The Missing Juliet

by Sam Cameron

  Robin said, “I change my own oil.”

  Toni asked, “Don’t you think she needs makeup?”

  “No,” Robin said very firmly. “It’s degrading to women and made with animal products.”

  Chili, however, cocked her head thoughtfully. “A little vegan moisturizer could help with that sunburn you’ve got going on, and some honey lip gloss won’t kill you. Stay right there.”

  It was six o’clock by the time she was free of Chili’s sneaky ways of making her look fashionable. She liked the slap of her vintage sneakers on the sidewalk as she and Toni walked back toward Bar Nothing. It was Friday night of Pride Week, and all the music, lights, and people seemed to be part of an enormous tropical carnival.

  “Thanks for your help,” Robin told Toni.

  “My pleasure.”

  “You’re not—” Robin started, but couldn’t figure out what exactly she was trying to say. “I’m glad I met you this week.”

  Toni smiled. “Not what you expected. Me or the week.”

  “That’s a good thing,” Robin said. “Would you consider making a video for my YouTube channel? Something to tell kids about your life and how you changed it?”

  “Mr. DeMille, I’m always ready for my close up,” Toni said. She slung her arm around Robin’s shoulder. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Sean had held down their corner table, although the growing crowd of customers threatened to dislodge him.

  “You look…different,” Sean said, and she wanted to pinch him because she didn’t know if that meant different good or different bad.

  “How’s my car?” she asked.

  “Jumped it, got a new battery, and you owe me eighty dollars,” he said. “It’s parked on Simonton.”

  Lina came over and patted Robin’s shoulder. “You look terrific. Now either buy a lot of food or get out of here so I can make some money off real customers.”

  “Let us know how it goes,” Toni said. “I want pictures and video by midnight.”

  “That makes two of us,” Sean warned.

  “We’ll be on the road by midnight,” Robin said as they left Bar Nothing. “What are you going to do while I’m over there?”

  “Ogle boys,” he said.

  “No sneaking into the party and making a fool out of yourself?”

  He crossed his heart. “I promise.”

  She headed off for the Lagoon Resort all on her own.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  The party started at eight. Robin didn’t want to be the first to arrive so she hung out in the hotel lobby and watched rich people coming and going. Twice she convinced herself to turn around, but she didn’t get any further than the parking lot. Austin had sworn he’d smooth it over with Liam. She trusted him, right?

  Her phone buzzed with a message from Molly: we’re on our way.

  Twenty minutes later, Molly, Tierra, Charlie, Lou, and some others spilled out of a car in the hotel turnaround. Robin was insanely glad she’d changed clothes, because they were all in their best casual wear—ironed shirts for the guys, and skimpy dresses for Molly and Tierra. Molly had put on maybe too much black eyeliner, and she was teetering in ridiculously high heels that matched her gold dress, but she was laughing and happy and obviously not pining too much over Karen.

  “I’m glad you came,” Molly said, slinging her arm around Robin’s shoulders, and that was when Robin smelled alcohol on her breath.

  “I’m glad I came, too,” Robin said and tried to believe it.

  The ballroom overlooked the resort’s private marina, where yachts of all sizes had tied up for the night. The room had been extensively decorated with pictures and props from the set. Music blasted from a live deejay, and the buffet tables were crammed with food. Michael Lake was dressed in an all-black suit, and Cayleigh was wearing a long, sparkly dress of purple and gold. It was so noisy that Robin could barely hear Molly talking right beside her.

  “Take my picture with the time bike!” she said, posing behind a cardboard prop of Liam’s silver motorcycle.

  Robin snapped a photo with her own phone and then Molly’s. Molly insisted on a picture of the two of them and Lou took it. Robin didn’t know how close to stand to her, but Molly made that decision by cozying up to her side.

  “I don’t want to hear anything about cheese,” Lou said. He was wearing his Yankees cap again, of course, and had splurged on a button-down shirt with the cuffs rolled up. “Say, ‘Go Yankees!’”

