Page 38 of Silent Home

"Look at this," she said to Finn, who was reviewing security footage nearby."Blackwood was part of both casting decisions—choosing Claire Montgomery over Jessica Gregory and Jessica Kent over Sarah Martinez."

"What about choosing Micah Weller over Thomas Rivera?"Finn asked.

Sheila shook her head."There's no record of it here.That doesn't mean he couldn't have been involved in a smaller capacity, though."

Finn leaned over to study the documents."Looks like he pushed back when directors wanted to cast our victims.There's a whole email chain here about 'marketable talent' versus 'raw potential.'"

"Someone who might have resented seeing talented actors passed over for commercial reasons."Sheila stood, gathering the papers."Let's find him."

Finn was already on his phone."Dispatch?I need flight information for Mitchell Blackwood...yeah, all departures to Los Angeles today."He listened for a moment."Got it.Thanks."He looked up at Sheila."His 9 AM flight got grounded for mechanical issues.The next available seat isn't until tomorrow morning."

"So he's still in town.Where?"

"My guess?The Mountain View Hotel is the most likely option.Not far from the airport, has a few penthouse suites for the rich and famous.Just the kind of place for an executive producer."

"Let's give them a call, then."

Finn was already looking up the number.He found it and dialed.

"Hi, this is Deputy Mercer with CCSD...yes, can you tell me if Mitchell Blackwood is staying at your hotel?"A pause."Yes, very important, I assure you.No, I'm sure he'd have no problem with you sharing that information—we just need to speak with him."

Another pause, then Finn's voice brightened."Oh, he is?Well, thank you so much.We'll be there shortly."

He hung up and turned to Sheila."Looks like we're in luck."

***

They found Mitchell Blackwood at the Mountain View Hotel bar, nursing what looked like his third scotch of the morning.He was still wearing his festival lanyard.

Blackwood looked exactly like what Sheila expected of an independent film producer—expensive casual wear, carefully maintained salt-and-pepper hair, the kind of tan you got from meetings on rooftop patios.He studied them over his scotch.

"Mr.Blackwood," Sheila said, sliding onto the barstool next to him.Her body ached from lack of sleep, and the bar's attempt at mood lighting wasn't helping her growing headache."I'm Sheriff Stone, and this is Deputy Mercer.We were hoping for a few minutes of your time."

"This is about the festival murders, isn't it?"he asked without looking at her.

"That's right," Finn said as he sat on the opposite side of Blackwood, effectively bracketing him."We understand you were involved in casting both 'The Winter Palace' and 'Southwestern Gothic.'"

"Among others."Blackwood swirled his scotch."Look, I've already heard about Sarah Martinez.Terrible thing.But I don't see how I can help."

"You were part of the decision to cast Claire Montgomery over Jessica Gregory in 'The Winter Palace,'" Sheila said."And Jessica Kent over Sarah Martinez in 'Southwestern Gothic.'"

"That's what producers do.We make decisions."He took a sip of scotch."Sometimes difficult ones."

"Tell us about those decisions," Finn prompted.

Blackwood sighed heavily."What's to tell?Claire Montgomery had festival buzz, awards recognition.Jessica Kent had family connections in distribution.In this business, talent isn't everything.You need marketable names, people who can help get the film seen."

Sheila noticed how he avoided eye contact when discussing the casting choices."And Jessica Gregory?Sarah Martinez?What did they have?"

"Raw talent."Blackwood's voice softened slightly."Gregory brought something special to that role—this vulnerability mixed with strength.And Martinez...hell, she understood Elena better than the writers did."He knocked back the rest of his scotch."But potential doesn't pay the bills.This isn't about art, it's about investment returns."

"Did anyone strongly disagree with these decisions?"Finn asked."Anyone involved in production who argued for Gregory or Martinez?"

Blackwood's hand tightened on his empty glass."There's always disagreement in creative decisions.That's the nature of—"

"Names," Sheila interrupted.Her patience, worn thin by exhaustion and guilt, was rapidly fraying."We need specific names."

"Look," Blackwood said, "I can't just—"

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