“Oh. I thought the exhibition opened tomorrow.”
“Well, the portrait isn’t ready.” Remington stared into Caroline’s eyes. She sensed he wouldn’t welcome any additional questioning on the subject.
C H A P T E R
48
Don’t panic. Act like everything is just fine.
Gus stood in the busy kitchen trying to decide what to do next. Belinda had just fired him, but he wasn’t sure why. He was pretty certain it couldn’t be just for coming on to Langley.
Did Belinda know what he was doing out in the woods? Had she figured out the business he was running on her property? Gus had the sinking feeling that she had. And if she decided to go to the cops, he’d be going back to jail. This time, it would be a longer sentence.
But that would happen only if she went to the police.
Gus felt his chest tighten. He had to relax, remain calm. He had been in tough spots before, and he’d gotten into trouble only when he panicked.
To reassure himself, he patted the rear pocket of his jeans. Then he walked to the downstairs powder room, locked the door, and rolled himself a nice, fat joint. This was Thursday, he reasoned. He wouldn’t be tested again for a full week. But that wouldn’t be long enough for his urine to clear. He’d have to get some of that wretched bleachlike drink that would make him want to throw up; but it would cleanse his system for his next drug test. A nasty prospect, but a price he was willing to pay.
He ignored the knock on the door and the jiggling of the knob as he sat on the toilet lid and inhaled. Gradually and predictably, he felt the sense of calm come over him.
The house had central air-conditioning, but Gus opened the bathroom window. He searched the cabinet over the sink for some air freshener and sprayed it around. Still, he was pretty certain that the pale brunette who was waiting to come in when he opened the door could smell what he had been doing in there. He could see it in her blue eyes.
C H A P T E R
49
Shaken, Belinda sat behind the desk and tried to compose herself. Firing someone was always unpleasant. Plus, there was something about Gus that was unnerving. She couldn’t be sure he would just go quietly.
Belinda picked up the script of Devil in the Details she had taken from Remington’s place. After flipping through a few more pages, she took a large envelope from the desk drawer, slid the script into it, and got up to return to her guests.
Belinda approached Caroline, Nick, and Meg. “Having a good time?” she asked.
“Almost as good as the last time I was here, Belinda,” said
Nick.
Caroline thought Belinda looked at Nick with a flustered expression, but then she laughed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” She turned to Meg. “Would you be a darling, Meg, and take this copy of the script I just got from Remington? I’m afraid I’ll forget to bring it to the dressing room tomorrow.”
“No problem, Belinda,” said Meg as she took the envelope from her.
FRIDAY
—— AUGUST 4 ——
C H A P T E R
50
With the guests straggling away and the catering staff packing up, Belinda sat by herself on the patio, trying to sort out what had happened in the last few hours. She’d gone from giving one of the best performances of her life to telling her director that she couldn’t stand working with him and finding that he had used her name without her permission to raise financing for his movie. Worried that she could be implicated in what her caretaker was doing on her property, she’d fired him with no plan for how she was going to replace him. What she had figured out from Remington’s copy of the script had to be dealt with as well. Plus, knowing that Langley was practically drooling to take over her role didn’t feel great either. It was too much to deal with at one time.
It had been a marathon of a day, and Belinda was exhausted. She would get a good sleep, and in the morning, she’d be better able to cope with everything. But there was one person she had to talk to right away.
C H A P T E R
51
While the tub was filling, Caroline undressed. She took the lace nightgown from her suitcase and carried it into the bathroom. She stepped into the warm water and eased herself down into the tub.
She took a deep breath and tried to relax. The excitement of the debut of Devil in the Details, her interview with Belinda Winthrop, and the party afterward had left her mind spinning. But beneath the enthusiasm Caroline felt about those occurrences stirred uneasiness at thoughts of the dead apprentices and the murdered librarian. Though she knew none of them, the violent ends they’d met were unnerving. She could have been that librarian, murdered while doing her job. Meg could have been one of those kids.
