Murder Takes Center Stage

by Tracy D. Comstock

  "I'm sure she will, but I haven't been able to get hold of her. I'll keep trying though."

  "Okay, you call her and then get some rest. I'll check with Violet. We'll all meet at the Encore Playhouse tomorrow after church, if you feel up to it."

  "I'll be there," Destiny said determinedly.

  Emily disconnected and smiled over at Tad, who sat silently in the driver's seat, watching her. "I had hoped to talk you into a quiet evening cuddled on the couch with Netflix, but it looks like I'll be making calls instead. Rain check?"

  "Pit, I don't care what we do, as long as we're together. I'll be happy to help you make calls." The sincere look in his warm gray eyes left her with no doubts that he meant exactly what he said.

  She silently questioned why she had been so resistant to his declarations of love and hope for a future when it now seemed so clear to her that they belonged together. She sent up a silent prayer of thankfulness that Tad hadn't given up on her. As soon as this whole Bodley murder investigation was concluded and the play was behind them, she was going to plan a romantic evening to let Tad know just how much she loved him and wanted to plan a real future with him. But in the meantime, there were calls to make.

  It took most of the evening, but by the time Tad, hoarse from talking on the phone, was ready to leave for the night, they had Mr. Greenbalm enlisted once again to provide refreshments, and the kids were ecstatic. Emily had talked to Violet, who had agreed to make more flyers and call ticket holders with the change in times. She had also suggested that since Bodley had first been truly discovered on the Encore Playhouse stage, they advertise the play as being performed as a memorial for him. The fact that he had never starred in Clue didn't really matter, they decided. Emily was surprised that Violet would suggest such a memorial, considering their past, but maybe it was easier to be magnanimous now that Bodley's chances at a successful future were also ruined, she decided. And then she immediately berated herself for thinking negatively of Violet's motives. The high school years were a long way behind them all now, and besides, Violet had a happy life with her husband and son. If she regretted not studying piano, she'd never let it show. For the time being, Emily decided to focus on just being grateful for all the help in bringing this play to the stage and letting her students shine.

  The one snag in their plans came about when Tad spoke with Helen, and she informed him that she didn't think Sapphira would let Jeweliah continue in her role as Mrs. Peacock. While Emily understood why Sapphira might feel that way, they didn't have an understudy planned for the part, and with only a week to prepare, she didn't know who they could get to take her place. Helen promised to talk to Sapphira. She thought that maybe the fact that they were now planning to present the play in memory of Bodley's stage career might help influence Sapphira to allow Jeweliah to continue, provided she still wanted to play the part.

  And while no one had yet been able to reach Annabeth, Violet and Destiny had both agreed to keep trying to reach her. Albert was going to be at rehearsals the next day to work with the Encore Playhouse's regular stage and lighting guys to learn the ropes, but Ms. Lowe would not be in attendance the following day. When Susan had spoken with her, she'd agreed to help with any last-minute costume alterations or snags, but she pled off attending the meeting saying that she just wasn't up to leaving the house in her grief over "dear James's" death.

  Ray had gotten on the phone while Emily and Susan were talking to put his two cents' worth in. Emily hadn't shared her suspicions of Ms. Lowe with her parents, but she did remark that she found it strange that Bodley's loss was affecting her so severely. Ray had jokingly suggested that Ms. Lowe had secretly harbored a giant crush on the younger man.

  "Can you picture Ms. Lowe as the cougar type?" Emily had asked Tad.

  "No, but thanks for that image to carry with me to sleep tonight," he had replied, frowning. After a long good-night kiss and the promise to see him at church the following morning, though, he had left with a smile on his face.

  * * *

  As soon as the church service let out the following morning, Emily and Tad, along with Ray and Susan, stopped to grab a sandwich and then headed straight to the Encore Playhouse. Emily had always admired the beauty of the building. Graceful white columns gave it an elegant air, while the rich reds and golds of the brocade drapes and seats inside gave it a sense of richness that would thrill the students who would now have the chance to perform on the dark-wood stage. They were the first ones there, but the students, a majority with their parents in tow, soon began filtering in. Emily understood the nerves she sensed were running high and planned to address the crowd as soon as they were all there.

