Familiar Double. Caroline Burnes

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      He took a deep breath. “You’re building a solid career as a stuntwoman. You’re good at your job. You do your work and you do it with pride. I just don’t see you ruining all of this over some bauble.”

      Nicole’s jaw muscle worked as she listened to him. “I didn’t steal anything. I’m not a thief.”

      “I believe you,” he said. “That’s why I’m offering to help you.”

      “Meow!” The black cat put a paw on Nicole’s shoulder as if to say “Me, too.”

      “I don’t know exactly what we’re going to do, though,” Nicole said and her shoulders slumped a little. “The police found the earring in my trailer. They’ll never believe someone else put it there.”

      “I have a couple of ideas,” Jax said, pointing to a pickup truck that was parked up the street. “But first we’re going back to the set and you’re going to finish that stunt.”

      “I can’t do that,” Nicole said, putting on the brakes. Jax felt the resistance of a boulder as he gently took her elbow to move her forward.

      “You have to,” he said, inching her toward the truck.

      “They all think I’m a thief,” she said. “I can’t go back there.”

      “So prove them wrong. Don’t act guilty. We’ll finish the scene and then maybe we’ll have some time left over to ask a few questions. Maybe someone saw something.”

      Nicole gave in and got in the passenger side of the truck, placing Familiar on her lap.

      Jax was grinning as he walked around the truck. By the time he got in it, he’d managed to control his expression. He knew Nicole wouldn’t take lightly to the idea that he was amused by her. But for the past three weeks, since the movie had started shooting, he’d thought she was such a tough loner. Now he found out different. Her tough act was just a way to disguise her insecurities.

      Oh, well, Hollywood was the town of facade. But no matter what image Nicole projected, he didn’t see her as a thief. About the only thing he’d suspect her of stealing was someone’s heart. Lucky for him he was immune in that department. He’d paid out his heart a long time ago when he’d gambled and lost. Still, it was the Texas thing to do—rescue a damsel in distress. Hell, it was just the way he was brought up.

      When he felt the grin creeping back onto his face, he wiped it off. Nicole was watching him with open curiosity, as was the black cat. He’d never heard that Familiar was a detective, but after watching the feline on the set, he’d believe Familiar was capable of anything. Anything at all.

      NICOLE BALANCED OUTSIDE the window of the three-story house, Familiar at her side. She didn’t look down. It was a long drop, and even though the air-filled bags were there to catch her if she fell, she didn’t like the sickening sensation of dropping that distance. Familiar, with his claws in the siding of the house, had no intention of falling.

      “Just a few more steps,” she whispered encouragement to the cat.

      The spotlight on the ground swept over her and she froze, hoping that she looked like a black shadow amongst the other shadows of the house. That was what the script called for, and she could only hope that the lighting was correct. She didn’t want to hang around thirty feet above the ground while John and the crew worked through technical difficulties.

      The spotlight moved on, and she let out a breath. Apparently all the technical aspects were working fine. The first shots, where she’d scaled the exterior wall of the house, had gone off without a hitch. Now she was waiting for the director to signal her into the window. Of course, the exterior had been spiked with handholds and footholds for her safety. Familiar had been added to the scene later.

      “Move to the window,” John Hudson called out to her.

      Following his direction, she eased to the window and slowly raised it. Per the script, a gossamer curtain drifted out and surrounded her. In another moment she felt Jax’s strong arms lift her into the building and to safety. He also gave Familiar an assist into the house.

      “That was terrific,” Jax told her. “John was able to get it clean with only one shot.”

      “Thank goodness. I don’t want to have to do that again.”

      “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” Jax teased.

      “I’m not afraid of them, but I’m not in love with them either.” Nicole found that she was smiling at him. The entire time she’d been getting ready for her action scene she’d been thinking of him. She could still recall his oh-so-relaxed pose in the jail. But he’d shown up to help her and he didn’t even know her.

      “Jax, thanks for this afternoon. I’ll pay you back the bond money. It’ll take me a little while, but I’ll pay back every penny of it.”

      Jax didn’t say anything. He just looked at her. “I’m not in a bind for cash right now. Don’t worry about it.”

      “But I will return the money. I always pay my debts.”

      “I’m sure you will.” He gathered up some rope and gear and walked to the window, signaling down to the director. “Okay?”

      “Perfect!” John called up to him. “Absolutely perfect. Tell Nicole she gets the gold star for the day.”

      “You can tell her yourself,” Jax said. He turned to Nicole. “This is a perfect opportunity for you to explain what happened today. John will listen and be fair.”

      He was handing her a chance to save her job. Maybe. Or it could just be an opportunity to get thrown off the set in front of the entire film crew. At least Angela wasn’t around.

      “Do you want me to talk to him?” Jax asked.

      Once again she was amazed at his willingness to put himself on the line for her. “No,” she said carefully. “This is my problem. You’ve already gone out on a limb getting me out of jail. What if something else goes missing?”

      “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

      She felt a rush of tears and blinked them back. She hadn’t cried since she was twelve years old and had watched her father being escorted into jail. “I’ll talk to John. And I’ll do it right now.”

      She lifted her shoulders and held her head high as she walked out of the set house and over to a battery of cameras. John Hudson sat among the expensive machinery, his speculative gaze focused on the house.

      “Films today are all about action, Nicole. You know that, I know that, but why is it that I just long to tell a good story?” His grin was ironic as he patted the chair next to him. “The camera loves you, Nicole. Let an old man give you some advice. Start reading for the female leads. You’re good enough to get them. And a lot less trouble than our current female star.”

      “John, I was arrested today for stealing Angela’s earring. The cops found it in my dressing trailer.”

      John Hudson’s craggy and wrinkled face was part of Hollywood lore. He slowly turned to Nicole and looked at her. “I remember when your father was arrested for stealing the Dream СКАЧАТЬ