Valise in the Attic (6 page)

The actor is probably supposed to be angry with Logan, Annie thought. He probably wasn’t looking at me at all. She shook her head slightly at her own silly notions. Clearly she didn’t have a future in movie making if she was going to take every glance seriously.

Finally someone shouted, “Cut!”

Annie’s first adventure in movie making was over.

6

Annie joined the group on the pier as they waited to hear if they would have to repeat the scene. She looked around and soon spotted Alice and Peggy huddled against the cold wind and looking longingly toward the huge heaters near the wardrobe trailers. Annie headed toward her friends with Ian following close behind.

“You two looked great coming off the dock,” Peggy gushed as they approached. “Like the perfect couple.”

“Must be that fine Butler family acting,” Annie said with a grin.

“We Butlers are method actors,” Ian said, placing his hand over his heart dramatically. “We have to feel it to show it.”

Alice grinned and pointed off toward the edge of the crowd. “You two aren’t the only cute couple. Look over there.”

Annie turned, but all she saw was the crowd. Then two women blocking her view separated and stepped out of her way. Annie could see a narrow gap all the way down the wooden guardrail that ran along the side of the pier. She spotted Logan Lariby chatting with Vanessa and Mackenzie. Even from where Annie stood, she could see how Logan smiled whenever Vanessa spoke and learned toward her to hear over the wind.

“I wonder what Kate will think about that,” Alice said.

“I’m sure it’s nothing serious. After all, the movie crew won’t be in Stony Point all that long,” Annie said. She looked around through the crowd. “Where’s Matt Rusher?”

“Oh, he didn’t stay to talk to us common folk,” Alice said, disapproval dripping from her voice. “The second they yelled ‘cut,’ he stomped off. As far as I know, he hasn’t said a word to anyone. That young boy is definitely the nicer actor in this film.”

“That’s OK,” Ian said, putting an arm around Alice. “I would rather not have Matt Rusher charming the ladies of Stony Point anyway. That’s my job.”

“And you do it well,” Alice said. “Doesn’t he, Annie?”

“He does.” Annie looked around the crowd. “I wonder how many more times we’ll film today. I imagine these things are normally filmed more than once.”

“Oh, definitely,” Alice answered. “From what I read online, we can expect to spend half the day here doing the same thing over and over.”

“At least you look good doing it,” Annie told her.

The wind flapped Annie’s skirts as she waited for the call to get back on the boat, but instead the nervous young man with the clipboard passed through the crowd with a totally different message. “You may all go,” he said. “The director said we’re going to wrap for today. We’ll need to shoot this scene again tomorrow. Stop at wardrobe and pick up your clothes. Please come tomorrow dressed as you are today; just bring something to change into after the shoot. You can leave any props you may have with the wardrobe people.”

Annie caught the young man’s arm as he passed. “This suitcase is mine,” she said, holding up the small valise, “but I can leave it if you prefer.”

“No need,” the young man said. “You can take it home. Just bring it with you tomorrow.” He paused. “Unless you think you might forget to bring it with you. Then you should leave it. We want to be certain to have continuity in all the scenes.”

“I’m sure I can remember to bring it back,” Annie assured him.

“Good. That’ll be fine then.”

Ian stepped into the man’s path before he could hurry away. “Why don’t we just finish filming the scene now? We still have hours of daylight. It’s early, and the weather is unusually good. You can’t really count on two good days in a row this time of year. You might get them, but you might get a blizzard.”

The young man looked even more nervous. Then he leaned closer. “You’re Mayor Butler?”

Ian nodded.

“The problem isn’t the weather.” He looked around. “It’s Matt Rusher. He’s having some kind of temper tantrum. I’m sure the director will have him calmed down by tomorrow. Do you really think the weather won’t hold?”

Ian shrugged. “It’s Maine. You never know.”

“If it’s not one storm, it’s another,” the young man said. Then he slipped away to pass the word around about the shoot in the morning.

