Keely paused. “Thank you for taking care of me. If we ever have that coffee date, the first cup will be on me.”
They went downstairs and he led Keely into the first room off the foyer, sitting next to her on a large sofa. Out the window, Mac saw Maria pacing outside, smoking.
“Would you like a glass of water?” he asked.
“No.” She frowned. “I’m no fan of Beau’s but who would want to do something like that? I thought he was a real jerk but I don’t understand that kind of violence.”
Sirens sounded in the background and Mac knew the police would arrive soon. Without thinking it through, he reached and took Keely’s hand. Her fingers still seemed cold as he wrapped his around hers. Their eyes met.
“It’ll be okay. We’ll answer their questions and get out of here.”
Keely shook her head. “It’s far from okay, Mac. Though I’m sick about Beau’s death, the practical side of me realizes with my leading man dead, this film might be dead in the water.” She sighed. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been on a project that’s been canceled. The last time it happened to me, it turned out well because it freed me to make Shadow of Suspicion with Knox Monroe. Maybe there’ll be a silver lining in this.”
“You were great in that,” he told her. “After I saw it, I went back to see what else you’d done. I was in the army during my entire twenties and missed out on things in pop culture. Films. Songs. Trends. Going back and watching your work was a real pleasure. You’re very talented, Keely.”
She blushed at the compliment and he thought at least this was one actress who hadn’t let fame go to her head.
Flashing lights outside the window caught his attention as two squad cars and an ambulance pulled up, along with two dark sedans and a large van. He assumed those contained detectives and crime scene techs. They killed the sirens and doors quickly swung open. One policeman escorted Maria back inside. Reluctantly, Mac released Keely’s hand as they stood and watched a flood of people enter the house.
A pair in plainclothes led the parade inside. A chunky blond woman greeted them as she flashed her badge. “I’m Detective Mariel Briggs.” She indicated the Black man next to her. “This is my partner, Detective Zeke Washington. Are you Mac Randall?”
“I am. I called it in. The deceased, Beau Braxton, is upstairs.”
Quickly, Mac explained why they’d come to the residence and how he’d found Beau, noting that he’d turned off the water, hoping that some evidence might somehow be preserved.
“Stay here,” Briggs ordered. “We’ll want to interview you.”
The paramedics came in and looked around. “Someone’s in shock?” one asked.
“No, I was wrong about that.”
“He meant me,” Keely said. “I was very surprised seeing my co-worker’s dead body and a lot of blood. I’m fine now. You should go upstairs. The victim is in the master bath.”
Mac noticed the paramedics both recognized her but didn’t say anything as they left. He guessed that’s how you handled your job if you worked in Beverly Hills. By now, a policeman had escorted Maria inside and took her into another room. Mac knew all three of them would need to make statements.
Keely slipped her phone from her pocket and began scrolling through her contacts.
“Shouldn’t we wait before we tell anyone?” Mac asked.
“The news will break soon enough. Sydney needs to know now. I’ll make it quick. I’ll put it on speaker so you can add anything you might think of.”
He listened as she spoke to the producer, briefly filling her in about Braxton’s death and that they were about to be interviewed by the police.
“I’d contact Beau’s manager and agent, Sydney. They need to be prepared to meet with the police and issue a statement. You also need to let Josh know. He was going to shoot a couple of scenes with Eric this morning.” Keely paused. “I know by losing Beau we might lose our financial backing.”
“I can deal with the money end of things, Keely, but not another delay. We’ve already had to find a new director. Replacing Beau will be a nightmare, especially since we need someone now.” Sydney groaned. “Josh is going to freak out. Okay, think. Beau beat out two other guys for the Thorne Mayfield role, Brad Willis and Finn Jarvis. I know Brad’s in Vancouver shooting a new series. Do you know about Finn? He would need a lot of direction because he’s really lacking in experience but—”
“Sydney, I have a crazy idea.”
“I’m all about the crazy. It’s worked for me before. Hey, I’m the first-time director who fired Marlyn November and replaced her with you. That turned out to be a blessing for both of us. Spill, Keely. I’m open to anything.”
“What about hiring Beau’s stunt double and stand-in—Mac Randall?”
Mac’s head whipped around. Keely’s hand slipped to his knee and gave him a squeeze.
“That might work,” Sydney said thoughtfully. “I know he’s done a few films with Beau. We worked on the last one together. Mac continually fed Beau his lines, so the guy knew them, but a stuntman? Can he act?”
“There’s lots of action in this film,” Keely noted. “Maybe Cassie could tinker and rewrite a few scenes. I can take on more dialogue. It’s worth a shot.”
Sydney chuckled. “You’re right. Either this’ll save the film—or kill it. Bring Mac by the house when you’re done with the police. Let me talk to him. I want to get a feel for him. See if he’d be interested. I also need to see how he’ll look on camera. In real life, he’s got the kind of rugged looks that make women swoon but sometimes it doesn’t translate to screen.”
Keely grinned at Mac. “You’ll be impressed. He’s smart. Articulate. He’ll be able to handle it.”
“I’ll get in touch with Josh and have him come over. Rhett and Cassie, too. Since this is an RCDS production, we should all make a decision this important together. Take care, Keely. See you soon.”
“Bye.”
She hung up and smiled at him, a hint of mischief in it.
“Are you insane?” he asked, his heard thumping wildly, partly from her hand on his knee and the rest from thinking his life had done a huge one–eighty in seconds.
“You can do this, Mac. I’ll be with you. Every step of the way.”
CHAPTER 3
The police separated Mac from Keely and took them to separate rooms for their statements. He found it odd since they’d left the two of them together while they’d gone upstairs to view the crime scene but he didn’t question them. The sooner their questions ended, the sooner they’d be out of here.
That thought really shook him up.
He wondered why Keely had pitched the idea of him replacing Beau in the film, especially when another actor’s name who’d been in consideration had been mentioned. He would ask her about that.
And if she was free tonight. Any night. Day or night.
Mac couldn’t understand why this woman turned his head until it was spinning like something out of The Exorcist. She wasn’t his usual type. He liked his women blond, tan, curvy, and short. Keely had a few curves along her lean, athletic body but she was tall, fair-skinned, and had hair that shone like liquid caramel. Still, preferences could change. Maybe the attraction was because she was so different from his ex-wife. Or it might be the energy that surrounded Keely, humming under the surface. She’d proven to be quick in conversation and had a good sense of humor during their conversation on the way to Beau’s.