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“Oscar was a former Army Ranger,” Brady chimed in. “The other one, Ernest or whatever, was an Australian commando. Explains why they were so skilled.”
A knock came at the door. I expected it to be the doctor, but it was Amirah Pratt instead. She had a bouquet of flowers in her hand.
“Heather! You’re okay! Oh my gosh, I was so scared when you disappeared from the set. I’ve been praying for you. I’m so sorry, it was selfish of me to let someone else be put in danger…”
I groaned. “It feels like the apology olympics in here.”
Amirah looked puzzled. “Huh?”
“Nothing. Nevermind. It’s not your fault, and just in case you still think it is, I forgive you.” I pushed myself into a sitting position in bed. “I forgiveallof you. So stop moping around like a basketball team that just lost the championship. We caught the stalkers! We should all be happy about that.”
I paused to let my words sink in, then turned back to Amirah. “I lost your hat and sunglasses. And your shoes. They’re probably evidence, now. I think the kidnapper broke the sunglasses, though.”
She smiled. “I’ll buy another pair. I’ll buytwo, and give one to you. They lookedwaybetter on you than on me. You have better cheekbones.”
I knew she was just trying to be nice, but I felt my own cheeks turn red. It wasn’t every day that I got complimented by a famous celebrity.
“Is there room for one more?” came a British voice. Moments later, Jimmy Cardannon’s bald head poked through the door. “How is she doing?”
“She’s fine,” Brady said dryly. “You know, Jimmy, I honestly can’t believe you weren’t involved somehow.”
Jimmy looked insulted. “Me? Involved? Why on earth would you suspect me?”
“Whywouldn’twe?” Rogan replied. “First you showed up at our residence unannounced and claimed you were going to put us out of business. That night, Amirah’s house was attacked.”
“I was taking the piss out of you,” Cardannon replied. “Being cheeky. Getting in your head.”
“That ain’t all of it,” Brady said. “Today, in the film trailer, I said I knew what you were planning. Andyousaid there was nothing we could do to stop it!”
Cardannon spread his hands. “I was referring to stealing The Weiman Agency away from you. I expected you to cock it up in front of everyone. I wasn’t talking aboutkidnapping a movie star. I’m not a bloody monster.”
Asher shook his head. “You were also at the hotel. During the second shooting.”
“I told you: I was eating dinner. They have the best sushi rolls in town.”
“That’s too much of a coincidence,” Rogan insisted. “What were you doing there?”
Cardannon rolled his eyes. “Fine. I was there to poach some of the other clients working on that project. I invited Pedro Ortega to join me so we could discuss a security contract. Unfortunately, he bailed on me. But after the shooting, he called me the next day and signed with Heimdall.” He looked around the room. “You truly thought I would do this?Me?”
“No offense, but you’re kind of a dick,” Brady said.
“I’m the one who pointed out that the food truck was missing!” he insisted. “And when the LAPD wouldn’t take your situation seriously, I made a phone call to a few friends.”
Rogan grunted like he had been punched. “You’rethe one who did that? The cop I spoke to said that someone pulled a large string…”
“Really?” I asked. “You helped save me?”
Cardannon shrugged. “As I said. I am a shrewd businessman, but I am not a monster.”
“We would have noticed the food truck eventually,” Brady muttered.
I gave him a pointed stare.
“…But we might have lost valuable time,” Brady added. His face twisted like he was about to be sick. “Thank… Thank y…. I can’t do it. I can’t say it.”
“Thank you, Jimmy,” Rogan said, extending his hand. “For everything.”
The two of them shook hands.
