gripped his thigh.
“Cass, relax,” Marianna said. “I’d like you to meet Police Chief Gordon Hepler and the manager of Daily Bread, Angie Mead. Chief Hepler, Angie, this is Cassidy Clarke.”
Ah. Now Gordon understood Angie’s reaction. Cassidy Clarke, the actor playing the lead in the movie. To say Angie was a fan was like saying the sun rose in the east. But right now, he didn’t resemble the man Gordon had seen on the screen.
As if someone had flipped a switch, the man’s scowl turned into a smile. His eyes brightened. Charm oozed across the table like molasses. “Pleased to meet you.” He extended his hand to Angie first, and her eyes widened as she returned his handshake. Which lasted a little longer than Gordon felt comfortable with, but he accepted it as a moment for Angie. While Gordon wouldn’t try to erase it from her memory, he’d damn sure try to make it fade later tonight.
And so what if when Gordon shook Cassidy’s hand he squeezed a little harder than normal. “Welcome to Mapleton,” he said to show he was okay with the way the man had greeted Angie. After all, the guy was a movie star. Flirting with women was probably second nature, and all an act, anyway.
“Please, have a seat,” Marianna said to Cassidy. “Would you like some breakfast? Tea?” She looked at Angie. “Cass prefers masala chai, if you can get it here.”
Angie’s grin dimmed a notch, but Gordon didn’t think anyone who didn’t know her could have read the You think we’re a bunch of bumpkins expression that had flashed across her face. “Not a problem. Gordon, do you want your usual?”
“Please,” he said.
Did Marianna notice Angie had called him by his first name? Did she chalk it up to being in a small town where everyone used first names? Did it even matter? Everyone in town knew he and Angie were in a relationship, so why not a few strangers?
While Angie went to deal with tea and coffee, Gordon dealt with Marianna. “According to your schedule, you’re going to be shooting at Aspen Lake the day after tomorrow. Since today’s the first I’ve heard of any of this, I’ll try to bring in county deputies to help. How much support do you need, and exactly what will you want them to do?”
“I understand. Normally, we’d have set this up much further in advance, but we needed the fall colors, and we can’t control when the leaves turn, so we’ve been more or less on standby. When I spoke to the mayor about it several months ago, he assured me he would take care of things.”
Gordon didn’t share his thoughts about what he’d like to tell the mayor about that one.
Marianna went on. “Also, we’re trying to keep the whole production under wraps as much as possible. Now that Cassidy has shown up, I’m afraid you’ll be inundated with paparazzi, especially given his recent … difficulties.” She gave the actor a pointed glare.
“I’m afraid I’m not aware of any … difficulties.” Gordon decided it was better to admit ignorance than get caught unprepared.
Cassidy returned Marianna’s glare, then lowered his head and his voice. “I had a minor substance abuse problem for a little while. The papers made a big deal out of it, but I’m fine.” He gave Marianna a defiant stare. “I’m clean. And ready to work. I’m checked in at the B and B. I assume you’ve got a driver to make sure I’m where you want me when you want me there.”
Marianna nodded and stirred her coffee, her spoon clinking against the ceramic mug in a syncopated rhythm.
Cassidy Clarke’s turquoise eyes were almost cop eyes, the way they never held still, always taking in their surroundings. However, unlike Gordon, Cassidy chose to sit with his back to the door, thus avoiding the curious glances of most of the other customers in the diner. Though he did seem to sense Angie’s approach—almost as soon as Gordon did—and when Cassidy raised his head the smile had returned, full force.
Angie carried a tray with
“Cass, relax,” Marianna said. “I’d like you to meet Police Chief Gordon Hepler and the manager of Daily Bread, Angie Mead. Chief Hepler, Angie, this is Cassidy Clarke.”
Ah. Now Gordon understood Angie’s reaction. Cassidy Clarke, the actor playing the lead in the movie. To say Angie was a fan was like saying the sun rose in the east. But right now, he didn’t resemble the man Gordon had seen on the screen.
As if someone had flipped a switch, the man’s scowl turned into a smile. His eyes brightened. Charm oozed across the table like molasses. “Pleased to meet you.” He extended his hand to Angie first, and her eyes widened as she returned his handshake. Which lasted a little longer than Gordon felt comfortable with, but he accepted it as a moment for Angie. While Gordon wouldn’t try to erase it from her memory, he’d damn sure try to make it fade later tonight.
And so what if when Gordon shook Cassidy’s hand he squeezed a little harder than normal. “Welcome to Mapleton,” he said to show he was okay with the way the man had greeted Angie. After all, the guy was a movie star. Flirting with women was probably second nature, and all an act, anyway.
“Please, have a seat,” Marianna said to Cassidy. “Would you like some breakfast? Tea?” She looked at Angie. “Cass prefers masala chai, if you can get it here.”
Angie’s grin dimmed a notch, but Gordon didn’t think anyone who didn’t know her could have read the You think we’re a bunch of bumpkins expression that had flashed across her face. “Not a problem. Gordon, do you want your usual?”
“Please,” he said.
Did Marianna notice Angie had called him by his first name? Did she chalk it up to being in a small town where everyone used first names? Did it even matter? Everyone in town knew he and Angie were in a relationship, so why not a few strangers?
While Angie went to deal with tea and coffee, Gordon dealt with Marianna. “According to your schedule, you’re going to be shooting at Aspen Lake the day after tomorrow. Since today’s the first I’ve heard of any of this, I’ll try to bring in county deputies to help. How much support do you need, and exactly what will you want them to do?”
“I understand. Normally, we’d have set this up much further in advance, but we needed the fall colors, and we can’t control when the leaves turn, so we’ve been more or less on standby. When I spoke to the mayor about it several months ago, he assured me he would take care of things.”
Gordon didn’t share his thoughts about what he’d like to tell the mayor about that one.
Marianna went on. “Also, we’re trying to keep the whole production under wraps as much as possible. Now that Cassidy has shown up, I’m afraid you’ll be inundated with paparazzi, especially given his recent … difficulties.” She gave the actor a pointed glare.
“I’m afraid I’m not aware of any … difficulties.” Gordon decided it was better to admit ignorance than get caught unprepared.
Cassidy returned Marianna’s glare, then lowered his head and his voice. “I had a minor substance abuse problem for a little while. The papers made a big deal out of it, but I’m fine.” He gave Marianna a defiant stare. “I’m clean. And ready to work. I’m checked in at the B and B. I assume you’ve got a driver to make sure I’m where you want me when you want me there.”
Marianna nodded and stirred her coffee, her spoon clinking against the ceramic mug in a syncopated rhythm.
Cassidy Clarke’s turquoise eyes were almost cop eyes, the way they never held still, always taking in their surroundings. However, unlike Gordon, Cassidy chose to sit with his back to the door, thus avoiding the curious glances of most of the other customers in the diner. Though he did seem to sense Angie’s approach—almost as soon as Gordon did—and when Cassidy raised his head the smile had returned, full force.
Angie carried a tray with
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