STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery)

by Bev Pettersen

  His eyes seemed to skim over her legs in a classic male once-over. However, the moment was too brief and she brushed it aside as merely wishful thinking.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “This has to be the most boring job in the world,” Emily said, peering over Judith’s shoulder into the makeup tent. “Has this line even moved since I left?”

  “This is normal.” Judith sipped her coffee, barely looking up from her e-reader. “We’re getting paid now, so relax. But thanks for the great coffee.”

  Emily drained her cup and glanced around, searching for a sympathetic face. About thirty people lined up behind them, but each one seemed stoically resigned, either reading, texting or moving like the walking dead. Not a single person appeared ruffled.

  At least this wait provided time to brush up on her horse knowledge. Nothing to it. A simple call to Jenna would do the trick. She tossed her cup into a nearby garbage can and pulled out her phone. Scrolled down to her sister’s name then paused. Her finger wavered over the keys. Jenna still hadn’t answered her earlier text and was obviously busy cramming.

  It might be quicker to check the Internet for the proper way to lead a horse. Not that Emily was a total newbie. She’d participated in many 4-H activities and Wally, the Center’s manager, had constantly lectured her on safe handling.

  The movie people might even want Wally’s reference. Heck, she’d better warn him. On movie site of Reckless, she texted. May need reference. OK?

  Wally answered within a minute. Yes. Will confirm A1 tour guide. Have fun.

  Not a tour guide, she clicked. Horse handler. She crossed her fingers and waited.

  His next text was very short: lol.

  She grimaced. Not much help there. Wally considered her a lowly tour guide; it would be impossible to change his mind. Jenna, however, could do it with one phone call. Wally would walk over hot coals for Jenna.

  She scrolled back to her sister’s name but again hesitated. Asking Jenna to speak to Wally would definitely disrupt her studying. It would also drag Emily back full circle to begging for help.

  It might be better to call Wally’s receptionist and have her handle any calls. Frances was rather ornery. However, she’d padded Emily’s job description before in exchange for crossword puzzle help. Besides, the movie people might not check references, especially if she aced the skills test. And really, how hard was it to lead a horse?

  Reassured, she scrolled the Internet and pulled up a horse site. ‘Lead from the left,’ it said. ‘Hand six inches below the halter ring. Turn the animal away from you.’

  Okay, she already knew that. And she always got along well with horses…normal ones, anyway.

  She tapped Judith on the arm. “Can you tell me if Reckless was a normal horse? Besides being able to run freakishly fast?”

  Judith impatiently lifted her gaze from the e-reader. “You’re too young to remember his races, but I can’t believe you didn’t do any research. I’m not sure what you mean by normal, but Reckless was a terror in the starting gate. He didn’t even run in the Derby. His groom disappeared and for a while he was unmanageable.”

  “Unmanageable.” Emily gulped. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “He reared. Charged. Bolted. I believe he was pining for his groom. He never made it to any of the three-year-old classics. All his races were won as a four-year-old. That’s why this movie is so intriguing. People will finally hear the entire story.”

  “They should have paid the groom more money,” Emily said. “I don’t blame him for quitting.” A rearing horse was scary. She’d been clipped once on the shoulder and had a healthy respect for flailing hooves.

  Judith’s mouth tightened. “The groom was female, not male. And she left two weeks before the Derby. Just disappeared.”

  Emily shrugged and returned to the search function of her phone. ‘How to handle a rearing horse,’ she typed.

  The screen changed, offering a wealth of equine information, tips and opinions. There were plenty of pictures, video and instruction—some of it conflicting. But all the Internet experts agreed on one thing: a rearing horse was very dangerous.

  “Size?”

  The clipped question pulled Emily from her research. She glanced up. A lady with an iPad impatiently tapped a finger.

  “Size seven,” Emily said, disappointed now that the line was moving. Some of these horse videos had been extremely entertaining.

  “Height and weight?”

  “Five foot six inches, one hundred and nineteen pounds.” She automatically shaved two pounds. One hundred and nineteen sounded much better than one twenty-one.