Caroline lifted her hand, noticed that the skin on her fingers was beginning to pucker, and realized she must have been sitting in the water for quite a while.
“Nick?” she called out.
There was no answer from the bedroom. He still hadn’t returned from walking Meg to her dorm. What was taking him so long?
C H A P T E R
52
“How did you find out?”
“I’m not telling you,” said Belinda.
“So you know. Now what?”
“I don’t know for sure,” said Belinda, “but you can’t expect to get away with this.”
“I have so far.”
Belinda shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t you feel the least bit guilty?”
“Honestly? No. I’m only sorry that you found out.”
Belinda turned to pick up the telephone.
“I wouldn’t do that, Belinda. Put the phone down.”
Ignoring the command, she began to push the numbers on the keypad, unaware of what was coming until she felt the soft silk around her neck. As it tightened, she collapsed, blacked out completely, and hit her head on the corner of the desk.
The killer dragged the dead weight of Belinda’s body to the golf cart. The half-moon provided the only light for the ride to the woods. Once the cart was hidden from view, the killer turned on a flashlight to illuminate the rest of the way to the opening in the forest floor. The killer pulled Belinda out of the cart and lay her at the edge of the hole that led to the underground cave.
Just as with Amy, Tommy, and the sour old librarian, the killer checked Belinda’s pulse and couldn’t find one. Ready to push the body over the edge, the killer noticed the actress was missing one of her shoes.
C H A P T E R
53
Rolling over in bed, Caroline opened her eyes. Nick was sleeping beside her. So much for the lace nightgown, she thought. She had fallen asleep and not even heard him come in.
Quietly, she got out of bed and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. She washed and moisturized her face but didn’t bother with makeup, only applying some clear lip balm. Caroline was able to dress in a pair of jeans and T-shirt and steal out of the room with her shoulder bag and laptop without waking her husband.
The downstairs coffee shop was open, and she had her pick of the empty tables. She chose one in the corner and set her computer on top.
“What can I get you?” asked the waitress.
“Just coffee right now, thanks,” Caroline said.
She looked at the blank computer screen. Where should she begin with this review? Her fingers began to type.
THE WARRENSTOWN SUMMER PLAYHOUSE WAS THE SCENE OF SUSPICION, BETRAYAL, AND DEATH AS VICTORIA STERLING’S NEW PLAY, DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, WAS PERFORMED FOR THE FIRST TIME BEFORE A RIVETED AUDIENCE. DEVIL IN THE DETAILS LEAPS TO THE FRONT AS ONE OF THE MOST BITINGLY SINISTER PLAYS IN RECENT MEMORY.
PLAYING VALERIE, THE WIFE OF A MAN WHO HAS NO CONSCIENCE, BELINDA WINTHROP DEVELOPS A CHARACTER WHO COMES TO REALIZE THAT THE MAN SHE HAS LOVED IS A SOCIOPATH. AS SHE UNCOVERS HER HUSBAND’S LIES, TREACHERY, AND GREED, THE TENSION MOUNTS TO AN ALMOST UNBEARABLE LEVEL.
THE TEST OF THE PLAY IS THE EFFECTIVENESS WITH WHICH IT PORTRAYS A WOMAN GRAPPLING WITH THE D
AWNING AWARENESS THAT HER MATE IS A WICKED MAN WHO POISONS EVERYTHING HE TOUCHES. AT FIRST, VALERIE THINKS SHE MUST BE WRONG. THEN SHE THINKS SHE MIGHT BE CRAZY. FINALLY, NEARLY PARALYZED WITH FEAR, SHE HAS TO FACE THE FACT THAT THE MAN WHO SLEEPS BESIDE HER AT NIGHT IS PURE EVIL.
DIRECTOR KEITH FALLOWS HAS STAGED, PERHAPS, HIS MASTERPIECE. DEVIL IN THE DETAILS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GO ON TO BROADWAY, AND PLAYWRIGHT VICTORIA STERLING COULD VERY WELL WIN THAT PULITZER PRIZE SO MANY ARE TALKING ABOUT. BUT AUDIENCES CAN ONLY HOPE THAT DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, WITH BELINDA WINTHROP IN THE LEAD, WILL BE SUCCESSFULLY CONVERTED TO FILM, BECAUSE THIS IS A SPELLBINDING STORY THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE.
