“Three days is great for us,” I s
aid. “It all adds up.”
We spent the rest of the day getting waxed and painted and dressed in our small loincloths, and that evening we shot our scenes for the first day. We returned to the office at sunrise, just in time for Archie to wave us over when we parked.
Archie said, “Amber’s inside with Bodhi. They’re waiting.”
“What happened?”
“I’ll let them tell it.”
We went in the office, where Amber poured us coffee. Bodhi looked sad and frightened. Amber said, “Bodhi needs to bounce something off you.”
I hadn’t slept in twenty-four hours, but I said, “Go ahead.”
“I heard Troy and Wilson arguing early this morning, it woke me up they were so loud, so I moved closer to listen. I made sure they didn’t see me, though.”
“What was it about?”
“I didn’t make out the first part, but I did hear Wilson call Troy a thief. Troy tried to hit him, but Wilson knocked his arm out of the way and told him not to do that again, then Troy told him he was fired and to leave immediately.”
“Did he?”
“Wilson said he’d be back later and settle it.”
Hondo said, “That’s what you wanted to tell us?”
“Not all of it. As soon as Wilson left, Troy made a call and I heard him say, ‘Don’t wait any longer,’ and then he went into the office and came back with a pistol.” She looked at us, “That scared me.”
I said, “What did he do?”
“He put the pistol in his pocket and watched out the front window like he was waiting for Wilson to return. He kept putting his hand in his pocket and pulling out the pistol, like practicing, you know? I’m worried about what will happen if Wilson comes back.”
Amber said, “She’s not sure if Wilson will return this morning or not, so she wanted to tell you two, since you’re his friends.”
Hondo pulled his phone and dialed as I said, “Glad you told us. We don’t want anyone hurt.”
Bodhi said, “Thanks.”
Amber said, “Why don’t you stay with me at my apartment for a few days until they get this worked out?”
“I’d like that.”
I felt a twinge, because Amber wouldn’t be with me, but at her apartment.
Hondo pocketed his phone, “I tried his number twice and got voicemail. I left a message on the last one.”
I said, “Why don’t we pay Troy a visit?”
Hondo said, “You want to do it now, or after we get a few hours sleep?”
“We can hit the sack later.”
~*~
Troy buzzed us through the gate and met us at the front door. He said, “Is this about your friend, or Bodhi? Both of them have been a lot of trouble lately.”
Hondo said, “Bodhi’s upset and came to us. Why don’t you tell us what happened?”