“What’s she doing here?” a nasal voice demanded. “I didn’t give her an appointment.”
I was right, it was Tina #1 and she was not pleased to see me. She was one of three. They were all named Tina and they had all had a hand in ruining my life. She’d clearly moved on from Hank because she was draped over a large attractive man like a barnacle.
Large Man shoved Tina #1 off of him and stepped forward with his hand extended and a slick smile on his pretty face. “Please excuse the help — it’s difficult to find subordinates with manners these days. I’m Puck Flare, owner and talent coordinator of the agency. It’s lovely to meet you. You must be Essie McGee.”
Tina #1 positively seethed. As delighted as I was with the way he shot her down, it was also appalling. Not to mention it stymied me why she would let a mere human treat her so poorly. She was a Werewolf and we rarely mixed with humans in a romantic or sexual way.
“I am.” An unexplainable feeling of uneasiness shot through me as I extended my hand. I plastered on a smile that I prayed didn’t look fake and took his hand in mine. He felt a bit cool for a human, but he was definitely human.
“I do believe we could book you on some very big jobs.” He circled me like I was a car he was considering.
“Great. That’s great,” I masked my unease and jumped up and down a bit to appear as vapid as possible. Tina #1 hissed and narrowed her eyes.
“Tina, don’t you have work to do?” Puck snapped.
She nodded meekly and went to the back room.
“Sorry about that, my dear,” he said. “She wants to model, but she’s a bit too short. Let’s have you fill out some paperwork and then we’ll take some Polaroids for your file. Do you have a head shot or a portfolio?”
“Um, no…I’ve just always thought this might be fun and I’m into travel and being in magazines,” I gushed.
“That’s wonderful. You’re available to travel? No jealous boyfriends or silly little day jobs to speak of?”
“Nope. Free and clear. No job and definitely no boyfriend,” I said, and wondered what Hank thought about my answer. I knew he was listening through an earpiece at the station. “Can I ask a few questions, Mr. Flare?”
“Of course, and please call me Puck.”
“Sure, um…Puck. What kind of jobs could I book with you? And what’s the pay?”
“Dear girl, for someone with your looks and body, the sky is the limit.”
He made me feel dirty and I was positive he was involved with the missing girls, but I had no clue how or why. I giggled and searched my repertoire for something girlie and flirty…I unconsciously did the Dwayne hair flick over my shoulder and almost burst out laughing. Concentrating hard, I held back my eye roll and the strong need to call Puck something that rhymed with his name and ended in “er”.
“Wow,” I cooed and did a little shimmy. “That’s the total bomb! When do I start?”
He chuckled and bought my vapid enthusiasm hook, line, and sinker. “We’ll start tomorrow. However, you’re a bit pale,” he said as he walked to the mountain of beauty products on the counter. “How about you do a little self tanner tonight so your shots tomorrow will be as sexy as you are.”
“Oh Puck,” I gasped and tossed my hair like an imbecile. “You’re such a charmer.”
“I do my best.” He covertly began to flex his muscles and it was all I could do not to throw up in my mouth. “You need to cover your entire body, if you know what I mean.” He gave me a smarmy smile and winked.
‘Ohhhhhh, that’s hot,” I cooed.
He handed me the paperwork and I posed for a few Polaroid shots.
“Well, that’s about it for now, dear.”
Dangit, I needed more info from the pervert…
“What about the others?” I asked as I pulled out my phone.
“What others?” he asked, alarmed.
“The other owners. Don’t they have to approve me too?” I asked innocently as he visibly relaxed.
“Oh no,” he bragged. “I’m in charge. What I say goes. Anyway, they’re off on assignments with some other models.”
“Cool,” I squealed. “Can I take your picture? You are so hot my friends are going to die.”
His ego was huge and he grinned. “Of course, dear.”
“Hold this,” I blew him a kiss and handed him my cup. “All my friends’ bosses are old and fat. I am gonna rub your hotness in in a big way.”
“Shall I flex?” he asked as he waggled his eyebrows.
Oh my god he was a loser, but I got his fingerprints on my cup. “Absolutely, but don’t be surprised if I faint from your total smokin’ manliness,” I said in the sexiest voice I could pull out of my butt.
“You are a delightful young woman.” He leered and stepped into my personal space. “You are going to be a very desired model.”
I took my cup from his hand and stepped back. Breathlessly I stuttered, “What time do I start tomorrow?”
“Be here at ten, dear. And bring an overnight bag just in case. There’s a chance you might book a whirlwind gig in New York and we’ll have to leave immediately.”
“Awesome,” I squealed and hustled to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow!”
“Yes, dear. Tomorrow.”
As I quickly made my way to the exit, I heard something large and glass shatter in the back room accompanied with a string of swear words from the lovely Tina #1. Puck Flare’s eyes narrowed frighteningly as he marched back to investigate. Tina #1 was one of my least favorite people in the world, but I actually felt fear for her. I considered following him back to diffuse the situation, but I could not under any circumstances blow my cover. Innocent women’s lives were possibly at stake—or at least their dead bodies.