  “Move along to the wardrobe counter,” the lady said, barely lifting her head as she punched in the data.

  Emily joined Judith who’d already been issued a beige dress with a rather ugly lace neckline.

  “Try to get a neutral color,” Judith whispered as she headed for a change room.

  Emily grimaced. She preferred bright colors, not boring brown. But if she was prominent in the party scene, she might blow her chance at special skills. On the flip side, she might not even pass the horse test, and the chance to appear on screen with a famous actor—someone who even Jenna would recognize—hung tantalizingly within reach.

  A harried wardrobe lady dropped a gold sheath on the counter. Emily brightened. She could live with that. The dress was beautiful yet wouldn’t stand out in a crowd. “Do you have matching heels?” Emily asked, scooping up the dress. “Something strappy? And I think a gold necklace would add some flair.”

  “This isn’t a fashion show,” the lady said with an amused smile. “Move along now. The wardrobe supervisor is on the far side of the tent. She’ll check you out.”

  Emily stepped into the next empty change room and tugged on the dress. It was beautiful with a timeless cut that fit the nineties yet wouldn’t look out of place at a cocktail party today. And the shoes were okay, not as sexy as she’d like and a half size too large, but otherwise acceptable. She did a satisfied pirouette in front of the mirror then hurried out to join Judith.

  “This is great,” Emily said. “I wonder how they’ll do our hair.”

  Judith shrugged. “You already look gorgeous. I doubt they’ll do anything more. Just leave your bag on the bench and get in the makeup line. After approval, we’re allowed to wait in the lunch room until our call time.”

  Emily grimaced at the prospect of another lineup. At least there was something interesting to watch in this tent. There were six makeup stations and it looked like they did hair at the same time. One woman, obviously the supervisor, made last-minute adjustments before nodding curt approval.

  All the makeup artists were extremely quick. And talented. But one poor woman was being rubbed with far too much rouge. “What are they doing to her?” Emily asked in horror. She certainly hoped they didn’t put that clownish red on her cheeks.

  “It’s probably for the pool scene,” Judith said, keeping her voice low. “That’s when Thomas Hamilton brought Reckless to the house and announced he’d win the Derby. The poor colt was terrified and leaped into the pool. A couple guests were hurt, but they managed to get Reckless out okay.”

  “It looks like that woman hit the side of her head,” Emily whispered, staring in awe as the lady’s face was transformed into a bloody mess. “They even made a line down the side of her cheek.”

  “Probably supposed to be the horse’s hoof,” Judith said.

  “What happened to Reckless at this party? I remember his name,” Emily said, “but I’m a little fuzzy on the history.”

  “The pool incident is a famous story.” Impatience edged Judith’s voice. “He was drowning, and his groom jumped in and saved him. Animal experts think that’s why he missed her so much when she disappeared.”

  “So, if Robert Dexter is playing the Hamilton guy, he’ll be in this scene?”

  “Yes. There was some sort of party, lots of drinking, and then the horse was led up to the house. That’s when the troub
le started.”

  “Pool trouble?”

  “Not just that.” Judith fiddled with the neckline of her dress. “Rumor was the groom and Thomas Hamilton were having an affair. The wife noticed and wanted the groom fired. I’m not sure if all that will be in the movie though. It’ll probably focus on Reckless jumping into the pool.”

  “Wow.” Emily shook her head, unable to imagine a horse leaping into a pool. It had been tricky persuading some of the Thoroughbreds to enter the whirlpool at the Center. And that pool had a rubber ramp.

  She inched another step forward in line, keeping her gaze on the woman with the bloody face. So far, everything on the set was fascinating—except, of course, for the waiting. But she was going to be in the same room as Robert Dexter and Shania Stevens, huge Hollywood stars. This could be her big break.

  “Next.” A makeup artist gestured.

