All Dressed Up and No Place to Haunt by Rose Pressey Page B

given me. No one bothered to check it now. A blond muscular man who looked as if he might be a security guard was standing up ahead.
    â€œIt might be hard to get past him,” Heather motioned with a tilt of her head.
    â€œJust act like we’re supposed to be here.”
    He was staring right at us, so I had to acknowledge him. I flashed the pass at him. “Here to see Jessica Duncan about wardrobe.”
    He motioned at the trailer next to us.
    â€œWhew, that was brilliant.” Heather hurried along beside me.
    Once at the correct trailer, I climbed the metal steps leading to the door. My hand was frozen as I positioned it at the door to knock. Heather motioned for me to go ahead. Before I had a chance, the door flew open and I almost tumbled backward down the stairs. A dark-haired woman frowned and glanced back over her shoulder.
    When she looked at me again, she asked, “What do you want?”
    She blew the hair out of her eyes. The woman looked frazzled. I wondered if I had the wrong trailer, so I flashed my pass.
    She glared at me and placed her hands on her hips. “Well?”
    â€œI’m here to see Jessica Duncan,” I mumbled.
    She shook her head. “She’s filming. She can’t be bothered right now.”
    â€œDo you know how long she’ll be?” I asked.
    â€œProbably all day. When they’re filming it takes a long time and she won’t have time for an interview.” She avoided my eye contact and studied her phone.
    This woman must have thought I was with the press.
    â€œI’m her assistant—can I help you with anything?”
    â€œNo, that’s okay. I really need to speak with Jessica.”
    â€œLike I said, she will be a long time. She’s taken over for Nicole since her passing and that means extra work for Jessica.”
    My eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
    She sighed. “I mean that since Jessica and Nicole looked a lot alike then she will finish up Nicole’s scenes.”
    So when Nicole died, that had given Jessica what she’d wanted. She would have the lead role now. Jessica would finish Nicole’s part in the movie and be the star. Jessica wouldn’t go to that extreme to get a movie role, would she? It was a competitive business, so I supposed it was possible.
    â€œAnyway, like I said, she can’t visit with the press or fans right now.” She glanced down at Heather.
    â€œThank you,” I managed to say before the assistant closed the door, ending our conversation. When I stepped down the stairs, the security guard was watching us. It was time for us to leave.
    â€œHe’s staring at us,” Heather whispered.
    â€œJust act naturally,” I said.
    Heather glanced back at the trailer.
    â€œIs she watching us too?” I asked.
    â€œYes, she’s peeking out the little window watching us.”
    â€œWe can’t walk too fast or they will be suspicious.”
    â€œRight.” Heather adjusted her hobo bag on her shoulder.
    We strolled back across the lawn toward the parking lot. When I looked back, the assistant had reappeared outside the trailer but the guard had turned away. We’d almost made it back to my car when I spotted Vera marching toward us.
    â€œOh no. We almost made it out of here without being caught.” I motioned toward Vera.
    Heather sighed. “I can’t believe this woman.”
    â€œDo you want me to scare her?” Charlotte asked, appearing out of the blue.
    â€œNo, that won’t be necessary. We’ll tell her we’re leaving,” I said.
    For a woman who didn’t want anyone on her property, she sure was on this property a lot. We hadn’t gone anywhere near her land this time. Had she seen me here the other day too? Maybe she was coming to confront me about that. I would deny it.
    â€œLadies, wait for me. I’d like to speak with you.” Vera picked up her pace.
    â€œIs it just me or did she almost