As Nikki entered the hotel the phone was ringing. “Hello,” she said briskly, picking up the receiver.

“Helen?” The woman on the other end sounded confused.

Nikki rolled her eyes. Of course women were calling for Helen. Why should that be any surprise? “She’ll be in later.”

Silence. “Okay then,” and with that, Nikki was ready to return the handset to its cradle.

“Wait. Can you give her a message?”

“Go ahead.” Nikki crossed her arms, thinking to herself that she wasn’t anyone’s bleeding secretary – especially not Helen Stewart’s.

“Could you please ask her to call Bette Porter.”

“And she’ll know what this is about?”

“I need to talk to her. She has my information.”

“Fine.” With that the phone was dropped back into place, followed by a few rude gestures for good measure.

Nikki turned on her heel, heading out of the room when the phone rang again. “What?” she barked into the phone.

“Is this Nikki Wade?” came the question, asked tentatively.

“Who’s asking?” The tone of the caller had disarmed Nikki a little, although she was still tense from the former call.

“This is Tina Kennard, I met her at The Planet.”

“Right.” Nikki smiled, recalling the blonde woman. The one who didn’t seem nearly as blunt as her companion, Alice. “Yeah.”

The caller sounded uncertain. “Nikki?”

“This is,” she confirmed.

“I hope you don’t mind my call, but you told us where you were staying.” Tina’s voice paused, but Nikki said nothing in reply. “Anyway,” Tina continued, “you clearly can provide a different perspective on many things. As we discussed the other day, I work in the movie business. I was wondering if I could take you to a late lunch. Perhaps get a bit more information from you about your experiences.”

“You want a movie from me, you mean.”

Again, silence at Nikki’s blunt words. “I can’t say,” Tina admitted. “But I would like to speak more, if you’re willing.”

Nikki looked around the empty room. “Sure. Might as well get a meal out of this, right? Beats being stuck here all day.”

“Okay, I’ll pick you up. How’s a half hour?”