Page 114 of Out of the Gold

“A picture is worth a thousand words, don’t they say?” Sophia pulls out the monitor. She starts the video from the moment Helene turns into the light and walks away.

Charles says, “We already saw this part.”

I reply, “But not the next.”

When Helene goes to toss the beanie away, Sophia stops the video and enlarges it on her as the red bob is exposed. Both men have the same reaction as we did.

Charles whispers, “Why didn’t I think of her sooner?”

Mark locks eyes with Sophia. “You deserve an Academy Award for this footage.”

Sophia blushes under his praise. I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “You do.”

Charles rises to his feet. “Let’s go. Hand me the monitor, Sophia. We need to talk with Noble.”

The four of us head to the director. I separate from them and ask Judith and Helene to join us. Keeping my eye on the traitor in our midst, we stop behind the table where Sophia has her equipment spread out.

Charles says, “Sophia here is the true genius.”

Mark places his hand on my bestie’s shoulder. My attention diverts from their interesting interaction when Noble speaks, “Judith. I’m glad your entire team is here. Sophia was moonlighting to improve her camera skills and caught something she wants us to see about the last wardrobe mishap.”

Sophia turns on the video and the newcomers have the same reactions as we did when we first saw it. Helene’s hand covers her mouth when she first shows up on screen, then her shoulders drop when her subterfuge isn’t uncovered.

Noble notes, “Nice angle. Too bad the person is so well-disguised.”

Pride on Sophia’s behalf surges. I say, “Just wait.”

Helene’s arm drops to her side and she scans the area. As if she’s looking for an escape route. Charles moves his position to be on her right, and Mark to her left. I slide back to be behind her.Gotcha.

Before we get to the part where she takes off her hat, Sophia once again enlarges the video on Helene. When her red hair is uncovered, Noble swings to face the culprit. For her part, Helene turns to run and realizes she’s surrounded.

Judith’s steel-laden icy voice freezes everyone in place. “Helene!”

Noble’s not so restrained. He bellows, “Security!”

Helene doesn’t remain silent. She shoves her finger into my chest. “You! You’re getting everything that’s mine. What I’ve worked for all my life. All you had to do was be born to that rock star, and doors opened for you. You waltzed onto our show, while I struggled for years at every turn.”

Her words lance through me. I take a step back to dislodge her finger, and words stumble from my mouth. “That’s not true. None of it is.”

Judith raises her hand. “Cease, Helene.”

Two men wearing “security” T-shirts join our group. Noble points to Helene. “Get her out of my sight. I want her prosecuted for tampering with my costumes.” He wheels around to my former colleague. “I intend to make sure you never work another day in this business. You’ll consider yourself lucky to get a job as a department store’s window merchandiser once you get out of prison.”

Helene blanches but doesn’t resist as one of the security guys pulls her away from us. Sophia turns over a thumb drive to the other man, who follows his partner.

Noble takes a few moments for his breath to calm. “Sophia, I’m more than impressed.”

She bows her head. “Thank you.”

He nods and addresses Judith, “If it wasn’t for you and”—he looks at me—“you, this film wouldn’t have stayed on track. Hell, I wonder if she imported whatever germ it was that made us all sick.”

Judith begins, “Noble, I’m so very sorry. I had no idea she was so unhinged.”

Noble raises his hand. “I believe you. You told me she’d worked with your team for years. I’m confident nothing like this happened before.”

My boss licks her lips. “No.”

He plows through. “Right. That all being said, and weighing all the equities, I’ve decided to bring you along with me on my new films. Despite all this, I admire how you handled all setbacks. You were prepared to change course on a dime and came up with solutions rather than excuses. I need that on my team.”

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