After she clicked the button sending her review to the KEY News Web site, Caroline took a sip of the hot coffee. Belinda had told her in the interview that she was not going to do this film, yet Caroline still felt the last line of her review was valid. Perhaps, if there was enough popular demand, Belinda would change her mind. She was one of a very few actresses who could command the stage as well as the screen. She was meant to play Valerie.
C H A P T E R
54
No matter how talented, exceptional, or beautiful Belinda was, she couldn’t be allowed to destroy everything.
That Belinda was buried on her own property was somehow fitting. Everyone knew how much she cared about Curtains Up. Now, her beloved estate would be her final resting place. But there would be no headstone. No one was going to leave flowers on her grave, because no one was going to find her. The cave where Belinda now lay wasn’t even on the map of the property.
Even if that shoe of hers was found, it wouldn’t necessarily lead to Belinda. These woods were too dark, too dense.
Yes, Belinda was taken care of, but that damned e-mail was still hanging out there. There was still no response from Brightlights this morning.
Brightlights, the irritating loose end.
C H A P T E R
55
The early-rising birds outside Victoria’s window woke her with their chirping. She opened her eyes and, for just a moment, was unsure where she was. As it dawned on her, a smile spread across her face.
Last night had been everything she had dreamed of and more. Watching Devil in the Details come fully to life on the stage had exceeded even her fondest hopes: the thrill of seeing her name on the playbill, the roaring applause of the audience, the praise she’d received from the people at the party. Belinda had truly done justice to the written words. No playwright could have asked for more.
Watching the play, Victoria had kept thinking that the Pulitzer might actually be within her grasp. It was all so exciting and wonderful, and she wanted to talk about it with someone. This morning it was particularly hard not to be sharing her bed with someone. He may not have been the easiest spouse, but Daniel had always been a good sounding board. She missed that.
Victoria got out of bed, went to her purse, and took out a pack of cigarettes. She walked over to the window and lit up. As she exhaled the smoke into the clean, cool air, she couldn’t wait to get her hands on the videotape of the performance. She needed to see the tape to reassure herself that Devil in the Details was really as spectacular as she thought it had been. She wanted to be certain it was good enough to submit to the prize committee.
Victoria finished her cigarette, put on her robe, and headed downstairs to get some hot coffee. As she passed Belinda’s bedroom, Victoria looked through the open doorway. The room was empty, and it was clear that no one had slept in the bed.
C H A P T E R
56
When Caroline got back to the room, the bed was empty and she could hear the shower running. She put her laptop on the dresser beside Nick’s, walked to the open bathroom door, and went in.
“Want some company?” she asked as she pulled back the shower curtain.
Nick leaned toward her and planted a clean, wet kiss on her mouth. “Nothing I’d like more, Sunshine,” he said. “But unfortunately, and I mean very unfortunately, Meg just called. She thinks she lost that bracelet her mother gave her, and the last time she remembers having it on was at Belinda’s last night. I promised her I would go right over there and look for it.”
Caroline couldn’t keep the look of disappointment from her face.
“You know how she treasures that bracelet, Caroline.”
“I know she does, Nick. It’s just…”
“Just what?” he asked as he stepped out of the shower.
“It’s just that we have such a short time together.
“Nick toweled himself dry. “Don’t worry, Sunshine. Ride over with me now, and we can come back here later.”
All was quiet outside the gray farmhouse.
“Looks like nobody’s up yet,” said Nick.
“Should we knock and let them know we’re here?” Caroline asked.
“I don’t think we have to do that,” he answered. “I’m sure Belinda won’t care if we just check ourselves.”
They got out of the car and walked around to the patio. Within minutes Caroline spotted a glimmer of gold shining between two patio slates.
