leaves the set.â
âCan I keep this one?â I asked.
Nysa nodded, then led us to the lawn behind the train station, where several picnic tables had been set up in the middle of a vast buffet. A pair of tents protected the food and the crew from the hot sun.
âAll right, girls, catch you later!â Nysa exclaimed before rushing off, barking commands into her walkie-talkie.
George eagerly got in line for food, her eyes gleaming. Bess joined us seconds later.
âWhere have you guys been?!â she exclaimed. âYou missed an amazing performance from Brian.â
âOh, you know,â I replied, trying to sound as vagueas possible in the presence of so many unknown ears, âjust poking around.â
As we served ourselves pasta, potatoes, vegetables, and meat from large trays, I carefully observed the various crew members, thinking about the lengthy list on the back of Nysaâs call sheet. There had been at least one hundred people on there, not including the extras, security guards, and reception guests. We might have identified a few potential suspects, but we hadnât even interacted with most of the cast and crew.
When George finally joined Bess and me, her plate was piled at least six inches high.
âYouâre like a bottomless pit!â Bess cried.
Alex beckoned us to his table at the edge of the tent, and we hurried over to join him. Brian sat across from Alex, while Cora was perched on the edge of the bench, fiddling with some settings on her camera.
âHave a seat, girls!â Alex offered.
George plopped down and promptly began eating her turkey burger. I put my tray down next to hers, but Bess just stood frozen in place, staring at Brian. Hewas drinking some kind of green, lumpy liquid from a clear thermos.
âBess, come on!â I called, suppressing a smile. âYou can squeeze in next to me.â
âHey, Cora, youâd better give me copies of all this footage youâre taking, okay? Iâll give you my e-mail,â Brian said.
Cora beamed. âAbsolutely, Brian!â
I raised an eyebrow in Georgeâs direction as if to say, oh, so Brian can see her footage, but nobody else can!
âWhoa, guys. I donât want any behind-the-scenes stuff out there yet!â Alex exclaimed.
â Obviously , Alex,â Cora replied defiantly. âBrian meant after the shoot, right?â
âOf course,â Brian said. He finished his green drink. âIâm all done . . . you can have my seat.â He stood up and gave Bess a friendly nod. âI have to go over my lines, anyway.â
âUm. Thank you?â Bess responded breathlessly.
Just as she sat down, I noticed that Brian had left something behind: a copy of The Hamilton Inn screenplay with his name printed in black ink on the cover page. There was a comic book sticking out of it, and I could see the words No. 1 of the Blue Ranger Series printed in one corner. I tried to get a closer look, but a hand quickly moved in and scooped up the script.
âThere it is! I was so worried.â I recognized the anxious, well-dressed young man Iâd seen hanging around Brian earlier.
âYouâre Omar, right?â I asked, and introduced myself.
He nodded, keeping one eye on his phone. âOmar Billings. Iâm Brianâs assistant. Oh! That, too.â He grabbed the empty thermos with his free hand.
âWhat is that green goop, anyway?â George asked.
âItâs a kale-bee-pollen-oatmeal-flax smoothie!â Omar snapped, as if it were the most common thing in the world. âBrian says these help him stay fit and focused.â
Alex swallowed a bite of his hamburger. âI keep telling Brian that he doesnât need to bulk up for this role; his character is just supposed to be a regular guy!But he insists on looking like a movie star anyway.â
Omar seemed to take Alexâs comment as criticism. âHe is a movie