“I must say, it’s rather disappointing to think that Matt Rusher is a prima donna,” the mayor said. “His movies have been some of my favorites. I consider
Let God Sort Them Out
to be a classic. And
Endless Blood
was good too.”

“Sounds like art films for sure,” Alice said.

“Maybe not art,” Ian quipped, “but I know what I like.”

“Well, I definitely think I don’t like Matt Rusher,” Alice said.

“Maybe there’s something really bothering him,” Annie said. “Oh well, it looks like we’ll be doing this again tomorrow.”

Ian smiled. “I can think of worse things than standing next to you on a boat for a few hours.”

“In the freezing cold?” Annie asked. She shivered. “I’m heading home for some hot chocolate.”

A cheery voice spoke from behind them. “You could go get some from The Cup & Saucer.”

They turned to see Peggy coming up beside them. “I’m on my way there now,” Peggy said. “And I’ve walked by several people saying they’re going there too. So I need to be sure to beat them, or my boss will be in a terrible temper.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Alice said. “As long as I don’t have to see anymore ill-tempered men today.”

Annie shivered as the cold wind whipped around her skirt and coat. “I think I’ll just go home.”

“Wait!” Vanessa hurried toward them, hauling Logan Lariby along by the arm. He didn’t look as if he minded a bit. “I want you guys to meet Logan.”

She introduced the young actor, and he nodded and spoke politely to each of them.

“Logan plays Matt Rusher’s son,” Vanessa explained. “They don’t get along.”

“In the movie,” Logan interjected. “We get along just fine in real life. I’m looking forward to learning a lot from Mr. Rusher. He’s been in the movie business longer than I’ve been alive. He started out in makeup effects, and he’s done just about every job there is before becoming an actor and a star.”

“He sounds impressive,” Alice said.

The boy nodded and looked pleased to have defended his idol.

“I understand filming is stopped today because something upset Mr. Rusher?” Annie asked.

“Matt’s really particular about everything being just right,” Logan said. “I’m not sure what the problem was though.” Then he grinned. “I don’t mind getting off work a little early today. Vanessa’s going to show me around Stony Point.”

“That shouldn’t take long,” Alice said, laughing. “Not a lot of touristy things are open this time of year.”

“That’s too bad.” Logan looked around. “It’s beautiful here. I love all the snow. I was glad we were filming here now. The snow makes it feel a lot more like Christmas than twinkle lights on palm trees back in California.”

“It must be hard being away from your family at Christmas,” Annie said.

“It’s just me and my dad,” Logan said. “And he’s not much into Christmas. So I’m not really missing anything. I’ve really enjoyed being here so far.”

Vanessa’s eyes grew large. “Why don’t you come to our Christmas party?”

“Christmas party?” Logan echoed.

“Yeah, my mom and her boss and their club,” Vanessa said. “They’re having a big Christmas party. It’ll be fun. I’ll be there. We’ll show you a nice New England Christmas.” She turned to look at Annie and Alice. “Don’t you think that would be fantastic?”

“I don’t know,” Logan said, his face clouded. “I don’t want to butt in. And I’m not totally sure how long we’ll be here. We don’t have a lot of scenes to shoot here, but whenever you do outdoor work, there’s no telling how long it can take. Mr. Rusher told me that.”

Annie reached out and patted the young actor’s arm. “Well, we’d love to have you at the party if you’re still in town. I don’t think we’ve even set a date for it yet.”

Logan smiled tentatively. “Thanks. I will if I can.”

“Well, let’s go start the Stony Point tour,” Vanessa said. Logan nodded at the others politely before Vanessa towed him away.

“Poor boy,” Alice said. “He doesn’t know what hit him.”

“Vanessa’s a lovely girl,” Ian said. “I suspect that’s what hit him.”

“I wonder what happened to Mackenzie,” Annie said.

“Maybe we should check the water,” Alice answered, laughing. “Vanessa might have given her a little shove to be alone with Logan.”

