“You’re working crew?” Dee Dee said incredulously.
Lex’s smile tightened slightly.
“I’m managing the crew,” he corrected, “but I’ve worked with them long enough that I feel confident they can handle it.”
“I didn’t know you knew anything about the techie side of theater.”
“I’ve worked a few summer-stock tours,” the actor said with a shrug. “In that situation, you do a bit of everything. One week you’re playing the lead, the next week you’re working lights-“
“Sorry to interrupt this reunion,” the commander broke in, “but there are still a lot of things we have to cover in our meeting. If there are no further questions, Ms. Watkins?”
“Can I be excused from the rest of the meeting, Captain?” Lex said. “We’ve already covered the stuff that concerns me, and there are a few things I’d like to go over with Dee Dee while she’s free …
“Go on ahead,” Phule said, sinking onto the sofa once more. “But report back to me when you’re finished. I want to be sure to be kept apprised of any modifications in your original plan.”
The actor nodded his agreement and left, relishing the envious looks he gathered from the other men in the room.
“Sorry for the interruption,” Phule said, as if he were responsible for the disruption caused by the singer. “Now then … back to business. I want you to pass the word through the company that I’m going to need the services of a forger. I repeat, a forger, not a counterfeiter …”
“Excuse me … Mr. Beeker … sir?”
Reluctant to let anything intrude on his rare off-duty time, the butler nonetheless paused at the hail, to find Bombest hastily emerging from behind the front desk.