The girl pulled a quart of coconut milk and a box of bean sprouts from her bag and motioned for Broch to step aside so she could open the refrigerator. “Yes. He said it was the Frenchman’s game the first time he went, the day before. He was super excited to be invited.”
“And you haven’t heard from him since he left for last night’s game?”
She shook her head.
“Okay. Thank you. If you hear from him, give the studio a call or have him call. We need him to check in.”
Abigail nodded.
Catriona motioned to Broch. “Let’s go.”
Broch popped the last bit of apple in his mouth and crunched on the core as he smiled at the girl. “Nice tae meet ye.”
The girl nodded, her mouth downturned. Catriona didn’t get the feeling she liked her new home in L.A., but the coconut milk and sprouts implied she was trying to adapt.
Catriona and Broch made their way back to the gate. On the way, she called Robert Williams. Last she’d heard, the old movie star still liked his cards.
“Hello, Robert Williams here, how can I help you?” At seventy-two, the actor’s voice still poured like melted caramel through the phone.
“You still playing in the Frenchman’s game?”
Robert chuckled. “Still winning so I’m still playing.”
Catriona could almost hear him grinning with pride. “Did you see fresh meat last night by the name of Tyler Bash?”
Robert chuckled. “The freshest. He’d come before but he really opened his veins last night.”
“How’d that end?”
“You know, I don’t know. He was behind. Left to go to the john I think. That was the last I saw of him.”
“You notice anyone go after him?”
“No. But I had my head in the game. That’s why I don’t lose.”
“Where was the game last night?”
“Jay’s place. The room over the bar.”
“Okay. That’s all I need. Thanks Bob.”
“No problem gorgeous. Tell your rascal of a father I miss him at the games.”
“Will do.”
Catriona hung up. Most of the old guard at Parasol had massive respect for Sean, and by association, her. It was nice to have the wisdom of the studio at her fingertips when she needed it.
“Where noo?” asked Broch as they hopped in the Jeep.
“The Frenchman, Alain, runs a poker game for celebrities. Someone as new as Tyler only gets invited for one reason—to be bled dry. They knew he’d lose it.”
“Ye think he coudnae pay his debts?”
She nodded. “And Alain’s been known to get creative when actors can’t pay.”
Catriona drove them to Jay’s Joint, a popular West Hollywood spot for celebrities to hide. Pulling to the curb, she scanned the outside of the building. There were cameras, but she knew she wouldn’t get footage from Jay without a fight. The privacy of his clientele was too precious. She could call Sean in to pull some strings or…
She twisted for a new view. Across the street she spotted another camera mounted on the front of a coffee shop. Instead of pointing at the entrance of the shop, it glared directly at the front of Jay’s.
Ha. Gotcha.
A girl and a guy stood behind the counter inside the coffee shop.
Baristas.
She poked Broch on the arm.
“Come with me. I might need you.”
Broch stretched his back. “Whatfur?”
“There’s a young man and woman behind the counter of that coffee shop across the street. Between the two of us, we should be able to charm someone into giving me what I want.” She didn’t add that, in West Hollywood, the odds were better that he’d come in handy for the boy.
They entered the shop to the happy ringing of a bell. The girl didn’t bother to look up from her phone. The young man stopped wiping the counter, seemingly mesmerized by Broch.
Bingo.
“How can I help you?”
Catriona elbowed Broch in his side. “Introduce yourself.”
Broch flinched. “Huh? Och, ah’m Broch.” He leaned forward and thrust his hand across the counter.
“I’m Brian. We’re both B’s.” Instead of shaking Broch’s hand he curled his fingers against the inside of Broch’s digits to create a c-shaped chain link. “I love your kilt.”
Broch beamed. “Thank ye. Thank ye fer nae callin’ it a skirt.” He shot Catriona a look, coming just short of sticking out his tongue.
Spotlight on her, Catriona stepped up. “Brian, I was wondering if you could help us. I, I mean, we, need to see last night’s footage from that camera you have out there. Could we take a peek at that?”
Brian glanced at her, seemingly annoyed to find her present. “Can’t do that.”
“Not even for Broch?”
Broch grinned.
Brian melted for a moment and then resumed his annoyed snarl. “Are you a cop?”
Catriona shook her head.
“Then no. Not allowed to.” His gaze swiveled back to Broch and then softened again. “I wish I could, but the owner wouldn’t like it. I’d lose my job. You understand.”
“Aye.”
Brian giggled. “Where are you from with that accent?”
Catriona sighed.
So much for charm. Time for blackmail.
She pushed in front of Broch. “So, would your refusal be because the owner is selling the footage of Jay’s to the tabloid shows, or because you are selling it and you’re afraid he’ll find out?”
Brian paled. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
His co-worker snorted a laugh. Catriona glanced at her, but she dropped her attention back to her phone as if pulled by a magnet.
Catriona smiled. The girl knew it was Brian’s scheme.
Got ya.
“Gosh, Brian, are you sure you don’t know what I mean? I can explain it to you.” Catriona pointed outside. “The camera out there isn’t directed at your door. It’s pointed across the street
