Chapter 9
NINE
Monday morning, Charlie caught Flo’s big, doggie smile in the hotel’s bathroom mirror and smiled back.
She wasn’t sure which one of them was happier that Flo was coming along today instead of getting sidelined again.
They were going up into the mountains today, to check out potential filming sites with Viv, Rowan, and Maddie.
And Ben.
Charlie closed her eyes and felt her cheeks heat up. How was she supposed to face him after the debriefing at Watchdog on Saturday night?
The conference room at Watchdog felt small with six people crammed around the table.
Charlie sat with Flo at her feet, the Malinois picking up on the tension thrumming through the room.
Viv and Rowan sat side by side, still in their Ren Faire costumes minus the prosthetics.
Maddie clutched her tablet like a life preserver.
Viv hadn’t wanted to disturb her on her day off, but she insisted on coming in the moment she heard what happened.
Shane sat beside Maddie. Kyle stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, his expression grim.
“Let’s go over what happened,” Kyle said. “Charlie?”
She kept her voice professional, clinical.
“At approximately 13:45, I observed five individuals in Caidansworn capes converging on the costume shop. Ben Massey alerted me to their presence before they reached our position. We evacuated through the back exit with his assistance. Faire security escorted eight individuals off the premises total—the original five plus three more who attempted to intercept us.”
“The disguises held?” Kyle asked.
“Completely. Nettie’s work was flawless.” Charlie glanced at Viv.
Kyle’s jaw tightened. “Which means someone tipped them off to your location.”
Charlie nodded. “Ben said as much. He heard them discuss how they expected us at the forge, right before we were spotted at the costume shop.”
The room went quiet for a beat.
“We need to identify the leak,” Kyle said as he looked at Viv. “Walk me through who knew you’d be at the Faire.”
“Everyone at this table,” Viv said quietly. “Plus Gina and Nettie. And of course Ben.”
Charlie’s chest tightened just thinking about it. Not Ben. He wouldn’t.
“Maddie?” Kyle asked. “Did you mention it to anyone?”
Maddie’s face went pale. “No! I swear, I didn’t tell anyone. I know better than that.” Her voice cracked slightly. She set her tablet down with trembling hands and pushed it toward Kyle. “You can check my phone, my emails, everything. I wouldn’t—”
“Easy,” Kyle said, his tone gentler. “We’re just covering all bases.”
Maddie nodded but she looked like she might cry. Charlie wanted to reach across the table and squeeze her shoulder, but stayed still. This was procedure. Everyone got looked at after a security breach. Everyone.
Viv looked at Rowan. “How…well do you know Ben?”
Charlie’s stomach twisted at the implied accusation.
Ben, who’d moved without hesitation to help them. Who’d rallied his Ren Faire family to create cover. Who’d stood beside her with his hand warm against her back while they navigated the crowd. Who was ready to defend them all, even her.
“He was the one who helped us,” Charlie said in his defense. “When he heard them talking he was just as surprised as any of us.”
Kyle shot her a look and she knew she’d spoken out of turn. Even Viv was looking at her curiously. But dammit, Ben didn’t deserve this accusation.
“He wouldn’t tell anyone,” Rowan said. “The guy is steady as a rock.” He scrubbed a hand over his face.
“It’s probably my fault.” He sighed heavily.
“I told a few people on set that I was getting chain mail armor made. That I was picking it up in Colorado at the Ren Faire.” He looked at Viv. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
Viv reached over and squeezed his hand. “You couldn’t have known they’d come looking for us ahead of next week’s joust.”
“But I should have been more careful,” Rowan said bitterly. “After everything that’s happened, I should’ve kept my damn mouth shut.”
Kyle nodded slowly. “That could explain it. Someone on set passed it along, either deliberately or accidentally. The Caidansworn have been monitoring social media, fan forums, anywhere they might catch wind of Viv’s location.”
Ben was off the hook. Charlie felt relief flood through her, followed immediately by guilt.
“I’ll inform the home office that we might have a mole on set and Elissa can investigate on that end,” Kyle continued.
“I don’t think you’ll have to look far.” Rowan grimaced. “Duke was on set at the time.”
Viv sighed and closed her eyes. “I think we have our answer.”
Kyle frowned. “Something you want to tell me that didn’t come up the other day?”
Viv opened her eyes and shook her head.
“No—”
“I’m sorry,” Rowan said softly. He took Viv’s hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed her palm. “We don’t have to go public, but they need to know. I don’t want you in danger, especially if it’s my fault.”
