Tawas Goes Hollywood

by Madison Johns

  “What a wonderful view,” Eileen exclaimed. “The server will be back in a jiffy.”

  I smiled. “‘Jiffy.’ Did Brax and Austin write that word into the film’s dialogue?”

  “Yes, is it politically correct. I’d hate to insult either of you.”

  “Not even politics is politically correct.” Eleanor chuckled. “We’ve both used that word at times. Have you seen the writers recently?”

  “They probably haven’t had time to leave their hotel room,” I said as the server came to take our drink orders. “How did you feel about how the opening scene went today?”

  “Lousy, but I can’t blame Amim for that. The wind was horrendous,” Hannah said.

  “It can be that way at the point,” Eleanor said. “We suggested G’s Pizzeria might be a better fit.”

  “I had no idea Amim would run with the suggestion,” I said.

  “It sounds practicable to me,” Eileen said. “I imagine you girls go there often.”

  “It has the best pizza in town and the friendliest servers,” I said as I glanced around to make sure no server was nearby. “Of course, I’m not saying the servers here aren’t friendly. I come here for cod dinners.”

  “It’s their specialty,” Eleanor said.

  The server returned and Eileen ordered fish dinners for all of us. I waited until the server moved away from the table before saying, “Eleanor and I were wondering about the rumor that Louis was Amim’s father.”

  Eileen and Hannah exchanged a look.

  “I hope we haven’t overstepped,” Eleanor said. “I told you not to ask them that. Agnes has a habit of bluntness, but of course with the investigation we’re both on edge.”

  “So are we,” Eileen said, “and it’s not a rumor. Louis is Amim’s father.”

  “How can you be so certain?” I asked.

  “It was quite apparent whenever they were together. Amim has the same nose as Louis, the poor dear. Thankfully she doesn’t share any of his other features.”

  “Well, Amim claimed that’s not the case and even went as far as telling us that if Louis was her father she’d have partnered with him on directing.”

  “Were you aware that he’s directed a number of movies?” Eleanor asked.

  Eileen sipped her soft drink. “That’s interesting.”

  “How can you be so positive Louis was Amim’s father?” Hannah asked Eileen suspiciously.

  “I know for a fact. Louis hinted as much.”

  “How recently?” I asked.

  “We were on the same flight from New York.”

  “Were you drinking on the flight, Eileen?” Hannah asked. “I know how you like to have a few drinks to relax on the plane.”

  “I might have had a few martinis, but I didn’t imagine the conversation. Louis told me that he had something important to tell Amim and swore me to secrecy.”

  I nodded. “That doesn’t sound like Amim could have known.”

  “Amim is the only person who would have mattered to Louis. He might have decided to come clean to his daughter, but he didn’t get the chance,” Eleanor said.

  I nodded as I unwrapped my straw. “Someone might have had an interest in keeping the secret just that ... a secret.”

  “He was murdered before he had the chance to tell Amim,” Eleanor said. “It makes perfect sense.”

  “Who would do such a thing?” Hannah said as she shuddered. “And whoever murdered Louis is probably still working on the movie.”

  Eileen rubbed her arms briskly. “They won’t stand a chance with Agnes and Eleanor on the case.”

  “I wish it were that easy,” I said. “At least Amim has allowed us to be on the shoot in the morning. I’d rather stay close just in case the murderer has their sights set on someone else.”

  “Someone with a secret,” Eleanor added. “And an interest in keeping it.”

  “I can’t even begin to think about who it could be.”

  I pulled a list from my pocket. “We spoke briefly with the caterer.”

  “Heather James couldn’t be involved. She was a good friend to Louis,” Eileen said.

  “How close?” I asked.

  “I don’t exactly know, but I suppose he might have trusted her with the truth,” Hannah said. “She’s a great cook, so please tread lightly. We’d hate to lose her. I was on a movie shoot once where the food was horrible.”

  “And another that served only vegetarian entrees,” Eileen said as our food was served.

  “Enough said.” Eleanor grinned. “We’ll have another go at talking to Heather, but do you have any idea where she might be?”

