Page 36 of Alistair

“Yes. Much. Thank you, both. Oh! I was actually calling to tell you I’ve been trying to nail down that other familiar voice. The man, Roper. I didn’t find anything or anyone with that name, but his voice was so familiar to me. I decided to create a program for voice recognition.”

“Smart. Did you come up with anything?” asked Alistair. The others were now gathering on the front porch of the inn, waiting to hear.

“I did get a match, but it wasn’t for that man. It was a ninety-four-point four percent match for someone else.”

“Victoria, what does that mean? If it doesn’t match him, how could it match someone else?” asked Dan.

“Because that someone else is his brother, and he’s famous. World famous. Have you guys heard of Lance Stone?”

“Sure. Everyone has heard of him. Big-time action star, makes millions on all his movies. Not one of my favorites, mostly because he doesn’t do any of his own stunts, nor does he seem to give a damn about the integrity and accuracy of his films,” said Gator.

“You know a lot about this guy,” smirked Alistair. Gator shrugged.

“He’s right. He never wants to listen to the subject experts on the film. In fact, Colonel J.D. Milton served as the expert on his last film and left, saying he wouldn’t support the film or its stars. He’s also been accused of bullying his co-stars, harassing them and the crew, and he’s been caught twice stealing items from the set. This year, he announced that he would be branching out into producing films and music.”

“Oh, damn. He’s the one that’s doing this to Dove and the others,” said Garr.

“Victoria, where is he right now?” asked Alistair.

“I don’t know yet. He finished his last film and said he needed a break and was going to relax for a while. The guy, Roper? He’s his brother. His real name is Bernard Steiner.”

“Steiner? Lance Stone’s name is really Steiner?” frowned Dan.

“Yes, sir. Milton Steiner is the man you want. They also have a sister, Raelynn Steiner. She is usually beside him at all the red-carpet moments, but she’s been out of sight for a while. A reporter said he overheard Lance telling his sister she needed to lose some weight. One thing you need to know. Raelynn is an aspiring singer and actress.”

“Victoria, you are brilliant, honey. If Hayes is stupid enough to leave you, come see me,” smiled Garr.

“Um, okay, but I don’t think he’ll leave me. I mean, he hasn’t indicated anything, so that must be good. Right? Wait. Don’t answer me. I’ll figure this out for myself. And, no offense, Garr, but you might be a little old for me.” They heard her sign off, and all looked at Garr.

“I think I’m actually hurt by that.”

“Don’t be, brother. We’re all too old for her, but we can be there for her like the big brothers she should have had watching out for her. I, for one, think Hayes is just tied up with training. I think she’ll turn around soon, and he won’t want her out of his sight,” smirked Alistair. Garr nodded.

“Agreed.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Back inside the inn, their hostess was already setting out breakfast for them. She reminded them of Mama Irene with her stained apron and gray hair tied up in a bun.

“Didn’t I tell you boys to leave the food last night?” she said, looking at them.

“Yes, ma’am, you did. But where we come from, that’s not how guests behave. We help, and we do our fair share of chores. We’re a lot. We know that. If you need anything done around here, let us help,” said Kev.

She stared at the men, shaking her head. She liked these boys. They were polite, quiet, handsome and paid their bill upfront.

“Well, if you’re offering, I’ll give you a discount on the room rate if someone could chop some wood for me. I always need firewood, and it’s getting colder.”

“No need to discount the rooms, ma’am,” said Rett. “We’ll make sure you have enough wood for the entire winter and make some repairs to your woodshed.”

“Well, now,” she smiled. “That would be worth an extra pie for dinner.”

“Told you I liked her,” smirked Alec.

“What are your plans for today? You don’t strike me as leaf peepers.”

“Leaf peepers?” asked Alistair.

“Folks who come up here to see the changing of the fall colors. We get lots of them, although it’s getting late for that.”

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