Page 35 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

It was on her mind to ask more when the car stopped in front of a white square building. Pretty flower boxes sat on every window. If not for the framed poster that hung beside the front door, Jane would think this any other office block — plain and uninspiring.

“We’re here.” Logan climbed out of the car. Loki shot up, scrambling after him, all thought of strokes gone from his head. Whatever Logan might think of his puppy, the dog was besotted with him.

Jane followed them into the building, immediately noticing how people going about their way, suddenly stood up straighter, seeing the movie star in their midst. Their eyes became fixed on Logan, and all had a smile or greeting for him, even those he clearly had never seen before in his life.

Loki bundled along by his feet, drawing admiring coos though he didn’t get half as much attention as his master. Walking along behind them, Jane garnered the odd questioning look, as if they were wondering what the relationship between the two were, much as Sheena had done.

“Logan! Great job on your last movie! Loved it!” A man in a designer suit with slicked back hair and impossibly white teeth congratulated him.

“Thanks,” Logan replied as the suit handed him a card. “I work for United, if you want to jump ship, give me a call. I’m sure we can work out a better deal than the ones you’re currently getting.”

Logan took the card, slipping it into his pocket then continued only to be stopped several more times before they reached their destination, a room with a small plaque inscribed with the words “WARDROBE.”

Without a second glance at the cards he had collected on the short walk there, Logan tossed them all into the nearest trashcan. Catching Jane’s look of surprise, he shrugged.

“I get hundreds of unsolicited business cards a day. That’s where they all go.”

“Why don’t you just say you’re not interested?” Jane asked, thinking it far too wasteful.

“It’s better not to engage, or I’d never make it anywhere.”

“There he is!” A woman of sixty appeared, long skirt swishing across the floor.

She was as thin as a rail and dressed solely in black. Her only assent to color were the bright triangular earrings and jangly bangles that went up both arms, reaching almost to her elbow.

Jane wondered how the woman could do anything with them on.

“Helena, how are you?” Logan smiled at her, kissing her fondly on the lips. It was Logan’s first genuine greeting of the day. She cupped his face in her hands, rolling her eyes skyward.

“I am well, though the same can’t be said of a certain someone.” Her nose wrinkled on the word ‘someone.’ “Nothing is going to plan today, it seems. He was hoping that the location for the grand finale would be finalized. But we can’t get into the building as the master key isn’t working. And Jackson isn’t happy with his trailer as the TV isn’t big enough for him — of course, the fact he shouldn’t have time to watch any television while on the job seems to have escaped him. Movie stars! Who would love them?!”

A grin spread over Logan’s face. Turning to Jane, he explained, “She’s talking about our director, Venger. He can be somewhat… highly strung.”

“A jerk. That’s what he can be,” Helena corrected. “Worked with him twice already and the man drives me up the wall. Can’t deny his genius, however. Such is the way it always seems to be with the talented ones. Only this one behaves himself.” She nodded at Logan, causing a look of momentary embarrassment.

“I can’t help being good around you. You inspire us to do better.”

Helena cackled loudly and ducked her face, diverting her attention to Loki so Logan couldn’t see the pleased expression his praise had created. “And how is my favorite puppy, today? Just as gorgeous as usual?”

Loki’s tail whipped from side to side, a slip of pink tongue peeking out. In his mouth he carried a chew toy (Logan had refused to allow him to leave the house with any of his shoes). The toy squeaked as Loki bit down onto it. She scratched his chin. “Of course you are! Look at that face. I could eat you up!”

Logan gestures at Jane. “Helena, this is my friend Jane. She’s here to help keep an eye on the mutt while we work.”

Helena straightened, turning appraising eyes on Jane, though the smile she offered seemed genuine enough. “Hello, Dear. Welcome to the madness.”

“Do you need me and Loki to leave you alone?” Jane wasn’t sure what her new role as his helper required, but she felt in the way. People were constantly rushing in, then out, their faces lined with concentration as they went about their work.

Helena waved a hand her way. “You both are fine to stay. I’ll just need you to keep him away from us — I have lots of fun-looking but dangerous gadgets of the trade that he’ll probably find interesting. The last thing we need is for him to swallow some pins.”

“I’ll try my best,” Jane answered, though she wasn’t filled with confidence. The dog had already spied an open metal case brimming with clips. Jane got to him just as his teeth tried to clamp down on something shiny and metallic.

Scooping him into her arms, Jane crossed to the other side of the room, but as soon as she let him go, he darted back to Logan, snapping at his ankles, at the one shoelace that had unraveled.

Logan lifted up his foot, hoping to shoo the dog away, but it was the absolute wrong thing to do as Loki clamped his jaws around it, refusing to let go even when Logan had lifted him clean off the floor.

Suspended by the shoelace, Loki didn’t seem the least bit bothered. The spark of annoyance that flashed from Logan’s eyes, however, told a different story.

Shooting them both an apologetic look, Jane grabbed hold of Loki and gave him a firm tug until his jaws released the shoelace.

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