Chapter 44 Almost Famous
Almost famous
Bruce led Shelley along the pathway toward the lab and trainer's office. Her head kept turning toward the expansive lagoon, where dolphins surfaced gracefully, their movements breaking the calm water.
"Wow! They're incredible," Shelley said with genuine admiration, a rare moment of sincerity breaking through her usual facade. Her job back home was mostly data analysis, but the fleeting moments she spent near the animals were always a highlight.
"They sure are," Bruce replied, his tone warm. Then, with a sidelong glance, he added, "Now, I don't mean to pry, but you seem pretty determined not to show up during the day like a regular tourist. What's the story?"
Shelley's pulse quickened. She'd have to handle this delicately.
"You're right," she admitted, layering her voice with a touch of vulnerability.
"I'd rather avoid the crowds. Now, I'm not super famous, but I've done some acting.
It's practically a rite of passage in California, right?
I wanted to enjoy this place without all the attention.
Hence, getting stuck yesterday." She gave Bruce a smile she hoped looked earnest.
Bruce studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough. Well, I can't take you any closer to the dolphins, but we could sit out on the deck and watch them while you help me with dinner. How's that sound?"
"Perfect," Shelley said quickly, relieved. Guilt pricked at her for deceiving the kind-hearted man, but she forced it aside.
Bruce motioned for her to follow him up the stairs to the trainer's office. "Grab the food, and we'll get plates and napkins from inside."
Inside the lab, Shelley's gaze swept the room, carefully cataloging her surroundings. The lagoon was mesmerizing, but the real prize sat only a few feet away: a small TV with a stack of videotapes beside it. Gray's meticulous labelling was unmistakable. Bingo.
"We'll grab some plates," Bruce continued, snapping her out of her thoughts. "You didn't bring drinks, did you?"
"Of course!" Shelley grinned, setting her backpack on the table and pulling out two cans of soda. "Are you a Pepsi or Coke guy?"
"Pepsi all the way."
"Good choice!" she said, handing him a can. She motioned casually to the room. "What is this place?"
"This?" Bruce gestured around proudly. "This is the trainer's office, lab, and general hangout spot. Over here's the wall of fame. You might recognize some faces from your acting career."
Shelley turned to the wall lined with photos. There were hundreds, many of them staff posing with celebrities. Her breath hitched when she spotted one in particular.
"Is that who I think it is?" she leaned in closer, her mouth falling open. She felt genuine shock seeing one of the Bond actors up on the wall smiling away, arms around the same staff members she'd been eavesdropping on.
Bruce chuckled. "Yep, that's him. Ever work with him?"
"Oh, now, I can't give away all my secrets," she teased, offering a sly wink. Then, with a quick glance around, she asked, "So, where are the plates?"
"In the kitchen next door," Bruce said, already moving toward the door. "Napkins are in the cabinet by the TV. I'll be right back."
As soon as he was out of sight, Shelley sprang into action.
Her fingers worked quickly, replacing the six recorded tapes with identical blank ones she'd brought, and it took only seconds to complete the swap.
She was thanking her lucky stars that Gray had only labelled the outer boxes and not the actual tapes.
By the time Bruce returned with the plates, Shelley was back at the table, holding the napkins and smiling as though nothing had happened.
"Let's eat!" she said cheerfully.
Bruce carried the food out to the deck, and they sat down to enjoy the meal.
For the first time in weeks, Shelley felt like everything was falling into place.
In a few hours, she would put the full plan in motion.
The prize she'd been chasing would finally be within reach. She couldn't wait to surprise Gray.