Kyle crossed his arms and waited.
“Sorry. I lied,” Viv said. “Rowan and I have been seeing each other since March. We aren’t telling anyone because…”
“Because of my divorce last December,” Rowan finished. “I don’t think I have to tell anyone here how messy it was.” He smiled softly and stroked Viv’s cheek with the back of his hand. “I don’t want any speculation that Viv’s the reason. It’s the last thing she needs right now.”
“So what does this have to do with Duke Holloway?” Kyle asked.
“It’s…well, it’s ridiculous,” Viv said. “Ever since Duke won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor, he’s let it go to his head. He thinks Rowan is jealous because he didn’t win an Emmy—”
“Absolutely ridiculous,” Rowan reiterated.
“—and that’s why I’m killing off Caiden. Because Rowan and I are seeing each other and I’m getting revenge for him.” She shook her head sadly. “That decision was made long before Rowan and me, and I’d never be so petty as to do that to anyone.”
Both Rowan and Maddie looked upset.
Kyle nodded. “So you think he’s leaking intel about you.
All right. Going forward, we’re switching hotels, tonight.
I have one in mind in Boulder. I’m friendly with their security team.
Charlie, you’re on twenty-four-seven until HQ verifies Holloway’s the leak or identifies who if anyone on set is feeding information.
No more public appearances without advance security sweeps.
And Rowan—no more talking about logistics with anyone outside this room. ”
“Understood,” Rowan said. “Boy, do I.”
Kyle looked at Charlie. “You good with twenty-four-seven?”
She nodded. “Yes, Boss. So long as I can have my girl here.” She leaned down to pet Flo.
Kyle smiled. “Of course you’ll be working with your partner.” He turned to Shane. “You good as back-up?”
“Yup.”
“Good. Let’s pack up and move locations tonight. I want everyone in the new hotel before midnight.”
As they filed out, Shane caught Charlie’s eye and gave her a small nod.
“What?” she asked.
“Thanks for speaking up for Ben.”
Charlie shrugged. “You would have done the same.”
“Yeah. That’s why I’m saying thanks.” He slugged her upper arm the way he used to when they were Swicks. “Sounds like you guys made a great team out there.”
Yeah. Team. I’m just one of the guys.
What would Ben think if he knew he’d been on a list of suspects, even for a short time? Did he deserve to know?
She could tell him. But once she did, she’d be asking him to carry a doubt that didn’t belong to him. Charlie wasn’t willing to do that.
So long as Shane said nothing, neither would she.
Why does it bother me so much?
Because Ben Massey was one of the most upstanding men she’d ever met. And if he thought she’d suspected him—of carelessness, of betrayal, of anything—she wasn’t sure he’d look at her the same way. And that might just break her heart.
Stop with the romance. This isn’t BattleLore and you are no princess. Wanting to be one is a liability you can’t afford.
Charlie met Flo’s eyes again. “All right, girl, let’s go check on Viv.”
Charlie clipped Flo’s leash to her collar and they left the room. She knocked on Viv’s door—two quick raps, pause, then three more, which was their code—and then let herself in with the spare keycard.
Viv gave her a distracted wave. She was pacing angrily back and forth as she argued with someone on the phone.
“No. Absolutely not. We are not doing CGI for this. No, you’re not going to change my mind. I want it to look real. CGI is just not going to cut it. Look, I don’t care what showed up at the…”
She paused, glancing at Charlie. “I need to go. My bodyguard just walked in. Doesn’t that make you happy? I have a bodyguard. Nope. We’re done. Goodbye.”
She disconnected and tossed the phone on the bed. She glared at it like it was a snake about to strike. “Do I have to take that thing with me?” she asked Charlie.
“I take it somebody’s upset with you.”
“Yeah. That’s one of the producers. Apparently, someone sent another ‘warning’ to the studio.” Vivienne pinched the bridge of her nose. “A photo of me at the Ren Faire, with red crosshairs painted across my head and a demand that they fire me.”
Dammit. There were so many people in the crowd, anyone could have taken that photo. It was probably the second group before they approached.
“So, what does that have to do with CGI?”
“They want me to come straight home. They see the Caidansworn incident as more of an attack than I do. Honestly, it’s just a few entitled fans with their noses bent out of shape.
They’ll get over it once they see how it all plays out in season three.
They don’t have my vision. Not even the writers do… ”