to find me.”
“Is that a prop?”
“Of course it’s a prop. Lighten up, will you, we gotta make a movie. This gun’s a prop, but I actually have a gun. Believe it or not, it’s the only thing I saved from the fire.”
“I believe it. Good. I was worried. I drove by Stone’s house last night and your car wasn’t there.”
“I moved out.”
“To where?”
“An undisclosed location.”
Tessa paused. “Well, I suppose it’s better if I don’t know.”