Joseph leaned back. “Um...”
Rune slapped the tops of his thighs with his palms. “We’ll have some meetings—”
Fiona stopped him. “See, that’s what I thought. We’re going to need a house.”
“We have a house,” said Joseph.
Fiona laughed. “This isn’t a house. It’s an episode of Hoarders waiting to happen.”
“This is my house.” Joseph’s voice rippled with irritation.
Whoops. This is no way to earn Joseph’s trust.
Fiona rushed to backtrack. “No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t clear. This is a fine house for a few people, but we need a compound. Somewhere we can house our army and really do things right.”
Rune’s eyes lit. “That’s a fabulous idea.”
“It’s a pretty good idea,” admitted Joseph. “But who’s going to pay for it?”
“I’m a famous actress. I can get us money. Sponsors, even.”
“Maybe some of the new people are rich,” suggested Rune.
“Maybe,” agreed Fiona, though she didn’t think the sort of nutballs beating a path to Joseph’s door were likely to be rolling in dough. But who knew?
“And who’s in charge of the entire operation?” she asked.
“I am,” said Joseph and Rune simultaneously. They looked at each other.
“I mean both of us,” said Joseph.
Fiona smiled.
I don’t think so.
Chapter Thirty
After lunch, Anne insisted they all come to her house, promising Sean would be joining them. As if on cue, Sean called Catriona’s phone to confirm the mysterious meeting he’d been asked to join indeed involved her and Broch.
“We’re going, too,” she confirmed. She was about to tell him about Luther when Luther raised a finger to his lips, mouthing the words don’t tell him.
She grimaced, knowing it would kill her not to spill that particular can of beans.
Sean continued. “She wanted me to come to Señor Chips but I couldn’t get away that soon. Is that where you are?”
“Yes.”
“Who is this woman?”
“She’s—” Catriona looked at Anne. “A pirate?”
“Did you say a pirate?”
She could tell from Sean’s tone he had no patience for mysterious meeting with strangers today. Not only had he spent the morning identifying his best friend’s body, but she doubted he’d slept for nearly forty-eight hours. She longed to tell him about Luther, but the big man kept his eye on her.
She tried again. “You have to come. I’d say she was a lunatic, but she knows stuff about us. You need to hear this.”
“This is all I need today. Hey, cough if this is a trap.”
Catriona remained silent.
“Is she there? Is she listening?”
“Yes and no. It’s safe.”
I think.
“Fine. See you in a bit.”
She hung up before Sean could ask any more questions and grimaced at Luther.
“You’re killing me.”
“Someone already killed me today. It’s only fair.” He laughed as they peeled away from the table to head back to the Parasol Pictures parking lot.
Catriona and Broch returned to the Jeep with plans to follow Anne and Luther in the Land Rover.
“What do you think?” asked Catriona as soon as she and Broch were alone. Feeling she might have overdone it with the schooner of sangria, she’d let him take the wheel once more. The seat was already back in his position anyway.
“Ah trust her,” he said without hesitation.
“Really?” She looked away, and watched Anne slip into her car. “Is it because she’s pretty?”
“Nah. Ah kin tell she’s blethering the truth. Cannae ye?”
“No. I don’t seem to have a nose for trouble like you do.”
He leaned forward to kiss her. “Mebbe that’s why ah’m here. Tae show ye the way.”
She kissed him back and he shifted the Jeep into reverse.
“She is pretty, though,” she added.
“Nae as bonny as ye,” said Broch.
Catriona smiled. Good answer.
They drove into the Bird Streets area of Hollywood, tight on Anne’s tail. After pulling through two enormous golden gates, they parked in an impressive, paved circular drive while Anne pulled into an open garage beside a Bentley.
Catriona hopped out of the Jeep, her head craning to see the whole of the mansion splayed out before them. Expensive cars. Huge house.
I guess the pirate life really does pay.
Luther and Anne joined them in front of the oversized doors.
“This place is gorgeous,” said Catriona as they entered the mansion. The airy, modern interior seemed pulled directly out of a magazine.
Anne nodded. “That is one of the perks of working with the Angeli. They always go first class.”
A thin man in jeans and a light blue t-shirt appeared, looking both surprised and displeased.
“Guests. With no warning. Wonderful,” he murmured.
Anne nodded toward him. “That’s Jeffrey. He’s a bit snotty but he means well.”
“Is he one of ye, tae?” asked Broch.
“No. He’s just a cranky, regular old human.”
Jeffrey sneered playfully at her. “I’m not old.”
A chiming noise filled the room and they all looked skyward, searching for the source. Jeffrey strode past them toward the door.
“It’s the bell. A bit over the top, if you ask me.”
He opened the door to reveal Sean standing on the doorstep.
“Hi, I’m here to meet—” He looked past Jeffrey and his eyes popped wide. “Luther?”
Luther threw his arms open. “Come here and give me a hug before you start wondering why and how.”
Sean and Luther slammed into each other like giants, each trying to squeeze the life out of each other.
“Is it really you?”
“It’s really me.”
“But I literally just identified your body.”
“Don’t need that body anymore. I kept the blueprint.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
Luther looked at Anne. “She might be better for explaining all that.
Anne held out a hand. “Hello, Sean. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I’m Anne Bonny.”
Sean shot
