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“Oh,” Emma said, “You were trying to be funny.”
“I usually get a chuckle or two,” I said.
She forced a smile, “Yes, I see the humor now.” She made an attempt at a small laugh. It sounded like a hiccup.
Hondo said, “What is it, Emma?”
“Well,” she said as she leaned forward, “I’ve seen the footage of you, Ronny, in what you did yesterday.”
“Footage?”
“Oh my, yes. A Japanese tourist across the street had his video camera and filmed the entire incident. You looked very heroic, and your video presence was impressive, even without adequate lighting or a competent director.”
“Yeah, the director sucked on that take,” I said.
Emma looked puzzled.
Hondo said, “Emma, what’s your idea?”
“Oh,” she came back on track, “Both of you are action oriented. Combine that with looks, working in a profession the public sees as sexy and the fact that your presence on camera comes through as almost visceral, well, that spells great ratings.”
I said, “You’re losing me here.”
She leaned over and patted my knee. “It will be the hit of the season, knock all those other pansy shows to the bottom of the ratings.” I raised my eyebrows as I waited for her to end the pause. She wiggled my knee with her hand, “We’ll do a reality show based on your exploits!”
My stomach felt a ball of ice form in it.
Emma said, “I’ve already got the title,” She turned to Hondo, “Lock and Load: The World of Wells and Baca, LA’s Top Private Dicks.”
“You want us to make a porno film,” I said.
“We’ll do it,” Hondo said.
My eyes went big. “We will?”
Emma clapped her hands together like a little kid. “I’ve already pitched it to my station bosses and they’re ready to go.”
I looked at Hondo, “Are you sure about this?”
He focused on Emma but said to me, “I’ll tell you later.” He smiled at her, “Think we can start this afternoon, maybe get some air time this evening or tomorrow?”
“That is exactly what I was thinking,” she said. “We’ll shoot and edit today and have a next day showing. I’ll set it up and clear everything. Can we meet here around four or so?” Hondo nodded Yes. “That’s perfect!” Emma went around Hondo’s desk to hug his neck, then came to my desk and hugged me, too.
She might not have a sense of humor, but she had a Grade-A huggable body complete with trophy rack. I enjoyed the hug even though I was thinking Hondo must have suffered a mild stroke to make him agree to Emma’s proposal.
When Emma left, I propped my feet on the desk and crossed my ankles. I said, “I want to be comfortable because your explanation is probably going to take a long time.”
“I want that girl to know we’re trying to help her.”
“And a TV show is going to help that along?”
“Uh-huh.”
I thought about it, “Okay, tell me what you’re thinking and I’ll see if it’s the same thing I’m thinking you’re thinking.”
Hondo said, “It’s a reality show, so we, you and I, get to drive the action, what gets recorded. We’ll hunt for the girl, all the while making sure she knows we’re here to help her, and also to let her know how to contact us.”
“That’s what I was thinking you were thinking.”