  Destiny came hobbling in on crutches, Albert at her side. "How are you doing?" Emily asked her quietly.

  "I feel much better today. I'm so glad we're moving on with this production." She sank into one of the plush auditorium chairs and propped up her taped ankle. Albert hovered anxiously at her side, ready to help in any way he could. Destiny gave him a smile but then directed him to go and meet with the light and sound techs. He looked hesitant to leave her, but Tad assured him they would keep a close watch on her.

  Mr. Greenbalm came in next to check where they wanted him to set up his refreshments table, and right behind him was Violet, with Annabeth in tow. Emily was relieved that Violet had been able to get hold of her. With Destiny hobbling around on crutches and Bodley no longer in the picture, she knew she was going to need Annabeth's directing skills to have the students ready to perform in one short week.

  Once everyone was present, minus Jeweliah, who she didn't figure would be showing up, Emily turned to Tad and said, "We might as well get this show on the road. I guess I'll read Jeweliah's part today, and then we can figure out what to do." She gathered the students and parents in the front rows and then climbed the stairs to the stage to address them as a group.

  "First and foremost, we want you all to know that our students' safety and well-being are our utmost concern. I want you to know that extra security measures will be taken, but we don't believe there was ever a threat to any of the students. Someone was out to get Mr. Bodley, and unfortunately, he or she used our play and his willingness to help with it to get to him. If anyone is uncomfortable letting your child participate, we will, of course, completely understand your position." She held her breath, but most of the parents gave small nods or smiles in her direction. She heaved a huge sigh of relief at their quiet support. "Well then, you're all welcome to stay and watch rehearsal. We appreciate you taking time out of your Sunday to be here. Since Jeweliah is not here today, the part of Mrs. Peacock will be read by…" Before she could finish her sentence, the auditorium doors swung open, and Jeweliah and Sapphira entered, with Helen and Mr. Barnes right behind them.

  Jeweliah quickly scurried to her group of friends, who greeted her with huge smiles and hugs. Sapphira took a seat in the very last row, and Helen and Barnes settled in front of her. Emily didn't know what Helen had said to change Sapphira's mind, but she was thankful Jeweliah was there. The very best thing for the girl, in her opinion, was to not be isolated from her friends at this time.

  Destiny and Annabeth took charge then, herding the students into their places to begin rehearsal. Emily pulled Jeweliah aside and quietly asked her how she was holding up.

  "I'm okay, Ms. Taylor. I'm really glad Ms. Burning was able to talk Mom into letting me still participate in the play. But to be honest, I think Mom's only going through with it because we're now doing the play in honor of Bodley. But whatever."

  The girl rolled her eyes in a typical teenage gesture, but Emily could see the hurt in her eyes. She wondered at Sapphira's reason for letting Jeweliah join the cast in rehearsal today. She wished Sapphira's motivation was to do what was best for her daughter, not for the sake of her boyfriend's memory. Jeweliah was obviously upset by the reasoning behind her mother's decision, but Emily tried to remind herself that she was not Jeweliah's mother—she was her teacher. She didn't want to o
verstep her bounds. Instead, she went ahead and joined Tad and her parents in the front row to see how rehearsals were progressing.

  Things were going swimmingly, to her mind. The students were a bit tentative and quieter than normal at first, unused to the grandness of the stage, but they quickly got into the swing of things and became more enthusiastic in both their acting and their voice projection. There were hardly any miscues. They were reaching the end of the final scene, and she was relieved to see that all of the props were in their proper place and once again as harmless as they had been intended to be. The dummy that Annabeth had made to represent Mr. Boddy had not yet been found, however, so she motioned the young director over and asked her how she would feel about making another one.

  "I already started on one, just in case, the minute Violet got hold of me," Annabeth assured her before moving toward the back of the auditorium to make sure she could hear the students clear in the back row. They were anticipating a sold-out crowd.

  "Jeweliah is doing a great job," Tad whispered to her. "This is just what she needed to keep her mind occupied."

  "I was thinking the same thing," Emily told him. "But she said her mom's only allowing her to participate because we're now dedicating the performance to Bodley's memory."