  “I heard her mention she was hitting the public beach,” Eileen said.

  I breathed in the aroma of the deep-fried cod and smiled when Eileen and Hannah used only a fork and knife to eat the fish, which only broke it into smaller pieces.

  I cut a more sizable chunk and carefully smeared on the tartar sauce and popped it into my mouth. I gasped as I quickly guzzled my Diet Coke to put out the five-alarm fire in my mouth. “I should have known better than to do that. It’s really hot.”

  “You do know food is delivered hot, don’t you, Agnes?” Eleanor asked.

  “Yes I do, and it’s so nice you’re here to point out my flaws.”

  “That’s hardly a flaw,” Eileen said. “Hannah and I made a mess of our dinner.”

  “Spoons work well for that,” I said as I stuck out my burned tongue. Now everything would taste strange until my tongue felt better, although now would be the best time to go out for ice cream. If only we had the time.

  Eleanor and I said our goodbyes after making an attempt at offering to pay the bill, but Eileen and Hannah would have none of that.

  “Do you think we’ll find Heather at the beach? And which one exactly,” Eleanor said.

  “I’m thinking it’s not at the point, even though it’s quite lovely. I should have mentioned there’s wreckage from a few ships that have sunk in the area.”

  “The movie is about a murder, not a shipwreck.”

  “I think it should be about a shipwreck.”

  “Maybe for the sequel.”

  “What sequel is that?”

  “You know how everyone loves a sequel, either books or movies, even when they shouldn’t do one.” Eleanor laughed.

  “Sequels don’t bother me, but remakes do.” I laughed as we climbed into the LX and drove to the East Tawas and Tawas City Beach. The twin cities share a beach near the city campground and dock. It was then that it occurred to me what Amim had said earlier. “Amim can’t possibly shoot at two locations tomorrow. Remember she mentioned a body would be found on the dock?”

  “I don’t see how that would matter. It shouldn’t take that long to shoot a scene.”

  “Says the person who has no flipping idea what it takes to make a movie, or set up two scenes. Not that I have a clue either.”

  “Well, Amim did mention they’re already behind schedule.”

  I slid the LX into the last handicapped parking spot and Eleanor hung the paper card sign. We walked across the picnic area shaded with a canopy of branches and leaves overhead. I pointed out the benches near the beach and we trudged our way there. I nodded at the woman already there and then noticed it was Heather.

  “Oh, here you are,” I said. “We were just about to take our shoes off and look for you on the beach.”

  Heather’s large eyes protruded slightly. “Why are you looking for me? I already spoke to you yesterday.”

  “I know, and we’re so thankful that you did,” I said. “We only have a few more questions. One, actually. Did Louis tell you he was Amim’s father?”

  Heather’s face reddened. “What makes you think that?”

  “You said that you and Louis were friends.”

  “That hardly means he’d share his most intimate secrets with me.”

  “Did he?” I asked.

  “Your face is certainly red,” Eleanor observed. “It’s important.”

&nbs
p; “If I say yes you’ll consider me a suspect.”

  I frowned. “That hardly would make you a suspect, although at this point we’re wondering if someone wanted to stop Louis from telling Amim the truth.”

  “Providing she didn’t already know,” Eleanor cut in. “What do you think, Heather?”

  “I don’t know how that would lead to his death. What possible harm could it be if Louis revealed to Amim that he’s her father,” Heather asked as she brushed sand off her thighs.

  “That’s where we’re stuck. But did you mention it to anyone, even accidentally?” I asked.

  “I’d never do that. Louis was my friend and I would never do anything to hurt him.”

  “Hurt him?” Eleanor asked.

  “It would hurt him if Amim caught wind of the secret before he had the chance to tell her.”

  I nodded.

  “He might have told Ivy if she lied about being his niece,” Heather suggested.

  “You said that before I could,” Eleanor said. “He might have confided in her if he believed she was his niece.”

  “I don’t buy it,” I said. “If Ivy just suddenly appeared at his door I hardly think he’d share something that important if he’s keep the secret for this long.”