  Emily stepped forward and sat in the chair, pleased to recognize several beauty brands crammed on the table in front of the mirror. “I’d like my eyes darkened a bit,” she said, tilting her head and studying her reflection. “Maybe add a little more charcoal eyeliner on the sides with just a touch beneath.”

  The artist laughed. “Sorry. You’re okay as is. We’re not doing much for the extras, just making sure there’s enough party look. You won’t be that close to the cameras. Not unless you’ve been chosen for special effects. Have you?”

  “No. Not chosen,” Emily said, rather deflated. It had been six hours since she left the apartment and her makeup needed refreshing. She’d packed her bag with essentials but this was her first chance to look in a mirror. It wasn’t at all reassuring. “Perhaps I could just sit here and fix my face myself?” she asked.

  “Sorry. No time.” The artist tugged her out of the chair and Emily reluctantly rose, appalled at the noticeable shine on her cheeks.

  “Come on.” Judith waved an impatient arm. “The quicker we get to the lunch room, the longer we’ll have for a break. They still have about twenty people to get ready.”

  Emily took a last glance in the mirror but shook off her disappointment and followed in Judith’s wake. No hair, no makeup but at least she wore a very elegant dress. “The dining room is the other direction,” she said to Judith, remembering the tent with the delicious coffee…and Dan Barrett.

  “We’re not allowed in that one. Background has their own lunch room.” Judith pointed toward a ‘BG’ sign. The crude letters were painted on a piece of plywood in bold green and a trail of well-dressed people filed into the drab tent.

  Sighing, Emily stepped over a cluster of thick yellow wire then followed Judith inside. This place was much different from the dining room. It was poorly lit, the floor was merely dead grass flattened by countless feet and the musty air reeked of mold and onions. Wooden tables stretched in uneven rows. No chairs, only worn benches. Three metallic urns squeezed onto a wobbly stand. Coffee, tea and hot water: a much more limited selection than the dining room.

  “Hurry,” Judith said. “Grab a doughnut before they’re gone.”

  Emily picked up a plain doughnut then filled her coffee cup. “I hope my dress doesn’t pick on those benches.” She eyed the rough wood with suspicion. “We look much too nice to be stuck in this place.”

  “At least you can have coffee,” a woman behind Emily said. “I was ordered to avoid drinking and not mess my makeup.”

  Emily turned, recognizing the woman with the bloody face. “Your makeup does look realistic,” she said. “They did an excellent job. Do you get hurt in the pool?”

  “I have no idea what I’m doing. I just stand where they tell me.”

  Emily enjoyed a rush of relief. She wasn’t so ignorant. This woman knew even less than her. Probably nobody had researched the movie as much as Judith. “I heard we’re guests at the house party,” Emily said, trying to be helpful. “Apparently Reckless is scared and jumps into the pool. I can’t imagine a horse doing that, can you?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” The woman pushed past her and scooped up three chocolate doughnuts. “The longer the day, the more money I make.”

  “Exactly.” Emily nodded agreeably although she’d been so entertained by all the activity she’d forgotten she was here to earn a paycheck.

  She edged onto the bench beside Judith and checked her messages. Still nothing since she sent the text on the bus. Maybe Jenna didn’t believe she was really working on the Reckless movie?

  “Would it be possible to snap a picture of the set?” Emily asked. “Not the actors. But I need something to send my sister.”

  “You still have your phone?” Judith’s eyes widened in horror. “They told me to leave mine in my bag.”

  “They told me that too.” Emily shrugged. “So I stuck it in my shoe. It’s very expensive. I’m not going to just leave it.”

  Judith’s lips clamped so tightly they turned white. “Don’t even think about taking pictures,” she hissed. “Your sister will have to understand. We could be kicked off. It’s not done.”

  “She didn’t ask for a picture,” Emily said. “I just want to send one.”

  “Why? Are you trying to impress her?”

  “No, it’s not that,” Emily said. “Movies stars wouldn’t impress Jenna. But I want her to see what I’m doing.” And maybe a picture would validate my education allowance.

