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Andy snorted and looked sideways at me. “Just to be certain: you didn’t do it, right?”
I moved my finger over my chest. “Cross my heart and hope to die. Tatiana is awfully annoying. Maybe she made some enemies along the way? Some old actress she beat out for the role?”
“This is her first real role, though,” Andy replied. “She hasn’t been around long enough to develop rivals.”
“Ah, right.”
“Something occurred to me today,” Andy said slowly. “Just a theory, but… Well, maybe it shouldn’t.”
I stared at him as we walked. “Oh, come on. You can’t tease me like that.”
“It’s just that…” Andy looked conflicted. “There’s someone I’m certain would benefit from Tatiana being out of the picture. Someone she’s holding back. Someone with an unfair amount of stress related to The Proposition.”
It took me a few heartbeats to realize who he meant. “No way.”
“Director Atkins has a lot of pressure on him,” Andy said quietly. “His career desperately needs this show to be a success, and Tatiana as the lead is hamstringing the entire thing.”
I shook my head. “But the only reason Vandercant is producing the show is to give her a lead role! If Tatiana gets injured, he would pull funding.”
“Would he, though?” Andy asked. A thoughtful expression was painted on his handsome face. “Everything is reasonably far along. It’s a sunk cost.”
“Maybe,” I allowed. “But it still seems unlikely.”
Andy let out a long sigh that deflated him completely. “Ultimately, I agree. I don’t think Atkins is the kind of person to intentionally harm one of his actors, even one as annoying at Tatiana. It’s just a theory I thought about after seeing him in his office today. I was surprised he didn’t fire Ryan, and that led me down a trail of conspiracy theories.”
“Let’s put a pin in it and come back if any more evidence surfaces,” I said. “Any other theories?”
“Not really. You?”
“I haven’t given it much thought,” I replied. “I’ve been trying not to think about how a huge spotlight almost killed someone.”
“Ahh, sorry. We don’t have to—”
“No, don’t apologize,” I said, wrapping my arm around his as we walked. He felt solid and warm. “I’m enjoying talking it out. Is there anyone else who would want the show to fail? Or the theater itself?”
Andy shook his head. “I doubt any of the neighboring theaters feel threatened. Besides, Vandercant has a lot of power. Trying to sabotage one of his businesses would be a mistake.”
“Huh.”
“What is it?” he asked.
My mind raced, but was slowed by the four beers I’d had. “Maybe we’re looking at this the wrong way. What if it’s someone targeting Vandercant specifically? He might have an enemy. Or a nemesis. Billionaires always have arch rivals, right?”
“Maybe,” Andy said doubtfully. “It’s kind of a dumb target, though. Vandercant owns dozens of successful bars and restaurants in Manhattan. There’s no point in sabotaging one of his few unsuccessful ventures.”
“It could be pettiness,” I brainstormed. “Or maybe it’s because of Tatiana. Damaging her career is the best way to hurt Vandercant. Making it personal.”
“Well,” Andy laughed, “they’re potentially damaging a lot more than her career. She could have died.”
“Don’t remind me.” I sighed. “So we essentially know nothing. That’s not comforting.”
“I’m certain of one thing,” Andy said.
“Yeah?”
“It’s definitely not a phantom, or ghosts, or any other nonsense.”
I made my face into a mask of skepticism. “You can’t be certain of that, Andy. Have you even checked for electromagnetic disturbances? Or ectoplasmic frequencies? Ryan made some compelling arguments the other day…”
