Revealing Annie - Freya Barker Page 0,74

face as he clearly has something to contribute as well. Assholes.

“Can I just say, Sumo; it’s a beautiful thing to witness Karma biting you in the ass.”

25

Annie

“Hey, Tony.”

We just walked in the door when my phone started ringing.

I spent the afternoon at the shelter, where I discovered Hunter’s owner sadly passed away. Somehow I think the dog knew because he wasn’t his exuberant self, and refused to come out of his kennel, so I ended up sitting in front of his pen reading, and occasionally reaching in to scratch his head.

I watch as Bryce gives Daisy a good rubdown and wonder if I could convince Kyle to consider adopting another one.

“Your car is clean.”

It takes me a second to understand what he’s talking about.

“It is? No…yuck?”

His warm chuckle fills my ear.

“No yuck,” he promises. “You can pick it up whenever.”

“Maybe later tomorrow? Kyle’s working.”

“I know,” he says a smile in his voice. “So is Blue.”

“Duh. Of course. Is there anything else new?”

I notice a hesitation before he answers. “We finally managed to get ahold of your agent this morning. No offense, but he’s a piece of work.”

“Believe me, I know,” I agree. Or at least I’m learning he’s more of a snake than I already suspected.

“Swears he didn’t put anything in your purse. He suggested there were others on the set, with access to your dressing room, who could’ve easily slipped something inside. We’re going to have local law enforcement follow up with him, but if what he says is true, he’s been in LA the whole time.”

“He’s right about other people having access,” I comment. For my sake I hope Miles was telling the truth, the thought my own agent was and is involved makes me sick. “Makeup, wardrobe, catering, production staff; there were always some who needed access.”

“I’m guessing the production company would have that information?”

“I would think so.”

“You do realize the more people we talk to, the higher the chances this’ll hit the press at some point?”

“Trust me,” I assure him with a forced chuckle. “I’m well aware. So be it. I want this over.”

“All right then. We’re still looking into a few things, but for your peace of mind; Mr. Parsons is still a guest of the DPD. Should we find out more or anything changes, I’ll be in touch.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.” I’m about to end the call when I have a thought. “Hey, Tony?”

“What’s up?”

“You wouldn’t be in the market for another rescue, would you? Hunter is a—”

“Don’t even, Annie,” he warns me. “I have my hands full refusing my wife. Why don’t you take a rescue?”

“Yeah, but I’m staying with Kyle, so I kinda have to check with him.”

This time he laughs heartily.

“That’s perfect; you ask Sumo and make sure to tell him I think he should say yes.”

“I’ll do that, and we’ll be by sometime probably in the afternoon.”

“Whenever is fine.”

“Sounds good.”

I end the call and walk into the kitchen where Bryce is already feeding the dog. He’s such a good kid, it’s hard to believe with the kind of upbringing he’s had so far, but I attribute it to good genes from the Matsumoto side and a positive presence in his maternal grandmother.

“Did you have enough to eat?” I ask him. As I’ve become accustomed to, at dinner he scarfed down his burger and finished both his and my fries, his appetite endless.

“For now,” he answers and I grin.

“How about we take the dog for a walk and when we get back, we can make some popcorn and watch a movie?”

“Cool,” is his standard response.

We end up watching The Goonies, one of my favorites and a great distraction from reality. I discovered Bryce had never seen it before. He ate most of the giant bowl of popcorn we shared and just went up to bed.

I grab a glass of wine, my phone, and settle back on the couch to make a phone call I’d rather avoid, but if I want to get ahead of the fallout, I need to do this.

It rings four times and I’m getting ready to leave a message when he suddenly answers.

“Who’s this?” His bark is typical. He’s never been the most pleasant of people.

“Miles, it’s Annabel.”

“Well, well, well. Where the fuck have you been? Durango? I need you to get your ass back here…”

He continues to ramble on without listening, which is also typical of him. His dogged determination is a good thing when he’s working on my behalf, but not so much right now. I