Stormy Seas (A Rowan Gray Mystery Book 3)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “I always thought it would be,” Rebecca replied. “When I was a kid, I remember thinking I wanted to be anywhere but where I was. I didn’t want to be in Podunk, Iowa. I wanted to be in a pretty dress on the red carpet at the Oscars. Once I left high school, I thought that horror movies were the best way to get what I wanted.”

  “And now?”

  “And now I’m a realist. I know I’m never going to get everything I want.”

  Rowan didn’t like hearing the abject misery and defeat lacing the woman’s words. “How can you say that? You don’t know what the future holds. I certainly never saw myself landing here, but I wouldn’t trade what I have now for anything. You don’t know where you’ll end up.”

  “Oh, I know.” Rebecca sounded vaguely bitter. “When I was a kid I knew I wanted to be someone. When I first started doing this, I honestly believed that was possible. Now I know better.”

  “But … you can do anything you want.”

  “No, I’m not a good enough actress.” Rebecca didn’t break down in tears when she delivered the simple words. She looked far from happy, though. “I thought that people who started in this business would have a chance to move on and try something else. I mean … you hear about famous people doing terrible horror movies and making fun of it in interviews down the line all of the time. Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger did a really terrible Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie, for crying out loud. I thought if they could do it, I could, too.”

  “And you don’t now?” Rowan felt inexplicably sorry for the woman. She was so young to have given up all hope.

  “When you do as many bad movies as me while trying to make a living, you find that you can’t even get a meeting for the good movies,” Rebecca explained. “I’m starting to come to terms with that. Plus, well, if the money doesn’t ever get any better … is there really any reason to stay in this business. Maybe I should get a job on a ship or something. I’ll bet I would be happier. I wouldn’t have to put up with all of the crap I do now.”

  “Crap like with Callisto Collins?” Rowan decided to go for it. Rebecca was in a chatty mood and she might never again get the opportunity.

  “What do you know about that?”

  “Just what I’ve heard from various people on the ship,” Rowan lied. She figured she could bluff her way through this conversation, if nothing else. Hopefully Rebecca wouldn’t realize she was making it up as she went along. “My understanding is that Callisto is the top dog and she doesn’t want anyone else to play at her park.”

  Rebecca snickered at Rowan’s analogy. “That’s kind of funny but totally right. Callisto is the top actress in this field and she’s not about to let anyone else through the door.”

  “I don’t understand that,” Rowan admitted. “She can’t possibly take every role so why wouldn’t she want someone else to have success?”

  “Because she believes she’ll lose her foothold.”

  “Do you believe that?”

  Rebecca held her hands palms out and shrugged. “I can see where she’s coming from, which frightens me. In her head she thinks if someone else gets any attention for a role then that person’s name might be in a director’s mind when it comes time to cast. Losing one role isn’t the end of the world. What happens when it’s always the other actress on top of the casting wish list, though?”

  “I’d never really considered that before.” Rowan rubbed the back of her neck as a far-off rumble of thunder filled the air. The storm would be here soon.

  “You were right.” Rebecca smiled at the noise. “A storm is coming.”

  “I know my storms.” Rowan flashed a tight-lipped smile. “Can I ask you something? It’s a little private, but when you mentioned it earlier I couldn’t help but be curious. If I’m overstepping my bounds, go ahead and tell me. I swear I won’t be offended.”

  Rebecca widened her eyes. “Okay. Go ahead.”

  “You said that you practically did the alien movie for free because it didn’t do well at the box office,” Rowan prodded. “That kind of confused me. I assumed that you would get your money up front to star in a movie.”

  “Well, that’s how it works in a lot of real productions,” Rebecca explained. “To be fair, though, a lot of Hollywood stars take less money up front if they think a movie is going to be a hit because otherwise it might not get made. Then they’ll ultimately get paid more from the back end. It’s a gamble, but it doesn’t always work that way.

  “When you’re dealing with the movies we’re doing, we know they’re never going to win awards or anything – er, well, at least legitimate awards – but the horror audience is voracious,” she continued. “A lot of horror movies make big bank off very small budgets because of the audience. That’s the hope when you take on some of these roles because we honestly get paid peanuts.”

  “Even someone like Callisto who has been around for years?”

  “Well, she gets paid more than most actresses, but only actresses in this particular genre,” Rebecca explained. “She’s not getting Jennifer Lawrence money. She’s getting what the little sister in those Hunger Games movies got, the one who was in like two scenes a movie and no one remembers? Yeah.”

  “Still, she’s making more than others in your field, right?”

  Rebecca nodded. If she was bothered by Rowan’s questions, she didn’t show it. Rowan was grateful for that because she was getting a real education on the horror movie scene. “She does. That’s why everyone is gunning for her position. They want to be the one getting the best choice of roles because they want more money. What they don’t seem to realize is that your spot at the top doesn’t last long.”

  That was an interesting way of looking at it. “Are you interested in Callisto’s spot?”

  “Not really. I never wanted to be Callisto.”

  “You wanted to be Jennifer Lawrence,” Rowan surmised.