  “This is impossible. How will we ever find out the truth?”

  I had to agree with Eleanor, but changed the subject. “Are you still certain nobody had it out for Louis?” I asked.

  Heather’s eyes welled with tears. “I wish I could help you, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to kill Louis.”

  “I’m sorry if we ruined your day, but we really need to find out who did this before anyone else becomes a victim.”

  “I don’t understand why anyone else would be murdered if you think Louis lost his life because of his secret.”

  “That’s the thing; we have no idea how deeply this secret needed to be buried.”

  “Thank you for speaking with us,” Eleanor said. “We just needed to ask you a few more things before we moved on.”

  “Who do you plan to speak with next?” Heather asked.

  “Well, we haven’t figured that out quite yet,” I said. “But we have a list of everyone who was on the set when Louis’s body was found.”

  Heather reclined to continue sunning. “Can I get back to tanning now?”

  I nodded and Eleanor and I walked back to the car. I was surprised to see Elsie Bradford and Marjory Hayes seated at a picnic table munching on sandwiches. I’d never known them to hang out at the park. They’re both are sensitive to the UV rays, but trees canopied the picnic area.

  “Fancy meeting you here ladies,” I greeted.

  “We were hoping to catch sight of one of the actors coming to the beach for a dip,” Elsie said.

  “What would Jack say?” Eleanor asked pointedly.

  “It’s not like he doesn’t look at pretty women. Although if he does it in my presence he’ll be eating Ex-lax.”

  “Elsie!” I gasped. “I hope that was a joke.”

  “Of course,” she said coyly. “How are things with you girls since the cream pie fight?”

  “Good. And apparently you’ve heard about the murder on the set at the point.”

  “We heard,” Marjory said. “It’s just awful. I hope you ladies are on the case.”

  “You know we are.” Eleanor grinned.

  “It’s awfully convenient,” Elsie added. “Sounds like it’s the plot of the movie.”

  “Nope. The murder happens at the dock,” Eleanor said.

  I shot Eleanor a “shut up” look. “But we have no idea when,” I quickly added.

  Eleanor gave me a sharp look. “But I thought the director said tomorrow.”

  I quickly covered Eleanor’s big fat mouth. “That will be enough, dear. I’m sure Amim doesn’t want the entire town to know where the movie is shooting next.”

  I quickly removed my hand before Eleanor could bury her teeth in my fingers.

  “You ever do the again, Agnes, and you’ll be the next case the sheriff will be investigating,” Eleanor said with a curt nod.

  “If I were you I’d take that as law,” Elsie said. “Come along, Marjory. Nothing exciting happening here.”

  “What’s your hurry?” I asked.

  “You know, places to go and things to do,” Elsie said.

  Elsie and Marjory hurried to their car. I was a bit shocked that they took off so quickly, especially when they seemed generally interested in the movie, or at least the actors. “Nice going, Eleanor. You’ve frightened our friends.”

  “They only wanted to get out of the firing range, is all. I’m sure they knew I was mostly joking.”

  “Mostly?”

  “Yup, mostly.”

  Chapter Twelve

  I picked up my cat Duchess on the way through the door of my house.

  Andrew and Mr. Wilson sat at the kitchen table making sandwiches, and I clutched my stomach at the pungent odor of the sardines Wilson was putting on bread.

  “Yuck!” I exclaimed.

  Wilson licked his fingers longingly. “I have another can if you’d care to join us.” Wilson grinned.

  Andrew shook his head as he made his ham sandwich. “I have Swiss cheese.”

  “No thanks. For some reason I’ve lost my appetite.”

  I walked into the living room, which I considered out of the smelly range. “Have you heard anything from those writers? I haven’t seen Brax and Austin since the cream pie fight,” I said a little louder than I normally would to make certain Andrew could hear me.”

  “You don’t have to yell,” Wilson muttered. “We’re not deaf.”

