Читать книгу Familiar Double - Caroline Burnes - Страница 12

Jax saw Nicole balk as soon as she saw him. He hooked his boot heel on the chair rail and cocked a hip, playing it cool. What in the hell was he doing here? He’d acted on impulse, thinking that he’d sashay up to the jailhouse and get Nicole out, and that she’d be grateful to him. Judging by the look on her face, she was anything but grateful. He made sure his body was relaxed, striking a pose as she started toward him again. He raised his eyebrows when he saw the black cat at her heels.

“What’s the cat charged with? Is he a cat burglar?” he asked the desk clerk, earning several laughs from officers in the area.

“Maybe we should book him for consorting with a prisoner,” the sergeant said. “I don’t know how he got in here, but it’s a good thing he’s headed out. We don’t have animals in the jail. At least not the four-legged kind.”

“Well, he has good taste,” Jax commented. He turned to Nicole. “I came to give you a ride back to the set. We’ve got the action shot scheduled tonight and we can’t do it without you.”

He saw a series of emotions shift across her expressive face. One was relief, the other disappointment.

“Did John Hudson put up my bail money?”

Jax hesitated. He was tempted to answer in the affirmative, even though it wasn’t true. “John doesn’t know you were arrested. He wasn’t on the set today.”

“You came on your own?” Her surprise was evident in her voice.

“I did. We need you on the set. As stunt coordinator, my butt’s on the line if we get behind schedule.”

Nicole didn’t say anything. She took her personal belongings from the envelope the desk sergeant handed her. “We’d better get this scene shot, then. Once John Hudson knows I’ve been arrested for stealing jewelry from the cast, he’s going to fire me.”

Jax couldn’t deny that. Hudson probably would fire her—if that was all there was to the story. But Jax had a hunch there was something else going on. “John Hudson’s a fair man. If there’s another side to the story, he’ll listen.”

“I was framed,” Nicole said simply.

“Who would frame you and why?” Jax asked. It was a logical question, but he saw instantly that it annoyed her.

“If I knew the answer to that, I’d know how to start clearing my name,” Nicole said, heading out the door.

“Do you have any idea?” Jax asked. Even though he took long strides, he had to hustle to catch up with her. Nicole was long limbed and moving fast. But he couldn’t help but appreciate the rear view as she stalked away.

“Well, logically, I’d start with Angela Myers. It was her earring that was stolen and found in my trailer. I know I didn’t take it, but someone did. And that someone put it right where the cops could find it. And I’d be willing to lay you some pretty good odds that Angela told the police to search my trailer. I just wonder how she knew the earring was there if she didn’t put it there herself.”

“Why would Angela want to frame you as a thief?” Jax asked. He knew the women didn’t care for each other. The truth was, Angela didn’t care for anyone except herself—and whoever was the focus of her narcissistic passion.

“Because she’s psychotic?” Nicole asked with a heaping measure of sarcasm. “Because she’s mean? Or maybe because she doesn’t want to finish this film? I hear she got an offer from Paramount for a starring role in a drama that she’s itching to do. There’s a little time problem. She can’t finish this film and be on that set, too. If this movie were to shut down, she’d be free to rush right over to Paramount and become the belle of the studio.”

Jax pushed open the outer door for Nicole. “You really think Angela would wreck the entire movie just to get out of her contract?”

Nicole stopped dead and turned. She didn’t say a word; she only raised her eyebrows.

“Well, she is pretty self-centered,” Jax admitted. He saw the first hint of a smile at the corners of Nicole’s mouth. Before he could be certain of it, though, she bent down and swept the black cat into her arms.

“This cat’s a detective,” she said. “I read all about him. He’s going to help me figure out what’s going on here.”

“I’ll help, too.” Jax almost wanted to duck when he spoke the words. Nicole’s face showed extreme surprise, and then wariness.

“Why would you help me?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m a sucker for the underdog. It’s a fine Texas tradition. Started at the Alamo, you know. All Texans like long odds. Or maybe it’s because I don’t think you stole the earring.”

“And why do you think I’m innocent?”

That question alone told him volumes about the kind of life Nicole had led. Her father’s conviction and incarceration had become part of her personality. Whether folks in the past had judged Nicole guilty by association, or whether it was just her interpretation of events, he couldn’t tell. But he did know she didn’t expect support from anyone. She’d learned to live life by her own wits.

He took a deep breath. “You’re building a solid career as a stuntwoman. You’re good at your job. You do your work and you do it with pride. I just don’t see you ruining all of this over some bauble.”

Nicole’s jaw muscle worked as she listened to him. “I didn’t steal anything. I’m not a thief.”

“I believe you,” he said. “That’s why I’m offering to help you.”

“Meow!” The black cat put a paw on Nicole’s shoulder as if to say “Me, too.”

“I don’t know exactly what we’re going to do, though,” Nicole said and her shoulders slumped a little. “The police found the earring in my trailer. They’ll never believe someone else put it there.”

