The Retrieval

by Lucius Parhelion

It's 1932, and Hollywood is entering its golden age. Charlie Hunter, veteran of the Algonquin Round Table, has just arrived to start his new contract as a scriptwriter. Jake Mor, an old friend and protégée, planned to help Charlie with his house-hunting. Unfortunately, Laura Moore, Jake's twin and Charlie's other protégée, has asked them to pick up her gifts for a studio bigwig first. Worse, she needs Charlie for an escort to the bigwig's birthday party.

Antique hunting equipment is an odd gift. A rare, pedigree Weimaraner is a surprising gift. But what Jake has learned about his preferences in Hollywood is the most startling gift of all. In just one day a swimming pool, a predatory studio executive's wife, a hand-carved teal decoy, and Ducky the dog lure Charlie and Jake into unwrapping what has been hidden between them for far too long.