Page 48 of Scripted for Love and Poison
“Why don’t you tell us what you remember from that night,” Divya started, and Luke saw that his partner’s easy manners put Travis at ease.
“A very boring, very long show,” Travis said. “Every year we complain that awards ceremonies are tedious, and every year we keep producing the same overinflated show. Fortunately, I wasn’t reviewing the ceremony because I would have given it two out of five stars.”
As Luke had taken out his notebook to start jotting things down, he thought it looked likeallentertainment journalists tended to live in their heads and pretend the world of Hollywood was of the utmost importance to everyone—not just Sol.
“Did you eat or drink anything while you were at the show?” Divya asked.
“Lots and lots of bottled water, but no booze for me. I had an early spin class the following morning and wantedto be fresh for that. Been trying to lose a couple of pounds,” Travis said, patting his waist. “Who knew what I needed wasn’t a membership to SoulCycle and an iron will to achieve that but to be poisoned!”
Travis laughed nervously, and Luke decided to let Divya continue with the questions. He didn’t want to add to the journalist’s discomfort.
“Was that why you barely touched the food on your plate?” Divya asked.
“Yes, that, and I have a severe nut allergy. Not your typical Californian being picky with their food just to be difficult. But anactualallergy. My eyes get watery and itchy, my lips get puffy ... I’d been reassured my food was carefully prepared and hadn’t been in contact with any nuts. After two hours of the ceremony, I felt hungry and nibbled on some hummus and grapes,” explained Travis. “Of course, I didn’t have to worry about nuts, but cyanide!”
“And you didn’t notice anyone approaching the table and adding some stuff in your food before you ate it?”
“I’d have noticed if someone did,” Travis said with a reassurance that Luke couldn’t help but question. In the chaos of a packed, hectic event like the awards show, it was easy to miss many things—even someone, stranger or not, slipping a few drops of poison into your food.
“Did you see anyone who may have been suspicious or out of place?” Divya asked.
“Everyone was either in black-tie and one of the guests or strictly dressed in black and working. But anyone dressed the right way could have easily sneaked in, I think,” Travis said.
“I thought the security was a bit lax,” Luke contributed, nodding in agreement with Travis. “Can I ask you about Victor Lago? He was seated at our table.”
“He was, but I didn’t see him anywhere next to my plate with nefarious intentions, if that’s what you’re asking.” Travis laughed nervously again.
“And you have a good relationship with him? Never reviewed one of his projects negatively?”
“I doubt he even knows who I am, as I’m a lowly television critic and he’s been very vocal about the superiority of cinema,” Travis said, a bit dismissive.
“Doesn’t Abbie Domingo work on TV?” asked Divya, confused.
“As if that would stop him from being a total snob. But I hear Abbie has finally kicked his ass to the curve and moved on. She deserves much better,” Travis said.
“She does,” Divya and Luke agreed in unison.
“I think Sol told me your review ofSlowing Downwas quite positive, but have you ever reviewed one of Abbie’s other shows negatively?”
“Not that I can recall ... She’s one of my favorite showrunners. Why do you ask?”
“We believe you weren’t the intended victim for the poisoning but are trying to tie all the loose ends,” explained Luke.
“They didn’t try to killme?” said Travis. He stopped his teacup midair to his lips and spilled its contents all over his gown. He didn’t seem to care—even if Travis Wise didn’t look like a man who walked around with stains all over his clothes.
“We’re quite certain you got handed the poisoned food by mistake, and someone else was the target,” said Divya.
“You may think I’m crazy and completely selfish, but that would be such a relief!” said Travis, visibly shaken. He left the teacup on top of his coffee table, stood from the sofa where all of them had been seated, and started pacing upand down his living room. “I think I need a drink, and to hell with the fucking diet! Anyone else feel like a bourbon?”
Both Divya and Luke politely declined as Travis poured himself a generous shot.
“Here’s to not being wanted dead,” Travis said, and he downed the liquor in one swallow, then served himself a second glass. “Who was the poisoner trying to get, then?”
“Jason Zit,” answered Luke.
Travis immediately drank the second shot when he heard that name, and he ended up coughing nervously.
“They really got him the second time. I read the article in theLA Gazetteabout his death. The police don’t think it was an accident, right?” Travis said.