  “You should take that as a hint.” Andrew laughed. “I mean about the writers. They’re holed up in their hotel room judging from the call I received today. They mentioned they had to alter part of the script. It had something to do with you girls suggesting Amim move the location of the first scene.”

  “That’s not how it went,” I clarified. “Amim found it difficult to film the scene at the point, and it’s not like Eleanor and I go out there that much.”

  “I hope you understand the movie might not be written to make you happy.”

  “She said it was too windy,” Eleanor huffed.

  “Well, that’s a different matter.”

  “Can you come with us to their hotel room?” I asked.

  “Now that’s just what I’m talking about.”

  “I’ll go,” Wilson offered.

  I wrinkled my face. “Only if you brush your teeth first.”

  “What teeth?” Wilson asked as he showed me his gums.

  “And you sleep with that man, Eleanor.”

  Eleanor simply shrugged and we waited for the men. Wilson finally begrudgingly accepted the bottle of mouthwash and retreated to the bathroom before meeting us back at the car.

  “I hope you’re happy, Agnes,” Wilson said. “I was planning to savor that flavor for the next few hours.

  I SMILED WHEN MR. WILSON pushed his walker along into Brax and Austin’s room. The bed had been relocated and computer desks put in its place. They had their own stocked bar, with a sofa and two comfortable chairs.

  Mr. Wilson wheeled his walker over to the bar until Eleanor stopped him by saying, “The chairs are over there, dear.”

  “I wasn’t planning to have a drink. I wanted to know what kind of liquor they had stocked.”

  Wilson grumbled when he sat down. “Women these days, blab, blab, blab.”

  I held Eleanor back before she did something reckless. “Now Eleanor, we didn’t come here to hear you and Wilson argue.”

  “Nope, the girls here forced us to tag along,” Wilson said. “They figured that way you boys won’t yell at them for sticking their noses where they don’t belong.”

  “Let me at him, I say,” Eleanor shrieked.

  Brax and Austin exchanged grins. “I hope that was a joke,” Brax said. “We’d never be upset with Agnes and Eleanor, especially when this movie is about them
and their adventures.”

  “Which apparently get more interesting all the time,” Austin said. “I wouldn’t worry about your suggestion of change of venue. Amim gave us the rundown about how windy the point was today.”

  “How much rewriting will be involved?” I asked.

  “We’ll have to make some tweaks, but we have all night,” Brax said as I winced.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “At least the scene of the crime hasn’t changed.”

  “I hope things go smoother, but Louis’s murder has put a damper on things,” I said.

  “What?” Brax fell to a chair. “What happened?”

  “You mean Amim didn’t tell you?” Eleanor asked.

  “She didn’t tell us anything,” Austin insisted with tears glimmering in his eyes. “I barely knew the guy, but this is horrible.”

  “I can’t believe Amim didn’t tell you.”

  “We’ve been working hard on the script and our only contact with Amim today was when she called us about the change in location,” Brax said.

  “And here I thought she was so upset about Louis’s death,” I sighed.

  “Well, as they say ... the show must go on,” Eleanor said.

  It would go on even if we didn’t want it to, which we most certainly did. But I was deeply disturbed that Amim didn’t even mention the death of her first assistant to the writers. It made me wonder if she was all that close to Louis. Why wouldn’t she share the news with them? Amim was now at the top of my suspect list.

  “How long have you known Louis?” Eleanor asked.

  “Writers don’t mix with the production crew, at least not script writers. We work behind the scenes for the most part until the script is ready. We’ll be working with the actors starting tomorrow. I believe one of Amim assistants handled that today.”

  “Might be a reason things didn’t work out well today,” Andrew said.

  “Louis was murdered before he had the chance to assume that role, which has me thinking about who really killed him.”

  “And since neither of you are volunteering to say you knew Louis, you most likely wouldn’t know who might have wanted him dead,” Eleanor said.

  “How did he die?” Brax asked.

  “Strangulation. We believe a prop from the set was used,” I said.

  “I just don’t understand who would do something like that. It couldn’t have been anyone on the set. Nobody would have wanted production to slow down,” Brax said.