  “Exactly.” Rebecca bobbed her head. “I thought this would be a stopgap on my way to bigger and better things. Other people go into this part of the horror movie circuit knowing they’ll never get out. That’s fine. I honestly thought I would get out, though.”

  “And now you don’t?”

  “Now I know I won’t get out.” Rebecca’s smile was wan. “I have to decide if I want to be a lifer in this business – knowing what I know and how toxic it is – or move on and do something else. You know, be a normal person.”

  “Ah. That’s why you wanted to know about working on the ship.”

  “I never considered it before and I’ve always wanted to travel,” Rebecca explained. “It was just something to think about. I haven’t made up my mind either way at this point.”

  “I can see you’re in a tough spot.” And, because she could, Rowan felt stirrings of pity waft through her chest. “When do you think you’ll decide?”

  “Well, I’m contracted for two more movies so it won’t be until after I finish them,” Rebecca replied. “One of them was actually supposed to go to Callisto, but the director changed his mind at the last minute and gave the role to me.”

  “How did that go over?”

  “Not well.” Rebecca’s smile didn’t make it all the way to her eyes. “You’ve met Callisto. She’s not a pleasant person.”

  “No, she’s not. Still … I would think this was a fun line of work even if you never get rich.”

  “I think it is for some people,” Rebecca acknowledged. “It’s long hours in terrible conditions, though. Do you have any idea how cold movie rain really is? I’m trying to weigh whether or not it’s worth it.”

  “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you add a lot to the genre.” Rowan jolted when a loud thunderclap rocked the deck, a huge bolt of lightning splitting the sky at the exact same moment. “It’s here.”

  As if on cue, the rain started falling in a heavy sheet all at once and Rowan’s hair was plastered to her forehead before she even had a chance to consider racing to the tiki bar for cover.

  “Oh, well, this is g
reat,” Rowan muttered, shoving her hair away from her forehead.

  “I think it is great.” Rebecca was wistful as she raised her chin. “Everything feels cleaner after a storm. Everything bad just gets … washed away.” She lifted her face to the sky and smiled when the thunder exploded. “I love a good storm.”

  “I do, too,” Rowan admitted. “We shouldn’t be out here, though. In fact … .”

  “Rowan!” Quinn strode in their direction, his eyes keen as he glanced between faces. He didn’t look happy to find the two women on the deck. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I was talking to Rebecca.” Rowan ran her hand over her face as the rain pelted her. She felt ridiculous standing there but didn’t know what else to do. “The storm came up quick.”

  “So go inside.” Quinn’s expression was dark. “How come you didn’t tell me you were leaving the dining room?”

  Rebecca pursed her lips, amused, and took a step back. “I’m going to head back to my room. It was nice talking to you.”

  “You, too.” Rowan offered up a halfhearted wave before turning to Quinn. “She gave me a lot of good information.”

  “That’s great,” Quinn said, wrinkling his nose as lightning buzzed across the sky. “You still don’t need to stand outside in the middle of a storm.”

  Rowan’s expression fell. “I’m sorry. You were otherwise engaged when Rebecca left. I didn’t have a lot of time to make my decision.”

  “Make time.” Quinn grabbed Rowan’s hand and dragged her toward the employee door about thirty feet away. “Come on. This is going to be a humdinger of a storm.”

  Rowan managed to refrain from laughing due to his use of the word “humdinger,” but her amusement didn’t last long when she saw a flash of color on the collar of Quinn’s shirt. “What’s that?” She reached out with her free hand and frowned as she got a closer look under the limited deck lights. “Is that lipstick?”

  Quinn’s face flushed with unnatural color. “It’s not my fault.”

  Rowan didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry. “I bet.”

  “You’re the one who left me alone with crazy people.”

  “Uh-huh. You’re in big trouble. You know that, right?”

  For the first time since finding her on the deck, Quinn cracked a smile. “Does that mean you’re going to punish me?”

  “I’m seriously considering it.”

  “Oh, well, be kind.”

  Rowan realized what he was referring to and choked out a laugh. “You’re kind of a pervert.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea.”

  “I can’t wait to find out.”

  It wasn’t an invitation, but the simple joke was enough to calm them both … although only minimally.

  “That makes two of us.”

  10

  Ten

  Quinn and Rowan were almost to the hallway when the sound of screeching laughter down the way caught their attention. Quinn narrowed his eyes as he glanced in that direction before shoving Rowan under the awning to get her out of the elements.

  “Stay here. I need to clear the deck. I’ll be right back.”

  “If they’re not smart enough to get out of the rain themselves … .”

  “I’ll be right back,” Quinn repeated. “They shouldn’t be out here. This isn’t going to be a small storm.”

  Rowan considered arguing but ultimately kept her mouth shut, pressing her lips together and nodding. She folded her arms over her chest as she watched Quinn disappear into the night, a grim expression on his face. It was far from cold and yet she couldn’t stop herself from shivering.

  Quinn slipped out of sight almost instantly, leaving Rowan with a large ball of worry in the pit of her stomach. She knew very well that she could take care of herself, but he wasn’t wrong about the storm whipping up a tempest of trouble. The rain hit the deck so hard it bounced and the lightning flashes were so frequent it felt as if the world was being plunged into intermittent daylight, rather than the opposite.