“I have a couple of ideas,” Jax said, pointing to a pickup truck that was parked up the street. “But first we’re going back to the set and you’re going to finish that stunt.”

“I can’t do that,” Nicole said, putting on the brakes. Jax felt the resistance of a boulder as he gently took her elbow to move her forward.

“You have to,” he said, inching her toward the truck.

“They all think I’m a thief,” she said. “I can’t go back there.”

“So prove them wrong. Don’t act guilty. We’ll finish the scene and then maybe we’ll have some time left over to ask a few questions. Maybe someone saw something.”

Nicole gave in and got in the passenger side of the truck, placing Familiar on her lap.

Jax was grinning as he walked around the truck. By the time he got in it, he’d managed to control his expression. He knew Nicole wouldn’t take lightly to the idea that he was amused by her. But for the past three weeks, since the movie had started shooting, he’d thought she was such a tough loner. Now he found out different. Her tough act was just a way to disguise her insecurities.

Oh, well, Hollywood was the town of facade. But no matter what image Nicole projected, he didn’t see her as a thief. About the only thing he’d suspect her of stealing was someone’s heart. Lucky for him he was immune in that department. He’d paid out his heart a long time ago when he’d gambled and lost. Still, it was the Texas thing to do—rescue a damsel in distress. Hell, it was just the way he was brought up.

When he felt the grin creeping back onto his face, he wiped it off. Nicole was watching him with open curiosity, as was the black cat. He’d never heard that Familiar was a detective, but after watching the feline on the set, he’d believe Familiar was capable of anything. Anything at all.

NICOLE BALANCED OUTSIDE the window of the three-story house, Familiar at her side. She didn’t look down. It was a long drop, and even though the air-filled bags were there to catch her if she fell, she didn’t like the sickening sensation of dropping that distance. Familiar, with his claws in the siding of the house, had no intention of falling.

“Just a few more steps,” she whispered encouragement to the cat.

The spotlight on the ground swept over her and she froze, hoping that she looked like a black shadow amongst the other shadows of the house. That was what the script called for, and she could only hope that the lighting was correct. She didn’t want to hang around thirty feet above the ground while John and the crew worked through technical difficulties.

The spotlight moved on, and she let out a breath. Apparently all the technical aspects were working fine. The first shots, where she’d scaled the exterior wall of the house, had gone off without a hitch. Now she was waiting for the director to signal her into the window. Of course, the exterior had been spiked with handholds and footholds for her safety. Familiar had been added to the scene later.

“Move to the window,” John Hudson called out to her.

Following his direction, she eased to the window and slowly raised it. Per the script, a gossamer curtain drifted out and surrounded her. In another moment she felt Jax’s strong arms lift her into the building and to safety. He also gave Familiar an assist into the house.

“That was terrific,” Jax told her. “John was able to get it clean with only one shot.”

“Thank goodness. I don’t want to have to do that again.”

“You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” Jax teased.

“I’m not afraid of them, but I’m not in love with them either.” Nicole found that she was smiling at him. The entire time she’d been getting ready for her action scene she’d been thinking of him. She could still recall his oh-so-relaxed pose in the jail. But he’d shown up to help her and he didn’t even know her.

“Jax, thanks for this afternoon. I’ll pay you back the bond money. It’ll take me a little while, but I’ll pay back every penny of it.”

Jax didn’t say anything. He just looked at her. “I’m not in a bind for cash right now. Don’t worry about it.”

“But I will return the money. I always pay my debts.”

“I’m sure you will.” He gathered up some rope and gear and walked to the window, signaling down to the director. “Okay?”

“Perfect!” John called up to him. “Absolutely perfect. Tell Nicole she gets the gold star for the day.”

“You can tell her yourself,” Jax said. He turned to Nicole. “This is a perfect opportunity for you to explain what happened today. John will listen and be fair.”

He was handing her a chance to save her job. Maybe. Or it could just be an opportunity to get thrown off the set in front of the entire film crew. At least Angela wasn’t around.

“Do you want me to talk to him?” Jax asked.

Once again she was amazed at his willingness to put himself on the line for her. “No,” she said carefully. “This is my problem. You’ve already gone out on a limb getting me out of jail. What if something else goes missing?”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

She felt a rush of tears and blinked them back. She hadn’t cried since she was twelve years old and had watched her father being escorted into jail. “I’ll talk to John. And I’ll do it right now.”

She lifted her shoulders and held her head high as she walked out of the set house and over to a battery of cameras. John Hudson sat among the expensive machinery, his speculative gaze focused on the house.

“Films today are all about action, Nicole. You know that, I know that, but why is it that I just long to tell a good story?” His grin was ironic as he patted the chair next to him. “The camera loves you, Nicole. Let an old man give you some advice. Start reading for the female leads. You’re good enough to get them. And a lot less trouble than our current female star.”

“John, I was arrested today for stealing Angela’s earring. The cops found it in my dressing trailer.”

