Page 73 of Murder By Misdirection

“Yeah, sad to hear about Mike. He was a good guy,” Shaut surmised. “Sam Lovell must be pretty upset. I’m surprised he’s still going on tonight.”

“Why, were they friends?” Chu asked.

“Last I knew they were an item, bumping uglies as they say.” Malcolm chortled. “Of course, that’s what the rumors were.”

“And Lovell is performing tonight?” Pro asked.

“Yes, and Adrianna Gray as well. It’s gonna be a hell of a show.” He pointed at a building as they approached. “And there is the theater right ahead!”

Chu pulled the car over directly in front of the theater and into a spot which bore a sign that read “No Parking Zone.” Shaut got out of his side of the car with his briefcase and looked up at the lit marquee that read “A Night Of Wonder” in bold letters. Chu opened the back door and Pro and Williams stepped out, then he opened the trunk and Williams got the garment bags and suitcase.

“Tom, I’ll stay with our witness,” Pro stated. “You park the car.”

Chu gave a nod and got back in the car and drove away.

“So, I’m a witness now?” Shaut chortled.

“Yes, sir, that is why we can offer police protection,” Pro explained. “Shall we go inside?”

The trio moved around the corner from the front of the theater to a metal door that Williams banged on with the flat of his hand. There was a click and the door came open. There stood a young woman with dark-brown hair, in jeans and a work shirt, with a headset around her neck.

They were at a side door, just in the front of the first row of audience seats, and the stage rose up to their left with a set of stairs.

“Good to see ya, boss,” the woman said, and checked her watch. “Whoa, 6:30? Is it a holiday or sumptin’?”

“Relax, Selly. I get here early

sometimes,” Shaut boomed in his loud voice. “This is Detective Thompson. She’s my police escort.”

“An’ a not too shabby one at that,” the woman said with a smirk. “I’m Selena, but everyone calls me Selly. I’m the stage manager.”

Pro reached out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Selly gave her a firm shake. “Nice arms. You must hit the gym a lot.”

“I try,” Pro said modestly. “You run the show?”

“As best as I can.” Selly turned back to Shaut. “Everything the same as usual? Do you need to change music or anything?”

“Same as always, Selly.”

“Good, I like it when things are easy. So, you want the roll call?”

“I’ll be the one for that, Selly,” Williams said, getting between the diminutive crew member and his boss. “Mister Shaut, you should start getting ready.”

He handed Shaut one of the garment bags, and Shaut draped it over the arm that held his briefcase.

“Of course, Brent. Thank you, Selly, and I brought checks.”

“Make sure you sign ‘em this week, okay? I didn’t like to have to drag you down here two weeks ago when you forgot.”

“Already done, Selly,” Shaut went on dismissively, and walked up onto the stage with Pro right behind him as Selly and Brent conferred on the acts for the evening’s performance.

Shaut and Pro walked toward a large curtain that had a lit-up box hanging down on wires from the curtain rod with the emblazoned logo for “A Night of Wonder” in fanciful letters. They walked into the wings, down a flight of stairs, and into a door marked “Dressing Room One.”

“One of the advantages of being the producer,” Shaut bragged, “I get the closest dressing room.”

“Nice,” Pro said, trying to be upbeat. The room wasn’t very large and had peeling paint on the ceiling. There were several makeup mirrors with lights around them, but half of the bulbs were out. Above the mirrors were a series of shelves going up fairly high with props, discarded wigs, and items leftover from what appeared to be the last hundred shows that were ever done in this theater.

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