Into the Fury (BOSS, Inc. #1)(25)

“Get me the names and I’ll get moving.”

Ethan smiled. “I e-mailed you a file with all the data. Names, addresses, ages, places of birth. You’ve got the basics, but I need a whole lot more. I need the personal info, stuff only a wizard like you can come up with.”

Sadie scoffed. “You ought to know by now, dear boy, flattery isn’t going to work.”

“How about tickets to a Seahawks’ game?”

“That’ll work.” She grinned. “I’ll send the info to your e-mail as soon as I’m finished.”

Ethan bent and kissed her forehead. “Thanks, Sadie. You’re a peach.”

“Yeah, well, just don’t forget those tickets.”

Ethan grinned. “Not a chance.” Turning, he left the room, hoping the information, once he got it, would actually be helpful. Giving up a pair of game tickets was a high price to pay.

His smile faded as he left the building, anxious to get back to the theater before something else went wrong.





Chapter Ten



The voluminous, high-ceilinged chamber backstage at the Paramount hummed with activity. Most of the original thirty, now twenty-nine, models were inside the giant dressing room in some stage of preparation for the show.

Besides the women, there were costume people, makeup artists, hairstylists, and general gofers. The room was thick with the odor of hair spray, powder, and perfume.

Face made up and hairstyle complete, Val was just getting out of her folding chair in front of the lighted mirror when Meg walked up, also show ready except for her costume. Her long red hair had been trimmed into a saucy, flyaway cut that enhanced the beauty of her heart-shaped face.

She was wearing black silk Capri pants with a silver belt, black high heels, and a black-and-turquoise halter top.

By unspoken agreement, they walked to a quiet corner out of the way. “Are you okay?” Meg asked. “Because I’m really not.”

Val glanced at the activity around them. “I’m okay—sort of. I called my parents this morning. I knew they’d be worried when they heard about the murder. I told them everything was under control, that we each had our own personal bodyguard, and they seemed relieved.”

Meg nodded. “I talked to my folks, too. And a detective named Hoover. He asked me a bunch of questions. I don’t think my answers helped any. I didn’t know Delilah that well.”

“He talked to me, too, but I didn’t know her much either.” Val sighed. “I still can’t believe it. The murder just doesn’t seem real.”

“The whole thing shook me up pretty good. I mean, ten of us got those notes, you know? Could have been you or me instead of her.”

Val felt a chill, though the room was warm. Meg was right. It could have been any one of them. “That big bodyguard, Ethan? He’s related to Samantha’s husband, Nick. I guess that got me special treatment. He came to pick me up after the murder. He wanted to make sure I was okay.”

“Lucky girl.”

“Under different circumstances, maybe. He’s definitely a hunk. But I’ve got to keep my mind on the show, and you know the rules about mixing with staff. I need this job, and even if Ethan was interested, which I’m not sure he is, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would break the rules.”

“Too bad. Maybe after we get back home.”

She shrugged. “Maybe.” But she would be busy getting ready for school and he would be working another job.

Megan grinned. “I got the other hot one. And I’m not even related to one of his friends.”

“Dirk. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He wanted to make sure you were safe.”

“I really like him, but a guy who looks like Dirk? He’s probably a dog. I’ve had enough of those in my life already.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

“Plus I’ve got a son to think of. If I ever fall for another man—God forbid—I’d want someone who’d make a good father. A guy like Dirk Reynolds . . .” She shook her head. “Getting involved with a woman who’s got a child is the last thing he’d want.”

“I suppose.” Val thought of Ethan and his daughter, the way his eyes sparkled when he mentioned his little girl. “On the other hand, Charlie’s so cute he’s almost irresistible.”

Megan laughed. “He’s still in the terrible twos. You wouldn’t say that if you were with him twenty-four seven.”

Val grinned. “I love kids, but I think I’ll stick with animals for a while.”

Meg grinned back. “Good call.”

They eased a little farther into the corner. Once they walked out of the room, they’d be fair game. By now, the media had arrived full force backstage. A few cameras were rolling in the makeup room. The rest would be waiting like a horde of hungry lions as the models left the prep room. The murder of the show’s top model only made them more rabid.

“Dirk says they’re trying to keep those notes we got out of the press,” Megan said. “Officially, the murder is still under investigation. The cops are saying it was probably a burglary gone wrong. They’re afraid if those notes get published, it might stir up a bunch of psychos.”

The thought made Val’s stomach churn. They’d been warned not to say anything after the first notes arrived. Matt Carlyle had reminded her again as soon as she’d arrived at the theater.