Read Online Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke - Free Book Online
Authors: Joanne Fluke
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he’s capable of showing a surprising depth of emotion.”
Hannah nodded, but her face revealed her doubts. Burke was in his late twenties, a deeply tanned actor with sun-bleached hair who looked strangely naked without his surfboard. There was no way Hannah could imagine him playing a tortured young man with a traumatic past.
“I saw your shop when we drove past. It looks like you, Hannah.”
“It is me. I bought it, I decorated it, and I ran it alone until I found a perfect partner. Are you going to use it in your movie?”
“Just the outside, but I’d like you to keep on baking cookies, if that’s all right with you. We’ll pay you extra if you’ll cater coffee and cookies for the cast and crew. Our meals are taken care of. We’re staying out at the Lake Eden Inn and Mrs. Laughlin’s providing a breakfast buffet and dinner. She’ll pack box lunches for everyone and most of the crew will be eating lunch right here. I just thought it would be nice if the senior staff and cast could eat our lunches at The Cookie Jar, since it’s midway between most of the locations we’re using.”
“That’s fine with me,” Hannah said quickly. It would be nice to be in the thick of things and Lisa would be thrilled to hear the latest movie news.
Hannah glanced over at Lynne again. She didn’t seem all that interested in her handsome costar, but she was certainly mesmerized by the rugged-looking man sitting across from her at the table. “Is that Dean Lawrence?” she asked, remembering the picture Andrea had shown her in the back issue of Variety.
“In the flesh. I still can’t believe how lucky I am that he agreed to sign on as director. Dean has all sorts of contacts for distribution and we’re sure to pick up a deal at Sundance. He’s already talking about Cannes and even a possible Oscar nomination!”
Hannah was dubious. “That’s impressive, but are you sure it’s not pie in the sky?”
“Pretty sure. Dean’s a big name in the business and any project he works on gets tons of prerelease publicity. Of course everyone tries to get a little buzz going, even Dean.”
“And you?” Hannah teased.
“Me, too.”
Hannah remembered what Andrea had said about Dean’s signing on because of family connections. Perhaps it was true, but she’d ask the source. “How did you get such an important director?”
“Tom Larchmont arranged it. Dean’s wife, Sharyn, is Tom’s niece, and I worked out a deal with them.”
“Can you tell me about it?”
Ross leaned closer, even though there wasn’t anyone close enough to hear. “All I have to do is keep Dean productive, sober, faithful, and happy.”
“That doesn’t sound too hard,” Hannah commented.
“It is, though. The productive part is easy. Dean never misses a day of work. Directing is his life. He loves to play God and intimidate people. But that’s only one out of four.”
“There’s still keeping him sober, faithful, and happy.” Hannah stated the obvious.
“Precisely. Dean loves to drink. And when he has one too many, he also loves to…well…let’s just say that he’s been known to exercise poor judgment when it comes to women.”
“But what can you do about that?”
“I’m keeping an eye on him. I’ve been his best buddy for the past six weeks, keeping him on the straight and narrow, but it hasn’t been easy. At least that part of the job’s almost over. Sharyn and Tom are flying in on Tuesday night and they’re staying for the wrap party on Saturday. Sharyn will keep Dean honest.”
“And she’ll also take care of the fourth thing? Keeping him happy?”
“Not necessarily, but you might be able to help on that one. Do you make cherry cheesecake?”
Hannah was a bit disconcerted by this new tangent. She figured Ross didn’t want to talk about the relationship between Dean Lawrence and his wife. But rather than quiz him on something that was none of her business, something that she could probably find out anyway from
Hannah nodded, but her face revealed her doubts. Burke was in his late twenties, a deeply tanned actor with sun-bleached hair who looked strangely naked without his surfboard. There was no way Hannah could imagine him playing a tortured young man with a traumatic past.
“I saw your shop when we drove past. It looks like you, Hannah.”
“It is me. I bought it, I decorated it, and I ran it alone until I found a perfect partner. Are you going to use it in your movie?”
“Just the outside, but I’d like you to keep on baking cookies, if that’s all right with you. We’ll pay you extra if you’ll cater coffee and cookies for the cast and crew. Our meals are taken care of. We’re staying out at the Lake Eden Inn and Mrs. Laughlin’s providing a breakfast buffet and dinner. She’ll pack box lunches for everyone and most of the crew will be eating lunch right here. I just thought it would be nice if the senior staff and cast could eat our lunches at The Cookie Jar, since it’s midway between most of the locations we’re using.”
“That’s fine with me,” Hannah said quickly. It would be nice to be in the thick of things and Lisa would be thrilled to hear the latest movie news.
Hannah glanced over at Lynne again. She didn’t seem all that interested in her handsome costar, but she was certainly mesmerized by the rugged-looking man sitting across from her at the table. “Is that Dean Lawrence?” she asked, remembering the picture Andrea had shown her in the back issue of Variety.
“In the flesh. I still can’t believe how lucky I am that he agreed to sign on as director. Dean has all sorts of contacts for distribution and we’re sure to pick up a deal at Sundance. He’s already talking about Cannes and even a possible Oscar nomination!”
Hannah was dubious. “That’s impressive, but are you sure it’s not pie in the sky?”
“Pretty sure. Dean’s a big name in the business and any project he works on gets tons of prerelease publicity. Of course everyone tries to get a little buzz going, even Dean.”
“And you?” Hannah teased.
“Me, too.”
Hannah remembered what Andrea had said about Dean’s signing on because of family connections. Perhaps it was true, but she’d ask the source. “How did you get such an important director?”
“Tom Larchmont arranged it. Dean’s wife, Sharyn, is Tom’s niece, and I worked out a deal with them.”
“Can you tell me about it?”
Ross leaned closer, even though there wasn’t anyone close enough to hear. “All I have to do is keep Dean productive, sober, faithful, and happy.”
“That doesn’t sound too hard,” Hannah commented.
“It is, though. The productive part is easy. Dean never misses a day of work. Directing is his life. He loves to play God and intimidate people. But that’s only one out of four.”
“There’s still keeping him sober, faithful, and happy.” Hannah stated the obvious.
“Precisely. Dean loves to drink. And when he has one too many, he also loves to…well…let’s just say that he’s been known to exercise poor judgment when it comes to women.”
“But what can you do about that?”
“I’m keeping an eye on him. I’ve been his best buddy for the past six weeks, keeping him on the straight and narrow, but it hasn’t been easy. At least that part of the job’s almost over. Sharyn and Tom are flying in on Tuesday night and they’re staying for the wrap party on Saturday. Sharyn will keep Dean honest.”
“And she’ll also take care of the fourth thing? Keeping him happy?”
“Not necessarily, but you might be able to help on that one. Do you make cherry cheesecake?”
Hannah was a bit disconcerted by this new tangent. She figured Ross didn’t want to talk about the relationship between Dean Lawrence and his wife. But rather than quiz him on something that was none of her business, something that she could probably find out anyway from
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