Love Sold Separately

by Ellen Meister

  “He had the opportunity,” Dana said.

  “Thieves can be very opportunistic,” Chelsea said, clearly excited by her own observation.

  “Thank you, Dr. Phil,” Dana said.

  “You know what I mean. Sometimes they don’t plan their thefts. They see an opportunity and, well...it’s like leaving a pile of Hershey’s Kisses in front of a five-year-old. They just can’t resist.”

  “Who are you calling a five-year-old?” Megan asked.

  Dana thought about the man on the subway—the one who spotted the girl’s wallet sticking out of her backpack—and agreed.

  “Dana,” Chelsea said, “what are you going to do?”

  Dana grunted. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think there’s only one thing I can do.” She stopped to take a big gulp of her drink. “I have to call Ari Marks.”

  34

  The first tech rehearsal for Mrs. Woodbridge was scheduled for Sunday, which meant Dana would be occupied for an entire day, running through all the technical details of the performance. It was a chance to find any mistakes that could screw up the show. Inevitably, someone threw a fit during these dry runs. Either the set designer thought the lighting ruined everything, the costumer was horrified by something that didn’t work from the back row, the sound effects were completely out of sync or the microphones decided to screech every time two of the actors approached one another. Tech rehearsals were almost always a clusterfuck that sent the cast and crew into a terrified panic that they would not be ready in time for the first performance, and this one was no exception.

  They stayed at the theater until 11:00 p.m., when everyone was so tired, dusty-throated and worn out they had no choice but to go home, and try to fix the problems the next day.

  Despite her anxiety about what she faced at work, Dana fell into a dead-black sleep. There was little in life more exhausting than the stress and tedium of tech rehearsals.

  She slept so late she was woken up by a text from Megan saying that she had called Sherry and demanded a meeting for that morning. Dana had an hour to grab a cup of coffee, shower and get to the studio. But she made it in time to meet up with Megan in the lobby before heading up to Sherry’s office.

  “What’s the game plan?” Dana asked.

  “I need to raise hell about your working conditions. The diamond watch thing was the last straw.”

  When they were alone in the elevator, Megan asked Dana what had happened with Marks.

  “I didn’t even call him yet,” Dana said.

  “Why not?”

  “Haven’t had a chance. I was sound asleep when you texted and I rushed over here.”

  “You could have left him a message over the weekend.”

  “Saturday I was hungover and Sunday I was in...” Dana caught herself. “Sunday I just needed to chill.”

  “Well, I’m putting the pressure on, Dana. The cops need to know about this. Frankly, I think Sherry should be told immediately. But I understand if you want to wait until you have more solid proof.”

  “I’d like to at least talk it through with Ari first to make sure I’m on solid ground with this. It’s a massive accusation. If I’m right—and I think I am—it will ruin Adam’s life. If I’m wrong, it will ruin mine.”

  Megan nodded and they continued on to Sherry’s office.

  “Adam’s already here,” Emily Lauren said when they arrived. “Go right in.”

  Adam? Dana hadn’t anticipated he would be in this meeting, though she supposed it made sense. She took a deep breath, understanding that she would need to fortify herself to face him.

  Dana stopped before going into Sherry’s office, and closed her eyes.

  “What are you doing?” Megan whispered.

  “Getting into character.”

  “What character?”

  “The character of Dana-before-she-knew-Adam-was-a-thief-who-was-probably-sabotaging-her-career.”

  “Cool,” Megan said. “I’m going to play a character too—pissed-off-manager-capable-of-tearing-off-someone’s-balls.”

  “Typecasting,” Dana said, and gave her friend’s arm a squeeze as they walked in.

  “Let me just say,” Sherry began when Dana and Megan took their seats, “that I understand your concern.”

  “I’m not sure you do,” Megan said. “Whatever the hell is going on here is unacceptable. It was supposed to stop, and it’s only escalating. I don’t know what’s next, but I can tell you that if anything happens to my client, I’m holding the company liable.”

  “Now let’s just take it easy,” Sherry said. She looked uncomfortable, and Dana suppressed a smile. She loved that Megan was able to put this imperious woman on the defensive.

  “I need to know what steps you’re taking to assure her safety,” Megan said.

  Sherry knitted her fingers. “I promise you, Adam has been over every detail.”

  Dana glanced over to check out Adam’s expression, which looked pained but sincere. She had to hand it to the guy—he didn’t break character.

  Megan gave an exasperated grunt. “That’s what he said before someone stole a diamond watch from the set and planted it in Dana’s purse.”

  Adam looked from Megan to Sherry to Dana. “I’m really sorry that happened,” he said.

  Dana studied him, trying to gauge his sincerity. He looked so tired it was hard to get a good read on him. Either he had been up with the baby again, or nervous guilt had been keeping him awake.

  “And don’t think you’re off the hook,” Megan said to him. “You tried to blame Dana for not guarding over them.”

  He put his hand to his heart. “I was in shock to find the watches missing. And I really thought Dana had been guarding them.”

  Dana clenched her teeth and fought the urge to bring a heel down on his foot.

  Megan wagged her finger at Sherry. “I want to know what measures you’re taking to protect my client.”

