Page 27 of Evidence of a Folktale

“Unfortunately, we believe Miss Rossa’s death wasn’t an accident,” Griffin said, switching gears. “We don’t know if this attack was personal or a crime of opportunity, but it would be wise to halt shooting and postpone all fan events until the killer is in custody.”

“I appreciate your concern, but we can’t do that,” Alistair Rot said. Unlike his fellow producer, Rot was almost callously uninterested in the murder. It bothered Bel that this man cared so little that a woman he worked with had been gutted like an animal, but maybe that’s what happened when fame demanded you keep the proverbial wheel churning. Shows often employed multiple directors and producers, but the three present were Aesop’s Files most prolific. Perhaps being at the top for so long destroyed one’s ability to love anything other than success.

“We’re on a tight schedule,” Alistair continued. “Aesop’s Files is expensive to film with an obsessive fan base that spans multiple countries. Tickets to our events have been sold out for months, and we cannot afford any delays.”

“A woman is dead.” Griffin leaned his elbow onto the table for effect, and Bel had to stifle a smile. He wasn’t going to let these three off the hook so easily. “She was chased naked and alone through the snow, and she died violently. I respect you have a job to do, but a woman lost her life. We don’t know if the killer was targeting Miss Rossa or the show, so until we find the responsible party, I strongly urge you to reconsider. The safety of your cast and crew and your fans should be our priority.”

“Sheriff, our writer was murdered in your town, not on our sets or even in our lodgings.” Alistair leaned forward to mimic Griffin’s pose, a silent battle for dominance waging between the men, and the unspoken standoff clearly illustrated why Griffin wished Eamon was an officer. One glare from him, and this obstinate trio would cave.

“In fact,her death occurred on private property, if I’m not mistaken,” Rot continued, and Bel flinched. Were they planning to pin this on Eamon? “Miss Rossa’s murder had nothing to do with Aesop’s Files, therefore we have no reason to shut down production. We’llcertainlydedicate these last episodes to her, but we aren’t responsible for what our crew does after hours when not on set. Her unfortunate demise in your woods is not a reason for us to ruin our entire season.”

Bel bristled, fighting the urge to reach across the table and slap the producer, and she could practically feel Griffin’s body temperature rise beside her. She forced her gaze to remain forward, though, because if she saw her anger reflected in her boss’ eyes, they’d both say something that would land them in trouble.

“Did Miss Rossa have any enemies? Someone who’d want to hurt her?” she asked, changing the subject.

“Enemies?” Evelyn repeated. “I can’t speak to her personal life, but we were unaware ofanyprofessional grievances.”

“What about obsessed fans?” Bel pushed.

“We all have those,” Warren said, finally breaking his sullen silence. “It’s part of the business. Most of the time, it’s flattering or funny, sometimes it’s annoying, and occasionallyit’sdangerous, but it comes with the territory.”

“Did Gwen have any that were dangerous?”

“I don’t think so,” the director said.

“So, no dangerously obsessed fans? Was she dating anyone? Did a fan find out and seek revenge because he couldn’t have her?” Bel asked. She was well acquainted with how possible that scenario was. She’d lived it.

“I don’t know if she was dating,” Warren said. “She was married to the show. We all are.”

“Is there someone I could talk to about fan communications?” she pressed. “Maybe there’s a letter or an email that’ll point us in the right direction?”

“Well…” Alistair Rot glanced at Warren, and Bel couldn’t tell if the wordless conversation between the producer and director was wariness or a conspiracy to lie. “One fan stands out. He’s extremely… passionate when the show doesn’t adhere to the storylines that he believes it should. He sends the writers essays on the issuesalong withscripts that rewrite his problematic episodes. It’s been a thorn in our side for months. I don’t know his name, but Gwen’s writing assistant has access to her email. We can get it from her.”

“Please do,” Bel said, thankful they were finally getting somewhere.

“Ifthere’snothing else, we need to get back to work.” Evelyn stood with an air of finality. “We have to meet with the writers to discuss how to move forward with the season in Miss Rossa’s absence, and we’ve now lost an entire afternoon of filming that’ll need to be rescheduled. Wealso need tocontact our lawyers to help us navigate her loss and contract.”

“Thank you for coming.” Griffin stood and shook their hands, Bel following suit even though neither gesture of appreciation was sincere.

“Thank you, Sheriff. Detective.” Evelyn Pierce nodded her goodbye and exited the conference room, Alistair Rot and Warren Rouge in tow, and when they vanished from sight, Griffin collapsed back into his seat.

“And just like that, I am no longer star-struck,” he said. “Gwen Rossa was ripped apart and left to freeze, and those three acted like they were seconds away from billing us for the inconvenience… as much grief as I give your Mr. Stone, I will say this about him. He’s god-awful rich, terrifying, aggressive, and stubborn, but he would never dismiss such a brutal attack as if it were no more important than a weather report.”

“Don’t let him hear you talk like that,” Bel smirked. “He’ll think you love him.”

“Oh shush.” He rolled his eyes in mock offense. “Now, for the worst part of our job. I have to deliver the death notice to the family. Keep an eye out for that email from Miss Rossa’s assistant, and if you don’t get it soon, let me know. After this meeting, I’m in the mood to nag those three.”

“Griffin?”Bel knocked on his office door an hour later. “Gwen Rossa’s assistant emailed me the obsessed fan’s name, and guess what?”

“He’s in town for the events?”

“Ding, ding, ding.” Bel strode to his deck and perched on the corner as she spoke. “She also sent over copies of his letters and rewrites, and saying he was upset about the show’s trajectory is putting it lightly. Tony Royce ispassionatelyangry about Willow Moon’s departure from the show.”

“Who?” Griffin asked.

“Beau Draven’s original costar,” Bel answered. “She played his detective’s partner and future love interest in the first few seasons, but she left and was replaced with Taron Monroe. Most fans prefer Monroe’s character. Reviews say she has more chemistry with Draven, but Mr. Royce isapparentlya huge Willow Moon fan. He blames Gwen Rossa for her departure from Aesop’s Files. He believes she purposely wrote her out of the show,thereforeruining it.”

“Did she write Miss Moon out of the show?”

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