John Hudson’s craggy and wrinkled face was part of Hollywood lore. He slowly turned to Nicole and looked at her. “I remember when your father was arrested for stealing the Dream of Isis. I never believed he did it. But he was convicted and sent to prison.”

He let his words hang between them.

“I didn’t take the earring. I had no reason to take it.”

“How did it get in your trailer?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“What do you suspect?”

She started to tell him that Angela was quite capable of framing her and why—her new movie offer. But she held her tongue. She had no evidence against Angela, and she knew what it felt like to be falsely accused.

“I really don’t know. All I do know is that I’m innocent. I didn’t take it.”

John nodded. “I have your word on it.”

“You do.” She almost added “For what it’s worth,” but she didn’t. John was doing his best to be square with her. He didn’t deserve her caustic remarks.

“Have you hired a lawyer?”

She shook her head. “My father recommended Carlos Sanchez.”

“He defended your father.” John nodded slowly. “Okay, then let’s get back to work. I want to finish this sequence, then you have a costume change. We’ll do the scene on the balcony with the evening gown.”

“Tonight?” Nicole wasn’t prepared for that scene. It wasn’t scheduled to be shot for at least another week, and it was one of the trickiest shots of the movie, at least for her.

“Yes, right away. I’ll tell everyone to begin to prepare. I want this scene in the can.”

He walked away to consult with a cameraman and Nicole was left sitting alone. She finished John’s thought. He wanted this scene in the can before she was carted off to jail.

JAX SIPPED the cold beer. Normally he wasn’t a beer-drinking man, but it was hard to fit in with the cast and crew without occasionally drinking a brew. Especially when a card game was as hot and heavy as this one.

He threw in another fifty-dollar chip and called the bet. His cards, tightly folded together, were held loosely in his hand. Unless the gods of luck were truly against him, he had the winning hand that would bring home a five-hundred-dollar pot. He’d always been lucky at cards, horses and escaping injury. Now, women were another story.

Two men dropped out, leaving Jax, the male lead Kyle Lancer, and O. J. Adams, the cinematographer.

“Well, well, looks like lucky Jax has done it to you boys again.”

They all looked up to see Angela standing at the door. She was wearing a red evening gown. “I thought I might find you boys here. I guess you forgot you were supposed to show up for the publicity shots, Kyle.”

“I didn’t forget. I decided not to do it. Besides, I wouldn’t want to come between you and your love affair with the camera.”

A couple of the guys started to laugh but stopped when Angela walked into the room. She moved like a panther. She was just as beautiful and just as deadly.

“You left me waiting there for you like a fool. I don’t appreciate it.”

“Sorry, Angela. I thought I was doing you a favor.”

“That’s the problem with you, Kyle. You aren’t equipped to think. That requires a working brain. You’re just one handsome hunk of muscle. So in the future, don’t think. Just show up and do what you’re told.” She whipped around and left the room, leaving a faint trail of perfume that smelled like gardenias.

O.J. took in a deep breath. “Wow, she smells like flowers, but sulfur would be more appropriate.”

The men laughed. Jax still held his cards, biding his time.

“Well, it’s show time, boys,” Kyle said, putting two pair on the table. “Who can beat it?”

O.J. threw his cards facedown. “Not me.”

Just as Kyle was reaching for the pot, Jax laid his cards down faceup. The three queens were offset by a pair of threes.

“Full house,” Jax said, pulling the money toward his place. “I was running a little low on cash. Thanks, boys.”

“Yeah, we heard you made bond on Nicole.”

Even though Jax was startled by O.J.’s comment, he didn’t show it. In many respects, Hollywood was a small town. Folks in the business heard lots of rumors, but most of them were untrue. This time someone had actually gotten the facts straight.

“I needed her to work this evening.”

“She’s good at her job,” O.J. said, grinning. “Is she good at anything else?”

“Now, that’s something I can’t answer.” Jax felt instant annoyance at the insinuation in O.J.’s comment. But he knew the cinematographer well enough to know he was only cutting up, as all the men did when they weren’t around the women. Still, he was amazed to find he was a little prickly where Nicole’s honor was at stake. “Where’d you hear it?”

O.J. looked at the pile of money in front of Jax. “I’ll play you for the details. That pot against what I know.” He grinned wickedly.

“I don’t want to know that bad. I’ll just wait for breakfast and it’ll be all over the set.”

“Rumors do fly,” another of the men commented.

“I’m out of here.” Kyle stood up, stretching. “Same time tomorrow night?”

“Don’t count on me,” Jax said, standing also.

“Hey, you can’t wipe us out and not give us a chance to win it back,” O.J. complained.

“I’ll be back,” Jax said, grinning. “Eventually.”

“Where’s the fire?” O.J. asked, eyebrows lifted. “Or should I say, where’s the hot stuff?”

“I only wish my life was as exciting as you seem to believe it is,” Jax said in his easy drawl. “I’ve got to set up a harness for that shot in the ravine.” He didn’t wait for them to tease him more, he simply left. Part of what he said was true, but there were other things on his agenda, too. Like keeping tabs on a tall, leggy blonde.