eb93c43e214c621f9157c05b4b6a6878

“Yeah. Well, I will be eventually. At first they don’t like me very much. Or at least Amalia doesn’t like my character very much. But over time she accepts me and I become a part of their inner circle, so to speak.”

“The fourth woman.”

“Not exactly. My pronouns are they/them.”

“Oh, so… you’re…”

“Non-binary, yes.” She grinned. “And black. I’m bringing some diversity to the show.”

“Okay,” said Odelia, nodding. “And… how are the others taking it, if I may ask?”

Sukey smiled.“You’re sure you’re not a reporter?”

“No, I mean, yes, I am a reporter, but I’m not working as a reporter right now but as an investigator. So anything you tell me stays between us.”

“Okay…” She hesitated, as she glanced at a crew member who was using a hose to wash down the street. “I have to admit it wasn’t easy at first. I mean, these three women, they’ve been friends for so long, and here I am, an absolute newcomer. I was afraid they wouldn’t accept me, you know. Look at me like I’m some weirdo, or simply cut me out of their clique. But it’s been surprisingly mellow, actually. They’ve been nothing but kind, especially Amalia, but in fact all three of them, and the rest of the team: from Oscar on down. Everybody, really.”

“I noticed they refer to you as ‘she,’ though.”

“Yeah, it takes some getting used to, I guess.”

“Did you know that Astra was going to be at the hotel at the same time as you guys?”

“No, I didn’t. And if I’d known, I would have been happy to meet her, of course. Though I have to admit I probably would have felt slightly intimidated, too.”

“You didn’t think she was in town to negotiate a return toHearts& Roses?”

“A return? No, like I said, I didn’t even know she was in Paris—much less at the Fritz-Parlton.”

“So you didn’t feel threatened that she might get back on the show…”

“And take my part? No, of course not. Like I said, I had no idea she was even here.”

We studied her closely, looking for signs of deception, but I couldn’t find any. Though I should probably say we were studying them, not her.

“I mean, I know what you must be thinking,” Sukey continued. “That I heard about Astra stepping into her old role again, and that the moment she did, I’d get kicked off the show. And that I killed her because of it? To protect my career or something?” She looked incredulous as she said it. “But I can promise you that wasn’t the case. Absolutely not. Okay, so if she was planning a comeback, I would have been pleased—first and foremost as a fan, you know. And secondly, my part was completely different. So I don’t think Oscar would have cut me from the show.”

“But you can’t be sure about that. After all, you said it yourself, Astra was the main star.”

“Yes, but the last time the show aired was years ago. Times have changed. And Oscar told me I’m part of a push to adapt the show to the times. It’s why he hired me in the first place.”

“Okay, so what about the others? I always heard they didn’t exactly get along, Astra and her costars.”

“I don’t know about that,” said Sukey, a little evasively. “I think those are mainly rumors spread by the press to drum up sales for their magazines. Whenever I talk to Amalia or Natalie or Penney about Astra they’ve got nothing but good things to say about her. Wonderful memories to share about their time together.” They smiled. “And I have to say, I love to hear those stories. Like I said, fan first and foremost. Which is why I’m pinching myself every day for being a part of the show.”

“So no acrimony? No bad feelings?”

“No, nothing at all. I mean, all three of them are UNICEF ambassadors, you know. They’re amazing ladies—absolutely amazing, and I admire them just so much.”

“Okay,” said Odelia. “So I’ve got one more question for you, Sukey.”

“I think I know what’s coming,” said Sukey with an infectious grin. “Where was I at the time of Astra’s murder, right? I know the drill. I was a regular on a crime show for three years. I played a detective. So I was in my room, rehearsing my lines, deathly afraid to screw up in front of the others.”

“Can anyone—”

“Vouch for me? No, I’m afraid not. Though I did order room service, so I guess at least that proves I was in my room some of the time. But no, I don’t have a partner at the moment. So I guess you’ll just have to believe me, Mrs. Kingsley.”

Just at that moment, the same traffic warden who’d been trying to serve Amalia with a traffic ticket had returned. He’d ridden his bicycle down the street and was looking left and right for the leading lady.

“Who are you looking for?” Sukey asked.

“Miss Amalia Pulpweed,” said the young warden with the carrot-colored hair. He waved a piece of paper. “I have a parking ticket for her.”

“Just give it to me,” said Sukey. “I’ll pass it on.”

The young man hesitated, but then seemed to understand the wisdom of Sukey’s suggestion and passed her the note. “Thank you so much, Miss…

“It’s Sukey Gumieniak, and I’m not a miss, actually,” they said.