an understudy?” I asked.
He shook his head. “It wasn’t a major role. We have a couple people in mind who could fill in but we have to see if they can match up their availability to our travel schedule. We were due to start touring in two weeks.”
“What happens if no one can cover?” I asked. “Do you have to cancel?”
“No. We can’t do that or we risk never getting to book those venues again. If the guys we have in mind can’t cover, then we will rewrite the role to make the character a woman. That way, our director can fill in.”
“It’s good that you have options,” I said.
I heard women’s voices carrying down the hallway and stopped talking so that I could listen in.
“Are we going to use the Driscoll emeralds for the play? Since they haven’t been on display in years, I’m sure they’d generate a lot of buzz.”
“I’m not sure yet. I have to check with my insurance agent first. There was some concern.”
“We can hire some off-duty policemen for extra security. It’s not too expensive. I think the door take will be a lot higher if we can have them part of the show. And you know Prescott being a former jeweler absolutely loves when he can get close to fine pieces with historical significance. He’ll advertise to everyone he knows.”
“As I said, I have to clear it with my insurance agent, but I’ll find out.”
We stepped into an auditorium and three women on the stage stared down at me, clearly curious.
First woman fortyish. Five foot seven. One hundred thirty pounds. One of those thin bodies with very little muscle. It belonged on a runway or a stage. Zero threat as she probably couldn’t lift more than her purse or sprint more than five feet.
Second woman, midthirties. Five foot five. One hundred fifty pounds and not enough muscle. Didn’t exercise regularly and was either shy or guilty because she wouldn’t look me in the eye. No threat to anyone, ever.
Third woman, midsixties. Five foot six. One hundred ten pounds. An unhealthy state of thin, unlike the first woman who had the genetics to pull it off. Little muscle tone. Zero threat.
We went up a set of side steps onto the stage with the door and I helped Paul set it upright. The three women walked over and the model-looking one nodded as she inspected the door, looking pleased.
“This is perfect, Paul,” she said, and I recognized her voice as the owner of the emeralds that might or might not be on display. “Please give your neighbor my thanks again. I wish we had the budget to pay him something.”
“It’s no big deal,” Paul said. “He’s a contractor and this was just scraps he would have thrown away. He was happy to help.”
She looked over at me, Ida Belle, and Gertie and then back at Paul, obviously assuming we were with him and he needed to take care of introductions.
“Sorry,” he said, realizing his faux pas. “I met these ladies in the parking lot and they helped me with the door. I’ll let them explain why they’re here.”
I introduced myself, Ida Belle, and Gertie and gave them the same pitch that I’d given Paul. The younger woman kept biting her lip and her eyes started to mist up. The model frowned as I talked and nodded a lot. The older one shook her head the entire time, looking troubled. When I finished, the model sighed.
“I can’t imagine what that young man is going through,” she said. “My name is Brigette Driscoll. I run the theater and this is my assistant, Gwyn Simmons. Lil Davis is a volunteer who helps on set. We’re happy to assist any way we can, but I have to admit that I’m not sure how to.”
I studied her for a moment. She was all about being refined and reserved and it appeared that she belonged in a museum or a palace rather than on a stage. So I decided to see if I could shake her demeanor.
“Have you spoken to Detective Casey recently?” I asked.
“Not since the day after the…incident,” she said.
“Oh,” I said. “Then you haven’t heard.”
“Heard what?” she asked.
“They found Gil’s car in a bayou in Sinful,” I said. “Murder is now the primary crime. The stolen car was simply to hide the fact that killing him was intentional.”
Her eyes widened and the assistant, Gwyn, gasped. Lil went paler than she was before. Paul looked stunned.
“That can’t be,” he said.