  “I promise I’m going to be even more vigilant,” Adam said.

  “Clearly, that’s not enough,” Megan added, more to Sherry than Adam.

  “Tell you what,” Sherry said. “Today, I’ll have someone from security on set. And I’ll be there, too.”

  “All week,” Megan said. “I want this kind of insurance all week.”

  “Okay,” Sherry agreed. “All week.”

  Dana swallowed hard. This was more than she had bargained for. She needed this to be an easy week at work so that she could slip out quickly to rehearsals. It was what theater people called “hell week”—the days leading up to the show. Tech rehearsals would continue late into the night for the next three days, followed by a dress rehearsal on Thursday. Friday was opening night. If Sherry demanded her attention after airtime on any of these nights, it would be a disaster.

  After thanking Megan and saying goodbye, Dana went to her dressing room. Ollie wasn’t in yet, so it was a good time to put in that call to Ari. But she hesitated. Her embarrassment felt like a muck she couldn’t wash off. Or rather, like a pain she deserved. She scrolled to his name and placed the call.

  It rang once, twice, three times. On the fourth ring it went to voice mail, and Dana wasn’t surprised. No one wants to talk to someone who sent them twenty-six unhinged text messages. She was about to hang up, but thought better of it.

  She took a deep breath and left a message.

  “Ari, it’s Dana. I don’t blame you for not wanting to talk to me, but this is related to Kitty’s murder. At least, I think it is. But first... I just want to apologize...for the crazy texts...for what you thought you saw between me and Lorenzo. I won’t even bother trying to explain that now, but...whatever. It doesn’t matter. The thing is, I think Adam Weintraub is the one who stole the diamond watches and Kitty’s bracelet. I think he’s also the one who’s been sabotaging my show. Can you call me? We don’t even h
ave to talk about the Lorenzo stuff. I just... I want to explain to you about Adam and get your take. It’s important. Okay. That’s it.”

  She hung up, stared at her phone and shook her head, doubting he would call back. She sounded like a crazy woman making up an excuse to talk to a guy she was obsessing over.

  When Ollie arrived, he was in a state. Apparently, news of the diamond watch theft had spread through the company, and there were all sorts of rumors about one of the watches being found in Dana’s purse.

  “I tell everyone this is not true, Dana! I tell them you are not a thief!”

  “You’re right, Ollie,” she said. “I’m not a thief. But someone did take those things, and put one of them in my purse to try to pin it on me.”

  Ollie gasped and his eyes began to water. “Oh, no, Dana! Oh, no!”

  “It’s okay,” she said. “I promise. I was with Mr. Beecham when he found it. He knows someone tried to frame me.”

  “Oh, Dana,” he said, grasping his chest. “My heart! I was so worried.”

  “Everything is going to be okay,” she said.

  “But who does such a thing to you? Do you know?”

  Dana hesitated. She didn’t want to tell him about Adam. She couldn’t risk it getting back to him before she went to the authorities. Besides, she didn’t think Ollie could handle the information without having a small stroke. He seemed so distraught.

  “I’m confident they’ll find out soon enough,” she said. “In the meantime, Sherry is going to be on set for my show to make sure nothing happens.”

  Her assurances couldn’t penetrate Ollie’s dark mood. “My fault,” he mumbled. “I should have protected you.”

  He looked so bereft that Dana suspected he wasn’t really talking about her, but about Kitty. She laid a gentle hand on his arm. “There was nothing you could have done.”

  Ollie seemed to disappear into his own sorrow for several long seconds, and Dana imagined that he was thinking about what he could have done differently to save Kitty. Or his mother or grandma.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  He looked as if he had forgotten where he was. Then he took a fortifying breath. “Miss Sherry is very smart and very strict. Nothing bad will happen if she is watching.”

  “Exactly,” Dana said, and hoped he was right.

  A few minutes later, Adam came to brief her on the upcoming show. Normally, she made Ollie find something else to do during these sessions, but she asked him to stick around. She thought it was best if she weren’t alone with Adam. This way, the conversation would stay focused and professional, and Adam wouldn’t pick up on her suspicions.

  While he spoke she heard her phone vibrate, and sneaked a look. It was from the Thirteenth Precinct. So Ari had called her back, after all. She felt a lightening in her chest as she let it go to voice mail. She would call him back as soon as she got a chance.

  When Adam left, Dana was eager to play back the message, but time was too tight. She had to go to hair, makeup and wardrobe and then hurry down to the set. Ari would have to wait. She told herself it was just as well. She didn’t want to look desperate or needy.

  Having Sherry on set was disconcerting, as she made everyone nervous. It was as if every member of the crew was suddenly rushing from one task to the next like they were putting out fires.

  Sherry stood in the middle of the floor, her arms folded like Mussolini, as she scrutinized the entire production.

  “Keller,” she yelled at one of the guys as she pointed at the floor. “What is this?” She sounded angry enough to side with the Axis powers in a major world war.

  He came rushing over to see what she was pointing at. “Um...it’s a cable. Taped down so no one bothers it.”

  “What the hell kind of tape is that?”

