Free Capture the Rainbow by Iris Johansen Page B

“We’re not really friends, merely acquaintances.”
    “Really? Then why was he so angry when he couldn’t pick you up himself? He’s too busy a man to provide taxi service for all and sundry. He didn’t even pick up Brenna Donovan when she arrived three weeks ago, and she’s the star of the picture.”
    “Skip told me she had the lead,” Kendra said quickly, hoping to distract her. “How is she to work with?”
    “Super.” Billie’s face lit up. “A certified doll. You’ll find everyone on the picture a joy to work with.” She wrinkled her nose distastefully. “With the exception of the male lead, Dirk Danford. He thinks he’s God’s gift to womankind.”
    “Problems?”
    “Not for me. I’m not sexy enough to rate a pass from the great lover, but he’s giving Brenna a rough time.”
    Kendra whistled. “He likes to live dangerously, doesn’t he? I’ve heard Michael Donovan is absolutely crazy about his wife and possessive as all get out. Having a producer like Donovan put you on the blacklist is professional suicide.”
    “Dirk thinks he’s safe,” Billie said, her lips tightening grimly. “Donovan’s tied up in London with postproduction on
Siren Song
and Brenna’s too much of a pro to complain to Joel. She thinks she should be able to handle it herself.”
    “And you don’t think she can?”
    “Perhaps.” Billie’s violet eyes were narrowed and thoughtful. “But gentle people like Brenna sometimes have trouble fighting off pests like Danford. She just may need a little help.”
    Oh Lord, another rescue? Kendra groaned inwardly. She had an idea that being the roommate of Billie Callahan might be more dangerous than jumping that jeep across the canyon.

FOUR
    T HE STUCCO HOUSE in front of which Billie pulled up looked identical to all the others on the hard-packed dirt street. It was small, white-washed, and had the flat roof and arched windows she had noticed in most of the other houses around Marasef. The door was painted bright scarlet, and leaning against it was a dusty and perspiring Dave Balding. He straightened slowly, his warm smile of welcome swiftly fading as he caught sight of the bruised and bleeding giant in the backseat.
    He hugged Kendra absentmindedly when she got out of the jeep and turned to Billie with a scowl. “I was wondering what took you so long. Joel was about to send a search party to try to locate you. We might have known you’d find some trouble to keep you interested.”
    “That’s not fair,” Billie said indignantly. “I couldn’t help—”
    “I know, I know,” Dave interrupted with a resigned sigh. “You never can, Billie. But I haven’t got time to listen to the story right now. Joel stationed me here to wait for Kendra and bring her over to his trailer the minute she showed up.”
    Kendra tensed and then forced herself to relax. She had known she’d have to face him sometime. Why should she feel this sudden sense of panic?
    “But I have to see Joel right away,” Billie protested. “I have to explain about Yusef and get Joel to find him a place to stay.”
    “You’re keeping him?” Dave asked, gazing at the Arab warily. “He looks a little dangerous for a house pet.” He shrugged. “But so was the baby lion you bought in the bazaar last week. Joel probably won’t let you keep this one either.”
    “This is different. I can’t let Yusef go back to Marasef,” Billie said, worriedly gnawing at her lip.
    “She’s right, Dave,” Kendra said. “Billie’s discussion with Joel is much more important than anything he’d want to say to me. He’s probably just being polite and wants to welcome a new member of the team to Marasef.” She was relieved she had an excuse to postpone that first interview with Joel. “I’ll just wash off the travel grime, change clothes, and report to him later. Where is his trailer located?”
    “Two streets over,” Dave answered, “on the edge of the village. Everyone except Billie is quartered in