Page 82 of The Movie Star and the Spy

The action star studied the floor. “No,” he admitted. “That was me. But I was ambushed. That woman has been after me for years. When she saw me at a party last night, she ran up and grabbed me just as a reporter came. Just asJesscame.”

Cheyenne peered at the picture, tapping into forensics skills from years of training. The features of the picture rearranged themselves, the obvious becoming clear. She pointed. “I can seethat now. If you look at your hand, you’re clearly pushing her away. And although she’s smiling, your expression is grim. Did Jess get the wrong idea?”

Zachary clenched his fists. “She thinks I’ve been leading her on this entire time, but she’s wrong. Since we started dating, there’s been no one else. I tried to explain, but she stormed out and now I can’t find her anywhere. No one knows where she is.”

“I’m sure she’ll show up.” Julian rubbed his friend’s shoulder. “And when she sees you, she’ll realize the truth.”

“I don’t–”

A knock sounded from the door. When Julian called to enter, a production assistant stuck his head in. “Hey guys! I’m glad you’re all together. The director wants everyone on set in ten minutes.”

The assistant turned to leave, but Zachary stopped him. “Did you already give the message to Jessica Cole, the body double?”

The assistant’s expression turned uncomfortable. “She gave notice this morning. Apparently, someone offered her a once-in-a-lifetime position. Since all her scenes had already been filmed, the director let her out early.”

There was silence as the man left, yet a thousand alarms shrieked stark warning. Jess had been upset. She had endured a public humiliation, which others, including the criminal, may have seen. She left for a once-in-a-lifetime position, just like the last victim in the case.

Just likeallthe victims.

It could be a coincidence. Jess was upset and might have used it as an excuse to leave after Zachary’s supposed betrayal. Or… the criminal had contacted her, given her a too-good-to-be-true offer. It would’ve been attractive in her vulnerable state, the opportunity to earn a great deal of money in a short time.

It was the first real lead in weeks. She immediately switched into investigator mode. “Zachary, has Jess been friendly with any of the other men? Has she talked to anyone in particular?”

Zachary frowned deeply. “I don’t think so. We both avoided doing anything that would make the other jealous.”

That’s what Zachary thought, but it didn’t mean Jess never talked to the criminal. Perhaps someone else had seen them. She pivoted to Julian. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” His gaze sharpened. How could she allay his suspicions without blowing her cover? “I’ll ask around, see if I can get any information. Someone might remember something.”

“That’s a good idea.” Zachary nodded. “I can help.”

“We should all go.” Julian stepped forward.

“No!” Both men stared at her vehement response, yet she didn’t have the time, or clearance, to explain. “I mean no, thank you. They may not tell you anything because of who you are, plus you intimidate most of them. It’s best if I go alone.”

They looked ready to argue, but then they exchanged glances and grimaced. “Take a few minutes to see what you can find,” Julian finally said. “We’ll see you after that.”

If the investigation proceeded as she hoped, she’d take far more than a few minutes. This could be the break in the case. She set out quickly, striding and then jogging to the set. She traveled from crewmember to crewmember, then actor to actor, yet no matter how many people she asked, the answer remained the same. No one saw Jess spend significant time with any of the guys except Zachary.

She relayed the news an hour later, while they were on a brief break. “I told you.” Zachary was confident, albeit clearly relieved, that his assertion had been validated. “There’s no other guy. If she wasn’t with me, she preferred to be talking to the girls. Besides you, she was close to Kate.”

“Right.” Cheyenne waved her hand. Then, the world halted.

Kate.The jealous extra with a thousand cruel remarks. The petty starlet who inserted herself into every conversation. The clawing woman Jess confided in.

Could Kate be the recruiter?

The seed of possibility germinated and blossomed, the evidence falling into place with a dozen resurfacing memories. Kate claimed to know men who were honest about what they wanted. She invited Jess to come and get one. What could be clearer than paying for services rendered?

None of the leads had panned out, but that’s because they’d been following the wrong ones. The department hadn’t researched women, and the criminals had covered their tracks by switching their M.O. It was time to follow the true lead. “I have to go.” Cheyenne pivoted toward the exit. “I just remembered an important errand I have to run.”

“What errand?” Julian caught up with her. “What’s so important you have to leave in the middle of filming? And what about Jess?”

She didn’t have time to formulate an excuse. “I’ll explain later. Please, Julian, I have to go.”

For a moment, he looked like he was going to argue, but then he released her arm. “Okay, fine. Call me later.”

Well, that was easy. Too easy, perhaps? Yet she didn’t have time to question him or her luck as she turned and dashed from the room. Time to catch a criminal.

Though she wanted to call the precinct right away, she waited until the privacy of her car. As soon as the door slammed shut, she dialed. “I need the address of Kate Jenkins, one of the extras onSpy Heat. I also need a full workup on her. Get as much information as you can – she may be the recruiter.”

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