Part 39 (2/2)
”But surely if her safety is at issue, those corporate sponsors wouldn't expect her to continue,” Langley protested.
Vinny shot Langley a dark look.
”You obviously don't know much about the corporate world, junior. She quits and bye-bye future sponsors and advertising. No one's gonna take a chance on a quitter.”
Keelie flinched. ”I'm not a quitter, Vinny.”
”Of course you aren't, kid. That's what I'm trying to tell these meatheads.” He took a seat on the couch beside Keelie and nudged Tiara to the side. ”Listen. I know it hurts to think someone you cared about has turned on you. I always did warn you about Jax Whitver, didn't I? What'd I always say? It's like the country mouse and the city mouse. Taking a walk in the countryside can be exciting and novel for a time, but eventually you long for the busy streets and sophistication of the big city. Trust me, kid.” Vinny patted her knee. ”You're better off with Jax Whitver out of your life.”
”But he's still out there somewhere!” Tiara pointed out, apparently either having made up with her BFF, or, I supposed, also having sticky contractual issues.
”Yeah. What about that, officer?” Vinny got to his feet. ”What are you doing to find Jax Whitver?”
”We've broadcast his plate information and have a BOLO out for him. The young lady here says she isn't sure she wants to file charges.”
”What?” Vinny turned back to Keelie. ”What the h.e.l.l are you thinking? Of course, you're going to file charges! That lunatic tried to run you down!”
She shook her head. ”It was getting dark. Maybe he didn't see me.”
”Keep telling yourself that, Toots,” Vinny said, and shook his head. ”I want that guy picked up.”
”We've got officers looking for him, Mr. Vincent,” my second least favorite deputy said. ”Sooner or later, he'll surface. It's not as if he isn't easily recognizable.”
”What about you, DeMarco? What are you doing to earn your pay? You've let this thing with Whitver get way out of control.”
I saw a muscle pop in Manny's jaw and took a step back. No way did I want to be anywhere near the fallout.
”Manny's got a handle on things.”
”You could've fooled me,” Vinny grumbled, but seeing the look in Manny's eyes, backed off.
”Keelie,” Langley took the seat Vinny vacated. ”Girlfriend, I have a bad feeling about this. A really bad feeling. With everything that has been going on, I think it might be best if you pulled up the stakes on this road show.”
”Need I remind you, Mr. Carlisle the Third, that you are also under contract? And while your partic.i.p.ation is by no means essential to the success of the show, breaking contractual agreements is frowned upon in show business,” Vinny pointed out.
”All you care about, Vinny, is the business. What about Keelie?” Tiara said.
The doorbell rang, and I hurried to the door and opened it, blinded momentarily by the camera lights trained on the house.
A trooper stood on my doorstep. My trooper.
”Patrick. Come in before you become media fodder,” I said, and pulled him into the room. ”Any news on Jax?”
All discussion ceased. Everyone stared at the trooper.
”We're waiting, Officer,” Vinny snapped.
Patrick looked at Manny and Samuels.
”We've located Jax Whitver's vehicle. It was parked behind some outbuildings south of the county park entrance. The right front tire is flat.”
I looked at Keelie. She put a shaking hand to her mouth.
”And...Jax?”
Patrick shook his head. ”Sorry, Miss Keller. No sign of the vehicle's owner.”
”That's it! You should definitely drop out!” Langley said.
”For sure, Keelie!” Tiara urged. ”You can't risk going ahead with Jax on the loose. Lang and I will make it work. We'll finish the ride for you.”
Keelie looked up. Her eyes did a sweep of the room's occupants, coming to rest on me.
”What would you do?” Keelie asked me.
Vinny turned. ”Why the h.e.l.l are you asking Yeoman Rand over there?” he exploded. ”She's not in the business! She's just a hillbilly with a phone and a blog!”
Before you could say ”stereotyping” Manny had Vinny by the collar doing the tippy-toed dance.
”Country don't mean hillbilly, Vinny. Apologize to the lady,” Manny instructed.
I winced. You obviously didn't talk trash about Manny's turf. Or his...Barbie doll. I hazarded a look at Rick, who looked like he'd like to strangle both Vinny and the black knight defending my honor.
”Sorry,” Vinny mumbled, and Manny let loose of him, and he almost fell.
”I'm asking Tressa, Vinny, because she doesn't have a dog in this fight,” Keelie said, and I almost found myself grinning. Obviously more than a little of the country mouse's southern speak had rubbed off on the big city mouse. ”So, Miz Calamity Jayne, what would you do?”
I sighed. ”Doesn't that nickname give you a hint?” I asked.
She nodded. ”It does.”
She reached out and gave Butch and Sundance some puppy love.
”I'm not going to let Jax Whitver, or anyone, control my life-or dictate my choices,” she said. ”As they say in the biz, the show must go on.” She stood up. ”We ride.”
It was late when everyone finally cleared out. I'd relayed my Mom's message to my dad. That she'd taken the RV on her little getaway put more than a few creases in my dad's already furrowed forehead. Like daughter. Like father.
Taylor promised to keep an eye on him until she left the next morning.
I shut the door behind them and sighed.
”Well, no one can say first dates with you are dull,” Rick said, preparing to take his own leave. ”This night had it all. Stars. Runaway stars. Cameras. Cops. Hollywood agent p.r.i.c.ks. Bodyguards.”
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