A Script for Danger (Nancy Drew Diaries #10)(13)

Following handwritten signs that said CREW PARKING, I drove onto an unpaved road that snaked into the woods. I could feel my car bumping over the sticks and stones as I pulled into a makeshift parking lot set up in a dusty clearing. All the trucks and trailers were parked on the other end of the clearing, along with the craft service tent and its requisite coolers, tables, and chairs. Bess, George, and I got out of my car and followed more signs with arrows pointing toward SET, which led us along a narrow path shrouded by pine trees.

“Whoa,” Bess said breathlessly, stopping in her tracks. We had emerged from the dense forest to find ourselves standing in front of the Hamilton Inn, as the creaky, fading sign announced. The “inn” was actually a large, two-story Victorian home with a wide porch, two balconies, and miniature roof spires. Members of the art department ran in and out placing props while electricians rigged lights.

“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Alex appeared next to us, looking proud. Cora stood next to him.

“The interior looks a little too much like it came from one of the Harry Potter movies, if you ask me,” she scoffed.

Alex frowned at his sister. “I didn’t ask you.”

Cora stormed off in a huff.

George whispered in my ear, “She’s not helping her case with that attitude!”

“What was that, George?” Alex inquired.

“Nothing,” I said quickly.

“Nancy, I’m starting to get really freaked out that someone’s out to sabotage this film,” Alex confessed. “It’s hard for me to focus when I know that something could go wrong at any moment. Please tell me you’ve uncovered something!”

“Not quite yet, but it’s going really well. Our Nancy always nabs the culprit,” Bess proclaimed. “With help from her brilliant friends, of course.”

Alex smiled gratefully. “I’ll take your word on that.”

Nysa sauntered over. “Good morning, all!” she announced cheerily. “Today is going to be a fantastic day!”

Alex appeared amused. “Oh? How do you know?”

“I found the missing stapler!” She held up the piece of office equipment as if it were a trophy. Sensing our lack of enthusiasm, Nysa shrugged. “We have to find joy in the little things, right?”

“Absolutely!” I laughed. “Where was it?”

“In one of the soda coolers, of all places,” Nysa replied. “Sal is such a liar sometimes!”

After a brief pause, Nysa turned to Alex. “Oh, Brian is in hair and makeup if you want to meet with him now.”

“Yeah, cool. See you later, Nancy, girls,” he said.

“Why would Sal lie about returning the stapler?” I asked.

“Because he’s mean,” Bess sniffed.

A loud screeching noise cut through our conversation. I turned to see a large black SUV trying to park on the lawn right in front of the Hamilton Inn sign.

Nysa began waving her arms and shouted, “You can’t park here!”

The car’s tinted window rolled down and a woman’s high-pitched voice screeched from within. “Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry. I got incredibly, totally lost!” I glimpsed a shiny golden ponytail and mirrored aviator sunglasses. “Would you mind moving my car to the parking lot?”

Nysa looked taken aback by the request. “Excuse me?”

The blond woman, who looked positively tiny in such a huge vehicle, rolled down her window a little farther and removed her sunglasses. Her face was pristinely made up. “I’m Kendall. Kendall C. Rose,” she announced, but Nysa still looked confused. “Brian’s agent? I thought my assistant called to tell you I was coming by today.”

Kendall looked genuinely upset that Nysa didn’t know who she was.

“I didn’t get the message.” Nysa shrugged. “But no harm. It’s nice to meet you. The parking lot is over that way.”

“I’m just really bad with directions—like, the worst!” Kendall exclaimed. “I’d love it if someone could come with me and show me the way, at least.”

I jumped into action. “I’ll do it!”

Nysa looked relieved. “Thank you. Kendall, Nancy will take you to the parking lot and walk you back to set.”

Kendall flashed her sunny smile in Nysa’s direction once more. “Thank you so much. That is so helpful.”

“It’s a long shot, but maybe she’ll know if someone else has it out for the movie,” I whispered to my friends as I trotted over to the SUV.

Once inside, I noticed that Kendall’s car was sleek and modern: buttery leather seats, state-of-the-art GPS, the works.

“Nice car,” I remarked.

Kendall rolled her eyes. “Omigod, are you serious? It was the only one left in the rental place, and it totally smells like someone’s wet dog in here. Also, what is this color, right? It looks like vomit.”

I pointed her in the direction of the parking lot, and she started driving. “So, you’re Brian’s agent?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Kendall replied. “Isn’t he great? This Alan Burgess guy is so lucky. You know, I warned Brian about how risky it is for an A-list actor to work with a first-time director. But when he wants to do something, there’s no stopping him.”