  Her hand shook so abruptly coffee splashed her wrist. It hurt to admit most of her energy was spent figuring out how to justify handouts from her wealthy sister.

  “Jenna really likes horses,” Emily added defensively, “so she’d be interested in this type of movie. That’s why I took the background job, so I can take her to the steeplechase back home.”

  “I see.” Judith’s voice softened, her expression turning wistful. “Family is important. But now that you’ve met Dan Barrett, at least you can try out for special skills. Just make sure you get back to the bus by seven.”

  “Sure,” Emily said. “And maybe you can get more work too. Will they need party background another day?”

  Judith shrugged. “Who knows? But if this scene is based around an unpredictable horse, it might take days to get it right.”

  “I hope so,” Emily said. Maybe she’d make enough money to book a deluxe room at the Steeplechase Inn. The end suite had a balcony overlooking the parking lot. There’d be at least fifty trucks at the tailgate party, all within shouting distance. The suite had a big fridge too so there’d be no problem keeping Jenna’s beer cold. She rubbed her hands with anticipation.

  A man with a mike bustled through the doorway, interrupting her daydreams. “You’re heading to the set now,” he called. “Bus is waiting.”

  “Show time.” Judith rose to her feet. “And if you’re going to sit with me,” she warned, “make sure that phone is turned off.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “Wow.” Emily pressed her nose closer to the bus window and peered at the huge mansion with the six white pillars. “That place is amazing. Do the Hamiltons still live there?”

  “Yes. The movie is using the ballroom but none of the other floors. The barns and track are unrestricted though. That’s one of the reasons they were able to proceed with the film. Shooting on a single site keeps production costs lower.”

  “What kind of budget are we talking? Ten million?”

  “More like thirty,” Judith said. “And Mr. Harrison is one of the backers. So it’s doubtful the movie will reveal his many affairs. Rather a pity.”

  Emily nodded, more at ease now with Judith’s detailed knowledge. Earlier, it had made her feel unprepared, stupid even, but now she realized the woman was simply an avid movie buff. Besides, whoever had slept with Harrison almost a quarter century ago didn’t matter much, although it was certainly remarkable that Reckless had jumped into a pool. And survived.

  The bus shuddered to a stop.

  She rose from her seat and followed the line of extras into the house, her heart pounding. It didn’t matter now that she was only background. She was goin
g to be working with genuine movie stars.

  A frowning woman with a dangling headset herded them into an airy ballroom. And now Emily really felt like she was on a movie set. Lights, cameras and faces crowded the area. Three of the cameras were in a semi-circle around a smiling man at the front of the room.

  “Is that Robert Dexter?” she whispered to Judith. “He looks smaller than I expected.”

  “Shush,” Judith said.

  Camera crew surrounded Robert Dexter and the regal lady beside him. Obviously the lady was Liana Mason. Emily rose on her toes, craning to see past all the heads. Liana Mason had been in several of her favorite movies and appeared just as classy in the flesh. Dexter was disappointing though—not nearly as charismatic as she’d imagined. Certainly not as attractive as Dan Barrett, who wasn’t even an actor.

  Someone rushed up and brushed powder on Dexter’s forehead. Emily edged closer until she was only twenty feet away. Her fingers itched to pull the phone from her shoe and snap a picture. Anything to prove she was really here.

  “Spread out, please,” an authoritative voice directed. “Stand in groups of two to five.” A man carrying a loaded champagne tray pressed a fluted glass in her hand.

  “Stay away from the front.” Judith tugged at Emily’s arm. “We’ll have a better chance of getting more work if our faces aren’t seen.”

  Emily wavered. She understood the rationale, but it was incredibly tempting to squeeze closer to the action. Already many extras had pushed to the front. Besides, how would she be offered a speaking line if the director didn’t even see her?

  “You’ll blow your shot at special skills if you go any closer,” Judith warned. “And you already had your share of luck meeting Dan Barrett this morning.”

  Emily clasped her champagne and reluctantly followed Judith to the back of the room.

  “Picture is up,” a man yelled. “Quiet everyone!”