  Tad frowned, and she knew they were both on the same page as to their thoughts on Sapphira's motivation. Still, she felt almost light-headed with relief that this rehearsal had gone off without a hitch. As Bodley had undoubtedly been the source of all of their troubles before, now that he was gone, all was smooth sailing. But even as she gave herself a mental pat on the back, she heard raised voices at the back of the auditorium. Now what?

  Turning in her seat to see what was causing the commotion, she saw Annabeth and Sapphira nose to nose. "Of course we're all upset that James is gone," Annabeth was yelling.

  "Are you? Are you upset?" Sapphira yelled back, the high color in her face a sharp contrast to the pale look she had been sporting when she entered the auditorium earlier. "Or did the fact that he never returned your affections finally make you so bitter that you took your revenge on him?"

  "Don't be ridiculous," Annabeth snapped, leaning even closer into Sapphira's personal space. "My only concern is for Jeweliah."

  "Oh, yes," Sapphira sneered. "Jeweliah. But she's my daughter."

  "You're only letting her do the play because it's in honor of Bodley. What about thinking about what's best for your daughter for a change? Jeweliah deserves more out of her mother than this."

  Emily heard a gasp from the direction of the stage and whirled around to see all the color draining from Jeweliah's face. She and Tad hurried to the back of the auditorium to break up the two women, Tad hustling Annabeth out to the lobby while Emily steered Sapphira in the direction of the women's restroom. As they slipped through the double doors, she could hear Destiny directing the students to finish their scene and then call it a day.

  Her mom came rushing up to her side as they entered the bathroom. "Your rehearsals are certainly never dull, dear," she whispered before turning to Sapphira and inquiring gently, "Are you all right?"

  Emily handed the woman a dampened paper towel to wipe her face. Large, silent tears were collecting on the tip of her nose, spilling onto her red blouse and leaving wet splotches. "That Annabeth just makes me so furious!" she exclaimed, swiping at her eyes.

  Emily and Susan looked at each other over the sobbing woman's head. Neither one of them was sure how to respond, so they just made comforting noises and patted her heaving shoulders. "I mean," she continued, oblivious to their discomfort, "it's not enough that I had to lose James, but now she wants to try to take Jeweliah away from me too."

  Too? Emily thought. What exactly did she mean by that?

  "Whatever do you mean?" Susan asked, putting voice to Emily's thoughts.

  "She's trying to drive a wedge between us. She thinks she'd be a better mom for Jeweliah than me. She didn't get James, so now she wants to take my daughter away from me instead." Emily continued to pat her shoulder sympathetically, but her mind was whirling. It might very well be true that Annabeth had a crush on Bodley, whether currently or once upon a time. And she was inclined to agree with Annabeth that Jeweliah deserved a more attentive mother, but naturally, she couldn't say that.

  "I think maybe you're just overwrought with grief," Susan said gently. "Jeweliah's been there for you. Nothing can drive a wedge between a mother and a daughter. That's an unbreakable bond. You just need to rest, and things will begin to look a bit better in time. Why don't we get you and Jeweliah home?" She raised her eyebrows at Emily, questioning whether she and Ray should follow them home. Emily gave her mom a grateful smile and a subtle nod as Susan led Sapphira out of the restroom and collected her and Jeweliah's things. Helen and Barnes joined them as they headed out to the parking lot, and Emily knew they were in good hands now.

  She turned to Tad, who was still waiting for her, and he told her that Annabeth had already headed out with Destiny and Albert. "I'm going to check to see that Albert's locked up all the props in that cabinet they're letting us use backstage," she told him. "Then I'll be ready to go."

  "Need me to come with you?" he asked.

  "No, I'm fine. How was Destiny doing?"

  "She looked a little sore and exhausted. I think she's starting to really appreciate the white-knight routine from Albert. Good for him," Tad laughed.

  Emily joined in and then moved into the darkened auditorium to take the stairs to the backstage area. Everything was locked up tight and in good shape. She started to head back out when she noticed a door she hadn't seen on her earlier tour. It had to lead to the alley running behind the Playhouse. She figured she had better make sure it was locked up tight as well, considering they could be held liable if anything went missing or someone was able to break in while they were using the facility.

