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“She needs to grow into the role,” said Penney. “She doesn’t start as part of our group of friends. At first it even looks like we’re at cross purposes, but as time goes on we all become great, great friends and we embrace her quirky presence.”

“Quirky is the right word,” Natalie snorted. “Do you know what she told me yesterday? That she can’t go to sleep without smoking at least one joint, and sometimes two. Medicinal, she claims. For past trauma. Whatever that means.”

“Sukey has a troubled past,” said Amalia as she flicked an imaginary mote of dust from her dress.

She looked absolutely gorgeous, I have to say, as did her two costars. All three were dressed in what I assumed was the latesthaute couture. Amalia’s strapless dress was covered with fun figures and embroidered with sequins, silver pearls and Swarovski crystals. Natalie was wearing a puckered lace coat made from antique patchwork. And Penney wore a two-piece gown with a black silk top and taffeta skirt that looked like cashmere. All in all it must have cost a pretty penny.

“Now that we’re talking about Sukey’s essential quirkiness,” said Penney, leaning in and lowering her voice, “I think she wasn’t happy about Astra being in Paris.”

The others had also leaned in, and were eyeing Penney with distinct interest.

“She didn’t?” asked Amalia.

“No, she told me so herself. When she heard that Astra was staying at the Fritz-Parlton, she asked me if I thought Oscar had given her her old part back, and what it meant for Sukey.”

“God, what a nightmare. Imagine losing your part to your predecessor,” said Natalie.

“I assured her that there was simply no way Astra was coming back on the show. She would never, ever come back. But of course we all know how persuasive Oscar can be, so I don’t think it can be ruled out.”

“No way,” said Amalia. “You think?”

“Oscar and Astra did have a special relationship,” said Penney.

“Special relationship?” asked Odelia. “You mean they were having an affair?”

Penney looked disturbed. She probably had forgotten Odelia and Chase were even there.

“This was a long time ago,” said Amalia after a pause. “Like, years and years.”

“Yes, but Oscar has never concealed the fact that he still liked the woman,” said Natalie. “So it’s possible she was here because he invited her. And had offered her the part.”

“He wouldn’t have given her the part behind our back,” said Penney. “Would he?”

Natalie lifted a finely penciled eyebrow.“Wouldn’t he?” she said meaningfully.

“Oh, my,” said Penney. “So Sukey was right to fear for her job. If Astra had agreed to come back on the show, Oscar would have kicked her to the curb so fast she wouldn’t have known what hit her.”

“The door,” said Natalie laconically. “On her way out.”

“Five minutes, ladies!” suddenly a man holding a clipboard and one of those funny-looking headphones that fasten around one’s head announced.

“Okay, we need to wrap this up, Ophelia,” said Amalia, getting up. “Time to go to work.”

“One last question,” said Odelia. “Where were you when Astra died?”

“Are you kidding me?” asked Natalie. But when she saw the look on Odelia’s face, she added, “Apparently not.”

“I was giving myself the best present a woman can ask for,” said Amalia finely.

“A nip and tuck?” said Natalie.

“Nat!” said Amalia with mock indignation. “No, my beauty sleep, of course. Who needs a nip or a tuck when you get enough sleep?”

“Well, I do, for one,” said Natalie. “And at least I’m honest about it, unlike some of us.”

Amalia merely laughed, though a little sourly, I thought.

“I couldn’t sleep so I was Skyping with my husband,” said Natalie. “You can check with him if you want.”

“Now why would they want to do that?” said Amalia. “Ophelia isn’t with the police department. Isn’t that right?”

“No, I’m just helping out Barnabas Sheffield,” Odelia agreed. She turned to Penney, who seemed about the nicest of the three. “What about you, Penney?”

“I was meditating,” said Penney softly. “Keeping that positive energy flowing and getting in touch with my spirit guide. It’s how I prepare myself for a role.”

“Did he give you any acting advice?” asked Natalie. “Cause girl, you need it.”

“Yes, you have flubbed a line or two, too,” said Amalia.

“I have not!” said Penney.

“Yes, you have. Yesterday when I told you about your husband being gay, you said, ‘I knew that already.’”

“So? That’s what’s in the script.”

“No, it’s not. In the script it says, ‘I should have known that.’ Not quite the same, is it?”

“Listen to script girl here, woman,” said Natalie. “Script girl knows.”

And then they were off, the three of them, leaving us all reeling a little, I think, after having granted us this exclusive look into the world of acting royalty.

CHAPTER 29

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Chase had left for his conference and once more Odelia was on her own—though with the appreciated assistance of Max and Dooley. She decided first to call Agatha and tell her the good news about her son, since she had the feeling the woman was anxious about Tucker’s possible involvement in Astra’s death.