Ryan Lock 04.5: Lock & Load Read Free

Summer's gaze. "As far as your line of work allows for it, that's something we can achieve. You go about your life as you would normally and if there is a situation where you are made to feel uncomfortable in any way, or a situation where either Tyrone or I perceive a threat to your safety, then we'll deal with it."
       There was something hanging in the air unresolved and Lock thought it best to get it out of the way before they went any further. "Have you given any thought to applying for a court order against Mr. Durham?"
       Summer blew a stray strand of hair away from her eyes as her publicist took that one. "Summer doesn't want to be painted as a victim in this," said Paula.
       Lock didn't know what other word applied to someone who'd almost been strangled to death by an asshole boyfriend but he knew what they were saying.
       "Mr. Lock," said Bernstein. "This town is all about image. Right now Summer is seen as a strong young woman, a role model to other young women, someone who is in control. She doesn't drink. She doesn't take drugs. She's not only a very talented actress, she's also a consummate professional. That's why she commands the kind of money from the studios that she does. We don't want anything getting out there into the public domain to tarnish that perception, either with the public or with the people who employ her."
       "I understand completely. Since the last incident, has Mr. Durham been in contact?" asked Lock.
       Bernstein and Paula traded a look that said yes.
       "He won't stop," said Summer. "He hasn't even left my house. That's why I'm staying here."
       Lock smiled to himself. He knew there had to be a catch when the young actress's people had offered him and Carrie Summer's Malibu beach home to stay in. They were hiring close protection but they wanted him to throw in a free eviction service.
       Summer picked up on his silence. "Don't worry, I plan on staying here. Traffic from the 'Bu's a bitch. But if you could persuade him to leave."
       "We can do that," said Ty.
       They'd thrown him a curveball right out of the gate but it could work to his advantage, Lock thought to himself. It would give him a chance to see just what kind of asshole he was dealing with. Lock suspected that Ty was right, that a guy like Jason Durham might not be such a tough guy after all. But he wanted some first-hand knowledge before he made up his mind.
       "I have some contacts at the Malibu Sheriff's Department," offered Bernstein. "I'm sure they'd be happy to accompany you."
       "That's very kind of you," said Lock. "But that may just draw more attention to the situation. If we need them, we can always give them a call. Can you handle things here while I take care of it?" he asked Ty. Ty nodded a yes. Lock looked back at Summer. "Anything else?"
       Paula answered for her. "Summer's at the Chateau because she has to do some press here in the morning."
       There was an edge to how she said it that deepened Lock's confusion. "Makes sense."
       Bernstein coughed into his hand. "It's for the movie she did with Jason," he said, lowering his voice.
       Lock caught the look on Ty's face. "He's going to be here?" Ty asked.
       "It's in both their contracts," said Paula.
       "As I said, we don't want this current unpleasantness going public," added Bernstein.
       Lock looked from the manager to the publicist and then to the young actress. She nibbled at a nail with a trembling hand. He got to his feet. "Let me go talk to Mr. Durham for you, make sure he vacates your property and that he's on his best behavior tomorrow."

Four
    SUMMER'S BEACH HOUSE was in the Big Rock area of Malibu. It backed directly on to the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH as it was known by the locals. The front faced out across the Pacific. Like the rest of Malibu it was a quiet community, although a little more diverse than somewhere like the Colony with its private gated access. Here there were people who