They all laughed at that, and then Ian turned to Annie. “Can I talk you into joining me for hot chocolate now?”

“Sorry,” Annie said. “Grey Gables is actually closer, and it comes with a warm cat for my lap. I’m heading home. I’ll see everyone tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to walk you to your car?” Ian asked.

Annie laughed and patted his arm. “No thank you. I remember where I put it.”

“I’ll walk with you, Annie,” Peggy said. “I need to get back to the diner pronto. I’ll have to change in the break room. Let’s go get our clothes.”

The two women walked away quickly to the wardrobe trailer. The figure who was bundled up in a long scarf stood outside the trailer next to an open door. A short line formed at the door, but it seemed to move quickly. In only scant minutes, Annie was facing the lady in the bundle of coats and scarf that said, “Number please?”

“Number?” Annie echoed.

“Your pick-up number?” the bundle said. “For your clothes.”

“Oh right!” Annie unbuttoned her coat and took a quick look at the sticker inside. She rattled off the number, and then buttoned her coat back up as quickly as possible before the wind could suck the remaining warmth from her body.

The bundle turned and shouted the number into the trailer. Soon a package of clothes sailed out the door, and the bundle caught it smoothly and handed the bag to Annie.

“Thank you,” Annie said, stepping out of the way.

“You’re welcome; see you tomorrow.”

Annie nearly answered, “But I won’t see you.” Instead, she stood to one side and waited for Peggy to collect her bundle of clothes.

Peggy gave her a quick hug and said, “I’ve really got to run. The boss is going to have my head.”

Annie called after her. “Be careful of the ice.”

Peggy just waved a hand as she trotted away. Annie shook her head and walked carefully, especially after she hit the paved parking lot. Piles of charcoal gray snow, pushed aside by the plows created a kind of labyrinth to weave through on the way to the car. This far from the bustle of the film crew, the snow dampened the sounds. Even the wind seemed to have died down some.

Annie often found Maine winters like that. You could be in the middle of town and turn a corner, and suddenly you could feel completely alone and isolated. It had something to do with snow dampening sound, she supposed, and perhaps, the uniquely New England way the wind seemed to change direction with every gust. Annie shivered, thinking there was a kind of creepy Stephen King feel to the effect.

She spotted her burgundy Chevy Malibu and shifted the bag of clothes to the same arm that held the valise so she could rifle the pocket of her coat for her car keys. Suddenly, she felt a hard shove at her back. She stumbled to her knees, and someone wrenched the valise out of her hand.

“Hey!” Annie yelped.

Annie turned to see a man in a long dark peacoat and a watch cap pulled down low on his head running away across the parking lot with her valise in one black-gloved hand.

“Stop, thief!” she yelled after him.

7

Suddenly the thief must have hit a spot of black ice. His feet flew out from under him. He slammed into the pavement, jarring his grip loose on the valise. It skated along the ice, disappearing under a hulking SUV.

Annie heard shouts behind her and turned to see Alice and Ian hurrying toward her. The thief must have heard them too, because he scrambled to his feet and ran off. Alice stopped beside Annie to help her up, while Ian chased after the thief.

“Are you all right?” Alice asked as soon as Annie was standing.

“I think so,” Annie said, her voice shaky. She looked down at the heavy silk stockings she wore and saw they were torn and dotted with blood from her scraped knees. “Wardrobe is not going to like me.”

“They’ll get over it,” Alice said. “Did the thief get your purse?”

“I wasn’t carrying one. He grabbed that old valise. I guess he thought it was a purse?” Even as she said the words, they seemed unlikely. The little hard-sided suitcase didn’t look anything like a purse.

“He must have thought there was something valuable about it,” Alice said. “Hopefully Ian will catch him and get it back.”

“Actually, the thief dropped it when he fell,” Annie said. “It slid under that SUV.”

