Page 29 of Rescued Heart

Did the man know something?

“Who is in charge on the set?” Bryce asked.

The security guard wiped sweat off his forehead. “The director, Leo. Or actually, the producer, though he only calls. Leo is…” He pointed at the alley that led toward the parking lot. “He’s there with the police.”

Officer Olivia Tazwell, a toned blonde, stood beside Leo. She nodded as the director put his hands on his hips.

Bryce and Eddie neared the alley, and Olivia spoke first. “Leo’s the movie director, and he’s?—”

“Thankful that you rescued one of our stunt doubles, but…” His lips formed a tight line, and wrinkles morphed around his pointed nose. “Heidi’s now safe in the ambulance. I don’t want to sound uncaring, but how long will it take to get your crew out? If I don’t get this shot in tonight, it’s going to cost production another ten grand at least to reshoot.”

Eddie squeezed his fingers around the cut board in his grip. Was this guy serious?

Bryce stiffened next to Eddie. “Sir, was the collapse of the building part of the script?”

Leo’s phone buzzed in his palm. “It’s going to have to be now. There’s no way we have the time to rebuild this set.”

“Lieutenant,” came Ridge’s voice over the walkie. “We’ve got a situation here at the truck.”

Bryce eyed Olivia before responding to Ridge. “I’ll be right there.” He lowered his voice to Eddie. “I’m leaving you in charge.”

Once Bryce took off in a jog, Eddie moved one of the two-by-fours toward Olivia, who frowned. “Is this cut board a movie prop?”

Leo took the board. “If it is, it’s nothing that I’ve ordered within the last day or two.”

That wasn’t exactly conclusive. “Sir, I’m afraid the building may have been tampered with.”

Leo closed his eyes. “Thought we’d have one good day.”

Olivia pulled out a notebook. “What kinds of problems have you been running into?”

Leo typed on his phone. “Some props have gone missing. A fence lock was destroyed, and protesters have ruined more than one of our takes. Don’t get me started on the drainage issue on the honeywagon. It’s as if Last Chance County isn’t the perfect spot for my movie as promised.” The man dug his fingers into his hair. “How long are we shut down for?”

Olivia wrote something on her notepad. “I’m going to need any security footage and names of everyone that was here. I’ll need to interview all the witnesses.”

“That’s practically the entire crew,” Leo spat, and then closed his eyes again. “Sorry. We’ll help in any way we can.” He snapped his fingers, and the woman who had been standing beside Bianca jogged over. “Grace can print off a list of everyone who was on set.”

Grace unlocked her phone. “Do you need a hard copy, or will an emailed spreadsheet work?”

“Email will work,” Olivia replied, and then to Leo said, “Why don’t you head over to my car. I’ll take your formal statement first. We’ll let the fire department get a jump on their work so the movie won’t be held up longer than necessary.”

Eddie took a step back. “I’ve got to get everything taped off.”

Leo held up his hand. “If we’re at least fifty feet away from the roped-off area, could we resume filming?”

Before Eddie could give words that probably matched Olivia’s scowling facial expression, the balding security guard returned. He blew out a breath and extended a thumb drive. “My boss has all the footage of the week put on the zip drive. However, the camera—” He tilted his chin back behind Eddie.

Everyone turned to where a telephone pole stood between a tree planted in a huge pot and a building with a purple awning.

“—had been looped. Didn’t even capture the collapse.”

“I got the collapse from the backside, at least.” Leo shook his head. “I really am cursed. Or this film. Maybe both. I never should have agreed to a movie about the Valencia gem.”

Olivia took the thumb drive. “Thank you…”

“Thad. Thad Walker, ma’am,” the security guard stammered.

Another police officer, Junior Ramble, came up beside Olivia. “Ramble, could you take Leo to my car, and Mr. Walker, could you round up those who want to give their statements next?”

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