Page 7 of Silent Home

"Ten years," he said, handing Finn a cup of espresso."Ten years we've built this festival from nothing, and now..."He sank into his chair, suddenly looking older."Jessica was more than just staff.She was part of our little family here."

"Tell us about her," Finn said, leaning against a filing cabinet."Everything you know."

Rider removed his glasses, cleaning them with his handkerchief."She started working concessions last year.But she was an actress at heart—always practicing lines between customers, discussing technique with the directors who came through.She had such drive, such passion."

"Any conflicts with other staff members?"Sheila asked."Or maybe rejection from a particular director?"

"No, nothing like that.Jessica was universally liked.Though..."He hesitated.

"Though what?"

"There was some tension with another local actress.Mara Winters.They were friends, originally—used to practice scenes together, go to the same auditions.But lately..."He spread his hands."You know how competitive the acting world can be."

Sheila shared a look with Finn."What changed between them?"

"Bradley Greenwald happened."Rider put his glasses back on, blinking as his eyes readjusted."He's premiering his new documentary tonight—' Echoes of Silence.'It's already generating Oscar buzz.Anyway, he took an interest in Jessica, said he might have a role for her in his next project.Mara...didn't take it well."

"Where can we find Mara?"

"She works at the Owl Street Coffee House, just down the block.At least, she did last week.These young actors, they tend to move between jobs as auditions and roles come up."

Finn set down his empty cup."About theater security—are there cameras?"

Rider shook his head."The main lobby, yes, and the exterior doors.But not in the individual theaters.Budget constraints, plus some directors were concerned about their unreleased films being recorded, even by security cameras.Paranoid, if you ask me, but..."He shrugged."In this business, you learn to accommodate artistic sensitivities."

"Who has keys to Theater Seven?"Sheila asked.

"Myself, Chad, the maintenance staff—three people there.The property management company has a master key.And, of course, the original construction crew had access, though that was years ago."He began rifling through his desk drawers."I have a staff list here somewhere..."

"What can you tell us about the festival itself?"Sheila asked, watching him search."How has it changed over the years?"

Rider's face lit up slightly, despite the circumstances."We started small—just local filmmakers, showing their work in this one theater.But it grew.Every year, more submissions, bigger names.This year we have over two hundred films, forty-eight premiere screenings."Pride crept into his voice."We're not Sundance, but we're getting there.Distributors come here now, looking for new talent.Careers are launched here."

"Including Bradley Greenwald's?"Finn asked.

"Yes, actually.His first documentary premiered here five years ago—won our grand jury prize.Now he's back as a special guest, full circle."Rider found the staff list and handed it to Sheila."Everyone's contact information should be current.We update it weekly during the festival."

Sheila scanned the names."Tell me about your maintenance staff."

For the next twenty minutes, Rider detailed his employees' backgrounds, their roles, their typical schedules.He was thorough, almost obsessively so, but Sheila sensed it was more about maintaining control than actual suspicion of his staff.

"One last thing," she said as they prepared to leave."The dress Jessica was wearing—do you recognize it?"

"No, but it looks like something from our costume department."

"Costume department?"Finn asked."I thought this was about showing movies, not shooting them."

"It's a mix of the two," Rider said, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses."We're a production hub as well as a theater.Independent films shoot here year-round—the vintage architecture makes great period backgrounds, and we've got all the technical facilities they need.Plus, during the festival, we host premieres, cast Q&As, special events.Having a costume department lets us support both the productions and the festival activities."

He dabbed at his forehead with his handkerchief."Charlotte runs that department—she'll know for sure about the dress."

"We'll need to speak with her," Finn said."And Chad, when he's ready."

"Of course.Anything you need."Rider stood, straightening his sweater."Sheriff Stone...I know you mentioned a shutdown, but the festival is scheduled to run for three more days.Hundreds of people have traveled here, filmmakers have invested everything in their premieres..."

"And I'm sure they'll be grateful to still be alive when this is all over," Sheila said."I want the festival shut down.Period.And Theater Seven stays sealed—it's an active crime scene."

"Of course," Rider said, looking crestfallen."But it'll take time to get the word out, start canceling events, all of that.If we start a panic, we could make things even worse."

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