CHAPTER NINE

 

 

Makers & Finders Coffee was a locally-owned coffee shop walking distance from the condo. I already knew they had an awesome Mexican spice latte that I adored. Mia arrived about ten minutes after me, her green hair again in a ponytail, lines of tension around her eyes. She waved and joined me at the table. A waiter came by to take her order. Based on her quick response, she was also familiar with the coffee shop.

Mia breathed in deeply, eyes closed, before focusing on me. Her amazing eyes sparkled, though the worry was obvious. “Thank you so much for the invitation. I needed this.”

“You’re welcome. I can only imagine.”

“I love producing films, and I understand sometimes things happen, but sheesh. An apparent serial killer hit my set,” she muttered.

My eyes widened. She spoke the truth. “The press is saying they’re still just unexplained.”

Mia chewed on her lower lip. “You know that would be a mighty big coincidence.”

“True. And I spoke to a detective on the case,” I spoke softer, glancing around. Nobody was paying us any mind.

“How did that go?”

Her curiosity was normal, but I sensed something under the surface. I watched her carefully as I answered, explaining it was a simple conversation and he would be interviewing my actors. She deflated somewhat with my not-too-exciting answer. I wondered what she was expecting. I turned the conversation. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

Deflection. Interesting. “What do you think about the murders? You really think it’s a serial killer.”

Mia regarded me for a moment before answering. “Yes, I do.”

“Do you have an idea who it is?” I didn’t believe she did, though she was clearly hiding something.

“No, I do not,” she answered slowly, breaking eye contact.

That was a complete lie. My heart sank at the thought she might be involved somehow. I doubted she was the killer, but she knew something. “Have you spoken to the police yet?”

She shook her head. “My people have. I haven’t yet. I was barely on set after the first night making sure everything started smoothly. I’m a producer, not a director,” she added with a hesitant smile.

“I plan on speaking with my actors who were on set. I’ll be sure to let the detective know if I learn anything.”

“Playing junior detective?” There was no malice in her voice, only tiredness.

“Something like that,” I agreed with a chuckle. “I’m sure everything will work out,” I assured her, though I had no basis for my confidence. She undoubtedly knew that, but reached out to squeeze my hand.

“Thank you. The director was told we’d probably be clear to start by the end of this week.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Hopefully it’s smooth sailing from here on out.”

“Hopefully,” I agreed. After a few more minutes of idle chitchat, we ended the coffee. I left with a sense that something important was unsaid. Or something I missed, perhaps, but no idea what.

*****

“Thank you for coming in,” I ushered out actor number five robotically. So far, nobody saw or heard anything even remotely suspicious. I informed them they would be contacted by Detective Dawson and if they told him what they told me, it’d probably be perfunctory.

Despite the coffee with Mia earlier, I was tired.

Only one actor left to see. I didn’t need to look at my sheet. I knew who it was by the flush creeping up my neck.

“Alexander Moore is here,” Cherie announced five minutes later.

I had sufficiently calmed my hormones down in those few minutes so that I greeted Alex like an agent should.

“Alex, thank you for coming in on such short notice.” I indicated he could sit in the chair across from the desk.

“You said that it was connected to a death?”

“Did you see the news this morning?”

Alex shook his head.

“An actress who had been on the set of John Doe was found dead.” I managed to say this with almost zero tremor in my voice. Or so I thought.

Alex immediately rose from the chair and came around the desk. Startled, I rose to match. We stood close enough that I could smell his aftershave (which was quite nice). He put his hand gently on my shoulder.

“Are you okay? Did you know her?”

I was taken aback from his unexpected display, so different from the borderline cocky flirtation he normally demonstrated.

“I’m okay,” I finally uttered. “No, I didn’t know her,” I further assured him, surprised still by the genuine reflection of concern in his eyes. I placed my own hand over his hand on my shoulder and smiled warmly. “Thank you for asking.”

We stood like this for a long moment. Were we basking in the warmth? I don’t know, but I realized, for that moment, I wasn’t thinking salacious thoughts about him. And then I was. I took a half-step back and indicated he could retake his seat. He mirrored my smile before doing so.

“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“Am I a suspect?” He laughed to be sure I knew he was joking and I chuckled in response.

“Should you be?”

“Absolutely not.”

I waited for my intuition to tell me if he was being truthful; yes, but incomplete. I frowned.

His face became serious. “What happened?”

“The police don’t know. They confirmed that the young woman died an ‘unexplained death’,” I said, finger quoting the key piece of information. “I called some of my fellow talent agents and learned her name was Cindy Matthews.” I watched his face for signs of recognition with the name. “Did you know her? Speak to her on set?”

“I don’t recognize the name; I might have spoken to her without knowing it. What did she look like?”

“She was Caucasian, early- to mid-twenties, long blond hair and blue eyes.”

Alex shook his head. “I don’t think I even remember seeing her. Was she there at the same time I was?”

“I have no idea,” I admitted. “Did you see or hear anything outside of the ordinary?”

“No. I wish I could be more help. Do the police have any idea at all how she died?”

“They told me no, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t hold something back.”

“True.” He frowned. “Do you know when the movie is going to restart?”

“I received word the delay will only be a few days since the death didn’t occur on the set. I believe you’ll go back by Friday.”

Alex smiled widely and my heart gave a little flutter. “That sounds great. I look forward to resuming.”

I stood suddenly, startling us both. “I’ll let you get back to your evening. Thank you again for coming in, Alex.” I walked around the table to properly escort him out.

Except Alex didn’t make a move toward the door and I nearly walked into him standing next to the chair.

“Excuse me?” I asked in confusion.

A look of uncertainty alighted on Alex’s face and he leaned in to hug me. I responded, holding tighter than I expected to, resting my head on his shoulder.

“I’m glad you’re okay and that, sad as it is anyway, you didn’t know the woman,” he whispered into my ear.

“Thank you,” was all I could respond. I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t fully get a read on this guy, but he seemed sincere.

We separated less awkwardly, two people supporting each other.

“I’ll see you later, Catherine.”

“I look forward to it, Alex.” This time I gave the saucy smile and flirtatious inflection. His grin widened and then, like a flash, he was out of the office.

Who’d have thought a sweet guy was underneath that posturing exterior?