Free A Hard Bargain by Jane Tesh Page A

sighed. “But I need a part with depth, with meaning.”
    “What part do you play in this movie?”
    “We’re still debating that.” His dark look at Gaskins reminded me of the sheriff in “Red Canyon.” The bad guys hadn’t stood a chance. “Excuse me, Ms. Maclin.”
    He went back to his car. Jerry and Gaskins were in conversation in the front yard.
    “I’d like to come by tomorrow with my crew and film some establishing shots,” Gaskins said. He took another loud slurp of soda. “There’s supposed to be a full moon Thursday night, which will work in perfectly. Stephanie, make a note to have Davis and Vivian come out for some exterior scenes.” Stephanie nodded and jotted down what he said. Gaskins shook hands with Jerry. “Okay, we’re all set. Thanks very much. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Gaskins and Stephanie got into the van with Davis and left.
    “Did you settle on a price?” I asked Jerry.
    “He made a generous offer. Can you drop me off at the theater? I’ve got a rehearsal in about ten minutes.”
    I have a slight problem with Jerry spending so much time at the theater. The director, Kenna Porter, is exactly Jerry’s type, a small blonde with an attitude. Today, however, Kenna wasn’t the problem. As we pulled up in the parking lot of the Baker Auditorium, I saw the Pageantoids. I groaned.
    “What are they doing here?”
    “Hoping to find a special souvenir sequin?”
    “Get out of the car quick.”
    Not quick enough. The Pageantoids saw me and rushed over to the car. Cathy’s plaid shorts matched Mitch’s plaid shirt. I couldn’t move without hitting one of them. As tempting as this was, I had to restrain myself. I didn’t want plaid all over the car.
    Cathy’s eyes brimmed with happy tears. “Great news, Madeline! You must hear this. We’re going to organize another pageant for Celosia.”
    Mitch Hutton grinned. “We’ve already spoken to Mister James here at the theater, and he’s thrilled.”
    Cathy clasped her hands together. “We’re going to call it the Miss Celosia Summertime Pageant. Say you’ll help us! It would be the very thing. This is the first time we’ve ever tried anything like this. We need your advice.”
    “I’d love to,” I said, “but I’m right in the middle of a case. Evan James has done dozens of pageants. He can answer all your questions.”
    “But you have firsthand experience. You know what it’s like to be a queen.”
    “And now I’m trying to find out what it’s like to be a detective, so if you’ll excuse me.”
    They reluctantly moved so I could drive away. Jerry waved good-by from the stage door. His grin faded when Cathy and Mitch saw him and headed in his direction. It was my turn to grin as he ducked into the door to escape.
    ***
    Shana Amry arrived just as I was unlocking my office door. She had a big bouquet of flowers and a picnic basket.
    “Congratulations on your new office.”
    “Thanks,” I said. “Let me give you the grand tour.”
    I opened the door, and she went in.
    “Madeline, this looks great! I’m so glad this all worked out.” She put the flowers on my desk and began taking things out of the basket.
    “What’s all this?”
    “An office warming present. I’ve got tea and cookies, a pencil holder, some multi-colored file folders, index cards, and a stapler with your name on it.” She held up the bright pink stapler. “I know, it’s lurid, but no office is complete without one.”
    I laughed and reached for a cookie. When I came to Celosia, I never dreamed I’d find a good female friend. The pageant world is littered with the carcasses of friendships. Somehow, you just can’t go for the crown and be a pal. But I’d found a real friend in Shana Amry. Shana’s better known as Shana Fairbourne, author of such blazing historical romances as Suppressed Desires , Flames , and Passion’s Mistress . She could win any beauty pageant on earth by simply showing up, thanks to an abundance of red-gold hair,