Slam!
The newspaper hit the desk with great force. Hawke jumped and looked up to see Dominic standing over him.
"What's wrong now?" Hawke asked. Dominic had been on edge for the past two days; since the harness incident.
"There was another accident on the set of An Act of Betrayal. The newspaper got a hold of it and mentioned the harness incident from two days ago. We were mentioned specifically."
Caitlin had come into the room during the last part of Dominic's tirade. "Publicity," She said before biting into an apple.
Dominic shook his head in an exasperated fashion. "Not the publicity we want, Caitlin."
Hawke picked up the newspaper and handed it back to Dominic. "We were no where near the second incident and the first could have been an accident."
"Two incidents aimed directly at Darren Fitzwater is just slightly coincidental, don't ya think, String? Maybe we should look into it a little more."
The phone rang and Caitlin grabbed it. "Santini Air," She listened for a few moments and then hung up the phone. "Michael wants to see us. He said it was of the utmost importance."
Hawke swung the chair around he was sitting in and stood. "Well, we shouldn't keep an angel waiting."
"Someone's trying to kill my son!" Felix Fitzwater raised his voice to the crowd of five other people in the room. The producer of An Act of Betrayal, Kristopher Cage, had tagged along. They had been there less than an hour and Kris hadn't said a word. To be honest, no one but Felix had said anything since they all arrived at the FIRM.
Hawke rubbed the bridge of his nose and when he spoke his voice was nasally. "Accidents happen on movie sets all the time, Mr. Fitzwater, that's why production companies hire stunt workers."
Felix threw his hands up in the air. "Look how well that turned out."
"Hey!" Dominic spoke up this time. "String saved your son in that helicopter, and speaking of the stunt, we still haven't been paid yet."
"Your money is coming," Kristopher Cage said from his place in the corner beside the plastic ficus plant. Felix wants to make sure his son lives to make the last film in this series."
"So, the rumors are true?" Caitlin asked. She was sitting beside Hawke. "An Act of Betrayal is the last in the Betrayal movie series."
"It looks like it, Miss O'Shaughnessy," Kristopher said. "Darren wants to spread his wings and who can blame him. This last Betrayal movie will mean Darren has been working on the series for five years."
"So, what are we here for?" Dominic asked.
Michael spoke up from his place behind his desk. He had been an observer until now. "Mr. Fitzwater wants to hire the three of you as bodyguards for Darren until the movie is over."
"No!" Hawke said quickly. He glanced over at Caitlin. "We've got too much work to do."
"I'll triple the fee that you were making for the stunt and pay each one of you individually." Felix looked back at Kristopher. "We have to go, but I'll be expecting your answer by this evening. Tomorrow we start shooting in the mountains." They both left.
"Well, I'm out," Caitlin said as she got up from the chair.
"Caitlin, they asked for the three of you," Michael protested.
Caitlin turned toward Michael. "I know what they said, Michael, but I'm taking a vacation of sorts. My parents didn't think that a phone call last week from their presumed dead daughter was enough for them so they're coming up for a couple days. We're spending some time at the lake while my new apartment is being painted. Speaking of which, I've got to find a ride back to the hangar, pick up my bags, and get started if I'm going to drive up there. I'll see all of you in a few days."
"Take your time, kiddo," Dominic said in his fatherly voice.
"And, Caitlin," Hawke called after her. "Have fun."
She smiled at him and walked out.
"Well, I guess that leaves the two of you. What do you say, Hawke, Dom? Having the two of you on site won't be as conspicuous as a bodyguard Cage Productions would hire for Darren."
Hawke and Dominic stared at each other. "Well, as long as Caitlin and her family are at my place, I'm bunking at the hangar so, what do you say, Dominic? An all expense paid trip to the mountains, craft services, an egomaniacal actor, and a possible killer. Sound fun to you?"
Dominic shrugged his shoulders. "Why not, String. After all, I do love the mountains. You've got a deal, Michael."
"Good," He picked up the phone. "Lauren, call Felix Fitzwater and tell him Dominic and Hawke will meet them at the set tomorrow morning. Thank you." He hung up.