  Keller shrugged. “It’s what we use.”

  “It’s what we use?” she repeated, as if it were the most offensive answer he could have given. “It stuck to my shoe and I almost tripped.”

  “I’ll...I’ll fix it right away,” he said, his face pale.

  Lorenzo approached Dana and clipped on her mike. “Fun. Is she going to stay for the whole show?” he whispered.

  “The whole week.”

  He crossed himself. “At least you’ll be safe. Wish I could say the same for the rest of us.”

  It was handbag week again, and Dana was grateful. They were just so damned easy to sell. As long as the color charts were there, she could talk and talk and talk and talk about the various features. In fact, by the time the selections ran out, there was usually a lot more she had to say. So despite Sherry’s presence, she was focused and on point, and the hours went quickly by.

  When the show ended, Adam gave Dana the cue to introduce Vanessa, which she did with her biggest smile. Then she unclipped her mike and tried to avoid eye contact with Sherry and Adam as she hurried for the exit so she could get to rehearsal on time.

  “Hang on a second,” Sherry said. “Let’s go over your numbers.”

  “Great!” Dana chirped, as if there was nothing she would rather be doing. She followed Sherry into the control booth, where Adam went over the sales figures in painstaking detail, instead of just giving Dana the highlights, as he usually did.

  Sherry, of course, had feedback on what Dana could have done better, and what was wrong with each display and camera angle. The ten-minute conversation had stretched to thirty minutes by the time Sherry was done and Dana was dismissed. She bolted out of the studio without even changing into her street clothes, and made it to the theater only five minutes late, wondering how the hell she was going to survive the week.

  It wasn’t until Dana got home that night, physically and emotionally exhausted, that she played back the message. To her disappointment, it wasn’t Ari’s voice.

  “Detective Lee here. I understand you left a message for Detective Marks about the Todd case. He’s tied up today and asked me to return your call. Please phone me back when you get a chance.”

  It left Dana slightly nauseated. No doubt Marks didn’t even want to hear her voice. He probably didn’t even believe she had any real information to share. Maybe he even showed Lee her texts and said something like, “Do me a favor and deal with this crazy bitch.”

  Dana drank a tall glass of water—no booze this week—and went to sleep.

  The next day, Dana called Detective Lee as she walked across town to work. She didn’t want to speak to him. She wanted to talk to Ari, who knew the people involved and would be able to offer perspective. But she felt compelled to return his partner’s call. If she didn’t, Ari would think the message was nothing but a ruse to get him to talk to her.

  She tried to sound as factual and sane as possible. But his questions frustrated her. He kept asking what facts she had, what she had actually witnessed. And the more he probed, the more she realized that all her conclusions were based on conjecture and speculation.

  “What do you think I should do?” she asked. “Should I report it to management at the Shopping Channel?”

  “Maybe not just yet,” he said. “Let us look into it, and we’ll get back to you.”

  “Okay,” she said, not entirely convinced it wasn’t his way of blowing her off. “But can I ask—have there been any other breaks in the case?”

  “That’s not something I can discuss with you.”

  “I know,” she said. “But Detective Marks mentioned something about expecting the forensics report any day. Has that come in?”

  There was a pause. “I promise you,” he said, “we’re working as quickly as we can. We’ll make an arrest when we have all the facts.”

  35

  Beecham, Dana thought. He was the one she needed to go to. He wasn’t at the security desk when she arrived, so she asked the young guy on duty—Zack Higashi—where she could find him.

  “He should be in his
office. Is there anything I can do for you, Ms. Barry?”

  She waved him off, and hurried to the security office at the far end of the first floor. She found him on the phone at his desk behind a wall of monitors showing live feeds of the front and rear doors to the building from different angles. He got off the phone and waved her in.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  “Mr. Beecham,” she said, “I think I know who the thief is.”

  He told her to take a seat, then rose to shut the door.

  “Talk to me,” he said, pulling out the chair behind his desk.

  She explained everything—Adam’s financial situation, the necklace his wife wore, his reaction when she brought it up and how he had more access to the display merchandise than just about anyone else.

  “And then there’s Kitty’s gold alligator bracelet,” she said. “I know it was stolen between the time I saw Kitty’s body and when the police arrived. And Adam was one of the people who went into her office.”

  Beecham rubbed his chin, taking it all in.

  “I know it’s not proof,” she said, remembering the reaction she got from Detective Lee. “But I can’t help thinking about his guilty expression when I brought up his wife’s necklace and—”

  “It’s compelling,” he said.

  “It is?” Dana was so relieved to be taken seriously she didn’t know how to react. “I told one of the detectives on the case and he was so...dubious.”

  “That’s his job,” Beecham said. “But if it’s true, I think we might be able to find some corroborating evidence.”

  After discussing it a few more minutes, Dana agreed to come back to see him the next day so they could get exactly what they needed.

  * * *

  She arrived the following morning with a bag from Dunkin’ Donuts—her way of thanking Beecham for his help. She thought they might spend a few minutes chatting more about her suspicions while bonding over caffeine and sugar. But Beecham had been waiting for her and wanted to get right to work. He stood and told her to follow him.