“I found it,” she said, holding up the bracelet.
“Good girl,” Nick exclaimed. “Meg will be so happy.”
Caroline examined the bracelet. “She’d better get this clasp fixed,” she said.
As they turned to go back around to their car, they saw Victoria standing at the French doors that led from the house to the patio. Her expression was dark.
“Hey, Victoria, why the frown?” Nick asked. “You should be on cloud nine this morning.”
“When I went past Belinda’s room this morning,” Victoria said, “she wasn’t there.”
Nick shrugged. “So? Maybe she went for a walk or out to buy the newspaper or something.”
“Belinda’s car is in the driveway, Nick,” Victoria answered. “And her bed hasn’t been slept in.”
Caroline observed the activity at Curtains Up with growing unease. A search of the house came up empty.
“This isn’t like her,” said Victoria. “She would have left a note or something. She’d know I would be wondering where she’d gone.”
All three of them walked over to the barn just as Gus came ambling out.
“Have you seen Belinda this morning, Gus?” Victoria asked.
“No. I just assumed she’d be sleeping in this morning.”
“Well, she’s not,” said Victoria. “She didn’t even sleep in her bed last night.”
Gus smiled. “Maybe she got lucky and slept in somebody else’s.”
They pretended to ignore the crude remark.
“Let’s go check with Remington,” said Victoria. “Maybe he’s seen her. And, Gus, will you look around the grounds? Maybe Belinda’s just taking her morning walk.”
Remington, with paintbrush in hand, answered the knock on the door. When they explained they were searching for Belinda, he looked confused.
“Belinda’s not here,” he said. “Why would you think she’d be here?”
“We’re checking everywhere,” Nick answered.
“Maybe she went to the theater,” he suggested.
“Her car is in the driveway,” said Victoria.
“Maybe somebody came and picked her up,” said Remington.
Caroline walked out to the yard. She took out her cell phone and called the KTA office.
“Linus Nazareth, please. Caroline Enright calling.”
As she waited for Linus to pick up, Caroline wondered if she was overreacting. If Belinda showed up in a little while, she could look like a jerk for having called in to report that the actress was missing. But if something had really happened to Belinda, KEY News should know about it. Caroline decided it was better to be safe than sorry.
“Nazareth.” The voice was terse.
“Hi, Linus. It’s Caroline.”
“Yeah. What’s up?”
“Belinda Winthrop may be missing,” she said.
“What do you mean may be missing? I
s she or isn’t she?”
Caroline explained what had been happening.
“Ah, you know these actresses,” Linus snarled. “This might be a big publicity stunt. Or maybe Winthrop just wants some attention.”
“Belinda Winthrop doesn’t need to whip up any attention, Linus. She already gets plenty.”
She waited for a response.
“Linus?”
“Yeah. I’m thinking,” he said. “Look, keep on top of it and let me know what happens. If it turns out this disappearance is legit, we’ll send in the troops.”
C H A P T E R
57
Linus hung up the phone and grabbed his football. He tossed it and caught it a few times before picking up the phone again.
“It’s Linus. Come see me.”
Annabelle groaned inwardly, as she did every time she was summoned to the executive producer’s office. What she’d heard people say about Linus was true. He might not have an ulcer, but he certainly was a carrier.
If he was calling her in, Linus had something he’d want her to do. As Annabelle walked down the hallway, she felt herself growing tense. She had promised the kids she was going to try to get out of work early and take them to the pool this afternoon. It had seemed like a promise she could keep. It was Friday. She wasn’t scheduled to work this weekend. She didn’t have anything that would keep her at the office late. The twins were going to be so disappointed if she didn’t take them swimming.
“Hi,” said Annabelle as she entered the office.
Linus dispensed with the pleasantries. “Caroline Enright just called,” he said. “She thinks something might have happened to Belinda Winthrop.”
“As in what? Death?” Annabelle asked.
Linus palmed his football. “Who knows?” he said. “Caroline says nobody can find her.”
Lights Out Tonight Page 10
