She Does Know Jack by Donna Michaels Page A

corner.
    “Mmm…smells good
in here." Mandy breezed into the room a few minutes later and dropped
Brielle’s mic-pack on the table. “I brought your microphone down. Bill hates it
when we forget to put them on.” She rushed to the door. “I’ve got to finish
getting ready. See you in a few.” The room grew quiet upon the blonde’s
departure.
    Alarm bells went
off in her head. The woman had just been in her room uninvited. Great. Now she
had to examine her own room after breakfast all because of a stupid mic.
    Not bothering to
hide a sigh, Brielle set the knife down and walked to the table. “Heaven forbid
the world doesn’t catch all my words of wisdom.” She rolled her eyes at the
smiling cameraman, then attached the pack to her belt and microphone to her
lapel. “Welcome back to cooking with Brielle. I apologize for the silence, but
we were experiencing technical difficulties.”
    Several
uneventful minutes later, she removed the last of the omelets from the stove
just as the trio of fully dressed suspects waltzed into the kitchen, along with
their cameramen. At least the kitchen was huge, otherwise, a sardine can
comparison would’ve been in order.
    “You girls have
great timing,” she said, placing the egg-filled platter on the table, next to
bagels, toast and fruit.
    “Yeah, we’re
good.” Mandy smiled, spreading cream cheese on a bagel before loading an omelet
onto her dish.
    “And capable of
many things.” Carla exchanged a glance with the others before reaching for a
piece of fresh fruit with her red-tipped fingers.
    Brielle longed
to run upstairs to get dressed, but her investigative nature kicked in.
Grilling the suspects through small talk could provide her with some important
insight.
    “Now, why
doesn’t that surprise me?” She smoothed her robe over her hips before she sat
on a stool.
    Everyone
laughed.
    Loading her
plate with toast, omelet and fruit, she began questioning. “Okay, you know what
I do and how I got on the show. What about each of you?”
    “I’m a teacher
from Virginia who hopes to one day become a principal,” Danni answered first,
flicking her hair over her shoulder. “I know it’s not as glamorous as these
two, but I’m happy.”
    Brielle took in
the woman’s simple, white, short-sleeved blouse and tan capris and thought she appeared
conservative but seasonal—like a teacher.
    “I’d hardly
consider Mandy’s profession glamorous. She just has to keep her hands still.”
Carla smirked before a spoonful of grapefruit passed her red lips.
    “A hand model is glamorous, too. There’s lights, and cameras, and sometimes I get to wear
diamond rings and bracelets.” Mandy stiffened under her aqua-cashmere sweater
and white jeans. “And it gets hot under those lights. When I’m done with a
shoot, I have to go straight to my favorite spa in Arizona to relax. I’m
looking forward to returning there when this show is over. They have the best
mud-baths and massages.” She sighed and picked up her discarded bagel, her
annoyance with Carla apparently forgotten.
    Brielle transferred
her gaze to the conflict-loving contestant. Dressed in an ivory halter-style
sundress, Carla regarded her lazily. “What do you want to know, ballerina?”
    Her brow rose at
the dance reference. The chick was baiting her, really? Not wise. “I know
you’re a porn star.”
    Mandy laughed.
    Carla’s gaze
never left Brielle’s face, but it did narrow. “Adult film actress.”
    “Sorry, my
mistake.” She nodded, biting into her toast.
    “I don’t see
what’s so funny, Handy Mandy . Once I make enough money, I plan to open
my own production company; then I can get on the other side of the camera.”
Carla transferred her gaze to the blonde. “What are you going to do? Take mime
lessons?”
    “Oh, I always
wanted to do that.” Mandy jumped off her stool to pretend she was trapped in an
invisible box.
    Brielle and
Danni laughed outright, while Carla shook her head and continued to