“If what you say is true, why would Pilar work for a man like Shelbee?”
“She gets to develop her dishes, and when the time is right, make her move to get her own show.” He headed back toward the neighboring yard, then turned. “I don’t know how she does it. I got ambitions. But I ain’t got the patience to put up with an asshole like Shelbee. Maybe she just reached her limit. Hope not, though. Sure would miss being her guinea pig.”
* * * *
When I got back to the office, I explained the plan. After my aunt finished laughing, she struggled to put away her snarky face and put on a mentoring one.
“Whew. Sorry. The picture of you in the kitchen even pretending to cook was too much.”
“Your approach to confidence building could use some work,” I said.
She shrugged. “So if you go in as the replacement assistant, we could get onto the set before the rehearsal and filming?”
“That’s right. Evidently, there’s always camera crew, company reps, and assistants running around the set. Since I’d be the new girl, it’d be only natural for me to have questions. And I’ll have two days after rehearsals to see what we can uncover before the actual taping.”
“You’ll need to bone up on the production of a cooking show and the duties of a culinary assistant, or you’ll never pass as someone hired for competition. Ask Emmett to email the dishes, recipes, and ingredients they’ve planned. Study those.” She got her cell phone out of her pants pocket.
“You’ve seen me try to boil water. This is going to be a disaster.” I moaned. “All of TV land is going to see me crash and burn.”
“Man up, girl.” She thumbed her phone. “I just emailed a couple of websites to you.”
There was her famous empathy again. “Can’t I just do the paperwork that’s piled up around here? Until I’ve gotten a few easier jobs under my belt?” I’d be real good at billing. I handled my own credit card accounts when I was married.
“You need to learn the business. How to work undercover. Plus, being out there will give you the client contact you need.”
“But I don’t like clients—or even people, for that matter.”
“Exactly. On that note, someone claiming she’d been Pilar’s culinary school roommate called. Said she’d heard that Chef Clyde hired us, and she wants to help. I didn’t confirm that we have the case, but check her out—see what her angle is. Perfect opportunity to get real-world experience. Here’s the address.”
I researched the Gastronomic Gambles competition and checked all the social media for something on the roommate. The cooking show even had its own Facebook page, but I found no e-presence for the roomie whatsoever. Looked like Auntie would get her way and I’d have to actually make contact with the staff at the cooking school as part of the roomie’s background check.
When I checked my email, Emmett had already sent the requested information. The dishes:
First Course—Cajun Turtle Stew
Second Course—Fig-Glazed ’Possum Kabob on a bed of Quinoa
Main course—Squirrel Ravioli and Truffles on a bed of Poke Salad