“How did she find out?” Michelle wanted to know.

“Herb teaches a class in gun safety.” Hannah was about to tell them about the television actor who was killed with blanks while pretending to commit suicide on a set, when she saw Delores giving her the high sign. “The Cream Cheese Puffs must be ready. Either that or Mother is trying out for the part of a windmill.”

Chapter

Chapter

Nineteen

“I never wanted you to figure it out, but it really doesn’t matter anyway. He looked at me right before I shot him and I keep seeing that look in my dreams. It’s haunting me and I just can’t take it anymore.”

Burke pulled out the center drawer and reached for the gun, but before he could grasp it, there was an angry shout from Dean.

“Cut!” Dean shouted again. “What’s with you, Burke? You’re supposed to make people weep for you! Get up. I’ll show you what I want here.”

Burke looked very embarrassed as he rose to his feet. “I’m sorry, Dean. I don’t know what’s wrong, either. I just can’t seem to get the motivation right. I know Jody’s supposed to be at the end of his rope, but it’s just not working for me.”

“Why not? He’s been dealing with guilt for years and it’s taken its toll. He’s also sloshed to the gills. All you have to do is sell drunk and guilty.”

“I know. We talked about that, and I thought I could do it, but

” Burke stopped speaking and sighed. “My back hurts and I just can’t seem to get it right.”

Dean rolled his eyes at the rest of the cast. “Fine. I’ll show you how it should be done.”

“Thanks, Dean.” Burke moved to the edge of the set and watched as Dean walked toward the desk. But before he got there, the director stopped and turned to his cameramen. “Make this a three-shot. I’ve got the feeling we’re going to need it. The way Burke’s going today, I might have to put it on a loop and screen it for him all night.”

“That was nasty,” Hannah whispered to Michelle.

“And how! Dean’s not about to get nominated for the nicest guy in the movie business,” Michelle whispered back. “When this scene’s over, I’ll tell you what he said to me this morning!”

Hannah glanced at Delores and saw she was doing her windmill impression again. Hannah was about to head up the stairs to fetch more Cream Cheese Puffs when Andrea grabbed her arm.

“I’ll go,” Andrea offered. “I have to make a call anyway. I’ll bring the tray back down when this take’s over.”