Jeopardy in High Heels (High Heels #12) - Gemma Halliday Page 0,50
stationed at the main gate today than we'd encountered on our last trip, and he peered over his horn-rimmed glasses at Dana, giving her a winning smile. "How are you today?"
"Hi, Tom. Just, uh, heading to set."
"Uh-huh. Let me just check my list." He glanced down at the clipboard in his hands, scanning a pudgy finger down the names. His smile faltered as he got to the end. "I don't seem to see you here."
"Well, that's silly." Dana laughed, a nervous, high-pitched thing that had Tina visibly cringing in the back seat. "I mean, I should be on it."
Tom frowned. "Is Charlotte's Angels filming today?"
Dana bit her lip. "Noooo…"
More frowning. "Then I'm afraid that's why you're not on the list."
"Listen, Tom." Dana pulled out her flirtiest smile. "The truth is, I'm such a ditz—I left my phone here yesterday. These long shooting days just make me so tired. I totally forgot it in my trailer."
"Oh, wow. What a bummer," Tom said, nodding.
"Anyway, I just need to pop in really quickly, grab my phone, and I'll be right back out. Scout's honor," she said, holding up three fingers and smiling so widely she practically oozed charm.
Charm that was not lost on the man. Tom's frown slowly ironed out, a smile replacing it. "Well, I guess if you're going to be right back out…"
"Thanks, Tom! You're such a sweetie," she told him with a wink.
Tom's cheeks tinged pink as he opened the gate and then waved gallantly as we drove by him.
"Wow," Tina piped up from the back seat. "I must be rubbing off on you."
"Ha!" Dana barked out. "As if. I've been charming men out of things since I was in diapers."
"That felt like dumb luck," Tina challenged.
"Try me. I could charm a snake!" Dana told her.
"Not sure any of this is something to brag about," I pointed out as Dana found a space in the south lot and parked her car.
We got out and contemplated the virtual city that made up the lot.
"Where does Aunty Mae shoot?" Tina asked.
Dana shrugged. "I dunno. I've never been to her set."
Tina pulled out her phone. After a little clicking and scrolling, she finally said, "Studio 8B." She looked up to Dana again. "Know where that is?"
Dana nodded. "Actually, it's right near the Jeopardy! set," she said, leading the way.
Fortunately, it was only a quarter mile hike from the south parking lot. Unfortunately, I'd opted for absolutely adorable leather heels that were so very painful for actual walking in. By the time we hit 8B, I was sure I had blisters forming beneath my rhinestone-studded ankle straps.
"This is it," Dana said, indicating a closed side door.
"It looks dark," Tina pointed out. "You think anyone is here?"
"No," I said, a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Why would they be? One of the show's stars is dead. It's not like they can continue shooting."
Dana shrugged. "I guess the show doesn't go on. At least not for Mae."
I shook my head. "I knew this was a bad idea. I mean, even if Aunty Mae was lying about—wait, what are you doing?"
Tina had pulled something from her pocket and was sticking it into the keyhole of the side door. "What does it look like I'm doing?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the doorknob.
Dana let out an excited gasp. "Are you picking the lock?"
"I'm trying," Tina said, her tongue sticking out in concentration.
"You can't do that," I said, instinctively looking over both shoulders. "That's breaking and entering."
"Relax," Tina told me. "I'm not going to steal anything. I just want to look around."
"And you just happen to carry a lockpick around in your pocket?"
She looked up from her work to shoot me a smile. "A good reporter is always prepared."
"This isn't good reporting. It's illegal!" I whispered.
Tina gave an impatient sigh. "Look, if you're going to be such a Debbie Do-Righter about this, you can stay out here."
"You can be the lookout," Dana suggested. Her eyes were shining, and she was bouncing on her toes as she watched Tina work. If I didn't know better, I'd say she was enjoying this.
"Great," I mumbled. "Lookout. You know that still makes me an accessory?"
But Dana was too focused on Tina's lock picking to answer. "Is that a Dunston 220?"
Tina shook her head. "No, this is the Lockmaster Deluxe 520."
"Wow, the deluxe! I heard those weren't available to the general public."
"I know a guy," Tina said, still jiggling the little stick in the hole.