Ryan Lock 04.5: Lock & Load Read Online Free PDF

want a drink?" Jason asked, the hatred in his eyes at odds with the drunken grin plastered over his face.
       "I'm on duty."
       Jason laughed. "Very professional of you."
       Lock started to walk away without reply.
       "She's a great lay. If you or your buddy get a shot at her, take it," Jason shouted after him, loud enough to draw glances from the other people around the pool.
       It would have been the easiest thing in the world for Lock to turn on his heel, walk back to the table, and obliterate the loud-mouthed Aussie. But it would have achieved the square root of zero. For Lock, violence was like a lot like Jason – just a tool.
       He kept walking, taking the long way round as he headed back to the bungalow. He pulled Ty one to one side, careful to keep his voice to a whisper.
       Ty glared in the direction of the pool as Lock brought him up to speed.
       "So what's the play if he shows up?" Ty asked.
       "Kick his ass then call the cops," said Lock. "In that order."

Ten
    SAVE FOR A  couple of gelled lights arranged to make the two stars of the movie look their best in front of the single camera, the room was dark. Lock watched from a position off to one side as a fresh-faced Summer walked into the room with Ty. He was starting to see why she made the big bucks. Even as she took her seat next to a grizzled Jason, who was still clearly suffering the after-effects of last night's one-man whisky party, there was no hint that she was anything other than happy and relaxed.
       The two stars were seated in old-fashioned canvas director chairs that had their names on the back. Much to Lock's amusement, the legs of Jason's chair appeared to be three of four inches longer than Summer's. With the cameraman shooting them from the waist up it would make Jason appear to be the taller of two. A huge red and black one-sheet for the movie was positioned directly behind them, the two stars looking brooding and serious as they stared at each other across the poster, no doubt focused on a possible Oscar nomination.
       The drill was standard for these types of events. Members of the US and overseas press corps who covered Hollywood and related entertainment news would have fifteen minutes each with the two stars. Five minutes with Jason, five with Summer, and five minutes of joint interview questions. The questions were standard, and so, Lock realized after the first few interviews, were the answers. It was mind numbing to watch.
       Jason palmed a couple of painkillers with some coffee as the third joint interview ended. He only spoke to Summer when a reporter was present and lapsed back into a sullen silence when it was just them and the attendant cameraman, PR people, Lock, and Ty. Even if he had wanted a fight, he didn't look like he would be able to summon the energy. Lock was relieved. There were only six more hours to go. After that the only time Summer would have to deal with this douchebag would be a chance encounter at a party or awards ceremony.
       As the morning wore on, the questions remained as turgid but the young actress's mood seemed to lift. It was an ordeal but one with an end in sight. They broke for lunch early – around noon – and Summer retreated back to her bungalow, escorted at a discrete distance by both Lock and Ty.
       "So far, so good," said Ty.
       Even Lock, who for professional reasons always tried to anticipate a worst case scenario, had to agree. "Yup. He seems to have settled down."
       A day or so later Summer would be on a plane, heading for the set of her next movie. Lock and Ty would have banked a hefty sum and the young actress, grateful for Lock's support, both practical and emotional, had already said he and Carrie could stay in the Malibu beach house until they had to return to New York. As close protection jobs went it had been easy money.
     
    After lunch, Jason bounced back into the room. He made a beeline for Lock. Lock guessed that lunch had probably