  She tugged on the door to make sure it was locked and was surprised when it swung open soundlessly. She stuck her head out the door to make sure someone hadn't just stepped out who might need back in. But the only people she noticed were at the end of the narrow alley. Squinting, she was getting ready to call out when she realized it was Violet and Mr. Greenbalm. Violet was sobbing loudly, and Mr. Greenbalm's arms were around her in a comforting circle. That's odd, she thought. I didn't even know they were close friends.

  She slipped back inside and turned the lock on the door, contemplating the twosome. Was it possible that they were more than friends? She shook her head, quickly dismissing that thought. They were both happily married people, and Mr. Greenbalm was practically old enough to be Violet's father. Her stomach roiling, she headed back to meet up with Tad.

  "I think I'm going to go out and check on Gabby," she told him as they walked out to his car. "What're your plans for this afternoon?"

  "I need to get some grading done." He glanced over at her where she worried her lip, her gaze far away. "You okay?"

  "Well, actually, I just saw the strangest thing." She recounted the scene in the alley.

  "They've been working together to help out with the play. I'm sure they're just friends. Don't read anything suspicious into what you just saw. I know we often tend to jump to the worst conclusion, but I don't think that applies in this case."

  She nodded but wasn't convinced. As soon as Tad dropped her off at her duplex, she headed for her own car, her mind full of strange images and questions. According to Destiny, Violet was still unhappy with Bodley for stealing that scholarship out from under her nose. Could she have held a grudge all this time? Did Violet feel as if Bodley had ruined her life? Maybe she had enlisted the aid of Mr. Greenbalm in getting rid of him once and for all. Maybe her getting sick the same night as Bodley was just a cover-up. Could those two have been conspiring together to poison Bodley, and Violet had accidentally gotten a hold of one of the pastries that were marked for Bodley? Then, when poisoning him didn't work, did they kill Bodley to make sure that he would never have the chance to ruin someone else's f
uture again?

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The sky was darkening into a deep violet by the time Emily began the ascent to Gabby and Greg's sprawling, welcoming farmhouse on the outskirts of town. With its wide, homey porch and large windows glowing against the encroaching darkness, she felt its warmth spreading into her heart. She always felt at home here in the cozy, beautiful rooms that Gabby had lovingly decorated. Though the interior of their home was gorgeous, there was evidence of children living there throughout every room. The twins' toys occupied their own space in an alcove off the living room. A tiny kitchen set for them to play on while Gabby cooked or baked took up one corner of the spacious kitchen. This home was a place where the twins were welcome, where their thoughts, their creativity, and their energy was nurtured and encouraged. She adored that aspect of her best friend. As she climbed the front steps, Greg, a large, handsome bear of a man, opened the door with one girl in his arms and another riding on his back and Dexter, the family dog, sniffing around his knees with his tongue lolling out in happy abandonment.

  Emily felt a tug of longing. She had felt that way here before, but the tug was stronger tonight. She wanted this, she realized. All of it. The big, happy home, the loving husband, the adorable children, the friendly dog. People to live with, to live for. She and Tad could have this together.

  "Coming in, or you just gonna stand there and gather wool?" Greg asked her.

  She scooted inside the warmth and light and was immediately pounced on by the twins, who were now three years old. Phoebe, her chocolate eyes solemn, said, "Mommy's sick." Her little hand slid into Emily's as Abigail, the more vivacious of the two, added, "We're making get-better cards. You need big-girl time." Then, with a quick hug, the twins followed their dad up the stairs.

  Emily moved into the living room, where Gabby was once again ensconced on a couch, wrapped in blankets. She was still pale with high spots of color riding on her cheeks, but she smiled and patted the couch next to her. "I promise not to sneeze on you," she told Emily. "I seem to be past that stage." She let loose with a hacking cough that had Emily choosing a chair a bit further away. "Greg and the girls have been wonderful, letting me rest and waiting on me hand and foot. But I'm going stir-crazy. What's happening out in the real world?"