  Molly smelled like cinnamon and wine. Her dress revealed a lot of skin, and the thin straps of her bra were black against her shoulders. Robin wanted to touch those shoulders. She wanted to kiss the hollow at Molly’s throat and see how Molly liked being kissed. It was ridiculous and painful to be so full of wanting and not sure of what she could or could not do here in public, this possible thing between her and Molly still so fragile and new.

  After the photos, Molly wanted to dance, which Robin was very bad at, but she let herself be pulled out in a group with Molly, Lou, and Tierra. Dancing with a group made it easier to hide her lack of rhythm. Molly didn’t seem to mind, and Robin didn’t mind at all that Molly spent more time facing her than facing anyone else.

  In the middle of a fast song, Robin had a brief lightning flash moment of I’m in the middle of a Hollywood movie party. Awe made everything brighter, louder, more joyous. Across the room, Liam had arrived and was drinking champagne with Michael. Juliet was with them, too, looking gorgeous in a creamy pink gown and diamonds around her throat. Neither Michael nor Liam seemed to be angry with her anymore. That was Hollywood for you.

  Robin’s gaze found Karen as she entered the ballroom. Her dress was pale blue silk, her long hair loose around her shoulders. No one noticed her or went up to her. Her brief moment of stardom had faded as suddenly as it had arrived.

  “I’m so glad this movie is done,” Molly gasped happily when the song was over and they were migrating toward the food. “I’m going to sleep for a hundred years.”

  “A hundred and ten,” Lou said.

  “A hundred and twenty,” Tierra added. She lifted a champagne glass. “To the little people!”

  No one was carding anyone tonight. Robin took a sip to be gracious and then another because dancing made her thirsty. Molly drained hers in four swallows and leaned against Robin’s shoulder.

  “I think I’m drunk,” she said.

  Tierra rolled her eyes. “Lightweights.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen!” That was Michael Lake, up on the makeshift stage with a microphone and a huge grin. “Thank you for helping make Then Again Christine and John the fantastic movie that it is!”

  A projection screen lit up with the blooper reel set to a goofy soundtrack. Robin hated the music, but she enjoyed seeing shots of Juliet and Liam as they flubbed their lines or deliberately mugged for the camera. Most of that footage had been shot in Miami. Some shots were clearly Key West, but those were Liam or the other cast only. Neither Juliet nor Karen were shown.

  After the blooper reel, there was an awards ceremony with gag prizes and certificates. In the middle of the ceremony, Molly said, “I have to pee,” and headed off for the bathrooms. On her way she passed Karen, who was standing by the cake with a glass of champagne in her hand. If Molly even noticed Karen, she gave no sign. Karen’s gaze was fixed firmly on the stage, her expression sad around the edges.

  Robin turned her attention back to the stage. She wasn’t falling for it.

  Moments later, she felt Karen’s elbow brush against hers.

  Karen said, “I heard what happened. I would have stopped them. No way did you steal that script.”

  Robin turned to her. “How can you be sure?”

  “Because I trust you,” Karen said simply. “You can’t trust many people in this business, but you don’t seem like a thief.”

  Robin said, “Thank you.” And then, because it was true, “You look very pretty tonight.”

  Karen’s gaze stayed on the stage, but the corner of h
er mouth turned up. “You don’t have to say that.”

  “I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.” Robin watched the next award get presented to one of the grips. “So what happens next?”

  “Same old, same old. We fly back to Los Angeles tomorrow. Juliet’s next movie starts in three weeks, and we have a ton of work to do in the meantime.”

  “Her next movie. What about yours?”

  Karen said, “I don’t have one. My job is to serve.”

  Robin stepped between Karen and the stage and met her gaze. “If that’s your decision, okay, but I don’t see why it has to be that way. I saw you doing your scenes. You’re good. You don’t have to let Juliet overshadow you.”

  “You say that as if you’ve known me for more than a few days. I’m nothing like you think I am.”

  “I don’t think you’re a very good person, but I can recognize talent when I see it,” Robin told her.

  Karen snorted a laugh, totally surprised. “Okay, fair enough,” she conceded. “But that doesn’t mean I can be as successful as Juliet.”