  Rowan was so lost in thought … and concern … that she didn’t sense a new figure joining her under the awning until he was already on top of her.

  “This is one heck of a storm.”

  Rowan jolted at the new voice, her heart skipping a beat. Another lightning flash revealed Brimstone’s handsome features, his dark hair curling over his shoulders, and she found herself relaxing, although only marginally. “What are you doing out here?”

  “Taking a look around,” Brimstone replied, not missing a beat. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I was enjoying the night and talking to Rebecca Madden a bit,” Rowan explained, darting her eyes back to the deck in the hope of seeing Quinn. He remained hidden from view. “Then the storm hit. We were about to head to bed, but then Quinn heard someone on the deck and felt the vigorous need to do some bossing around.”

  Brimstone’s lips quirked, amusement evident. “I see. I saw you out here with Rebecca. I was waiting for you to be alone because I wanted to talk to you … but you were never alone.”

  “You wanted to talk to me?” Rowan’s eyebrows flew up her forehead. “How come?”

  “Maybe I find you interesting.”

  Rowan looked Brimstone up and down, taking in his Goth apparel and black eyeliner before shaking her head. “Why really?”

  Brimstone chuckled. “You’re funny. I find you interesting.”

  “You might very well find me interesting, but that’s hardly a reason to watch me when I’m unaware of your presence. Why did you want to talk to me?”

  “I’ve been watching you today.”

  “You’ve been watching me?” Rowan’s unease ratcheted up a notch. “Why?”

  “I don’t know.” Brimstone shrugged. “I honestly do find you interesting. I find your boyfriend interesting, too.”

  “I’m pretty sure he doesn’t roll that way. I can ask him when he gets back, though. You know, just to be on the safe side.”

  Brimstone snorted, shaking his head so vigorously his long hair brushed against the top of his shoulders. “You’re funny. That’s not why I’ve been watching you, though.”

  “So … why?”

  “Because you spent your day watching Callisto Collins.” Brimstone responded without hesitation. “Sure, you took photographs, too, but you were mostly interested in watching her. I found it interesting … and thought maybe you rolled both ways, which it totally hot so don’t worry about that. I’m pretty sure that’s not the case, though.”

  Rowan’s spine stiffened as she squared her shoulders. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You do, but you clearly don’t want to talk about it. That’s fine.” Brimstone’s expression was enigmatic. “See, I thought you might have a thing – a little fan girl love or something – for Callisto. That only lasted until I realized you were no longer watching her because your boyfriend had taken over the duty.”

  Rowan did her best to appear indifferent. “Maybe he has a thing for her. Have you ever considered that?”

  “Not even remotely,” Brimstone replied, unruffled by Rowan’s shifting tone. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. As far as he’s concerned, you’re the only woman in the world.”

  Rowan was glad it was dark out because her cheeks burned so hot she was convinced she looked like an overripe tomato. “I think you’re exaggerating.”

  “I think it’s cute that you think that. I like a woman who is self-assured but doesn’t boast an out-of-control ego.”

  “Uh-huh.” Rowan’s nerves got the better of her as she peered into the night. “Quinn will be back any second.”

  “I’m not here to hurt you,” Brimstone supplied. “You don’t have to be frightened of me. I’m merely here to … get to know you better.”

  “I’m not sure how to take that.”

  “Take it however you want. Being vigilant is always a good thing.”

  “You want me to be vigilant?” Rowan was fairly certain this was one of the oddest
conversations she’d ever participated in. “How come?”

  “Because you’re a straightforward person and this – this entire movie scene – is about being something you’re not,” Brimstone replied, not missing a beat. “The people here are professional liars who only care about increasing their own status. You don’t understand that because you don’t think that way.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Rowan admitted, her unease being replaced with rampant curiosity. “Are you trying to warn me off of Rebecca?”

  “I don’t really know Rebecca.”

  “So who are you trying to warn me about?”

  “I’m not trying to warn you about anyone,” Brimstone clarified. “I’m trying to make you see that this isn’t a normal situation.”

  “I think I figured that out myself.”

  “I certainly hope so.”

  The duo lapsed into uncomfortable silence, something Rowan couldn’t handle because it caused her nerves to spurt out in a bevy of different directions.

  “What’s your real name?”

  Brimstone cocked an eyebrow and tilted his head to the side, seemingly amused. “What makes you think Brimstone isn’t my real name?”

  “Common sense.”

  “Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple.”

  “You have a point and still … that’s not your real name.”

  “No one in this business goes by their real name unless they accidentally started under that name and can’t back out,” Brimstone noted. “Everyone here is putting on a show. The names are only part of it.”

  “Everyone? Does that include you?”

  Brimstone grinned and winked. “Especially me.”

  “That doesn’t really make me feel better about you.”

  “That’s good. Follow those instincts. The people here tell stories. That’s what they do.”

  “They’re actors,” Rowan pointed out. “I would think that’s part of the deal.”

  “It is part of the deal and most of them know what they’re doing and aren’t dangerous,” Brimstone said. “You need to worry about the ones who don’t know they’re telling tales out of school, the ones who start to believe the stories.”