Alice walked over to the SUV and bent low to look under it. Then she walked around to the front of the vehicle and came back with the valise. “It slid all the way out the other side. That must have been a heck of a fall the guy took. I bet he feels it tomorrow.”

Just then Annie caught sight of Ian slipping between the cars toward them. “I’m afraid the thief got away,” Ian said. “Are you OK?”

“Nothing but some skinned knees,” Annie answered. “I’ll be fine. But I think I’ll take you two up on the invitation to have some hot chocolate at The Cup & Saucer. I don’t think I’m ready to be alone right now.”

“Good idea,” Ian said. “Why don’t you ride with me. I can send someone to collect your car.”

Annie waved that off. “No, really. I’m good to drive.” She took the valise from Alice and unlocked her car door. “I’ll meet you both at The Cup & Saucer.”

“You should bring the valise in,” Alice said. “We ought to look it over again. Maybe the thief was after that valise in particular. Could be another mystery in the works. After all, it did come out of your attic.”

Annie shivered. “I certainly hope not.”

At the diner, Peggy raised her eyebrows at Annie’s skinned knees. Annie was really glad she’d had some wipes in the glove box of her car. She’d wiped off most of the blood and cleaned the bits of gravel from the scrapes. The alcohol in the wipes had stung, but Annie figured that was better than getting an infection. Still, the wipes couldn’t do much to make her stockings look like anything but tattered rags. It was obvious Annie had been in some kind of a mishap.

“It looks like you didn’t follow your own advice about being careful in the snow,” Peggy said.

“I tried,” Annie told her.

She was grateful when Peggy didn’t give in to her usual curiosity and pepper Annie with any other questions. Instead, the pretty brunette quickly found the group a table well away from the front windows and near a heat register. “Warmest spot in the diner,” she said. “Well, outside the kitchen, that is.”

“Thanks,” Annie said. “I can use some warming up.”

“I’ll bring some hot cocoa right away,” Peggy said, looking around the group. “Unless you want something else?”

“Hot chocolate will be fine,” Ian said. Alice nodded as well.

While they waited, Annie set the valise on the table. They opened the case and looked it over closely. It was a well-made piece, but they couldn’t find anything special about it. There was no false bottom, no lumps or tears in the smooth cream-color lining where something could be hidden. They went over every inch of the leather covering and found no bulges or mysterious clues scribbled into the leather. They looked over every bit of stitching, and it all looked original. The lock didn’t have any secret message slips crammed into the keyholes.

“It’s just an old battered valise,” Annie said. “The most mysterious thing about it is that both locks are broken. I can’t imagine why anyone would think it had value.”

“The thief probably thought you had something valuable inside it,” Ian said.

Just then, Peggy arrived with their cocoa and a plate of warm muffins. “They just came out of the oven,” she said. “I thought you might like some.”

“You’re the perfect waitress,” Ian told her. “You know what we need even before we do.”

Peggy beamed at him, then leaned over to whisper to Annie. “How did you skin your knees?”

“I fell down in the parking lot near my car,” Annie said, smiling at the thought that Peggy had kept her curiosity in check for nearly five whole minutes.

“After someone mugged her,” Alice added.

Annie gave her friend a sharp look. She hadn’t really wanted everyone in Stony Point to know about the incident. “It was nothing,” Annie said. “He must have thought this old suitcase was valuable. But he wasn’t a terribly skilled mugger. He ended up falling down on the ice and losing his prize.”

“Well, good,” Peggy said fiercely. “Too bad he didn’t knock out some teeth too.”

“I’d imagine film crews might draw all sorts of disreputable types,” Ian said. “I’ll speak to someone about this. And I’ll alert Chief Edwards as well.”

Annie put her hand on the mayor’s arm. “I wish you wouldn’t. I’d like to simply forget about this. I’m sure this is an isolated incident.”

Ian frowned, but nodded. “If you want. Though I do plan to speak to Chief Edwards.” He raised a hand as Annie opened her mouth to protest. “I won’t mention any names, but he needs to know there was an incident. I would like them to keep an eye on the filming. I don’t want anything like this happening again.”