  Robin shrugged. “I don’t know. But it’s probably a mistake to think your career is over before you even turn twenty-five.”

  Applause rang out for the next award. Karen lifted her chin and seemed to consider Robin’s words.

  “Maybe,” she said.

  Her phone rang in her purse. Karen glanced at the screen, frowned, and clicked it off before Robin could see the name.

  “I have to go talk to someone,” she said. “See you later.”

  Karen headed off toward the exit. Robin scanned the crowd, looking for Molly. She didn’t see her anywhere. The party had grown thicker and louder and warmer, all these bodies jammed together. Maybe Molly had gone for fresh air. Robin was about to step out to search for her when she saw Liam coming directly her way. Her first impulse was to make herself scarce, but she held ground instead and was rewarded when he gave her a contrite look.

  “I’m sorry for what happened today,” he said. “Maybe I overreacted.”

  “You did,” Robin agreed, feeling heat rising in her cheeks. She pushed aside the memory of being kicked off the set. “But all’s well that ends well, right?”

  “I don’t know how it’s going to end,” he said. “It’s going to take a miracle to fix this movie in editing. But that’s why they call it Hollywood magic, right? You should come to L.A. for the premiere.”

  “If I’m in L.A., I’ll swing by,” she promised.

  He laughed. “I think that means no way ever.”

  Her phone went off with a message: Bring Liam to big white boat in marina I have romantic surprise planned—A.

  She showed it to him. Liam frowned.

  “He said he was staying home tonight.”

  “Obviously, he wanted to surprise you,” Robin replied. “He’s sweet that way.”

  “Sweet,” Liam muttered and put his drink down.

  They left the ballroom. Outside, the breeze had picked up and was stirring the hot air. The palm trees bowed left and right as they followed a walkway down to the boats that rose and fell on the waves. Bells chimed as the ocean slapped against hulls and pilings.

  “Maybe he got tired of being under house arrest,” Robin said.

  “Not funny.”

  “I’m not kidding.”

  “He’s not under arrest.” Liam sounded defensive. “We make choices.”

  “I think those are sucky choices,” Robin told him.

  “I’m pretty sure I didn’t ask you,” he replied.

  The yachts they passed were all dark or locked up. Behind them, lights shone in windows high in the Lagoon Resort guest rooms and reflected down on the sea. The ballroom shone like a giant aquarium of blue and gold, full of fish swimming in circles. Muffled music from behind the glass became clearer whenever the doors opened.

  High-heeled footsteps clicked on the pier behind them. Karen called out, “Where are you two going?”

  “Just some fresh air,” Liam said as she caught up. “Private fresh air.”

  A large white cabin cruiser was waiting at the end of the last pier. It looked out of place among the elegant boats. Austin was on the deck, waiting for them. The engines were idling and the lines had been cast off. Someone, a hired pilot, was in the shadows of the cockpit.

  Karen glanced between the two of them and then at the boat. “Is that Alex? What’s he doing here?”

  They were still several yards from the cabin cruiser. Robin thought there was something odd about the way Austin was standing. Not exactly relaxed, not exactly stiff. Then again, it was entirely possible that she’d been hanging around Denny and Steven too often, putting her instincts on edge.

  “I didn’t know you were planning a surprise,” Robin said.

  “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” Austin replied. Clipped voice. Not relaxed enough. “Last minute development.”

  Without warning, the sharp sound of a gunshot broke the quiet. Robin’s heart jerked in her chest. As Austin whirled toward the closed hatch, his hand jerked against a railing with a clanking noise.

  He was handcuffed. To the boat.

  “What the hell?” Liam demanded.

  Juliet’s voice screamed out, “Help! Someone help!”

  A figure burst out of the cabin and aimed a gun toward the pier. Robin didn’t stop to wonder what he was going to do with it. She slammed sideways into Liam and Karen as the gun fired. They all tumbled into the water. The ocean was warm, salty, and smelly from engine oil and boat discharge. Her feet touched the bottom almost immediately, and she crouched low in the underwater darkness, pulling Karen and Liam with her.

