Lights Out Tonight (15 page)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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? Is 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.”

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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.