Annie nodded at that. She stretched her legs and winced at the tight ache in her knees. “You know, I think I’m going to go on home,” she said. “But first, I plan to drop this valise off with the prop master. He’s probably back at his room at Maplehurst Inn by now. He can look after it. I still feel sure this is some kind of fluke, but I’ll feel safer if he looks after it.”

“I’ll go with you over to the inn,” Alice said. “Safety in numbers!”

“Thanks,” Annie said. “I will feel better when I’m not carrying that around.” She gestured at the valise. “I’m sure it’s just a case of a slow-witted thief, but I find I’m not as fond of that suitcase now. If it’s going to turn out to be a mystery, I’ll cheerfully hand it off to someone else.”

“I’ll call you later,” Ian said. “Just to see how you’re feeling.”

“That’s not necessary,” Annie said. “I’m fine, but it is sweet of you.” She patted Ian’s arm again and then followed Alice out of the diner, trying not to limp on her stiff knees. So far, being a movie extra had been a total pain. Maybe a tough first day would mean a really easy second—at least she hoped so. Her aching knees reminded her that she wasn’t a kid anymore, following Alice from one crazy adventure to the next and always coming away with some kind of scrape.

Though she suspected she was going to be achy in the morning, Annie’s knees felt less stiff by the time they’d walked the short blocks to Maplehurst Inn. The tall colonial-style building seemed to blend into winter with its buff-color siding and stone facade. Only the forest green trim caught the eye.

Annie was glad to slip inside and out of the cold. She saw that a cozy fire burned in the fireplace of the large lobby. Several people she recognized from the morning’s movie shoot sat in chairs around the fire. She looked carefully, but none of them were the young prop master.

Alice walked to the front desk and asked if Linda Hunter, the owner of the inn, was around.

The girl behind the counter nodded, looking concerned. “Is there a problem?”

“No,” Alice assured her. “Linda is a friend of ours.”

The girl smiled, more relaxed. “She’s talking with the chef, I believe.” She leaned closer and dropped her voice. “We’ve had our hands full. We don’t normally have so much business this far into winter, and they’re working on menus out of our normal winter food stocks.”

While Alice chatted with the young woman, Annie walked closer to the group around the fire. “Do any of you know which room the prop master is in?” she said. “I want to leave this valise with him.”

An older woman looked Annie up and down, and Annie immediately recognized the thin face from the wardrobe trailer. “Are those ours?” the woman asked, pointing a slightly heavy knuckled finger toward Annie’s stockings.

“Sorry, yes, they are,” she said. “I fell in the parking lot next to the pier.”

The woman nodded. “Don’t worry. We have more. They aren’t real silk.”

The other gray-haired wardrobe lady—this one with a kind round face—leaned forward. “Are you all right, dear?” she asked. “Betty here doesn’t mean to overlook your injury. We just always think about clothes first—occupational hazard.”

The thin-faced woman blinked. “Oh, you were injured?”

Annie looked down at the scrapes on her legs. “A little. It’s nothing to worry about,” she said. “I’m glad you have more stockings.”

Betty stood and took a step closer to Annie, bending slightly to look at her knees. She shook her head. “We’ll have to put something over those scrapes before filming in the morning,” Betty said abruptly. “They might show through the stockings. Can you cover those up, Pat?”

The round-faced woman rolled her eyes and said, “Yes, we’ll just paint them with liquid bandage. It shouldn’t be a problem. I’m glad you weren’t hurt badly. It’s icy out there. You should be careful. Several of our people have fallen down.”

“Mostly the young folks,” Betty interjected. “They’re always in such a hurry. Slow and steady is the way to stay safe.”

Annie smiled a little at that, thinking of the amazing bustle inside the wardrobe trailer, and the way she felt rushed through. These wardrobe ladies certainly weren’t slow when it came to work.