  Karen thrashed, clearly unhappy. Robin tugged her and Liam under the protection of the pier. From nearby came the murky sound of engines throttling up. Robin surfaced, spat out water that tasted faintly of gasoline, and watched helplessly as the white cabin cruiser pulled away toward the open ocean. Even if there wasn’t an armed gunman on board, there was no way she could swim fast enough to catch up.

  Gasping for air, Karen asked, “What was that? What just happened?”

  Liam was already reaching for a nearby ladder, his expression devastated.

  “Austin and Juliet,” Robin said, as the waves from the boat knocked against her. “They’ve been kidnapped.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Soaking wet, wrapped in fluffy white towels, Robin sat in the hotel’s security office and tried not to shiver in the icy air conditioning. The door was propped open while police and guards came and went. Camera monitors mounted on the wall showed rapidly rotating views of the pool, the lobby, other public spaces, and the ballroom. The party was still in full swing, oblivious to the drama that had unfolded at the pier.

  Michelle Boyle came into the room carrying a big Styrofoam cup. She was in full uniform and had been one of the first police officers to arrive on the scene. “Here’s some ginger tea. Might warm you up.”

  “Thanks.” Robin took a sip. Ginger and honey, yes, hot but not too sweet. “How are Liam and Karen?”

  “They’re in Juliet’s bungalow, giving statements,” Boyle said. Which wasn’t exactly an answer, but Robin let it pass. Boyle said, “Your friend’s outside. He must have seen the cruisers arrive.”

  “Sean?”

  “I asked him to drive you back to Fisher Key,” she said.

  “But I can be useful here,” Robin protested.

  Her argument was cut off by the arrival of Michael Lake, whose face was cherry red in sharp contrast to his black suit. He looked like he was having a heart attack. Most cardiac victims weren’t as steady on their feet as he was, however, nor as blisteringly angry.

  “That’s her,” he said to the plainclothes police officer beside him. “She’s been a curse on this production since they pulled her out of the bushes.”

  The plainclothes cop, a gray-haired man with a goatee, said, “Officer Boyle, this is the third witness?”

  Robin thought that was a dumb question. Ho
w many wet people were wandering around the hotel?

  “Yes, sir,” Boyle said.

  Michael Lake wasn’t done ranting yet. “She’s probably behind all of it. First Juliet’s kidnapping, then Liam’s accident, then the not-kidnapping, then the missing script, and now Juliet again!”

  “I’m not behind anything.” Robin protested.

  Boyle’s gaze and voice both went sharp. “When was Juliet first kidnapped?”

  Robin had been hoping to avoid that. “She wasn’t. She pretended to be.”

  “And you were part of it, I bet,” Michael Lake said.

  “I didn’t even know her then!” Robin argued.

  Michael Lake turned to the gray-haired cop. “I want her arrested and interrogated.”

  “I understand, sir,” the cop said and started walking Michael Lake out of the office. “Let’s you and I talk out here.”

  When they were alone, Boyle asked, frowning, “When was this fake kidnapping?”

  “Do we really have to talk about it?”

  Boyle’s expression was answer enough to that.

  Reluctantly, Robin sketched out the story as minimally as she could get away with. Boyle was good, though, and demanded more and more details.

  “You knew this on Monday, when we first met,” Boyle finally said. “You never said anything.”

  “I’d promised Karen. And she wasn’t really kidnapped, so it didn’t make a difference.”

  “You didn’t know that then. You didn’t know it when I drove you to the tow yard. You didn’t know it when we had dinner. Three times, and not a single time did you mention kidnapping. What if she really had been in danger?”

  “She wasn’t,” Robin insisted stubbornly. “She was fine. Jake Montell is just this dumb guy she hooked up with.”

  Boyle gave her a long, steady look. Not forgiving her.

  “Jake Montell. Who may have robbed and assaulted Melanie Love-Sweet. How do you know he’s not involved in this, too?”

  In retrospect, maybe Robin should have reported him. She leaned forward, letting one of the towels fall from her shoulders. “I’m sorry I never said anything. But it’s not because I don’t respect you or wanted to keep secrets. It was for Karen. And now she’s in trouble, too. I want to help.”