Lost in Hollywood by Cindy Callaghan

Author:Cindy Callaghan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

17

Back on Hollywood Boulevard I said to Payton, “That was impressive.”

“Impressive and awesome!” Margot said. “You’re like the fastest liar on Earth.”

“It’s not lying,” Payton said. “It’s improvising.”

“Then you’re like the fastest improviser ever,” Margot said.

I asked, “You know that the PPP and APA aren’t real?”

“I know. Right? I was so into it that I started believing it myself.”

“Well, that performance deserves an award,” I said.

“I have two words: milkshakes.”

“I think that’s one word,” Margot said.

“You’re right,” I said. “It is.” I didn’t know if Margot would get the Payton-ism about miscounting words. “I don’t know if the Academy would approve of a second milkshake.”

“I’ll make it a gold-plated flavor. They should be okay with that,” Payton said.

“Good plan,” I said, “but I’m not sure I have money.” I reached in my pocket to see what I had. I had something, but it wasn’t money.

“What’s that?” Payton asked.

“It’s something that ABJ secretly stuffed it into my hand last night.” I held up the matchbook.

“It’s from the Brown Derby,” Margot read. “It’s a restaurant.”

“And a D,” Payton said.

“It is,” I said.

“And a B,” Margot said. “Brown starts with a B.”

“I have a good feeling about this. I think ABJ wants us to go there.”

“Then let’s do it,” Payton said.

“I’m in,” Margot said.

The address on the matchbook was 1628 Vine Street. I plugged it into my phone’s GPS. “It’s less than a mile away.”

Margot looked at her sneakers. “I’ve got my walking shoes.”

Payton looked past my shoulder behind me and gave a little gasp. She grabbed my arm and whispered, “You won’t believe what I’m seeing.”

“Sammy Davis Jr. tap-dancing with a glass eye and a trumpet? You’re right. I won’t believe that. Enough, Payt, let’s go.”

“It’s Harry. He is talking to someone and pointing at us,” Payton said.

“He looks mad,” Margot said.

“Do you think he figured out that the Dolby isn’t haunted?” I asked.

“Or maybe his manager did,” Payton said. “He’s walking this way.”

“Let’s get out of here,” I said.

“We could speed walk.” Margot bolted down the street swinging her arms and taking giant steps, like a professional speed walker.

Payton looked over her shoulder. “Um, they’re crossing the street.”

“If we get in trouble, my mom won’t let us out around town anymore. So maybe we can run!” I suggested and zipped past Margot.

“That’s not good for your joints,” Margot called after me. “And you could get shin splints.”

Despite her warning, we didn’t stop, and after a few seconds, Margot started running too.

“I know how we can lose him for sure,” I said. “Follow me.”

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