“I guess we’re not exactly used to ice,” Pat said. “We’re all going to look like the walking wounded by the time we leave at this rate. I even saw Matt Rusher limping earlier; not that he’d ever admit to anything as clumsy as falling down.”

Betty turned a wicked grin toward her friend. “Maybe that casting director gave him a kick in the shins. I saw him making a pass at her yesterday.”

“Oh you!” Pat said, shaking her head. “You’re such an old gossip.”

Betty sniffed. “I’m not that old.”

“I would imagine the poor man fell. I certainly know how easy it is to fall out there,” Annie said, hoping to head off an argument. “Mostly, I’m looking for the prop master. I want to leave this valise with him.”

“Ah, Samuel is another of our walking wounded,” Pat said, nodding her head.

“Did he fall down?” Betty asked.

“Must have. He was nursing his elbow when I saw him earlier.” Then she peered closer at the bag. “Is that one of ours?”

“No, it’s mine,” Annie said. “But I’m carrying it in the scene, and I’d rather leave it with him.”

“Well, you’re in luck then,” Pat said, nodding off toward the door of the dining area. “That’s him right there. Oh dear, looks like he hit more than his elbow.”

Annie turned and immediately recognized the young man in ratty jeans. She saw he had a scrape down the side of his face. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if he could have gotten the scrape after knocking her down and grabbing the valise. But the young man was far less bulky than the man who had mugged her.

Annie gave herself a little shake for being so silly. She knew the props department needed more suitcases, but the young man would hardly knock her down to get one!

She walked across the room to him. “Excuse me, aren’t you the prop master for the film?”

The young man looked at her curiously. “That’s right,” he said. “I’m Samuel Ely.”

“I’m Annie Dawson,” Annie said. “I was one of the extras from this morning. I had this valise that I carry in the ferry scene. The suitcase belongs to me, but since I’ll be carrying it in tomorrow’s filming, I was wondering if I could leave it with you tonight?”

“Sure,” Samuel said with a shrug. “I can put it in my room. But it’s fine for you to just bring it with you tomorrow.”

“I would rather not,” she said. She took a deep breath and added. “Someone tried to steal it from me in the parking lot. I’m sure it was just a coincidence since the suitcase is empty, but I think I would feel better if I didn’t take it home.”

“Someone tried to steal it?” The young man took the case and looked it over for a moment. “It’s a nice little case and in decent shape, but it’s not valuable. I have several cases up in my room worth more than this one. I can’t imagine why someone would want to steal it.”

“I can’t either,” Annie said, “but I know I’ll feel better if you have it.”

“No problem, just remind me of your name again? I have a great memory for stuff, but a horrible memory for names. I’ll need to put your name on the case so they get it back to you for the shoot tomorrow,” he said.

“Annie Dawson.” She felt a rush a relief. She hadn’t realized how tense the whole incident had made her. “I really appreciate it.”

“Happy to help,” he said. “I’ll just run up and dump it in my room.” He reached out for the bag, then winced and rubbed his elbow. “The ice around here is deadly,” he grumbled, and then managed a smile for Annie. “Maybe I’ll see you at the shoot tomorrow. Good night, Mrs. Dawson.”

“Good night,” she said.

She walked back over to Alice with more of the usual spring in her step. She was relieved to have passed along one mystery. Alice was leaning on the front desk talking with an attractive woman Annie recognized as Linda Hunter.

“Nice to see you, Annie,” Linda said. “Alice was telling me you’ve had a rough morning.”

“It actually was a nice morning except for one incident,” Annie said, with a sideways glance at Alice. “I’m feeling much better now.”

As Annie spoke she noticed Linda glance past her toward the front door with a stressed look.

“What’s the matter?” Alice whispered, she began to turn toward the door, but Linda grabbed her arm.

“Don’t look,” Linda said. “Our most antagonistic guest just came in, and if you turn around he’s going to think we’re talking about him.”