31906844db5c02010017a90f3f2ca805

Don gave her another one of his trademark smirks.“Very perceptive of you, my dear. Your reputation as Hampton Cove’s premier sleuth precedes you. Yes, I do think he had something to do with Dany’s murder and that’s what I told that police detective of yours. Unfortunately he didn’t seem to like the aspersions I cast upon divine Wolf’scharacter.”

“But why would he jeopardize his own production? Dany’s death might have caused this whole thing to collapse, and then, as you said, he would have destroyed his own company.”

“Oh, Odelia, Odelia,” he said, shaking his head as if addressing a wayward child. “Don’t you see? Dear Dany was blackmailing Wolf. The two of them were engaged in a torrid affair, behind Wolf’s long-suffering wife’s back, of course. If Wolf ended the affair, Dany threatened to spill thegoods—talk to the enemy of every creative person in the world: the tabloids. And New York’s tabloids can be notoriously vicious when they smell blood in the water. Already they were circling, and Dany’s stories, whatever they were, could have seriously tarnished his reputation.”

And with these ominous words, he left her to wonder about that message.‘Hurry up, Wolfy. I’m naked and ready.’ It didn’t sound like the message from a girl threatening blackmail.

Chapter 17

Conway Kemp was refilling his glass at the drinks table. Judging from the misty look in his eyes, it wasn’t his first. Or his fifth. Odelia had seen him imbibe drink before, though, and therefore knew he could hold his liquor well.

“Hey, Con,” she said, remembering their first meeting with fondness. In spite of Wolf’s statement that he always hired the core crew himself, leaving only the bit players and the technical staff to Con’s eagle-eyed judgment, he’d actually been the one to tap her for this role. She’d never had acting ambitions before, being content to be a small-town reporter and occasional sleuthhound, so when Con walked up to her three weeks ago in the local deli and asked her if she had any acting experience, she’d been highly surprised to say the least. Her answer had been a big laugh, which told him everything he needed to know.

“I’ve read your articles,” he’d said, “and I’ve watched your YouTube channel. And I know this may come as a surprise to you, but have you ever considered acting?”

“Never,” had been her instant reply, followed by more laughter. Simply the idea of being an actress sounded ridiculous to her, and that’s what she’d told Con.

A classically handsome man in his early forties, Conway Kemp had clearly been around the block a few times. Later she’d discovered, over a cup of coffee at Cup o’ Mika, that he was an ex-marine, and that he’d only stumbled into the theater business by accident. His captain in the marines was Wolf Langdon’s father, and he’d asked Con to keep an eye on Wolf when he first decided to enter the theater business as a young man. Con had quickly become responsible for Wolf’s security, not a luxury as Wolf had initially made a name for himself setting up street theater productions in some of New York’s roughest neighborhoods. Con had been his security detail, creative sounding board and assistant all rolled into one. Once Wolf had accepted an offer to direct his first Broadway play, Con figured his role was finished. Broadway might be tough to launch a career, but it was hardly the kind of place where you could get a knife planted in your back if you upset the wrong people.

But Wolf had made Con an offer he couldn’t refuse: set up a production company together, financed by the woman Wolf would go on to marry, and after some hesitation Con had agreed. They’d quickly settled into their respective roles: Con took care of the business side, with Wolf handling the creative stuff. But part of Con’s duties was also scouting new young talent to put in minor roles. This entailed trolling YouTube for fresh faces. Like Odelia.

“Hey, Odelia,” he said now, slurring his words only a tiny bit.

“I can’t imagine how tough this must be on you,” she said. Con had been the one to recruit Dany, after all.

He nodded.“Yeah, it’s the first time since I entered civilian life that I’ve lost a member of my team. Like you said, it’s tough.” He shook his head. “She was so young and full of life. A rising star. I’d already offered her a part in Wolf’s next Broadway gig. She was going places, that kid.”

“Do you have any clue who might have done this to her?”

“Not a one. I’ve been wracking my brain. Why kill the loveliest, most innocent and sweetest soul on the planet? I mean, if you’re going to kill someone, why not kill that guy?”

Odelia followed his gesture, and saw he was directing a scathing look at Don Stryker. To be honest, she harbored some harsh thoughts about the man herself, but murder?

“I don’t think we should say such things,” she said therefore.

“No, of course,” he said. “I’m sorry. It’s just that… Of all people—why Dany?”